Chief Little Rock and Wayne Lordan. © Photo Healy Racing
The Aidan O'Brien trained Chief Little Rock made every yard of the running under Wayne Lordan to run out an easy winner of the Group 3 Heider Family Stables Gallinule Stakes at the Curragh.
A smart juvenile who was placed twice at group level after winning his maiden at Leopardstown, the colt had made a satisfactory return when third at Epsom last month.
Obviously having come forward from the latter run, the son of Galileo was sent straight to the front by Lordan here, in an effort to make the most of his stamina.
Stretching five lengths clear of his rivals at the half-way stage, the opposition were all off the bridle in behind as Lordan travelled easily to the two pole.
Pushed along at that point, Chief Little Rock found plenty for pressure, staying on stoutly to win by three-and-three-quarter lengths.
Wayne Lordan said: "He is a lovely genuine colt. He had a lovely run at Epsom and we always felt he wanted a mile-and-a-half.
"Over this trip I could just let him jump and use his stride. He enjoyed it being left bowl along.
"He doesn't do anything wrong, saves a bit in front and is always there when you ask for it."
Aidan O'Brien said: Aidan O’Brien, “I’m delighted with him. He stays very well, is an honest horse and could go to Ascot or back here for the Irish Derby. He’d love going a mile and a half.
“We felt in Epsom it was just a bit of a dawdle for him.”
Additional reporting by Alan Magee.
