Visualisation leads home an O'Brien one-two

Visualisation rallied to great effect to get the better of his stablemate Fame And Acclaim in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF 'Habitat' Handicap at the Curragh.

Declan McDonogh sent him into an early lead in this valuable handicap over a mile, and the pair still held a narrow advantage coming to the business end.

They tacked onto the rail but were strongly pressed by both Fame And Acclaim and Horoscope inside the final furlong.

Horoscope cracked first, in between the other pair, as Fame And Acclaim hit the front with 100 yards to negotiate.

Visualisation refused to give best, though, and powered home to regain the lead in the closing stages.

He won by half a length to reward favourite backers at 9/2. Runner-up Fame And Acclaim went off at 13/2. Horoscope (8/1) and Lafayette (11/2) completed the placings in third and fourth respectively.

Visualisation has now won three of his last four races.

Trainer Joseph O'Brien said: “He’s a good, tough horse and Dec gave him a good ride. I nearly feel a bit sorry for Fame And Acclaim as he’s a good solid horse and deserves to win again but I’m delighted they both ran well.

“The winner is progressing and ran into a good horse the last day. He’ll probably go for one of the handicaps at Ascot.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee