Joseph O'Brien straightens up The Happy Prince to beat Gussy Goose and Mutadhamen© Photo Healy Racing
Joseph O'Brien followed up on his first win of the Flat season, aboard Hans Holbein at Leopardstown yesterday, when getting the wayward The Happy Prince (4/9) home by a length and a quarter in the National Student Raceday Maiden at Limerick.
The Rip Van Winkle colt, fifth on his debut in a big field at the Curragh back in October, took over here a furlong and a half out.
However he gave a pretty severe swerve left, under a furlong out, to supply front-runner Gussy Goose with another chance.
Any doubts about the destination of the prize quickly disappeared though, with O'Brien getting his mount back on an even keel before going on to triumph by a length and a quarter.
"He's a nice horse who had a nice run last year. He has plenty speed and when I gave him a crack he had a little look and is still quite green," said O'Brien of his father Aidan's charge.
"I was never worried though and he had plenty in hand."
(TW & EM)
