Norway and Seamie Heffernan© Photo Healy Racing
Market confidence in Norway proved well founded as he landed the Paddy Power Betting Shop Stakes at Leopardstown, giving Aidan O'Brien a treble on the card.
O'Brien saddled three in the mile-and-a-half Group 3 contest, all sons of Galileo, and Norway was the one for money, backed from 8/1 in the morning into 7/2 joint-favourite on course.
Seamie Heffernan produced the chestnut with a strong run inside the final furlong to claim front-running stable-mate Blenheim Palace in the final 100 yards.
Norway kept on well close home for a length-and-a-quarter success. Buckhurst the other 7/2 joint-favourite, won a close battle for the runner-up spot.
The winner had been placed three times this season, including when third in the Irish Derby.
“We're delighted with him. It always looked like it could work for him here. A mile-and-a-half is probably his trip and taking your time on him a little bit,” said O'Brien.
“We've probably been making too much use of him a few times recently but this suited him.
“He travels well, quickens well, but when he gets there he doesn't do a lot.
“He's a horse that is probably going to get better, he's going to be better next year.
“We had him in Australia but I don't think he's going to get in. I'd be viewing him as a next year horse really.
“He's a lovely horse to have, fast ground, a mile-and-a-half and he can travel and quicken.
“There are going to be a lot of places to suit him. He could travel a little bit at the end. He could go to Hong Kong or America.”
