Al Riffa makes class count with stylish Curragh Cup win

Joseph O’Brien’s Al Riffa stamped his class on the Michael John Kennedy Curragh Cup.

The dual Group One winner had played a supporting role in three previous outings this year, finishing third in the Neom Turf Cup in Saudi Arabia and fourth in the Prix Ganay in France before finding the globetrotting Rebel’s Romance too strong Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Stepping up to a mile and three-quarters for the first time, the Dylan Browne McMonagle-ridden 4-5 favourite saw out the trip in some style, rocketing clear late on to claim Group Two honours by five lengths from Shackleton

Stable representative Kevin Blake said: “That was brilliant, he’s a horse with a lot of class and he was last to first in a National Stakes here in fairness to him.

“No one ever felt that he needed that trip, but it made sense. He was relaxed, Dylan said he was very easy to ride over that trip, he quickened up and it was really good.

“I’d say it’s most likely that he’ll go straight to the Irish Leger from here. There is a possibility of the Group One that he won in Berlin last year (Grosser Preis von Berlin), but I’d say it’s more likely he’ll go straight there.

“The Melbourne Cup is in the minds thereafter. We all know what comes with that but that would be what we’d like to do, if we’re allowed.”

Odds-on favourite New Zealand led home a one-two-three for Aidan O’Brien in the Juddmonte Chaldean Irish EBF Maiden.

Despite finishing only seventh on his debut at this venue three weeks ago, the Frankel colt was sent on his way the 10-11 favourite to open his account in a race won by Henry Longfellow and The Lion In Winter in the past two years and was soon bowling along in front under Ryan Moore.

He was under pressure from two furlongs down, but kept responding to his rider’s urgings and had just enough up his sleeve to repel his previously unraced stablemate Issac Newton by a nose, with another Ballydoyle newcomer Action – a half-brother to dual Derby winner Lambourn – an eyecatching third.

Of the winner, O’Brien said: “He’s a lovely big horse, he hasn’t a clue what he’s doing yet – he’s massive, the power and the size of him.

“We’ll go gentle and let him come on. He learned a lot from the first day, we liked him before that and he was very green. The first day he was a little bit slow away and you could see him today, he never travelled a yard.

“He’s a big horse and he’s all power. I know he’s not short of speed, but he looks like a big, middle-distance horse.”

The Ado McGuinness-trained Go Athletico (20-1) swooped fast and late under Shane Foley to claim top honours in the €100,000 Kwiff Supercharged Betting Scurry Handicap.

“It’s a nice birthday present – I’m the big 60 today,” said McGuinness.

“I suppose class is permanent and form is temporary and he did lose his form big time. He slipped back down and we were very disappointed with him.

“He’s a good horse and he’ll probably pitch up in Galway now in the Ahonoora Handicap, that’s where he’s going to do next.”

Stop The Nation was a 15-2 winner of the Lavazza Sprint Nursery Handicap for trainer Jack Davison and 3lb claimer James Ryan.

“I had a baby boy at 23.59 last night and James Ryan lost his claim there. It’s a real feel-good winner on many fronts,” said Davison.

“He’s a good colt and he’s learning the whole time. He’ll be a lovely horse for the Goffs Million.”