Furner's Green and Joseph O'Brien in full flight at Leopardstown © Photo Healy Racing
Furner’s Green readily won the Group 3 2,000 Guineas Trial Stakes at Leopardstown to give Aidan and Joseph O’Brien a quickfire double.
The 4/6 favourite was content to race in third in the four runner field but asserted 150 yards from home in the seven furlong contest to go past Akeed Wafi (7/4) and win by two and three parts of a length.
“I’m delighted. He travels well and quickens,” trainer Aidan O’Brien said.
“He got a bit tired last time. We always thought he was a Guineas and French Derby type.”
Pacemaker Vault led until just over a furlong out when collared by Akeed Wafi. Aidan O’Brien’s second string finished third with Tiger At Heart last of the four runners.
Furners Green was cut from 50/1 to 33/1 with Boylesports for the English 2,000 Guineas and Epsom Derby. Meanwhile Ladbrokes introduced the colt at 33/1 for the Derby and shortened him to 33/1 from 66/1 for the 2,000 Guineas.
Michael Graham
