Flying The Flag is driven out by Seamie Heffernan with Aloof back in second© Photo Healy Racing
Aidan O’Brien won the feature race at Naas on Wednesday with his apparent second string and he did the same at the Curragh this evening as Flying The Flag overturned the 'jolly' in the Group 3 eFlow 'You First' International Stakes.
The former Brian Meehan trained Most Improved was making his debut this evening for Ballydoyle, and having won the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot last year, he was expected to take all the beating.
He drifted on track from an opening show of 4/5 out to 5/4, with the winner well supported, going off at 21/10 (first horse to be returned at that price in Ireland) having opened at 3/1 on-course.
Flying The Flag raced in second under Seamie Heffernan as Aloof made the running while Most Improved was settled in third.
As they turned into the straight Flying The Flag took closer order and was pushed along over two furlongs out.
He soon challenged and hit the front under a furlong from home, going on from there to score by four lengths at the line.
Aloof finished second under Wayne Lordan for David Wachman at 5/2 (was 9/2 this morning), while Most Improved was six and a half lengths back in third under Joseph O’Brien.
Aidan O'Brien said afterwards: "I’m delighted with him. He's a mile and a quarter horse and fast ground is important to him. There was plenty of pace on and that suited him."
O'Brien said of Most Improved; "He has been off a long time and he just got tired as he was entitled to do. I was very happy with the run, especially how he travelled during the race. Joseph said he won’t mind going back in trip."
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
