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Go Bears Go too strong for Railway rivals

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Go Bears Go repaid the bold decision of his connections to supplement for the GAIN Railway Stakes with a striking success at the Curragh.

Narrowly beaten in last week’s Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot when drawn on the opposite side to winner Perfect Power, he handled the extra furlong with aplomb.

Just nine days after that effort, and with a journey to Ireland thrown in, Go Bears Go showed bright early speed before his jockey Rossa Ryan was content to take a lead off Frankie Dettori on The Acropolis.

With two furlongs to run there were only two jockeys not asking their mounts for everything, Ryan on the eventual winner and Chris Hayes on Fozzy Stack’s Castle Star, who had been dropped out last in the early stages.

While Castle Star was able to go by all his other rivals, he could not reel in Go Bears Go and his chance eventually evaporated when he began to drift to his right.

Go Bears Go (17-2) kept straight and true, though, and for his upwardly-mobile trainer David Loughnane – who broke his Ascot duck last week – it represented the biggest win of his fledgling career.

It was a similar sentiment for Ryan, who only returned on Friday after recovering from a broken collar bone and an appendicitis operation.

Betfair introduced the winner into their 2000 Guineas betting at 33-1.

Go Bears Go and Rossa Ryan score a notable success
Go Bears Go and Rossa Ryan score a notable success (PA Wire)

“He ran a super race in the Norfolk – he was just the wrong side. We were so positive that he’d stay six furlongs,” said Ryan.

“It was a big toss-up before Ascot between the Norfolk and the Coventry. Dave took a massive risk coming here a week later. We’re glad it’s paid off.

“He’s a top-class sprinter in the making I think. He’s got the best attitude being by Kodi Bear.

“A big up to Robson Aguiar (bloodstock agent) and his team, who did prep this lad for the breeze-ups, and they prep a good few of our yearlings. They did a fantastic job with him.

“To Dave Loughnane and all his team, they’ve been rock solid. I have the easy job of steering them and I can only say thanks to everybody.

“I had a hard month. Everybody at Oaksey House got me through it.

“I have to give a massive thanks to my boss Kia (Joorabchian) and everyone at Amo Racing because they had the faith in me to get back on these on such a big weekend and do it.”

Loughnane said: “Fair play to the team at Amo Racing. It was actually Kia’s son Max who put this race forward so close after Ascot, so fair play to the team for supplementing him.

“We walked away from Ascot thinking we were the best horse in the race and were unlucky not to win.

“We’ve come into what was probably the best two-year-old race of the year so far and we’ve put them to the sword and put them to bed.

“We thought he was the best going to Ascot and we thought he was the best going into today and he’s proved that.

“It’s huge for us, especially myself and Rossa coming back to our homeland. It’s the biggest day of my career.”

Mojo Star out to conquer the Curragh for Hannon

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Richard Hannon’s Mojo Star almost caused a seismic upset at Epsom, and heads to the Curragh this weekend with major claims in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby.

Sent off a 50-1 chance as a two-race maiden on the first Saturday in June, Mojo Star beat all bar Charlie Appleby’s Adayar, himself among the outsiders.

Punters will see nothing like those odds this time, with Mojo Star the general second-favourite behind Aidan O’Brien’s High Definition, and Hannon is expecting another bold display.

“He was always a very laid-back horse. I thought he was a nice horse, but didn’t know he was a very good horse,” said Hannon.

“You could have blown me over with a feather when he was beaten at Newbury earlier this season. I managed to get both him and Snow Lantern beaten on the same day – and I thought ‘this is going to be a long year’.

“In hindsight, he’s a very big horse and he’s grown. It was a bit of a leap of faith putting him in the Derby – but as soon as he pulled up at Newbury, I thought he was a Derby horse if I’d ever seen one.”

Mojo Star duly proved the point – but Adayar shot up the rails, and was not for catching.

“The winner had a beautiful run round, full credit to (winning jockey) Adam Kirby,” said Hannon.

“We got a bit held up on Tattenham Corner – we were travelling very well, and the ground he was making at the line was very pleasing.

“I think this track will suit him a lot more. I was delighted with second – and he was a running-on second.

“It would be a right up there (with the best days of my career). We’re hardly synonymous with Derby horses. I remember one year at school my dad had the favourite and second-favourite – and they were last and second-last!

“I was fifth a few years ago with Humphrey Bogart, and second with this lad.

“I used to go to (the Irish Derby) with a few mates from Ireland as a kid. We took Alriffa one year (1994, fourth), and he wasn’t good enough, but to have one with a chance is great.”

Rossa Ryan is making a name for himself
Rossa Ryan is making a name for himself (John Walton/PA)

Mojo Star was ridden by by David Egan at Epsom – but having recovered from injury, Rossa Ryan will resume his partnership in his role as retained rider for owners Amo Racing.

Hannon is full of praise for the rider, who is making a big name for himself.

“I think Rossa is the real deal,” he said.

“He came along quite quickly and is very ambitious. A lot of apprentices can rattle through their apprenticeships and not get the experience which is needed – but he is very meticulous and detailed and he’s riding really well. I’m glad he’s back to ride him.

“I think the youngsters have a self-belief. Like footballers, they have this self-belief because they are very talented – and if they are riding good horses it all helps.”

Rossa Ryan breaks collarbone

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Rossa Ryan is facing a spell on the sidelines after breaking his collarbone in a fall at Wolverhampton on Wednesday evening.

Ryan, who has ridden 64 winners so far in 2021, sustained the injury when Imajorblush suffered a fatal fall a furlong from home in the FollowUs On Twitter @wolvesraces Handicap.

In a Twitter post, Ryan said: “I’m gutted to have broken my collarbone in a fall at Wolverhampton when riding Imajorblush, who very sadly sustained a fatal injury in the final furlong.

“It’s always devastating to lose a horse, and my thoughts are with all his connections – his owners, Zoe and George Hassall, and trainer Philip Kirby and all his team.

“I’m waiting to find out more about the severity of my injury and the next steps for my recovery. Thank you for all the messages of concern and support.”