River sails home for O'Donoghue

King George River looked the outsider of three Ballydoyle runners this morning but there was money around for him and he ran out a convincing winner of the mile maiden at Gowran Park.

Colm O'Donoghue, recording a double on the card, was keen to have his mount prominent and sent him up to dispute with Sugar Boy after a couple of furlongs.

The son of Danehill Dancer led leaving the back straight and had his rivals at work turning for home.

The debutant stuck on well in the closing stages, despite running a touch green, beating Sugar Boy by two-and-a-quarter lengths.

The runner-up had been sent off 2/1 joint-favourite (from 5/2) with another Aidan O'Brien first-timer Freedom Fighter who finished fourth.

The winner had been as big as 10/1 this morning but attracted support and went to post 5/1.

"With the conditions at home we haven't been able to get them out on grass," said O'Donoghue.

"He was in front a long time and was very green - looking at all the gaps. He'll improve a lot for the experience."

Colm O'Donoghue had also landed the opening maiden on Rominintheglomin

(On course reporting by Alan Magee)