Irish Racing Returns to Fanfare

More Beautiful won the first race back at Naas as racing returned in Ireland following its longest hiatus in history, with Shane Foley also hitting the headlines after an opening day four-timer.

The resumption of racing has come in Ireland after 76 days following the easing of the COVID-19 lockdown measures, with the Aidan O'Brien-trained More Beautiful winning the first race, a five-furlong fillies' maiden, under jockey Seamie Heffernan.

The War Front  filly, out of O'Brien's group 1-winning juvenile Maybe, was prominent throughout under Heffernan and quickened smartly in the final two furlongs to pull clear of Roses Blue and Nimbostratus.

"She's a War Front filly with a lot of ability," Heffernan said. "She couldn't have won any easier. I liked what I felt today."

Betfair Sportsbook introduced More Beautiful as the 7-2 favorite for the Queen Mary Stakes (G2) at Royal Ascot, a race O'Brien has yet to win as a trainer.

O'Brien, who doubled up with Elfin Queen later on the card, was also a winner in Britain June 7 when Love won the QIPCO One Thousand Guineas (G1) emphatically under Ryan Moore at Newmarket.

It is set to be a busy first week back in Ireland, with the first two Irish classics—the Irish Two Thousand (G1) and One Thousand Guineas (G1)—due to be run on Friday and Saturday at the Curragh.

Sceptical Slashed for Ascot After Emphatic Win

Sceptical looks set for some lofty targets after impressing in a comfortable win in the listed Woodlands Stakes.

Denis Hogan appears to have a sprinting star on his hands with the 4-year-old, who is now 4-from-5 and provided apprentice Joe Sheridan with a big success.

"He's a special horse," Hogan said. "He's so easy to train. I'm delighted for James McAuley and Jim Gough, who picked him out. Jim loves his racing and it's a pity he can't be here, but he's got a good horse and will probably go to Royal Ascot next week for the King's Stand (G1). He's the best horse I ever had anyway.

"He did a piece of work up Charlie Swan's last Tuesday. I've seen a lot of horses go up that gallop, but I've never seen one come up as quickly and as powerful as him. He's exciting and the kid on his back is exciting as well. He was in at the deep end today and it didn't phase him one bit. He said the horse was always comfortable and there was probably still a bit of greenness there.

"He could also be entered in the Diamond Jubilee (G1), but I'd imagine the King's Stand would be where he'll go. He had never run on grass before but Dundalk is a quick surface so I wasn't worried. He beat handicappers well the last day but he beats pattern horses well today too."

He has been cut into 7-1 (from 12) for the King's Stand Stakes and is now 10-1 (from 25) for the Diamond Jubilee.

Harrington and Foley in Fine Form on First Day Back

Jessica Harrington is likely to have a hand in the classics and her team could not be in finer form, with the trainer having a treble and jockey Shane Foley a four-timer on the first day back in Ireland.

Foley produced 22-1 shot Punita Arora down the outside late to win the listed Committed Stakes, getting the better of the Joseph O'Brien-trained Alligator Alley.

Kate Harrington, assistant trainer, said: "We have to thank Will Hayes for his work over the last couple of weeks because she's been very difficult in the stalls. She was still slow out of them but didn't rear today, which was the main thing.

"Shane always said he thought it'd really play into her hands the fact that they'd go hard because she loves following.

"We'll see what the owners want to do, but the Commonwealth Cup (G1) could be an option next week. We've always held her in high regard. She'll get confidence from the stalls from today and if she could iron that out there could be a little more improvement hopefully."

Punita Arora has been introduced at 25-1 for the Commonwealth Cup with Betfair.

Debutant Lucky Vega Earns Coventry Quotes

Harrington has had some fine results with her 2-year-olds in recent seasons and could have another smart one at her disposal as Lucky Vega battled bravely to deny O'Brien's Lippizaner in the six furlong maiden.

The runner-up had the benefit of a previous run but Lucky Vega was game up the far rail and stuck on well in the final furlong to make a winning debut.

"He's a nice horse—we thought he was—and it's nice to see him do it on the track. He showed a great attitude towards the end and is only going to improve from that. Hopefully there's plenty more to come," Harrington said. "Mum will talk to Michael (Donohoe) and Mr. Zhang and see what they want to do next. He's a big horse and I'd say he's only 80% there. He's a smart horse."

Betfair introduced Lucky Vega at 16-1 for the Coventry Stakes (G2).