National glory for George Washington
Kieren Fallon’s mount was slowly out of the stalls and nearly pecked when one of his rivals went across him.
But the 2-11 shot came from last to first with consummate ease to give trainer Aidan O’Brien his sixth success in the Group One contest.
Cashmans and VC Bet left George Washington unchanged at 4-1 for the UltimatePoker.com 2000 Guineas, while Ladbrokes and Coral trimmed the son of Danehill a point to 3-1.
“He’s got so much class. I was in trouble early on when a horse went across him,” said Fallon after completing the second leg of a 8-1 four-timer.
“I was very impressed. He accelerated very quickly and I may have got there too soon.
“He’s possibly got some of the quirks of his half-brother Grandera but they do not affect his performance. Once he got to the front he idled.
“He needs a good horse to up his game.”
O’Brien was also delighted with the winner, saying: “When he stumbled he had a lot of ground to make up. He got the seven furlongs no problem and it was very easy for him. We were very happy with.
“He had a break after his last race and he was ready for a run.
“It was great as he behaved so well today. We were hoping Amigoni would set him a good example but he didn’t really.
“It’s only possible he’ll run again this season. He’s had five runs and I wouldn’t be worried if he didn’t race again but we’ll see what happens.”
Amigoni quickly built up a big lead with his rider Seamus Heffernan unaware of the trouble George Washington had been in early on.
However, once the runners turned into the straight George Washington cut the deficit in the style of a top-class horse.
Leading a furlong out, he could afford to idle in the closing stages but was still two lengths clear of Golden Arrow, with Heatseeker another half-length back in third.
O’Brien had left another of his star juvenile colts, Horatio Nelson, in the National Stakes as a precaution but as expected withdrew him.
“He’s got plenty of options. He’s in the Grand Criterium, the Dewhurst and the Racing Post Trophy. He’s in good form,” he added.
Art Museum did his Classic prospects no harm when completing a treble for O’Brien in the Listed Laing O’Rourke Blenheim Stakes over six furlongs.
“He’s a lovely horse and did it well. He’ll probably follow last year’s winner Ad Valorem by going for the Middle Park Stakes,” said O’Brien.
Art Museum (8-11) cut down Leitra in the final half-furlong to win by two lengths.
Now unbeaten in two starts, the Storm Cat colt remains 25-1 for the 2000 Guineas with Ladbrokes but is down to 20-1 from 25s with Cashmans.
Arabian Prince (8-13) had earlier struck for O’Brien when produced late by Fallon to pip long-time leader Moone Cross by a neck in the Tinnakill House Stud EBF Maiden.
The son of Fusaichi Pegasus has plenty of lofty entries but may not run again this term.
“It’s possible but not definite he will run again this seaon as he likes fast ground. He’ll be a lovely horse for next year,” said O’Brien.
Fallon got first run on the opposition in the Group Two Irish National Stud Blandford Stakes when sending Red Bloom, the 15-8 favourite, into the lead two furlongs out to land a comfortable victory.
The four-year-old filly, trained by Sir Michael Stoute, went on to win by a length and a half from Pictavia with another British raider, Pat Haslam’s Kinnaird, a length back in third.
