Dylan On Song For Last Hurrah

Aidan O'Brien admits Dylan Thomas has endured a long season but still hopes his stable star can sign off a remarkable career with a win in Sunday's Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Vase.

The six-time Group One winner struggled to get to grips with conditions in the Breeders' Cup Turf in October, and has since had a planned assault on the Japan Cup aborted due to veterinary red tape.

O'Brien admitted: 'After recent events things are up in the air a bit.

'We know just how good he is on his good days and he seems to be in fine form now, but he has had a long, hard season,' he told www.hkjc.com.

'He's a typical son of Danehill, getting bigger and stronger all the time. He doesn't owe anybody anything and has performed in Group One races nearly every month since the start of the season. He's an amazing horse.

'I don't think any other horse but him would have got this far. You can never be too confident, but we are hopeful.

'He has a great will to win.'

O'Brien will also be represented by the consistent Excellent Art in the Mile.

'At Monmouth Park (second in the Breeders' Cup Mile) the draw was against him, as was the ground with it shifting underneath him,' the Ballydoyle maestro continued.

'The ground here is beautiful and it's a lovely track so that will be a big help.

'He has not done as much racing as Dylan Thomas but he is a good, tough honest horse and we're hoping for a good run.'

(C) PA Sport