Darwin is driven out by Joseph O'Brien to see off the late surge of Russian Soul© Photo Healy Racing
Darwin got back to winning ways in first time cheekpieces as he took the feature at Fairyhouse this afternoon, the Listed Belgrave Stakes, providing Aidan and Joseph O’Brien with a double on the card.
The son of Big Brown disappointed on his seasonal debut at the Curragh in May and he finished tenth of fourteen in the Diamond Jubilee at Royal Ascot on his next outing.
Both of those efforts came behind the mighty Slade Power and with no one of his calibre in the field today the victorious four-year-old entire was sent off the 2/1 favourite (opened at 3/1 on-course).
Having disputed the lead throughout he was ridden to the front two furlongs out and while he was strongly pressed inside the final furlong he just hung on to prevail by a short head.
The Mick Halford trained Russian Soul (13/2) was the one who was chased him down and he had to settle for the runner-up spot for the second year running in this contest. Jamesie completed the placings a further half a length back in third under Fergal Lynch for David Marnane at 3/1, while the Dermot Weld trained Sailors Swan finished a disappointing fourth at 9/4.
Joseph O’Brien said afterwards: "The last day at Ascot was a bit of a shock to his system.
"He was better today and I probably got to the front too soon but around here I needed to ride him a bit more positive as he gets the trip well.
"When he gets fast ground and a straight track I don’t know how high he can go.
"He is entitled to go back into group company now and he’d handle hard ground.
"It was grand safe ground today but anything worse than good to firm he wouldn’t really like it."
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
