O'Brien and Heffernan double up with Portland

Portland gave Seamie Heffernan and Aidan O'Brien a double at Galway this afternoon when bursting through between rivals inside the final furlong of the seven furlong nursery.

10/11 favourite Jakajaro came to claim front-runner Lia Fail a furlong from home but ducked left in the last 150 yards.

Heffernan made the most of his opportunity, driving his mount through the gap and getting to the front in the last 50 yards to record a length success.

Portland, a 15/8 shot, was making his third start and had been fourth behind the exciting Spanish Flame on his last outing at Tipperary.

Stable representative Chris Armstrong said afterwards:- "It was nice to get the double and Seamus gave him a lovely ride.

"He is still very babyish and having finished in the first four in your first two maiden runs, you are eligible for nurserys so it was good to come this route. Once he put everything together, he went away in the finish.

"We have taken him in baby steps and will now step him up to stakes company.

“He appreciates the ease in the ground and will have no problem stepping up in trip once he puts everything together."

(Quotes by Tom Weekes)