O'Brien on mark again with Assisi Francis Of Assisi overcame greeness to take the opening six furlong maiden at Naas this afternoon. Ballydoyle's son of Danehill Dancer was sent off even-money favourite for the juvenile contest but had to work to land the spoils. Joseph O'Brien's mount carried his head awkwardly when asked for an effort but got his act together to claim front-runner General Direction just inside the final furlong. He stayed on strongly in the closing stages to post a four-length winning margin. The winner had finished mid-division on his debut at Fairyhouse last month. "We put cheekpieces on him. He's not ungenuine but is leary and was looking at everything," said the winning rider afterwards. "He was green and won in spite of that. Hopefully he'll be better stepped up in trip." The win moves O'Brien six clear in the race for the jockeys title.
