Aesop’s Fables (2c No Nay Never – How’s She Cuttin’, by Shinko Forest) overcame a four month absence to make it two from two in Saturday’s Group 2 Futurity Stakes at the Curragh.

The Barronstown-bred bay shaped like a smart prospect when making a winning debut in April and was well-supported as he stepped up to seven furlongs on return. Held up by Ryan Moore, Aidan O’Brien’s charge improved into third approaching the two furlong marker and was ridden to challenge soon after. Running on well entering the final furlong, he reeled in stablemate Hans Andersen 110 yards out and kept on to score by two and a quarter lengths.

“He’s a big, strong powerful horse and is built like a sprinter,” O’Brien said after the race. “We’ll see how he comes out of this before deciding where we go next but you would have to be thinking Group 1 now. I would say he will progress a lot from this to his next run.”

A half-brother to Group 1 sprinter Washington DC, Aesop’s Fables is owned by Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Mrs John Magnier and Westerberg. The son of No Nay Never was bred by Barronstown Stud out of black-type performer How’s She Cuttin’.