A Boy Named Susie looking for confidence boost

Donnacha O’Brien says A Boy Named Susie deserves to get his head in front in the Newbridge Silverware Royal Whip at the Curragh on Sunday after going toe-to-toe against the best of the Classic generation.

The three-year-old Starspangledbanner colt has gone down swinging in some heavyweight contests this season.

In April he was third in the Ballysax Stakes behind subsequent Derby winner Christmas Day before twice finding superstar colt Constitution River too good in the French Derby and the Eclipse.

Lowered into the calmer waters of this Group Three contest at the Curragh, O’Brien feels his consistent colt can finally get due reward for some courageous efforts and in the process set up a lucrative autumn campaign.

“It represents a great opportunity to get his nose in front after a year of trying his heart out,” said O’Brien.

“Obviously it is a drop down in grade but he is in good form at home and he has some high-class form so it would be nice to get his head in front and set him up for the autumn.

“He is already a good horse but I think he is going to be a better horse next year but it would be a deserved success if he gets the win.”

O’Brien trains the colt for his sister Ana but older brother Joseph has plans to spoil their day by saddling Omni Man and Cowardofthecounty against the likely favourite.

“It looks a good race and A Boy Named Susie is certainly the one to beat,” said the Owning Hill trainer. “But Omni Man had a good run last time and Cowardofthecounty will be interesting at the trip. It is his first time at the distance so it will be interesting to see how he goes.”

Their father Aidan O’Brien fields Charles Fort who would be stepping up from sprint distances up to the 10 furlongs of this Group Three while County Meath trainer Jack Davison’s Rebel Ascendant, fourth at Roscommon last time out, makes up the five-strong field.