Amigoni Strengthens O´Brien Hand

Amigoni is set to run at next week´s Glorious Goodwood meeting after scoring a narrow success in the Dubai Duty Free Anglesey Stakes at the Curragh yesterday.

Trainer Aidan O´Brien is planning to keep the Danehill colt to six furlongs with a crack at the Sterling Insurance Richmond Stakes firmly on the agenda.

The Ballydoyle maestro already dominates the ante-post market for next year´s 2000 Guineas with the likes of George Washington and Horatio Nelson but Amigoni is evidently no back number on that performance.

Kieren Fallon took over from Seamus Heffernan on the Danehill colt after his intended mount Aussie Rules was withdrawn due to a stone bruise and the former champion jockey had to be at his strongest on Amigoni.

The Mark Johnston-trained Black Charmer had been in the front rank throughout the Group Three contest but Amigoni, sent off the 7-4 favourite, came to challenge in the final furlong.

Fallon had to get to work on Amigoni but he just squeezed past Black Charmer in the last 100 yards to win by half a length.

O´Brien said: 'With every run he´s getting better. He´s a very tough horse. Racing is really improving him and we´ll keep him going.

'He´s in at Goodwood over six and seven furlongs. I don´t think seven would be a problem but I might just be more inclined to keep him to six for the time being and go for the Richmond.'

Caradak (9-4) turned the seven-furlong Emirates Airline Minstrel Stakes into a procession under Michael Kinane.

After the William Haggas-trained Brunel had set the early pace, Kinane set sail for home on John Oxx´s charge two furlongs out.

The four-year-old responded to his urgings and quickly stamped his authority on the Group Three contest, coming home three and a half lengths clear of Sir Michael Stoute´s Arakan, ridden by Fallon.

Oxx said: 'He´s a lovely horse with a terrific temperament. Fast ground is important to him. We took him to Newmarket for the Challenge Stakes last year and although he ran well he found the ground much too soft.

'He hasn´t got a lot of miles on the clock and I think he is improving. He´s in the Desmond Stakes at Leopardstown next month and that might be the next race for him.'

Adaala came with a telling run in the final furlong to claim the Listed Killboy Estate Stakes for trainer Kevin Prendergast.

Jazz Princess has already kicked for home but Declan McDonogh had plenty in the tank on the 7-1 shot and she swept through to take the nine-furlong contest.

British raider Joint Aspiration never really featured and finished unplaced.

? PA Sport