'He's going to improve plenty' - classy two-year-old Daytona makes mark for Aidan O'Brien

Daytona ran out a resounding winner of the inaugural Listed Pat Smullen Stakes under Wayne Lordan, pulling three and a quarter lengths clear of North Coast to extend his unbeaten record to two.

A son of Wootton Bassett, Daytona looked promising when clearing two and a half lengths away on his debut at Gowran last month. As well as a step up in class, he faced livelier ground and an extra furlong in distance in this mile contest but he excelled.

Having taken a prominent position briefly early on, Lordan soon anchored the heavily supported 4-5 favourite third from last of the seven runners. The pair breezed into contention at the two-furlong pole alongside the Joseph O'Brien-trained North Coast.

Once Lordan got to work, the response was not immediate and Daytona showed distinct signs of greenness, but once he got organised with a furlong to go he began to blast away impressively.

The race, run in honour of legendary rider Pat Smullen, was being staged for the first time with family and friends of the nine-time Irish champion jockey in attendance to present the prize to winning connections. It is a part of the new Smullen Series, a programme of races for two- and three-year-olds with the objective of providing connections of middle-distance horses with valuable races.

Daytona: now 2-2 after striking on SaturdayCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Lordan said: "Pat was a good friend and it was great they put this race on. 

"Daytona did the same as he did the last day, he travelled well, getting there easy but when you ask him for the effort, he's still just a bit immature.

"He went forward, had a little roll around but he hit the line good. I was drawn wide and happy to get a lead because I thought he might have too much of a look out in front today. He's going to improve plenty and mentally he's going to come forward an awful lot."

Daytona, who was cut to 20-1 (from 33) for next year's 2,000 Guineas, formed the second leg of a double for O'Brien and Lordan after Neolithic landed the 6f Median Sires Series Race earlier on the card, powering three lengths clear of Howd'yadoit at odds of 9-1.

Double for Whearty and Lyons

There was also a double for 3lb claimer Robert Whearty as 6-1 chance By The Lake made a winning debut for Ger Lyons in the 5f fillies' maiden before the Paul Flynn-trained American In Paris stayed on strongly to land the 6f apprentice handicap by a length and a half at 13-2.

Robert Whearty completes a double on American In Paris (left)Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

By The Lake was Whearty's first winner for Lyons, with the Starspangledbanner filly showing an excellent attitude to prevail by a neck from Tornado Kiss.

"I was contemplating not running her because of the trip," said Lyons. "I was going to start her at six but I said I'd do the entry and see what rocks up because I just like the track. She's a lovely filly with a good temperament."

Lyons saddled his own double as Storm Piece won the finale, defeating Mathan by half a length and justifying 10-11 favouritism in the 7f rated race under Jack Kearney.

Read more:

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'We have so much belief in him' - Rumstar bounces back from Royal Ascot flop with blazing success in Coral Charge 

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