Nelson leads off the home bend© Photo Healy Racing
Nelson led home a 1-2-3 for Aidan O'Brien when making most of the running to take the Group 3 Willis Towers Watson Champions Juvenile Stakes at Leopardstown.
Donnacha O'Brien 's mount asserted early in the straight of this mile event, and the 11/2 chance stayed on really well to score by three lengths. Kew Gardens finished well to take the runner-up spot, while the 11/10 favourite Delano Roosevelt also put in his best work in the closing stages under Ryan Moore to complete a clean sweep for the Ballydoyle team.
1-2-3 for Aidan O'Brien! Three-parts brother to US Army Ranger Frankel colt Nelson runs out a ready Group 3 winner at @LeopardstownRC: pic.twitter.com/F7SIzWz3ke— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) September 9, 2017
1-2-3 for Aidan O'Brien! Three-parts brother to US Army Ranger Frankel colt Nelson runs out a ready Group 3 winner at @LeopardstownRC: pic.twitter.com/F7SIzWz3ke
Aidan O'Brien said, “He's improved with every run, and the experience was a big help. He got a nice easy lead and quickened up well off the bend. You would be delighted with all three of them really.
“He's very well bred by Frankel out of Moonstone and is a horse to really look forward to. He stays well and looks a Racing Post Trophy type horse.
“Ryan's horse had only one run so he was always going to be green around there. In an ideal world we would like to have two runs coming here. He was very raw, and Ryan said he got a bit disorganised early and he had to take him back a bit.”
Donnacha O'Brien said, “He stays very well and is very genuine, it was a good performance. I thought I went a nice even gallop and when I asked him to pick up on the bend he galloped the whole way to the line. The form of the race looked to be strong and all the horses turned up.”
Bookmaker reaction was to cut Nelson for next year's Investec Derby, with Paddy Power and Betfair going 16/1 (from 33/1), while the Frankel colt is 20/1 (from 33/1) with Boylesports and Ladbrokes.
