Learn completes Naas double for O'Briens

Ballydoyle duo Aidan O'Brien and his son Joseph completed a double at Naas this evening when heavily backed Learn (2/5f) won the Michael Higgins & Co. Race, boosting O'Brien Jnr's Jockeys' Championship bid in the process.

The O'Brien's were earlier successful with Empowering in the featured Listed race and doubled their score with Learn (2/5 favourite, from even money in the morning and 4/6 on track), which overcame a slow start to eventually readily record a two and a quarter lengths win over Brendan Bracken.

Jockey Joseph O'Brien later stated “Learn stood in the stalls for some reason but he is genuine and relaxed better today than at Killarney, when he was a bit keen. He seems to be getting the hang of racing.”

O'Brien Jnr's (who is suspended for nine days from August 4-12) double moves him four winners clear (45-41) of Pat Smullen at the head of the Jockeys' Championship.