Alder and Gavin Ryan© Photo Healy Racing
Last season's Group 2-placed juvenile Alder made a winning seasonal return today, quickening well to win Cork's Sign Up To Our Newsletter Race for trainer Donnacha O'Brien and jockey Gavin Ryan.
The Australia colt had finished third to 2,000 Guineas and Epsom Derby antepost favourite Auguste Rodin on Irish Champions Weekend last September and today scored readily from Bertinelli.
Trainer O'Brien later said “we always thought he was a smart horse and had good form behind Auguste Rodin last year and has done very well over the winter. It was nice to get him started and he has a big engine.
“He isn't a slow horse, has a turn of foot and while he will stay 12 furlongs, isn't a horse who is crying out for 1m6f.
“He is one to look forward to and whether he knows enough for Epsom (the Derby) I don't know but we'll have a think about it. He is still raw and was hanging at the start of the straight so whether we go to Epsom or the Curragh, I'm not sure. We'll have a look at a Trial and then on to a Derby.”
