O'Brien and Heffernan land Group 2 double

Rhododendron swooped down the outside to get the better of stablemate Hydrangea in the Group Two Debutante Stakes at the Curragh.

This was an 11th victory for Aidan O'Brien in this race.

The 11/8 favourite began to make her move from fourth as the field flashed passed the two pole.

Hydrangea (10/1) was boxing on at the head of affairs with strong-travelling Rehana in second and Intricately third.

Seamie Heffernan got into the drive position and his mount improved to lead narrowly from Hydrangea with less than 200 yards to race.

Hydrangea, on the inside, rallied though but went down by a head. Intricately was a further length and a quarter away in third at 14/1 with Rehana fourth after failing to pick up.

Seamie Heffernan said: "She was ready for today. She had a good run here and she learned a bit at Goodwood and Ryan (Moore) said to get there late. He thought she was the best, I wasn't sure which of the three of ours to ride.

"Aidan said that she was probably a little bit better so he was right. The second is a very good filly. It was a good race, we are lucky to have them."

Aidan O'Brien added: "They're two very nice fillies and I'm delighted with them.

“Michael's filly (Brave Anna) got a little bit tired but she had a good break after Ascot.

“The second kept coming. She's a hardy filly. They will all hopefully come back here for the Moyglare and they'll get further.”

O'Brien's Brave Anna finished sixth under Michael Hussey.

O'Brien and Heffernan were winning their second Group Two on the card as Churchill also took the Futurity.

The Stewards interviewed J.A. Heffernan, rider of Rhododendron, concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were of the opinion that J.A. Heffernan was in breach of R10(3)(f) by using his whip with excessive force and also R10(4) by failing to give his mount time to respond to the whip. They, therefore, suspended him for one race day having taken his previous record into consideration.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson