Mississippi River makes all to give O'Brien fourth on the day Following on from a treble at Royal Ascot earlier in the day, trainer Aidan O'Brien made in a four-timer as Mississippi River made all to win the BoyleSports Smart Racecard Rated Race at Leopardstown. Fitted with first-time blinkers, the son of Lope De Vega was sent straight to the front by Jack Cleary on exiting stalls. Pushed along to assert entering the home straight, the well backed 11/8f pulled right away to win easily by four-and-a-quarter lengths. In fact, the winning distance could have been even greater but for Cleary having the luxury of easing up close home. Chris Armstrong said: “We declared him the other day for the Britannia at Ascot but he was third reserve and didn’t get in. “This looks like a lovely opportunity for him on paper. “He got beaten last time in Naas and we put the blinkers on him which helped him focus a bit more. “Jack gave him a lovely ride, he made every post the winner and he really stretched away in the straight. “He’s in two handicaps at the Curragh next weekend. We’ll see what way he comes out of this and what way his mark is. “It might be worth having a crack at the Meld Stakes here in the middle of July. “He’s a horse that has always promised a lot. Aidan thought he had stakes potential at the start of the year and he’s starting to show it now.” Additional reporting by Gary Carson.
