Search
Punchestown 2024
Punchestown 2024
- Home
- News
O'Callaghan pair bid for glory in Marble Hill
Evasive Power
© Photo Healy Racing
Michael O’Callaghan cannot split Recon Mission and Evasive Power in the Cold Move Irish EBF Marble Hill Stakes at the Curragh today.
Recon Mission won a decent-looking Curragh maiden just over two weeks ago and will be ridden by Leigh Roche, who was on board both colts on their debuts.
Evasive Power was in action just a week ago when he caused a 22-1 surprise at Navan, beating colts with experience and defying his $4,000 price-tag.
“Obviously I’ve been very happy with them since they won, which is why they are running,” said O’Callaghan.
“I think they’ll both improve for the run again, too.
“Recon Mission will enjoy being on some better ground. It was quite heavy the day he ran at the Curragh but he came out of his race well.
“Evasive Power only ran a week ago but we were running out of time if we wanted another run into him before Royal Ascot. We were just keen to get two runs into him before Ascot as we think he’s a good colt.
“He’ll have improved mentally for a run. He’s come on a lot for that and came out of the race well. He’ll enjoy the ground and I’m looking forward to running him.
“They are two good colts and there’s nothing between them at home. I don’t have to say that to protect the owners either as I own them both!”
Aidan O’Brien is looking for an incredible 11th win in the race and was last successful two years ago with the brilliant Caravaggio.
The Ballydoyle handler this year runs Fairyland (Seamie Heffernan), Van Beethoven (Ryan Moore) and Land Force (Donnacha O’Brien).
Jim Bolger ’s unbeaten Goldrush runs in the Group Two Lanwades Stud Stakes.
By Frankel and out of Bolger’s brilliant mare Alexander Goldrun, she showed versatility in regards of trip last season, but meets a top-class rival in O’Brien’s Hydrangea Making Light Xenobia Nivvo and Opal Tiara complete the field.