O'Brien filly Brilliant in Leopardstown maiden win The Aidan O'Brien trained Brilliant made it third time lucky when staying on in determined fashion to open her account under Ryan Moore in the Irish EBF Median Sires Series Fillies Maiden at Leopardstown. Sixth on her racecourse debut at Cork last month, the daughter of Gleneagles came forward from that run when third at this venue on her second start. With the benefit of those previous runs, Moore had Brilliant away quickly, tracking the early leader Neo Smart from the outset. Travelling easily into the straight, Moore went on over 2f out but soon faced a strong challenge from the Ger Lyons trained debutant Sakti. The latter went in chase of the eventual winner over a furlong out and battled on well to the line but her lack of previous experience may just have proved the difference as Brilliant kept on to win by a neck. “Ryan was delighted with her and said to ride her more patiently the next day,” said Aidan O'Brien. “We'll go for something like the Debutante and ride her patiently rather than making use of her, he said he thought she would be better ridden that way. “He said she's very genuine and she wanted to win, which is a big help.” Additional reporting by Gary Carson.
