Order Of St George and Joseph O'Brien score in runaway fashion© Photo Healy Racing
The absence of the Ballydoyle pair Ol’ Man River and Smuggler’s Cove due to the soft ground completely changed the complexion of the Irish Stallion Farms EBF (C & G) Maiden, and Joseph O’Brien switched to Order Of St George who duly justified prohibitive odds at Leopardstown.
The 2/5 favourite led entering the straight in this mile event, and quickly settled the issue galloping clear to score by a facile eight and a half lengths. Blue Skimmer took the runner-up berth, with Prologue another half a length away in third.
Joseph O’Brien said, “He’s a lovely horse. He’d a nice run first time out but I was surprised with how green he was next time at Naas where the penny didn’t drop until the last 100 yards.
“Back over a mile suited him today. He’s a big, immature horse and has always sweated a lot but he doesn’t get flustered or panic and it doesn’t seem to affect him.”
