Mekong River powers clear in Leopardstown© Photo Healy Racing
Mekong River continued his unbeaten record when stepping up to Listed level in Leopardstown and gave Aidan O’Brien and Seamie Heffernan a treble on the day.
The Galileo colt, in first-time blinkers, bounced out smartly to lead in the mile and one Eyrefield Stakes. Heffernan asked him for more round the home turn and the pair opened up and pulled five lengths clear inside the last furlong. He hit the line six and a half lengths to the good and justified 4/6 favouritism.
Seamie Heffernan said: “He is tough. I was asked to find out a bit about him. He will be a good spin in the Group 1 at Saint-Cloud [the Criterium de Saint-Cloud].
"He is a bit lazy at home but he has improved from run to run. You’d have to be happy with him, he ran hard and fast the whole way and I’m delighted to get the leg up on these.”
Achnaha at 20/1 went past Mandatario and tried to pursue the all-the-way winner, but was never within reach.
Mekong River’s three previous wins included a maiden and two nurseries. He was awarded the maiden in the stewards room after suffering interference from Green Tag in Gowran Park.
Additional reporting by Donal Murphy
