Aidan O'Brien unleashed yet another star juvenile at Leopardstown on Saturday in the shape of Galileo, who turned the opening EBF two year-old maiden into a procession.
Despite drifting from 2/5 out to 1/1, the son of Arc de Triomphe winner Urban Sea sprinted past Taraza inside the final furlong for a spectacular 14-length success.
After watching the colt earn a quote of 14/1 for next year's Epsom Derby, O'Brien could scarcely conceal his enthusiasm :
'This fellow is top-class. Indeed, he showed so much speed in the Spring that Mick (Kinane) thought he would be our Dewhurst horse'.
'However like many of ours he was affected by the cough, and that's why he hasn't run until now. I think he'd handle any trip.'
The admirably consistent Gaelic Storm completed another profitable overseas raid for Middleham handler Mark Johnston as he captured the featured Dept. of Agriculture handicap.
The well-supported 1/1 favourite was produced to lead by Johnny Murtagh entering the final furlong and comfortably held the late thrust of Tiger Royal to score for the four-member HC Racing Club.
Trainer Dermot Weld missed seeing his Major Force run out an easy winner of the Irish Meat Association EBF Race as he was stuck in traffic.
It was left to son Mark to express his delight at the colt's performance, before going on to outline future plans.
'He'll run next in a Listed event here on the final day of the season, after which it'll be on to Paris for a Group 3'.
