Joseph O'Brien doubles up with Buckhurst

Buckhurst continued a good Derby festival for Joseph O'Brien when landing the Dubai Duty Free Full Of Surprises International Stakes at the Curragh.

It was a double on the day for the Pilltown handler, following on from Iridessa's Group One victory yesterday.

Wayne Lordan, who teamed up with O'Brien in the Pretty Polly on Friday, was again on board the Australia colt in the Group 3 prize.

The 2/1 favourite travelled sweetly to challenge two furlongs out and picked up well when asked for an effort to lead over a furlong from home.

He kept on well in the closing stages to post a length-and-a-half success over Blenheim Palace

“That was lovely and Wayne gave him a lovely ride,” said O'Brien.

“He's a decent horse, we brought him to Ascot last week but we didn't run because the ground was quite soft over there. He loved the bit of good ground today.

“We'll see how he comes out of the race but we won't be in a rush with him. He didn't run at two and he's had plenty of racing this year so far.

“He'll step up in trip at some stage, he's an Australia, but he doesn't need to go further yet. He'll go a mile-and-a-half at some stage.

“He should be a better horse next year. He's still learning and when the horses came around him today he went on again.”

Lordan added:- “He’s a very straight forward colt. I just wanted to sit forward and he stays well.

"He hasn’t much experience, that’s only his fourth start, I didn’t want to get stopped on him so was happy to go a bit wide and have my own space.

“He got to the line well and is an exciting colt. I think he can keep progressing, and you would think he should get further.”

(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)