Septimus stars in O´Brien treble Septimus showed his class when making an impressive winning return to complete a treble for Ballydoyle at the Curragh on Saturday. The Sadler´s Wells colt quickened smartly to forge to the front a furlong-and-a-half in the Group 3 Curragh Cup. Johnny Murtagh only had to straighten him up at the furlong pole as he went on to record a two-and-a-half length success. The Irish St Leger is the target for the five-year-old, who looks set to go to the top of the staying division. "I´m delighted. He wasn´t away from home at all this year and is a fresh horse. It´s great to get him started," said O´Brien. "Johnny took his time and they set a sensible pace. He got a bit tired but was entitled to. He´s had no first half of the season and will hopefully carry on fresh. "We would love to come back for the Irish Leger. The King George and all those races are there for him and he could take in a race like the Lonsdale Cup (at York) which he won last year." O´Brien had started the day well when saddling Westphalia to land the two-year-old maiden. The Danehill Dancer colt will be aimed at group company next time after powering away in the closing stages to claim the six furlong contest. Murtagh tracked the leaders before improving to tackle Douze Points at the furlong pole. His mount soon got the measure of that rival and was stretching away at the line for a length-and-a-quarter success. "He was drawn high and Johnny had to use him a bit early to get up there. He was very green on his debut and is still green. Hopefully he´ll come on for that," said O´Brien. "Johnny had to give him a few slaps to make him gallop. He´s a young horse - it´s only his second start and he´s still a little bit nervy." Sean Graham quote the winner at 33/1 for next year´s Guineas while Boylesports slashed him from that price to 16/1. King Of Westphalia provided the middle leg of the treble when taking the Atlantic Homecare Derby Festival Handicap and O´Brien hopes he can go on to better things after opening his account. Murtagh tracked the leaders before launching his challenge over a furlong out on the Kingmambo colt. He stuck to his task well to hold the persistent challenge of Angels Story by a length. "He´s starting to get it together. He was slow learner ? he was a bit buzzy and hot," said O´Brien. "Johnny gave him a great ride and got a good position on him. We´ll see whether we stay handicapping or step him up. If we get him on the right road he might start improving ? but he needs to improve."
