Irish Derby hero Los Angeles makes triumphant return to the Curragh

The Group Two Coolmore Stud City Of Troy Irish EBF Mooresbridge Stakes served up a contest befitting its feature race status at the Curragh with Irish Derby hero Los Angeles successfully returning to HQ.

Doubling up for Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore following the earlier success of Officer in the Tetrarch, Los Angeles took over from pace-setter Galen with over a furlong left to race.

The Prix de l'Arc bronze medallist soon faced a serious challenge from the 2024 Mooresbridge hero, long absent White Birch

That Group One winning course specialist did all in his power to reel in Los Angeles. Try as he might Colin Keane's mount eventually had to give best by a neck, with two and a half lengths back to Trustyourinstinct in third.

“We’re delighted with him. He’s a lovely big honest horse. When he gets there he doesn’t do much but that’s always been him,” said O’Brien.

“The plan would be to come back here for the Tattersalls (Gold Cup) and if that went well then he would go to Ascot for the Prince Of Wales.

“Then we could have a look at the King George and then he could have a break and then we’d give him a prep for the Arc.

“You can see that he’s still as big as a bull, he’s a big powerful horse.”

When asked if getting a Group 1 win over ten furlongs would be important he said:- “I don’t think it’s important because he is what he is anyway and everyone knows.

“For the horse we don’t want to go too long until we have to, keep him sharp for when he goes up to a mile-and-a-half.

“If he goes to the King George he’ll want to be sharp. Then he’d have a prep for the Arc, maybe back here in the Royal Whip.

“It’s very hard to get by him, because he’s lazy he’d be waiting there.”

On his reluctance to go through the rails going to the start he added:- “He’s a big four-year-old colt and he knows how big he is.

“He’d be very happy to walk over you rather than walk around you! That’s the way he is.

“He hates hanging around but he doesn’t even break sweat. He’s like a big child that didn’t get manners put on him when he was young and then when he got too big it was too late!”

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Sunchart (GB), trained by Andrew Slattery, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.

At the request of the Raceday Stewards, A.J. Slattery, rider of Sunchart (GB), trained by Andrew Slattery, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount did not let himself down on todays ground.

(GC & EM)