Derby delight for O'Brien

Daddy Long Legs gave trainer Aidan O’Brien his first winner on Dubai World Cup night when winning the UAE Derby, with better-fancied stable companion Wrote third in the Group Two race at Meydan.

Colm O’Donoghue sent Daddy Long Legs into the lead as the field turned for home after Helmet had set a scorching pace.

Ryan Moore followed him through on Wrote but could never strike a blow and had to settle for minor honours with Yang Tse Kiang filling second spot.

O’Donoghue said: “This is his first run of the year and hopefully he will come on again for that.

“Today the track rode well and he was very slick over it.

“It’s a very competitive night here. The races are always difficult to win and obviously we’re delighted with that.”

O’Brien intimated the horse might go for the Kentucky Derby.

He said: “Obviously we would have to think about that. He’s American-bred, he’s by Scat Daddy who tend to be all about speed, but the way he has matured physically I think he will get the trip.

“He’s a good colt, he showed he was last year. He jumped well and travelled well, and Colm gave him a great ride. He has a lot of class and it’s interesting to see they are improving from two to three.

“That (Kentucky Derby) was the plan, to come here with the two of them and then see if we had a Kentucky Derby contender. The lads (Coolmore) will speak about it but you’d be looking that way with him at the moment.”

Runner-up Yang Tse Kiang has run last race for French trainer Richard Chotard and is going to be trained in Hong Kong by Derek Cruz.

The retiring Richard Hills had no luck as he finished down the field on Enntifaadha.