O'Brien & Ryan quickly double-up with Fernando After taking the opener with Nicest, Donnacha O'Brien and Gavin Ryan quickly doubled their tally as Fernando Vichi came home an impressive winner of the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden. Having just failed to get up on debut at Navan earlier this month, the son of Australia was expected to get off the mark this afternoon and was sent to post the clear market leader at 8/15. Having raced in second, the chestnut colt was ridden in pursuit of the front-running Sword Zorro from the two furlong pole. At a stage he had three lengths to make up, however he quickly diminished the deficit when asked to quicken, getting to the front inside the final furlong before stretching clear to score by three and a quarter lengths. The aforementioned Sword Zorro (11/2) had to settle for second under Shane Foley for Jessica Harrington, while Fight Zone was another length back in third. Ryan said afterwards: "When I asked him he quickened up well and didn't half put it to bed. He'll come on plenty from that. He's a smart horse and has a lovely turn of foot." The winner holds entries in the Futurity Stakes and the National Stakes later in the season, while he is also entered in the Epsom Derby of 2021. Additional reporting by Alan Magee
