Aesop s Fables and Ryan Moore nearest win for trainer Aidan O Brien from Twilight Jet far side and So Majestic centre© Photo Healy Racing
Successful in the opening race on the card, trainer Aidan O'Brien and jockey Ryan Moore recorded a quick double when Aesop's Fables led inside the final furlong to win the Listed Sole Power Sprint Stakes at Naas.
A Group 2 winner at the Curragh as a juvenile, the now four-year-olds only other previous success had been on his racecourse debut at Navan.
Despite failing to win last season, the No Nay Never colt had twice been placed at the very highest level over the minimum distance.
Having his sights considerably lowered this afternoon, Aesop's Fables tracked the early pace as Twilight Jet and Dun Na Sead set the fractions up front.
As the latter weakened over a furlong out, the eventual winner quickened up well to challenge Twilight Jet, before leading over 200 yards out.
Keeping on strongly to the line, Aesop's Fables had a neck in hand at the finish, with So Majestic the same distance back in third.
The performance of the latter filly, coming into the race rated just 70, was the main talking point of the race. Connections have to be congratulated for taking the brave step of running here.
Aidan O’Brien said: “He came really good last year and was only just beaten in an Abbaye and a Breeders Cup Sprint.
“He usually takes a few runs to get right. We ran him the last day in blinkers on soft ground and he ran very keen and just didn’t finish out so we left them off him today.
“Everybody was very happy with him at home. We thought that it mightn’t happen today but he might be ready for Ascot so it’s lovely that he did that and Ryan said he could have done with a bit more cover as he likes to be buried and produced late.
“We’re delighted with him. The ground is beautiful here and he’s a big, powerful fast horse. He’s hardy and a real sprinter. Probably five is his trip and six stretches him.
“We are thinking of the five at Ascot.”
Additional reporting by Alan Magee.
Paddy Power cut Aesop's Fables to 16/1(from 20/1) for the King Charles III Stakes.
