Autumn Winter (right) at Thurles© Photo Healy Racing
Champion Flat trainer Aidan O'Brien and jockey Wayne Lordan combined for Thurles doubles today as topically named Autumn Winter justified 4/6 favourism in the Killinan Handicap.
The Galileo colt had previously finished seventh in Royal Ascot's King George V Stakes in June and today, at the winter course's first meeting of the season, was produced to lead when edging right inside the final furlong, before holding Dark Oak by 1.5 lengths.
Unlucky in-running Messerschmitt finished a nose further away in third place.
Lordan, who won the opener on O'Brien's Mint Candy reported “Autumn Winter is a fine horse, is coming back from a break but had good runs underneath him. He was a little raw on this track so there is plenty improvement in him. He gets that trip well.
“He will make a fine stayer and was off a mark today that was attractive. He is going to climb the ranks.”
