O'Brien eyes Galway Plate for impressive Azzuri

Trainer Richard O'Brien has been cutting a dash on the Flat this season and enjoyed a winner over fences when Azzuri (2-1f) ran the opposition ragged in the Grade B Rentokil Initial Handicap Chase.

Azzuri's task was made easier in the featured Grade B chase over two miles one when Ballyoisin was ruled out due to being off feed but he certainly took full advantage.

Danny Mullins gave him a breather after the third last but then the duo powered home and had their rivals in trouble.

Azzuri strode home by 10 lengths from Our Dougal (7/2). Bel Ami De Sivola was a further three and three quarter lengths behind in third at 9/4.

Richard O'Brien said: "The credit really goes to Ian (Marmion, part owner) who sent me this lad and had an idea that there were a few races across these festivals that would suit him. This was the first of the ones that he had really pinpointed and scheduled for him and he was spot on.

"Ian is a terrific supporter and is a really good guy to deal with and I'm really lucky to have come into contact with him.

"Between him and Shane (Hourigan) in the yard, who takes care of this fellow and practically trains him, they have got it spot on.

"I don't know why but pouring it on and pouring it on really seems to suit him. He does it efficiently.

"We train whatever horses we're given but I had reservations about this as I assumed he'd be fit from the Flat but I was worried about the depth of fitness - whether that would be in him from the way we train him on the flat.

"We brought him to Jim Culloty's for a pop yesterday and he is a very casual dude at home but was set alight yesterday when he saw fences. The relentless Flat mentally doesn't suit him as well as taking a look and he loved it there.

"He could run in almost anything except the Corrib Stakes (for fillies and mares) at Galway but Danny felt there'd be no harm putting him in the Galway Plate, which closes tomorrow, and whether he runs in it the boys will all sit down and decide."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes