Trainer Aidan O'Brien was left awestruck after his One Cool Cat ran out the brilliant winner of the Group 1 Dunnes Stores National Stakes at The Curragh today, providing Ballydoyle trainer with the final leg of a treble.
The 4/6 favourite was held up in the rear by Mick Kinane, before making good progress two furlongs out. One Cool Cat then displayed an excellent burst of speed inside the final furlong and led 100 yards out for a one length win over Wathab.
Afterwards, an impressed O'Brien commented 'this horse is serious. He is unusual in that he can effortlessly make up so much ground. I've never seen that in a horse before. Mick (Kinane) says his speed is almost dangerous.'
When asked on whether or not One Cool Cat would race again this season, O'Brien added 'definately not - he's going to move in beside me now!' Cashman Bookmakers reduced One Cool Cat's odds from 5/1 to 3/1 favourite for next season's 2000 Guineas.
O'Brien earlier landed the opening Little Italy 'The Italian Food Emporium' EBF Maiden with Anchor. The son of Inchinor had previously filled the runner-up spot on both his starts but made it third time lucky here with an impressive front running display.
Anchor, the 11/10 favourite, held a clear advantage from two furlongs out, eventually winning comfortably by one length from promising newcomer Akilak.
The middle leg of O'Brien's hat-trick was gained in the stewards room. David Wachman's Castledale finished first past the post but had drifted across the track inside the final furlong, thus caused interference to O'Brien's Colossus, who was beaten a short head. The result was altered after a stewards enquiry, providing both Mick Kinane and Aidan O'Brien with the middle leg of a notable treble.
King Carew broke his second track record (his first was at Cork) when making another bold front running display to land the September Handicap under Billy Lee.
King Carew, who contested the 2001 English Derby, was immediately sent into a clear lead and battled gamely in the straight as the remainder of the field closed. Michael Hourigan's charge held on for a two length win over Theme Song, with his delighted trainer stating that King Carew will now run at Listowel next weekend where he will be reunited with the trainer's daughter, Laura, in a Qualified Riders race.
The 28 runner seven furlong (40-75) handicap was won by Con Collins' Stay Cool. Pat Shanahan's mount hit the front one furlong out and ran on strongly for a two length win.
Trainer-jockey combination Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen added to their win in yesterday's Irish St Ledger when Hymn Of Love made a bold front running display to win the Listed Ben Dunne Memorial Solonaway Stakes while English raider Chorist justified 11/8 favouritism in the Group 3 Blandford Stakes for jockey Darryll Holland and trainer William Haggas.
Johnny Murtagh and John Oxx were not to be denied a winner, and they combined to land the concluding Pizza Stop EBF Maiden with Azamour. The 7/4 favourite galloped clear of his rivals inside the final furlong for an impressive 2 1/2 length win, with a five length break to the third finisher.
