O'Brien breaks his northern duck with Chicago

Joseph O’Brien rode his first Down Royal winner when partnering his father’s Chicago to success in the feature race on the card – Her Majesty’s Plate.

The pair travelled strongly in behind Amira’s Prince in the extended mile and five furlong contest for horses that haven’t won a Group or Listed race, and when O’Brien said go 100 yards out Chicago won cosily by half a length.

Chicago had failed to stay a mile and six at Bellewstown and Joseph O’Brien commented that as well as he was travelling today “he’s a horse that doesn’t find much”.

In relation to his first success at the northern track he said: “I haven’t had much luck here, but I haven’t had many runners here. It’s a grand track.”

O’Brien had a full book of rides in this evening’s seven-race card, but had no joy on his first six mounts.

The winner was following up on an impressive win at Fairyhouse over a mile and a half on soft ground.

Amira’s Prince ran a game race and the front-runner kept on for second at 9/2 for David Wachman.

Chicago’s main market rival – Macbeth (9/4) – came home fifth of the six runners.

Michael Graham