Gstaad turned Newmarket disappointment into Irish Classic glory with a commanding victory in the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh.

The Aidan O'Brien-trained son of Starspangledbanner, who won at Royal Ascot and the Breeders' Cup as a juvenile, had finished second to George Boughey's Bow Echo in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket earlier this month. On Saturday, he joined Field Of Gold in converting Rowley Mile silver into gold at the Curragh twelve months later.

With Karl Burke's Greenham Stakes winner Alparslan setting the pace alongside Power Blue, Gstaad tracked the leaders under Ryan Moore from his barrier eight draw. The 4-11 favourite took control entering the final quarter mile, his acceleration proving too sharp for his rivals as he powered clear to a three-length victory over the Charlie Appleby pair of Distant Storm and Pacific Avenue.

Moore emphasised the straightforward nature of the performance. "He had a nice draw really — he was sat out there on the wing, but he was comfortable. Nothing was able to sort of get in his way and we kept it very uncomplicated," the jockey said. "I just kept asking him to creep forward from halfway and he's got quite an extravagant stride and when able to use it, he's an impressive horse."

The jockey suggested the colt's mental development has been critical to his progress. "His mind is in an unbelievable place and there is no one better at that than Aidan," Moore noted. "I remember him when he was a two-year-old and the way he has brought him along — he has got more confident this horse and that is down to the trainer."

Comanche Brave Dominates Sprint Division

Comanche Brave announced himself as a leading sprint contender with an authoritative display in the Weatherbys Ireland Greenlands Stakes.

The Donnacha O'Brien-trained son of Wootton Bassett, fifth in last year's Irish 2,000 Guineas before finishing third in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot, returned to sprinting on his most recent start when fifth to Hong Kong champion Ka Ying Rising at Sha Tin. Back on home ground as the 7-4 favourite, he tracked the pace before asserting inside the final furlong, drawing clear for a two-length success over Big Gossey under Ryan Moore.

Purview Shines Over Extended Trip

Purview underlined his Classic credentials with a comprehensive six-length victory in the Sherry FitzGerald Country Homes Orby Stakes.

The Dermot Weld-trained son of Kingman, who pushed high-class Delacroix close on his seasonal reappearance before winning Cork's Listed Navigation Stakes last season, stepped up to a mile and a half for this Listed assignment. The Juddmonte-owned colt travelled smoothly throughout under Colin Keane before asserting decisively when asked, the 4-1 chance scoring with authority to confirm his lofty reputation.

Perry Mason Delivers for Ahern

Perry Mason provided Maurice Ahern with a notable success in the Keadeen Hotel Handicap, the 16-1 shot prevailing under Leigh Roche.

Ahern, training for exactly twelve months, credited the gelding with giving him his first winner at the Curragh last year. "I'm delighted. He's due that and he was knocking on the door in some big handicaps," the trainer said, adding that Perry Mason "has been good to me."