O'Brien has the midst touch on Battler On his sixteenth start of 2012 Battleroftheboyne (9/2) finally got off the mark for the season as he took the last at the Curragh, the Free Admission at the Curragh September 9th Handicap. The Michael Mulvany trained gelding finished second sixth times already this year but just could get his head in front until this afternoon. Ridden for the first time by Joseph O'Brien (double for him after the success of Up earlier in the day) he was always prominent and challenged for the lead a furlong out. O'Brien then dropped his whip but he still managed to cajole his mount to the front and push him out inside the final furlong to score by a head at the line from Faleena in second at 9/2 under Danny Grant for Pat Flynn. Dixiedoodledandy finished a further three and a half lengths back in third under Ben Curtis for Joe Murphy at 10/1 while the 9/4 favourite Big Bad Lily could only manage a disappointing sixth under Wayne Lordan for Austin Leahy. Winning trainer Michael Mulvany said afterwards: "That horse deserved it. Joseph said he has another one in him as he dropped his whip a furlong out and he had to ride him out hands and heels. "He is genuine and loves it here (third win here). He handles nice ground as well but when he handles ground like that you wouldn't be complaining about it. "I thought he had too much weight as he is still really a 2yo." (On-course reporting by Michael Graham)
