Ten wins in 11 runnings for O’Brien as Nobel takes Railway prize
Heavily backed in the morning and on track, the son of Danehill Dancer was far too good for these rivals.
Johnny Murtagh was in no hurry, but once he pressed the button over a furlong out the race was over as a contest.
Alfred Nobel surged ahead and Murtagh only had to push him clear to beat In Some Respect a comfortable length and a quarter.
Commented O’Brien: “He is progressing and has come forward with every run. I’d say he will come back here for the Heinz.
“He quickened well, but was very green when hitting the front. He has always shown plenty at home, has loads of speed and we hope will get a mile.”
Jim Bolger’s Kitty Kiernan, friendless in the market, was hugely disappointing, never threatening to pick up through the final two furlongs.
Dermot Weld’s horses have begun to hit a nice bit of form and his Famous Name hardly had to get out of second gear to land the Listed Woodies DIY Celebration Stakes.
He’s never been one to be fully trusted, but, when on song, is a fair machine and proved that emphatically here.
Travelling sweetly at all stages for Pat Smullen, the son of Dansili surged away from Jumbajukiba approaching the furlong pole to score by five lengths.
“That was an excellent performance by the colt”, said Weld. “He’s a hard horse to keep on the boil all the time, but was working well at home.
“I have an open mind as to where he will go next. He’s in the Arlington Million and that is a distinct possibility.”
Course specialist Benbaun, now trained by Kevin Ryan and formerly in the care of Mark Wallace, took the Group 3 Dubai Duty Free Millenium Sapphire Stakes, his seventh win at the Curragh.
Wallace is currently training in Australia and this was the first time the eight-year-old has won for Ryan.
“This is for Mark and I hope he does very well in Australia”, exclaimed Ryan. Pat Smullen, who has enjoyed a fruitful relationship with Benbaun and initiating a double, was again in the plate.
He pushed his charge to the front with less than two furlongs to go and Benbaun lengthened to easily beat Snaefell.
“He ran very well in France twice and, as he gets older, appreciates a little ease in the ground”, reported Ryan. “I’d like to run him in the Nunthorpe (York) now.”
The remarkable Mountain Coral won his fourth race in-row when taking the valuable Dubai Duty Free Fine Surprise Premier Handicap.
It has been a real rags to riches story for Frank Oakes’ gelding, who simply goes from strength to strength.
The five-year-old was well drawn on the stands’ side and that made a big difference, as he burst through late for Niall McCullagh to beat Dedo.
“I only have four in”, said an excited Oakes. “That was fabulous, he is a smashing little horse.”
When Marias Dream won at the Curragh recently, she gave trainer, Jimmy Coogan, his first success at headquarters in 12 years.
Well, she returned to the scene of the crime to do the business again, under an excellent Gary Carroll drive in the Dubai Duty Free Golf World Cup Premier Handicap.
Carroll eased her ahead a furlong down and Marias Dream had no problem holding the late challenge of Rock And Roll Kid.
“It is great to have a winner on Derby day”, exclaimed Coogan.
Via Galilei got his act together with a fine front-running display to land the Dubai Tennis Championship EBF Handicap in the hands of Kevin Manning.
“He lost his way, but we think he’s back”, said trainer, Jim Bolger.
Truckers Delight, who has been a tremendous servant to the Shark Hanlon yard, forged ahead for Declan McDonogh at the furlong pole to win the Failte Ireland EBF Handicap.
* The attendance was 23,271, down from 27,312.
