Carriganog follows up in style for O’Brien

Aidan O’Brien looks to have an exciting jumper on his hands again after the impressive success of Carriganog in the I.N.H Stallion Owners EBF Novice Hurdle at Wexford.

The four-year-old was a first jumps winner for O’Brien since the mighty Istabraq in 2001 when obliging at Clonmel earlier this month, and followed up in real style. Sent off as the 8-11 favourite to make it two wins from as many starts over timber, he travelled and jumped well for Robbie Power before taking it up from Theatre Mill after two out.

The outcome was never in any doubt from there, as he powered 16 lengths clear of The Cookie Jar. Like Istabraq, the winner now runs in the colours of JP McManus, who bought the Shantou gelding following his Clonmel effort.