O’Brien delighted with Royal Ascot bound George Washington despite defeat

AIDAN O'BRIEN yesterday expressed his delight with George Washington, despite the colt only managing to finish second in the Irish 2000 Guineas at the Curragh on Saturday.

And that means George Washington and the winner Araafa are on course for a mouth-watering rematch at Royal Ascot next month after both came out of the Boylesports Irish 2000 Guineas in good shape.

The latter put in a career-best effort to turn around the form from the English equivalent and hand Aidan O’Brien’s superstar only his second career defeat on ground that rider Kieren Fallon was adamant had blunted his speed.