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Review CURRAGH 9-APR-2000

Giant's Causeway maintained his unbeaten record when taking the featured Gladness Stakes in workmanlike fashion.

The Aidan O'Brien-trained colt, easy in the market from 1/2 to 8/11, led at the furlong pole, and was driven out by Mick Kinane to beat Tarry Flynn by 3/4L.

'That is the first time he has raced in among other horses, and the experience will do him good,' said O'Brien.

He added: 'He will go for one of the Guineas',' and is 11/2 (from 9/2) for the Newmarket version with Paddy Power.

The Ballydoyle stable will run Rossini in the Greenham Stakes at Newbury on Saturday, while Bernstein is likely to go straight for the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket.

Kinane recorded a treble on the day, with Laurentia and Chiang Mai both scoring by narrow margins.

The James Burns-trained Laurentia was produced with a steady challenge on the stands side to touch off Creux Noir in the 10f handicap.

Kinane completed a successful afternoon when the O'Brien trained Chiang Mai made all in the 1m fillies event, just holding off She's Our Mare and Three Wishes in a thrilling finish.

The Dermot Weld-trained Media Puzzle justified odds-on support in the 10f maiden, leading a furlong out to beat Physical Graffiti by a comfortable 3 1/2L.

'He has a very bright future, and the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown is the logical next step,' said the master of Rosewell House.

Weld and Pat Smullen later completed a double when Final Exam led over a furlong out to beat Cobourg Lodge by 2L in the 6f handicap.

Last Call (4/6f) was all the rage on his debut to make it a treble for the Weld/Smullen team in the 1m maiden but Forrestfield upset punters when beating the fav by 1 1/2L.

Sure Mark scooped a #5,000 bonus for both his owner and trainer Mick Halford when leading inside the final furlong to beat Gallito Castao by 1 1/2L in the 2yo auction maiden .

'There is a bonus for the first winner by his sire Goldmark,' said Halford, who added: 'These auction races give the smaller stables a better chance.'

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