War comes late for Group 3 success

Declaration Of War came with a well-timed charge, under Joseph O'Brien, to claim the Group 3 Diamond Stakes at Dundalk.

The winner was a solid 11/10 favourite but punters had to sweat as he found himself behind horses with nowhere to go two furlongs out. Along Came Casey claimed front-runner Aloof a furlong out but O'Brien had angled his mount out by then and he got into top gear inside the final furlong.

The American-bred colt drifted in towards his rival but was always getting there and was actually a cosy half-length winner from the 20/1 shot after hitting the front close home.

The winner was supplementing a victory at the Curragh last Sunday and was making only his third start for Ballydoyle since coming from France.

Aidan O'Brien was on hand to welcome back his charge and said afterwards:-

"The race was a bit messy but I'm delighted. He's a horse we've always liked - he travelled well and has plenty of speed.

"I only had him three months before he ran in September. He's a horse that could go a lot of ways. He could turn up in Ascot and is entered in the Queen Elizabeth and Champion Stakes."

O'Brien also had praise for the racecourse at Dundalk:- "It's a great place and everytime you come here you want to come back more."

It was three winners on the day for Joseph O'Brien, following a double at Gowran earlier, and it moved him three clear of Pat Smullen in the jockeys title race.

(On course reporting by Michael Graham)