Double eve of Derby boost for Heffernan

SEAMUS Heffernan, who will partner Fame And Glory in today’s Investec Derby, received a timely boost when recording a double on Man Of Iron and Skating at Navan last night, both horses carrying the purple and white colours of Derrick Smith, which Heffernan will don for classic action this afternoon.

Heffernan soon had Man Of Iron in front in the one-mile Irish Stallion Farms Maiden and, although challenged and headed briefly under two furlongs out, the Giant’s Causeway colt responded to Heffernan’s driving, edged back into the lead and then stretched clear through the final furlong to slam Lady Rockfield by five and a half lengths.

In typically frank style, the Kildare-man commented: “He’s tough and honest, like his sire, and stays well.”