O'Brien and Lordan complete Curragh double The market got it wrong with the Coolmore partners pair of contenders for the Irish Stallion Farms EBF (C & G) Maiden at the Curragh. Delphi (17/2 out to 11/1) brought up a double on the card for Aidan O’Brien and Wayne Lordan. O’Brien’s son Donnacha sent out strongly-backed second favourite The Rain King (9/2 into 9/4). He never really got involved though under Gavin Ryan in the Tabor colours, finishing in seventh. Meanwhile after winning in the Derrick Smith silks earlier aboard Merchants Quay, Lordan again carried the purple and white livery to success on Delphi. On start two with first-time blinkers employed, Delphi kept finding for pressure from his prominent position to beat Carrytheone and market-leader Agitare, by a head and half a length. Carrytheone met trouble in running but was in the clear in time, and just lost out to a determined rival. “He stuck at it well and he ideally needs further,” said Lordan. “I was off it a nice bit down but he kept going well and battled well.” The Stewards enquired into an incident in the closing stages of this race involving Agitare, ridden by K.J. Manning, Carrytheone (GB), ridden by S.B. Kelly and Delphi, ridden by W.M. Lordan, where it appeared that interference may have occurred. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards took no further action other than to caution S.B. Kelly to ride with more care in future. The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined The Rain King, trained by Donnacha Aidan O'Brien, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal. (GC & EM)
