O'Brien back with a winner over the jumps

Aidan O'Brien's first runner over jumps in a decade got the job done in style as Carriganog landed the Laganore Maiden Hurdle at Clonmel.

Robbie Power did the steering on the Shantou gelding. A 9/2 shot, Carriganog, who'd shown promise in a couple of bumpers, led entering the straight and despite being a bit green before the last went on to comprehensively defeat Roman General by five lengths.

Power reported: "He'll improve a lot for the experience as he's still a big baby.

"We had him for about three weeks and we did most of the schooling with him. Aidan sent him up to us (Robbie and his father, the legendary Con) as he'd been a bit tricky in his bumpers.

"He was always good from day one – a natural to jump. He's a very nice horse, hopefully with a bright future."

The brilliant Istabraq, Theatreworld and Urabande are just some of the names that come to mind when one recalls O'Brien's glory days in the jumping sphere in the past. (TW & EM)