O'Brien Hails Vanquished Dylan

Aidan O'Brien was keen to put a positive spin on things after Dylan Thomas failed to produce a fairytale ending to a superb career in the Hong Kong Vase.

The four-year-old could not add to his King George VI, Irish Stakes and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe victories this season as he trailed in seventh ? four and three quarter lengths behind the French-trained winner Doctor Dino in his final run.

'He's probably the best horse we've ever had,' said O'Brien.

'What he's done this year from a mile and a furlong to a mile and a half is amazing and there comes a time for every horse.

'You must remember what he's done, and even for him to turn up today, very few horses would've even turned up.

'He got caught in quarantine in Japan for a long time and he looked a horse ready to go into training than go out of training being realistic and honest, he was way overweight.

'We couldn't do anything about it, we put as much work into him as we could and the lads did a good job keeping him sound and right.

'We were delighted to be invited here. It's important that he's safe. It didn't really matter the race we've had.'

(C) PA Sport