Report: Curragh, Saturday

Abu Dhabi Irish 2,000 Guineas (Group 1) 1m, 3yo only

AIDAN O’BRIEN continued his dominance of the British and Irish Classics, training the first, third and fourth home in the Irish 2,000 Guineas with Power defying a pre-race drift to win comfortably.

After winning both Guineas with Camelot and Homecoming Queen in England, he claimed the first Irish Classic of the year in fine style, with the Bryan Smart-trained Foxtrot Romeo breaking up the O’Brien horses and finishing in front of Reply and Daddy Long Legs. Trumpet Major, the 7-4 favourite, disappointed, finishing last.

Roderic O’Connor finished down the field in the English 2,000 Guineas before romping home at the Curragh under Joseph O’Brien, and 12 months on it was a case of history repeating itself as Power put right his Newmarket flop in fine style under the trainer’s son.

“Weput his Newmarket run down to the soft ground and the fact it was his first run of the season and we were prepared to forgive on both fronts,” said O’Brien.

He added: “He’s showed today how much he’s come on in the past few weeks. He was solid at two and has lots of class. I would imagine it will be the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot next for him.”

Settled towards the rear, Power, a 5-1 shot, sat well off the strong pace set by UAE Derbywinner Daddy Long Legs. He blazed off in front at Meydan, never seeing another rival, and as he entered the final three furlongs at the Curragh he didn’t look like getting caught.

The field were hard at work in behind and Colm O’Donoghue looked to have exploited a soft lead perfectly, but the Curragh’s stiff finish saw him fade and O’Brien jnr weaved his way through the field to deliver Power late and win decisively in the end.

O’Brien, who turned 19 this week, was tasting Classic success for the first time in this race last year, but one year on it’s a flavour he has fast become accustomed to.

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