On the nearside Japan with Seamie Heffernan up comes to beat Mount Everest and Ryan Moore© Photo Healy Racing
Japan (11/2) was a fourth winner on the day for Aidan O'Brien when leading home a 1-2 for Ballydoyle in the Group Two Bereseford Stakes at Naas.
The three previous O'Brien winners were ridden by Ryan Moore — Magna Grecia Hermosa and Cypress Creek — and his choice in the feature of the day was Mount Everest
That 11/8 market-leader took over from stable companion Sovereign from over a furlong out but he couldn't fend off Japan.
Under a well-judged Seamie Heffernan ride Japan got there near at the finish to prevail by a short head.
For Michael O'Callaghan and Leigh Roche Power Of Now didn't get a clear run. In the circumstances he put up a good effort to be third, three lengths behind. Pythion spread a plate and had to be re-shod at the start which saw the race go off nine minutes late.
That wasn't troubling O'Brien in the aftermath who said: "He was very green the first day and won nicely the next day. We thought he would come forward again from this and he probably will.
"You couldn't be happier. He followed the pace when the other two were going along.
"I thought he'd come forward again from today, he's a big hardy horse, so he could be the type of horse for the Racing Post (the Vertem Futurity Trophy at Doncaster on October 27th).
"He travelled well and done everything right so you'd have to be delighted with him really.
"The second did nothing wrong and ran a lovely race too. There were no prisoners taken and it was an honest straight-forward race.
"We're all learning together. Donnacha's is a massive big horse and they are all big middle distance colts. The experience will do them really good."
Paddy Power go 25/1 from 50/1 about Japan for next year's Derby.
The Stewards enquired into an incident in the straight involving Guaranteed ridden by K.J. Manning, Japan (GB), ridden by J.A. Heffernan, and Power Of Now, ridden by L.F. Roche, where it appeared Power Of Now ran short of room and leaned onto Guaranteed.
Evidence was heard from the riders concerned.
Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards advised J.A. Heffernan to ride with more care in future.
(GC & EM)
