Wordsworth delivers as O’Brien and Moore dominate

Maiden winner upholds High Definition form at the Curragh.

A Classic trial could be on the agenda for Wordsworth after he provided one of four wins for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore at the Curragh on Saturday.

The Galileo colt is a full brother to St Leger winner Kew Gardens and had made a promising start for the Ballydoyle team when chasing home stablemate and Cazoo Derby favourite High Definition at this track in August.

Beaten just three-quarters of a length on that occasion, he was sent off the evens favourite to open his account in the TRI Equestrian Irish EBF Maiden over 10 furlongs.

Moore had him settled in second behind Sunwalk in the early stages – and while Wordsworth took a bit of time to hit top gear in the straight, when he found his stride he pulled clear in decent style, beating Agrimony by two lengths.

O’Brien said: “A mile and a quarter is as short as he’d want to go. He was working very lazy, and I wasn’t sure what was going to happen. He’s always behind the bridle, and I wasn’t sure if he was fit enough.

“Ryan said it was nice the other horse led him today and he felt when he got him out that he was always going to win.

“He had a good blow, and I think he’ll come on from that run – horses that are lazy usually do.

“If he progresses in time for a trial then we’ll put him in, but you would imagine it would have to be a mile and a half.”

O’Brien and Moore had kicked off their winning spree with Glounthaune in the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.

The 9-4 joint favourite was always to the fore in the six-furlong heat – and when challenged by fellow market leader Castle Star, he dug deep to win by a neck, with Kirsapp two and a quarter lengths back in third.

O’Brien said: “He’s a nice horse, and we’ve always liked him. He’ll go for a winners’ race now – and then maybe look at Ascot.

“He gets six well and looks like he’ll get seven.”

O’Brien and Moore also won the Group Three features, the TRI Equestrian Gladness Stakes and Holden Plant Rentals Alleged Stakes, with Lancaster House and Broome respectively.

Royal Ascot could also be on the agenda for Cheerupsleepyjean (5-2) following her two-and-a-quarter-length win in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Race for Fozzy Stack and Chris Hayes.

Stack said: “She had been working well but hadn’t been away anywhere. There is probably plenty of improvement in her, because she was quite green in front.

“She’s a fast filly, and six furlongs is probably as far as she’ll ever get.

“It’s Noel O’Callaghan’s family, and she’s related to Dandy Man and Sandhurst Goddess.

“Hopefully she’ll come back here (on May 3) for a Listed race in about a fortnight. She might make into a Queen Mary or Albany filly.

“She did her best to get beat in the first furlong and a half. She was a bit startled and lit up. She is usually fairly relaxed at home and hopefully she will learn from that and be more professional the next day.”

Raise You (9-2) led home a one-two for Joseph O’Brien in an eventful Tesoro Vita Handicap.

The winner drifted across the track under 5lb claimer Dylan Browne McMonagle, impeding Tauran Shaman in particular, but still fended off Fame And Acclaim by a neck.

The stewards looked into the race, but allowed the result to stand.

Abeona sprang an 80-1 shock for Jimmy Coogan and Oisin Orr in the TRI Equestrian Superstore & Cafe Irish EBF Maiden.

Coogan said: “She’s a grand filly and came to us from Sarah Lynam. She had a few stalls issues and we had to get her re-certed.

“If we can keep her mind right, there is probably a bit more to get out of her. She’s tricky and you have to give her kid-glove treatment.

“I gave her an each-way chance, but I didn’t think she was going to go and do it like that. If I did then I would have had a few quid on her!”

Brave Display (18-1) won the closing Equine Products UK Handicap.

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