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War puts in Commanding Curragh Performance |
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The Aidan OBrien-trained
War Command bounced back to something close to his best to win the Group 2
Galileo European Breeders Fund Futurity Stakes in impressive fashion at
the Curragh on August 24, and put himself in line for a return to Group 1
company next time out in the National Stakes..
The son of War Front
had looked a world-beater when winning a Leopardstown maiden on his debut in
June before stepping up to Group 2 company for the Coventry Stakes just 11 days
later. At Royal Ascot, he put up a simply stunning performance under Joseph
OBrien to slam a good field by six lengths to stamp himself a potential
top class juvenile.
Sent off a very warm order to follow-up in the
Group 1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh on August 11, it all went wrong
as the colt met his first career defeat running a rather flat race in finishing
just third behind Sudirman, prompting the
horse racing at
betfair to question whether his Royal Ascot success had been a flash in the
pan.
Aidan OBrien hinted that War Command might just have
been in need of the run last time out and blamed himself for the loss, but
there was no mistaking him being spot on for the Futurity Stakes. Even though
he appeared to possibly hit a flat spot just over two furlongs from home, the
Ballydoyle youngster was soon back in top gear and stayed on strongly after
leading over a furlong out to score by a comfortable three lengths from Dermot
Welds Galway winner Mustajeeb.
Both punters and betting firms
were sufficiently impressed to take a closer look at War Command for next
years Qipco
2000 Guineas and he was subsequently cut from 16/1 to a best offer of 12/1
to win the first colt classic next season.
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