St Nick pleases in gallop

St Nicholas Abbey continued his preparations for the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot on July 27 with a pleasing workout after racing at the Curragh yesterday.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained six-year-old worked over 10 furlongs in company with stablemate Chamonix, taking it up over a furlong out under Joseph O’Brien and easily coming a couple of lengths clear.

O’Brien said: “I’m very happy with that, I’m delighted with him. He’ll come back now and be trained for the King George.

“He’s a marvellous horse. Last year we experimented a bit with him (as regards tactics) but Joseph knows him well now, he knows how he likes to ride him and the horse knows how he likes to be ridden.

“When the gates open he knows what to do. He’s a very enthusiastic horse.”