First Cornerstone on his way to victory under Chris Hayes© Photo Healy Racing
The Andy Oliver and Chris Hayes (eighth winner of the week) bandwagon rolled on at the Curragh this afternoon as they took the feature race, the Group 2 Galileo EBF Futurity Stakes, with First Cornerstone
The duo landed the biggest pot on offer here yesterday when claiming the Cambridgeshire with Punch Your Weight and they again took the biggest pot today with the son of Hurricane Run.
The chestnut colt sprang a 33/1 surprise at Tipperary last time out on his second career start when winning the Listed Coolmore Canford Cliffs Stakes.
Sent off at 7/2 this afternoon he raced in third early on before being niggled along to close approaching two furlongs out. h
He gained a narrow lead a furlong and a half from home and kept on best inside the final furlong to hold off Flying The Flag (7/4 joint favourite) and win by a length and a half at the line.
Joseph O'Brien rode the runner-up after his mount Nevis was taken out of the race this morning due to the ground conditions.
The David Simcock trained Birdman was sent off the other 7/4 joint favourite and he could only manage third a further half a length back under Pat Smullen.
Winning trainer Andy Oliver, who supplemented the winner, said afterwards: "It is great when a plan comes to fruition.
"He did it well at Tipperary but he was still a green horse there. I was impressed with his attitude more than anything that day so that's why I supplemented him.
"I knew from Tipperary that he would handle the ground but he doesn't need it soft.
"I thought Mars and Dawn Approach would come out. This week this horse got new owners and I was keen to run him in this race. Thankfully they were good enough to indulge me.
"He got a great ride from Chris Hayes who is riding super. He settled him and produced him at the right time.
"The owners are Team Valor LLC and they are based in America and he will eventually end up over there.
"He will certainly get further and he is entered in the Beresford Stakes and the Racing Post Trophy. He is not in the National Stakes but everything is on the table."
Barry Irwin of Team Valor LLC talked in the parade ring after the race and he said: "Team Valor was founded twenty six years ago and they currently race in South Africa, England, France, Germany and have forty horses in the USA and they won the Kentucky Derby last year."
(On-course reporting Michael Graham)
