Joseph O'Brien moved to within two of Gary Carroll and Ben Curtis at the head of the apprentice table when he got Big Occasion home by three parts of a length from Asiya in the Mongey Communications Handicap at the Curragh.
This win, O'Brien's 31st of the campaign, was the culmination of a treble on the card for the Ballydoyle team. Johnny Murtagh had earlier guided Petronius Maximus and Gemstone to success.
Aidan O'Brien merely commented of Big Occasion, "he stays very well." My Blue Heaven slipped up and brought down Lynott entering the straight here. Horses and riders Seamie Heffernan and Davy Moran were okay afterwards.
Meanwhile O'Brien will send Joshua Tree to Woodbine in Canada next Saturday for the 2 million dollar Canadian International. He won that event previously with the Mick Kinane partnered Ballingarry.
