Bolger edges O'Brian in Curragh thriller

Jim Bolger and Aidan O’Brien will doubtless have plenty more higher profile clashes to come but the two top trainers battled it out for the opening Bank Of Scotland (Ireland) EBF Maiden at the Curragh.

It was Bolger’s Toirneach, the 3-1 favourite, who just got the better of O’Brien’s Greatwallofchina by a short head, with respective jockeys Kevin Manning and Kieren Fallon in full flight down the home straight.

O’Brien’s William Hogarth acquitted himself respectably in sixth but did not appear have the ability to match the ante-post money wagered on him for next year’s Derby.

“She’s a good, hardy filly,” said Bolger.

“There’s a big day in her, but we will probably go the Listed route first.”