Truly Enchanting put a lacklustre Royal Ascot run behind her with victory in the Airlie Stud Stakes at the Curragh.
The Aidan O'Brien-trained filly was returning 10 days after coming home 13th in the Queen Mary Stakes in Berkshire, but punters' enthusiasm was undimmed as she was sent off the 2-1 market leader.
Winner of a Tipperary maiden on her first start, Truly Enchanting had to work hard for a second career success as California Dreamer, who finished fifth in the Albany at Ascot eight days ago, went toe to toe from the early stages.
A furlong out it was clear the leading duo had the measure of the field and after racing neck and neck through the closing strides, it was Truly Enchanting and Ryan Moore who edged it by half a length, with January a further two and a quarter lengths back in third.
The race was run in wet conditions, with the ground officially changed to yielding to soft from good, good to yielding in places after the Group Two contest.
Truly Enchanting pips California Dreamer to victory in the Airlie Stud Stakes
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"We thought she was a five/six furlong filly who would handle any ease in the ground," said O'Brien.
"Ryan gave her a great ride, she was very green. Conditions suited her.
"She took the race in Ascot very well. She was just a bit green and babyish in the Queen Mary. It was kind of a last-minute decision to go five with her.
"Because she had won at Tipperary, we said we'd chance it, but when she ran at Tipperary it was soft ground, so she found it a big change on the fast ground.
"Ryan gave her a great ride, she's tough and hardy and we're delighted with her.
"He didn't go until he really had to and he kept cajoling her, he didn't want to get into a bumping match with her.
"He said to change the bit. She's very straightforward at home but I suppose she was coming up there on the stand's rail by herself.
"She runs in a happy bit, a very soft bit, and it's as soft as you can put on them. He said to put a ring bit in her, it'll help to keep her straight as it keeps the bit very balanced in their mouth.
"She's not really able to catch hold of it when there is a ring on it."
Jockey Ryan Moore feels "there's more to come" from Truly Enchanting after winning the 2.20 at the @curraghrace
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O'Brien suffered disappointment in the opening maiden when favourite Rock Of Cashel was well beaten, but he felt the ground had perhaps gone against those runners.
He added: "Some of them are running well but the horses in the first were a bit disappointing. They found the soft ground a big change and we probably didn't have them prepared for soft ground.
"We were hoping to come here for fast ground and the preparation is usually a bit different when it's soft and we were probably a bit gentle on them. They'll probably improve a lot.
"This filly had the two runs and obviously won on soft ground first time and then went to Ascot so was probably fitter."
Of the third-placed January, O'Brien said: "Wayne's (Lordan) filly ran a stormer and when she steps up to seven, she'll be lovely."
Jan Brueghel finished with a flourish to deny Trustyourinstinct a Group Three victory in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai International Stakes.
The Aidan O'Brien-trained colt was an eight-length maiden winner at the track on his racecourse debut last month and there was plenty of confidence behind the 8-13 favourite.
Ryan Moore was happy to sit on the heels of pacesetter Trustyourinstinct but with half a mile still to run, he had to get to work on his inexperienced mount.
Jan Brueghel staged a late charge to beat Trustyourinstinct to victory in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai International Stakes
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However, when Jan Brueghel finally hit his stride in the 10-furlong contest, he edged in front of Trustyourinstinct to prevail by a neck, although with a bit seemingly still in the tank.
O'Brien said: "We were worried about the ground. We knew he had improved a lot from the last day and knew he'd stay further but we weren't sure about the ground.
"You could see him swapping and changing when he turned in and Ryan was very good on him I thought.
"He will stay much further and will be very happy going up to a mile and a half. We came here to educate him and bring him on.
Ryan Moore reacts after his second winner of the day @curraghrace, this time aboard Jan Brueghel
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"It's hard going from a maiden straight into a group race. Joseph's horse brought him along at an even gallop and it was a competitive race. We were delighted.
"We weren't sure he was going to get away with it but he did and he stays very well.
"Ryan said he was having a right look going to the line, so there is obviously plenty there still.
"He said he was watching the photographers at the line, so he was obviously very focused and very aware of what he was doing. That's a good sign and that means he was doing it very easy."
Goodwood now appears a likely port of call for the winner, with the St Leger on connections' radar, although plans have yet to be decided.
O'Brien added: "We were thinking of coming here then going on to Goodwood and then going to the Leger after that, if the lads decided to go that far, it depends on what they decide to do.
"Obviously, Sovereign got a mile and a half really well, really strong. This fella is a better mover than Sovereign, a very low mover, and a bigger horse. He's very exciting going forward."
Hazdann put his previous experience to good use as he ran out a game winner of the Barronstown Stud Irish EBF (C & G) Maiden.
Derby hero City Of Troy made a winning racecourse bow in the seven-furlong heat last year and much of the attention was centred on his fellow Aidan O'Brien-trained runner Rock Of Cashel on his first trip to the track.
A Wootton Bassett half-brother to Snowfall, Rock Of Cashel was sent off the 7-4 favourite under Ryan Moore but never really looked like taking a hand in the finish, coming home eighth behind 10-1 Hazdann.
The Dermot Weld-trained victor had to work hard though, with Chris Hayes' mount showing the benefit of a previous ninth at Gowran when fending off newcomer Green Impact by a neck in the colours of the Aga Khan.
"He did it nicely. He just got no run in Gowran but he came home very well that day," said Weld.
"He's progressed well for the race, worked very well the other morning and I thought he'd represent us very well. That's what he did.
"I said to Chris that he would have learned a lot from Gowran, that he had a good draw and to use his experience.
"He's a lovely colt, a very genuine colt. Obviously we'll look at a stakes race with him next. We'll hasten slowly with him.
"You'll find he continues to progress as the year goes on. He's from the Harzand family so there is a nice bit of toughness there as well.
"It's a very important winner with the Princess (Zahra Aga Khan) here to see it."
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