Brother to Blackbeard Quickens Clear At The Curragh

Tunbridge Wells (2c No Nay Never – Muirin, by Born To Sea) earned a step up in class when running out an impressive winner at the Curragh on Wednesday.

Aidan O’Brien’s charge ran green when finishing second on debut last month and was sent off favourite to go one better under Ryan Moore. Tracking the leaders in the early stages of the six furlong contest, he led after the two furlong marker and quickened smartly when asked a furlong later. He ran on well to win by two lengths and three quarters, as the leading trio finished four lengths clear of the remainder.

“We were delighted with Tunbridge Wells today,” O’Brien said after the race. “Ryan (Moore) said he is still babyish. Obviously the race today would set him up for Ascot if he was forward enough, so we'll see how much that race brings him on. If not we could come back here for the Railway Stakes.”

The smart performance saw Tunbridge Wells shorten in price for the Coventry Stakes. Bred by Newstead, the Coolmore-owned colt is a full-brother to top-class juvenile Blackbeard.