No problem for Washington at the Curragh

George Washington justified long odds-on favouritism with an authoritative performance to win the Laing O’Rourke National Stakes at the Curragh.

The current favourite for next year’s 2000 Guineas, trained by Aidan O’Brien, was sent off at 2-11 for the Group One contest and was settled towards the rear by Kieren Fallon in the early stages.

When asked to pick up just over a furlong out, the response was immediate and the son of Danehill swept through for a cosy two-length success from Golden Arrow.

George Washington's stable companion Amigoni set a blistering pace for the first half of the race, followed by Duff and Mick Channon's British raider Hazeymm.

For a brief moment at around the three-furlong marker it looked like Amigoni might cause an upset as he still seemed to be full of running, while Fallon started to ask George Washington a couple of questions.

But the market leader picked up nicely, winning with a bit to spare and he remains at 4-1 for the Guineas with VC Bet, while Coral were impressed enough to cut him to 3-1 from the same price.