Galilean and Donnacha O'Brien lead home Tang Dynasty and Ana O'Brien© Photo Healy Racing
Fresh from Minding's brilliant win at Ascot, Aidan O'Brien completed a quick cross the card double as top-weight Galilean led home a 1, 2 for Ballydoyle in the Annual Ticket 2017 Nursery Handicap.
Third on his debut at Naas last month, the son of Galileo could only manage third and fourth respectively when sent off favourite on his next two starts.
Making his debut in handicap company today, the bay colt was available at 3/1 last night, opening on-course at 2's, before going off the 13/8 market leader.
Prominent throughout on the inner, the winner was pushed along with under three furlongs to race.
He soon came under pressure and eventually got the upper hand on stable mate Tang Dynasty with over a furlong to go. He extended his advantage inside the final furlong, going on to score by two and a half lengths.
The aforementioned Tang Dynasty had to settle for second under Ana O'Brien at 12/1, while Cleona was another half a length back in third under Kevin Manning for Jim Bolger at 16/1.
Donnacha O'Brien said afterwards: "He's tough, stays well and horses aren't making up a whole lot of ground here today so I said I'd ride him confidently from the front and he kept going.
"He'll make a stayer next year."
STEWARDS REPORTS
G.F. Carroll, rider of Rock In Peace trained by G.M.Lyons, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount never travelled on the ground.
The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Jose Echegaray trained by Andrew Slattery, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be very distressed and clinically abnormal post race.
D.P. McDonogh, rider of Jose Echegaray, trained by Andrew Slattery, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount got upset in the starting stalls and never travelled after going three furlongs.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
