The Euphrates holds A Piece Of Heaven © Photo Healy Racing
Handicap 'good thing' The Euphrates answered the stamina question in the Irish Cesarewitch in the Curragh to the joy of favourite backers who punted him down to 7/2 favourite in this 30-runner contest.
The proverbial Group horse in a handicap soon improved to track the leader Boher Road and was sent on with more than three furlongs to travel in this 2m1f staying contest worth €600,000.
He kept finding for Ryan Moore which made it difficult for the pursuers to close the gap. The duo were in charge in the final furlong and, perhaps through a combination of being in front so long and shortening up a bit in the finish, they passed the post half a length in front of a staying-on A Piece Of Heaven (22/1). Sixandahalf (7/1) and Nurburgring (5/1) took third and fourth respectively.
He brought up a four-timer for Aidan O'Brien and Moore as they also struck with Shackleton 2/5f), Aftermath (5/6f) and Heavens Gate (11/8f).
The Euphrates was last seen finishing fourth in the Group 1 Irish St Leger at this track. He won in Listed class at Gowran Park in July.
O'Brien said: “He was very well handicapped, he ended up on a good mark. His Leger run was an unbelievable run.
“Ryan gave him a great ride, he got a great position and was controlling it.
“He's an improving horse, I'd say he's a Cup horse. He stays two (miles) and he has a bit of class, he travelled very strong at all stages.
“They were doing 12s all the way and to do that all the way in a race like that is very difficult. It's very unusual in those distance races.”
O'Brien ruled the winner out of the Melbourne Cup last week and added: “He's had a busy time and he's probably a next year horse.
“He's a quality stayer. He's run a lot for a three-year-old and hasn't exactly had an easy time, but he just kept getting better.”
Paddy Power slashed The Euphrates to 10/1 from 40/1 for the Long Distance Cup.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
