O’Brien: So You Think is a unique specimen

AIDAN O’BRIEN has admitted that the judicial decision to prevent Kieren Fallon from riding Recital in the Epsom Derby was a distraction he could have done without and might well have cost the horse a better finish than his 4½ length sixth to Pour Moi.

The saga continued right to the 11th hour as the owner of Native Khan, Ibrahim Araci, sought to have Fallon stood down for the race because he felt that the six-time champion jockey had been in breach of contract when getting off his horse to ride Recital.

The initial application for an injunction was denied but an appeal overturned that decision, leaving O’Brien scrambling for a replacement with less than 12 hours remaining to the stalls opening.