Highland Reel on a merry Gowran jig

Highland Reel demolished his rivals in the mile maiden for two-year-olds at Gowran Park as he easily justified 8/15 favouritism.

Aidan O’Brien’s Galileo colt raced in mid-division and well off the pace set by Fresh Focus and Cleano who were clear of the remainder.

With under two furlongs to race Joseph O’Brien eased Highland Reel to the front and the pair quickened away well . Inside the final furlong Highland Reel hung left, but O’Brien could afford a look over his shoulder as his rivals toiled well behind. Taqaseem was 12 lengths back in second at 13/2 and a neck in front of 5/1 shot Hall Of Fame

Joseph O'Brien said: “He is a lovely horse. I got to the front a bit soon. The two horses in front of me stopped a bit quicker than I had hoped. He was quite green and he had a little look at the gap [entrance to the parade ring]. I just gave him a belt to straighten out and I didn't realise I was so far ahead. He is a nice horse and you would imagine that he would be well able for a step up in class.”

Aidan O’Brien won this race for the seventh year in-a-row. Last year’s winner Indian Maharaja went on to score in Listed company. At First Sight, who took the spoils in 2009, was runner-up to Workforce in the Epsom Derby of 2010.

Additional reporting by Donal Murphy