Nelson’s admirable victory for O’Brien
Sent off the 9-4 favourite, having been forecast to go off at twice those odds earlier in the day, he gave O’Brien and jockey Kieren Fallon a quick follow-up to their success with Ivan Denisovich in the July Stakes 24 hours earlier.
Fallon had the colt smartly away and grabbed the far rail so that he could dictate affairs in the Group Three event.
Sent clear a furlong out, Horatio Nelson galloped on stoutly and had extended his advantage to two and a half lengths at the end of the seven-furlong contest.
Leo, having been headed for second by Yasoodd at the furlong pole, rallied gamely to regain the runner-spot in the final strides by a neck. They finished well clear of their rivals, giving the form a pleasingly solid look.
Ladbrokes make Horatio Nelson a 16-1 shot from 33s for the 2000 Guineas.
However, the vibes after the race from connections suggested that the Vodafone Derby might be a more likely target for the colt, who is beautifully-bred by the ill-fated champion Danehill out of dual Classic-winning filly Imagine.
Paddy Power make the colt their new 20-1 favourite for the blue riband.
“He was just playing with them in front,” said Fallon.
“He’s a handy little horse, you can ride him any way. He did it very well and I like him a lot. He’s a very different sort of horse (to Ivan Denisovich) - I think this horse will get a lot further.”
O’Brien concurred, adding: “When Kieren asked him, he got down to it really well. He’s a nice horse and we always thought that he was. “He’s not short of pace, but he wouldn’t mind stepping up in trip. He’s a Group Three winner now so we will have to step him up and look maybe at either the Beresford Stakes (at the Curragh on October 9) or the Vintage Stakes at Goodwood (on July 27).”
Pastoral Pursuits gave Hughie Morrison and John Egan the thrill of a lifetime in the Darley July Cup.
Neither trainer nor jockey had tasted success at the top level in Britain before, and the Group One victory could not have come at a more appropriate time for Morrison, whose last winner came 27 days ago.
A high-quality field of 19 went to post for this prestigious sprint, but there was no doubting the authority of the winner as Pastoral Pursuits stormed up the hill to see off Avonbridge by a length and a half.
One-time Guineas hope Etlaala ran a blinder, coming home a further length and a half away in third.
“We always thought he was a bloody good horse and he proved it today,” said East Ilsley-based Morrison.
“This is my first Group One and it’s immense - it’s unbelievable. I can’t believe it. I have to thank all my staff.”
Kieren Fallon completed a near 48-1 double courtesy of Afrad (14-1) in the Swan Hotel Lavenham Handicap.
Nicky Henderson’s gelding, who was a smart juvenile hurdler, took the lead over a furlong out and kept on under a strong drive to win by a length from Tedstale, whose rider Neil Callan became unbalanced close to the line after briefly losing his reins.
Fallon ended the meeting as leading rider after four victories.
