Mekong makes it two from two

Mekong River made it two from two as he accounted for his two rivals in the the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Nursery.

Trained by Aidan O’Brien and ridden by Joseph, the bay son of Galileo won his maiden in the Stewards room at Gowran earlier this month, after being impeded close home by Green Tag.

Sent off the 4/5 favourite (1/2 over night with Paddy Power, opening at evens on-course), he was fitted with cheekpieces for the first time.

He led from the start, and although Zakhm threw down a strong challenge in the straight, the ‘jolly’ pulled out more close home to score by a length and a half at the line.

Zakhm finished a gallant second under Sam James for Kevin Prendergast at 4/1, while the well-backed Bleeding Hearts 10/3 in a place this morning to 6/4 at the off, finished a disappointing last, four lengths adrift of the runner-up.

Aidan O'Brien said afterwards: "He is a hardy horse and he stays well. He learned a lot from Gowran.

"Joseph made the running as he felt he would get the trip well and I'd say he learned plenty again today."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee