Thurles begins with Ballydoyle double and Autumn Winter winner

Champion Flat trainer Aidan O'Brien and jockey Wayne Lordan combined for Thurles doubles today as topically-named Autumn Winter justified 4/6 favouritism in the Killinan Handicap.

The Galileo colt had previously finished seventh in Royal Ascot's King George V Stakes in June and today, at the winter course's first meeting of the season, was produced to lead when edging right inside the final furlong before holding Dark Oak by a length-and-a-half.

Unlucky in running, Messerschmitt finished a nose further away in third place.

Lordan, who won the opener on O'Brien's Mint Candy reported “Autumn Winter is a fine horse, is coming back from a break but had good runs underneath him. He was a little raw on this track so there is plenty of improvement in him. He gets that trip well.

“He will make a fine stayer and was off a mark today that was attractive. He is going to climb the ranks.”