O'Brien moves further ahead in title race

Joseph O’Brien extended his advantage to five over Pat Smullen at the head of the Flat jockey’s championship when partnering his 82nd winner of the campaign aboard 4/5 favourite Magician in the Mongey Communications EBF Maiden.

The Galileo colt seemed to relish this step up to a mile, leading under two furlongs out and drawing right away to beat Bunairgead (100/30) by six lengths. Alive Alive Oh (11/2) was another length back in third.

Winning trainer Aidan O’Brien said, “He’s a lovely colt, and has come forward well from his last run.

“It’s possible but not definite that he could run again this year, maybe in the Listed race (Eyrefield Stakes) at Leopardstown. He’s a lovely moving horse, and the bit of rain helped loosen up the ground.”

The master of Ballydoyle also outlined possible plans for Champions Day at Ascot next Saturday.

Excelebration heads his team in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, while other likely runners are Was (fillies and mares) and Fame And Glory (two miles).

Starspangledbanner (sprint) and Declaration Of War (Champion Stakes) are possibles.