O’Brien celebrates 92nd birthday with a winner

THE legendary Vincent O’Brien, who celebrated his 92nd birthday yesterday, had his colours carried to victory by Lastkingofscotland in the Breeze-Up Bonus EBF Maiden at Tipperary last night.

The son of Danehill Dancer is trained by his son, Charles, who was enjoying a second success of the season.

“This was so well organised, I planned it six months in advance”, said Charles O’Brien, with obvious tongue in cheek.

“The boss winters in Australia and will be back in May. I spoke to him this morning and he’s in great form. He was blowing out the candles, which took a while!”

Fran Berry drove the winner ahead over a furlong down, but Lastkingofscotland was all out close home to hold the late surge of Castor by a short head.

Whatuthink made an excellent start on the flat when running his rivals ragged in the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Race.

Taken as high as 7-4 in the morning, he was a best priced 11-10 on track and that found favour into 10-11.

Johnny Murtagh had the ride and he had the seven-year-old bowling along in front from the start.

Wright Flyer was his closest pursuer throughout, but was shaken off early in the straight, the verdict six lengths.

“We are happy with that”, exclaimed trainer, Oliver McKiernan. “The plan now is to go to Punchestown for the Stayers’ Hurdle and, hopefully, the ground will be a bit better that evening.”

Three Rocks completed an early season hat-trick with an easy victory in the seven furlongs plus Captain Marvelous Race.

All surfaces seem to come alike to the son of Rock Of Gibraltar and he toyed with this opposition.

Pushed into the lead with a over a furlong to run, he stretched away to score by a comfortable three lengths.

The winner was partnered by Kevin Manning for Jim Bolger and they supplied the even-money favourite, Buiochas Mor, in the Ballyhane Stud Fillies Maiden.

Buiochas Mor cut out as if shot in the straight, however, but Bolger still had the answer to the contest with 25-1 shot, Filista, who scampered clear in the closing stages for David Moran.

Wicklow trainer, Daniel Miley, enjoyed his first success on the flat when Tresilian ran away with the Tipperary Racecourse Supporting Irish Breeders’ Handicap.

Danny Mullins, the teenage sensation of last season, brought Tresilian with a sweeping run on the outside in the straight and the Captain Rio gelding revelled in the ground to go eight lengths clear.

It was a first of the campaign for Mullins, while Tresilian landed a minor touch from 14-1 to 9-1.

Lord Rathvinden, beaten a short head by Pussyfooting at Limerick earlier in the week, made no mistake in the Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Handicap.

He shot into the lead three furlongs from home, quickening right away in the closing stages.

Lord Rathvinden was ridden by 16-year-old Alan Doyle, who comes from the Curragh and was having his first ever ride.