O’Brien stoked with 10th Guineas crown

Horse Racing
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Trainer Aidan O’Brien praised the way his son, Donnacha, rode Magna Grecia to victory in Saturday’s QIPCO 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.

Magna Grecia pulled off a two-and-a-half-length victory over King Of Change at Headquarters as O’Brien landed the prestigious race for the 10th time in his career.

Skardu, under James Doyle, was third but it was all about the son of Invincible Spirit, who made it three in a row for the Wexford handler after Churchill’s 2017 triumph and Saxon Warrior’s victory last year.

The field split early in the race, with O’Brien’s charge one of just three horses racing near the stands’ rail.

That could have been an issue but the 49-year-old was pleased with the way both horse and jockey responded.

‘I’m delighted.

He is a lovely, straightforward horse and he has done well over the winter.

He has got very pacey.

He is a strong traveller now and is very uncomplicated,’ he said.

‘We were a little bit worried as he was over there by himself and all the fancied runners were over on the other side.

Donnacha gave him a lovely ride, had him in a lovely position and in a lovely rhythm and I couldn’t be happier really.’

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