Origami completes cross-card double for O'Brien Origami showed a smart turn of foot to take the opener at Down Royal this evening, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden, completing a cross card double for Joseph O'Brien. The winner of a barrier trial at Naas in May, the E85,000 yearling purchase finished a disappointing eighth on her official debut at the Co Kildare venue almost a fortnight ago. Fitted with a tongue-strap for the first time today, the Justin Casse-owned bay was sent off an 8/1 chance. Settled behind the leaders on the inner by Dylan Browne McMonagle, the Sioux Nation bay was switched to the outer with less than two-furlongs to go. Soon ridden in third, she went second inside the final 150 yards and kept on strongly to lead close home, with half-a-length the margin of victory. A runner-up on debut, Tommy McJohn (16/5) again had to settle for second, while Tempest Star (5/6f), who finished ahead of the winner at Naas, could only manage a disappointing third, a further five-lengths adrift. "She had a nice run in Naas the first day. She shows lots of speed," the winning rider commented. "She jumped, travelled and I was happy to get a lead. We probably went (a good pace) for the first one or two furlongs and then we steadied it a little bit. "Once I angled out, she quickened up really well and was well on top at the line. "It is very fast (five furlongs) and you are running downhill most of the way, down over the road and then hit the rising ground. It rides very quick and you need something that jumps and travels when you quicken, and she did that. "Yes (improved from first day), and she obviously has got a tongue-tie on today and it has definitely improved her plenty. "She's a very straightforward filly, she's good and genuine and still progressing." O'Brien earlier took the opener at Killarney with Inspire Hope. Additional reporting by Michael Graham
