Irish Derby: Lambourn toughs it out to land Epsom-Curragh Traditional double for Aidan O’Brien | Racing Information

Lambourn prolonged Aidan O’Brien’s stellar report within the Dubai Obligation Free Irish Derby, as he grew to become the twentieth horse to observe up Epsom success on the Curragh with a battling victory over stablemate Severe Contender.

Despatched off the 8-13 favorite to repeat his Epsom triumph, Ryan Moore tried to duplicate Wayne Lordan’s impressed front-running journey on the Surrey Downs, however met stern resistance from Ralph Beckett’s second-string Sir Dinadan, who refused to let Lambourn get his personal method in entrance.

Moore stoked up the Epsom hero rounding the house flip and though Sir Dinadan’s problem started to wilt, it was Ballydoyle stablemate and King George V Stakes runner-up Severe Contender within the palms of Gavin Ryan who loomed massive trying an enormous menace.

The Ballydoyle pair started to duel inside the ultimate furlong, however Lambourn proved a prepared ally for Moore as his stamina and Traditional high quality got here to the fore to win by three-quarters of a size and earn a spot within the historical past books alongside his sire Australia and grand-sire Galileo, who additionally did the Anglo-Irish Derby double.

Severe Contender completed second at 28-1, with Charlie Johnston’s Epsom runner-up Lazy Griff staying on for third at 14-1.

“He is a really simple horse that will get the journey properly,” stated O’Brien.

“Ryan was going to be glad if somebody got here with him as that retains him centered. He is just a little bit laid-back, just a little bit lazy and you may see up the straight he was ready on a regular basis however that is him. Ryan gave him a beautiful journey.

“Ryan thought he would maintain pulling out and he was pricking his ears all the best way.

“He could possibly be a King George horse, he could possibly be an Arc horse. He will get the journey properly and may be very sound and really real.

“We minded the second horse for a handicap in Ascot that we thought he could not get beat after which a horse got here and beat us that was entered within the King George so it simply goes to point out what can occur.”

Skukuza positive factors second Curragh victory for Ed Dunlop

Ed Dunlop’s Skukuza confirmed his liking for the Curragh as soon as once more when claiming the Colm McLoughlin Celebration Stakes.

The four-year-old had made a profitable raid on a helpful handicap on the Kildare monitor on Irish 2,000 Guineas day however this time was again for Listed motion and was despatched off at 11-4 within the palms of Ryan Moore.

Shortly despatched to the top of affairs by his big-race pilot, the Newmarket traveller by no means missed a beat on the entrance finish as Moore dictated the tempo earlier than sending his mount on to safe a two-and-a-quarter-length victory over Johnny Murtagh’s Alakazi, with Paddy Twomey’s 2-1 favorite Currawood additional again in third.

Robin Trevor Jones, travelling head lad to Ed Dunlop, stated: “We ran him within the Britannia final yr the place he ran an excellent race (second) however it actually jarred him up and we could not danger him on that quick floor at Ascot this yr.

“It was a courageous choice to not run if you find yourself one of many favourites for the Royal Hunt Cup however the plan has labored. He is a Listed winner now so we’re rising.

“Ryan actually wished to get a lead however he did not anticipate any tempo on so he stated I might need to make my very own operating which he did. The horse has by no means achieved that, however he did all the things proper and I believe the additional he went, the additional he was going to win.

“He likes coming again right here for Traditional days so possibly there’s something for him on Oaks day!”

Vespertilio pips My Mate Alfie in Sprint thriller

Vespertilio edged out final yr’s winner My Mate Alfie in an exhilarating end to the Jebel Ali Racecourse & Stables Sprint Stakes on the Curragh.

One among Willie McCreery’s steady stars, Verspertilio was not crushed far within the Greenlands Stakes over this course and distance final trip however was given a extra affected person journey this time round by Dylan Browne McMonagle.

As Ger Lyons’ My Mate Alfie produced his customary sincere problem from up close to the tempo, Browne McMonagle discovered himself in the direction of the rear of the sphere because the race started to develop, however he had a prepared associate because the daughter of Evening Of Thunder rapidly weaved her strategy to inside hanging distance.

It was quickly left to the 2-1 favorite to battle out the conclusion together with her major market rival My Mate Alfie, with only a quick head separating them on the end, as Vespertilio tasted success for the primary time since claiming the Debutante Stakes as a two-year-old.

McCreery stated: “She wants cowl and many pace. Dylan was very affected person and stated when she hit the entrance she thought she had all the things achieved and pulled herself up.

“I am delighted to get her again within the winner’s enclosure. She received a Group Two right here as a two-year-old and was third in a French Guineas.

“It was onerous to steer the homeowners to carry her again to 6 furlongs as she had such good kind over a mile, however it has paid off – Evening Of Thunder places a great deal of pace into them, the necessary factor is to change her off early.

“We would go for the Maurice De Gheest. She has a French breeder premium so she will get one other bonus on prime if she does properly over there.”