Highland the Reel deal

Odds-on favourite Highland Reel provided Aidan O’Brien with his tenth winner in five days when bolting up in the opening two-year maiden in Gowran Park last evening, undoubtedly the best performance on the card.

Runner-up to Tombelaine on his debut at Leopardstown, the Galileo colt edged ahead early in the straight and was soon clear. Idling in front, he was given a couple of back-handers by Joseph O’Brien and powered clear to slam Taqaseem by twelve lengths.

Joseph stated: “He’s a lovely horse. They died in front and I got to the front a bit soon. He had a look at the gap, so I gave him a belt to straighten him out. And he picked up well. He should be able to step up in class.”