Battle Cry (left) beats stablemate Samuel Colt© Photo Healy Racing
The Ballylinch Stud 'Red Rocks' Stakes saw two Ballydoyle-trained protagonists pull clear of the remainder in the closing stages and it was Battle Cry who landed the spoils under Ryan Moore.
Given Moore's presence in the saddle, the winner's starting price of 10/1 was remarkable but there were concerns about the heavy ground for the No Nay Never colt who was a market drifter all day having been 4/1 early in the morning.
Dropped out towards the rear and last turning for home, the winner was switched to the outer early in the straight and from that point began to motor home.
His shorter-priced stablemate Samuel Colt had come through between horses to lead at the furlong pole but he was run down in the final 100 yards as Battle Cry kept on best to score by half a length with My Mate Alfie a further five lengths back in third.
Winning trainer Aidan O'Brien said: "We saw what happed him in Doncaster (got upset in the stalls and was withdrawn) last year. He just panicked but never did it before or after.
“Ryan gave him a very good ride. He’d prefer better ground and looks like he’ll get a mile. It’s tough out there and you have to get home there today.
“He could be a horse for the French or the Irish Guineas.”
Quotes from Alan Magee
