Tag Archive for: Curragh Cup

London towers over Curragh Cup rivals late in the day

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Tower Of London swooped in the final strides to snatch Group Two glory in the Comer Group International Curragh Cup.

The one-mile-six-furlong contest looked likely to be a battle between the 13-8 winner and 11-8 favourite Vauban, who finished fourth in the Gold Cup at Ascot last time.

However, it was Tower Of London’s fellow Aidan O’Brien inmate Grosvenor Square who set out to make all, building up a huge advantage in the hands of Gavin Ryan.

He still had plenty of daylight between him and the rest of the field turning for home, with Vauban’s attempt to run down Grosvenor Square quickly petering out.

Ryan’s mount was starting to tread water in the final furlong though, just as Tower Of London really engaged top gear for Ryan Moore, reeling in the leader in the final furlong to eventually prevail by a length and a quarter. Vauban was a further seven lengths back in third.

Moore quipped: “I was thinking don’t get there too soon!

“He is a lovely, lovely horse and it was certainly made interesting. We let the leader have far too much rope.

“We wanted to make sure to ride him with a bit of confidence and to get him to finish his race today after his run at York. He was a great horse at the start of the year and he is great fun. There is lots of options open for him.”

Tower Of London (right) grabbed the glory in the final strides
Tower Of London (right) grabbed the glory in the final strides (Niall Carson/PA)

O’Brien praised Moore’s effort in the saddle and could look to the Irish St Leger next before a possible Melbourne Cup run.

He said: “Ryan gave him a peach.

“He could come back here for the Leger.

“He’s a great horse to have and can travel anywhere, he loves travelling. He could be a Melbourne Cup horse, he could be anything.”

The runner-up could also be heading for the Australian staying highlight.

O’Brien added: “Grosvenor Square ran a great race and he’s a trip horse. He wanted to go the distance and could be a Melbourne Cup horse.”



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Emily Dickinson back to winning ways in Curragh Cup

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Emily Dickinson kicked in the turbo to get back on the winning trail in the Comer Group International Curragh Cup.

The daughter of Dubawi was the spring favourite for the Gold Cup  following an impressive start to her campaign in the Vintage Crop Stakes at Navan – and while a disappointing run in the Saval Beg dented her claims, she bounced back to finish a creditable fourth in last month’s Royal Ascot showpiece.

Dropping in distance and class for this one-mile-six-furlong Group Two, Emily Dickinson was the 6-4 market leader to complete a quick-fire big-race double for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore after Savethelastdance powered home from an unpromising position to secure the Irish Oaks.

Emily Dickinson looked like she too could have a real fight on her hands when her chief market rival Rosscarbery breezed into contention, but Moore kept pushing on the favourite and in the end she was well on top, passing the post with three lengths in hand.

The winner will now be readied for a tilt at the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup on August 1.

“The original plan was that she would go straight to Goodwood for the two-mile Group One, but when the ground changed we said we’d let her take her chance here,” said O’Brien.

“Everyone was happy with her at home and that’s why she came here. I was a bit worried that she was a couple of pieces of work away but Ryan gave her a beautiful ride and got her very confident.

“She loves the ground and loves being ridden like that. With that ease in the ground she’s a different filly. She goes on the other ground, she’s very genuine and tries very hard, but on that ground she grows another leg.

“The plan was to go to Goodwood, over two miles, and if the ground came up with an ease in it she’ll be right there.”



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