River in full flow as O’Brien seeks 14th Beresford success

Ol’ Man River, as low as 12-1 for the 2015 Derby, makes his eagerly awaited second appearance in the Juddmonte Beresford Stakes at the Curragh tomorrow.

The Montjeu colt is out of the dual 1000 Guineas winner Finsceal Beo and he looked the part when successful in his maiden at the end of August. Trainer Aidan O’Brien will be looking for his 14th win in the Group Two to join his namesake Vincent O’Brien with most successes in the contest.

O’Brien also runs Battle Of Marathon, a Leopardstown maiden winner but well beaten in the Railway Stakes, and Order Of St George, who claimed his maiden by eight and a half lengths at the third time of asking.

Dermot Weld’s Tombelaine will give O’Brien a good idea of where he stands going into the race. Weld’s colt finished second to Gleneagles and John F Kennedy, Ballydoyle colts with Classics on their agenda next season, on his last two outings.

Tony Martin is not normally involved in these type of events but he saddles an interesting contender in Clonard Street. A debut winner for John McConnell, he was subsequently bought by JP McManus and sent to Martin.

“The horse already had the entry and we thought we’d let him take his chance,” said Frank Berry, McManus’ racing manager.