Camelot returns with victory at the Curragh

Last year's 2000 Guineas and Derby winner Camelot returned to action with a win

Multiple Classic winner Camelot made a winning return to action in the Mooresbridge Stakes at the Curragh...

Aidan O'Brien's colt won the 2000 Guineas and both the English and Irish Derbies during a spectacular first half of his three-year-old campaign, but was denied Triple Crown glory in the St Leger at Doncaster.

He disappointed on his final start of the year in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and was subsequently found to be suffering from colic, but was still sent off as an odds-on favourite to make a winning reappearance.

The presence of the Jim Bolger-trained Parish Hall, a horse good enough to win the Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket as a juvenile, added spice to the contest as he appeared to retain plenty of ability when winning on his return from a long lay-off in the Alleged Stakes.

Camelot was settled last of the five runners in the early stages, with his stable companion Triumphant adopting a pacesetting role as anticipated. Joseph O'Brien eased the market leader closer once straightened up for home and it was clear he was travelling far easier than his opponents. O'Brien had to shake up his mount, but did not resort to his whip, and Camelot quickened smartly to run to the lead.

Triumphant kept going to finish second, while Parish Hall was third.

Asked if the Tattersalls Gold Cup back at the Curragh on May 26 was likely to be Camelot's next race, Aidan O'Brien said: "That's still the plan. He has a lot of speed - I know he got a mile and a half last year but you saw the speed he has today, he has a lot of pace. Joseph said fitness-wise he was around 70 per cent today."

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