O'Brien back with a winner

Joseph O'Brien wasted no time getting back into the winners' enclosure as Memphis Tennessee took the first division of the opening maiden at Dundalk tonight. Giants Serapis who was always prominent, kicked on turning for home in the mile contest but was chased down in the closing stages by the son of Hurricane Run.

The Ballydoyle runner got to the front in the last 50 yards and was going away at the line for a length-and-a-half victory.

The winner traded at 11/8 this morning and proved a warm order, going off at 11/10.

"It's nice to be back with a winner. He's a nice horse and should improve from that," said O'Brien junior afterwards.

"Hopefully he'll be a nice horse next year. He was just a little bit green today."

The victory moved O'Brien to within two winners of Gary Carroll and Ben Curtis at the top of the apprentice championship race.