Clean sweep for O'Brien in Gowran Classic Joseph O’Brien dominated proceedings in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Gowran Classic with his four runners filling the first four spots. It was 12/1 shot Green Triangle who came out on top in the 200,000 euro contest after a good final furlong duel with stablemate And So To Bed. Ronan Whelan, who was returning from injury today, produced his mount to challenge over a furlong from home and he got to the front in the closing stages to post a head victory. The winner had been knocking on the door in conditions races in his three previous outings this term. “It was a great result. It’s great prize-money and we obviously always try and target those races,” said O’Brien. “I’m particularly happy for Ronan because he got injured off my filly in the Curragh, he got a cut on the back of his head, and today is his first day back riding. “I was feeling sorry for him, it was a freak accident, and it’s great for him to get a winner and a big pot. “The horse got a good set-up. We were here to try and get some prize-money. I said to Ronan to get a positive start and give him a chance because we had been sending him to the front. “He probably enjoyed that, first time blinkers, and he got all the money. “It was a good race. And So To Bed bounced right back to form. I thought if she came back to her Curragh run she was probably the one to beat in the race, and it looks like she did. “This fella is a talented horse but a tricky customer. In Killarney he was going to win when he jumped out through the rail, he’s always ran pretty well. “He got a good set-up, it was a great ride from Ronan, and a lovely pot. “The winner will probably turn up in a nice three-year-old handicap somewhere.” O'Brien also saddled the winner in the opener through Dancing Teapot (11/8f).
