Tower Of London and Killian Hennessy win the Ulster Derby © Photo Healy Racing
It may not have been Epsom or the Curragh but Aidan O'Brien added another Derby winner to his record with Tower Of London proving far too strong for the opposition in the BoyleSports Ulster Derby at Down Royal.
A rare ride for Ballydoyle stalwart Killian Hennessy, the Galileo colt always travelled easily throughout the race, arriving on the wide outside full of running over two furlongs out.
British raider Ibrahimovic led into the straight but was only there on sufferance, as Hennessy bided his time on the eventual winner. Once asked for an effort, the colt quickened up to join the Michael Bell trained runner-up before going right away.
A Listed winner at Leopardstown on his previous start, the full-brother to St Leger winner Capri could be one to keep onside once he steps up further in trip.
Stable representative Chris Armstrong said: "Killian (Hennessy) gave him a lovely ride. Colin (Keane) set a nice tempo in front on the other horse (stablemate Hippodrome having his first run back. It is nice to get him back started again.
"He (Tower Of London) had a nice win in Leopardstown and the form is working out well. On his mark, we thought he was nicely in.
"It is great to give Killian a winner, he's a massive part of the team back home. He rides a lot of work. It is a great prize for him to win. It is great this time of year Aidan can spread the rides around and give some of the other jockeys in the yard a chance.
"He's a nice horse going forward and he probably appreciates the nicer ground. In fairness to the team up here, they have had the track in beautiful condition. The ground was perfect for him.
"He's a horse to look forward to for those staying races. He could maybe turn into a Leger type, but there is plenty of those races for him in and around that distance.
"Killian won the Ballysax Stakes at Dundalk (in 2020) when it was run during covid, it was a Group 3 on a horse called Nobel Prize. He is a very good rider in his own right. He's an essential part of the team for riding work. He rides a lot of the good work with Wayne (Lordan). Lovely to give a fella like that a nice big winner.
"He (Tower Of London) has come on with each run, the family stays very well. The start of the year the ground probably caught him out when he was on a softer surface but with good ground he had plenty up his sleeve today.
"We got stuck in traffic with Killian. I drove him up and he was doing some panicking around Portlaoise when we were stuck in traffic for 20 minutes and not going anywhere. He turned 50 shades of white! I says 'don't panic, we will get there!'"
Additional reporting by Michael Graham
