The Liffey strikes on debut as Alabama flops again The Aidan O'Brien-trained Alabama failed to justified favouritism for the second time in as many starts, as he was upstaged by stable companion The Liffey in the Oak Solutions Group Irish EBF 2yo Maiden. The successful son of No Nay Never is out of Group 3 winner Rain Goddess, who finished second to Enable in the Irish Oaks of 2017. The dam has already produced a Listed winner in the shape of Dee Stakes victor San Antonio, who since disappointed in the Epsom Derby on Saturday last. Sent off an 8/1 chance under Seamie Heffernan, The Liffey raced in a share of the lead and was ridden a furlong from home. He edged to a narrow lead inside the final 150 yards and maintained his advantage all the way to the line, holding off the late surge of fellow debutant My Mate Alfie (22/1) by a neck. Gary Carroll was aboard the fast-finishing runner-up for Ger Lyons, while Mythology (9/2) was just half-a-length away in third for Dylan Browne McMonagle and Joseph O'Brien. The well-touted Alabama, was returned an 8/15 chance and he faded in the closing stages, only manage a disappointing fourth. "He was working nice but first time we thought he’d be green," O'Brien, 30 years to the day since saddling his first winner, commented. "He jumped quick and travelled well. He got the trip well and Seamus said he felt like he had loads of speed. "He's a big horse so he will improve plenty. You could say he's an Ascot horse but maybe we might take our time and come back here for the Railway. "He's a big powerful horse, he’s growing and putting on plenty of weight so it's a balancing act between backing off him and keeping him going. "If you back off him too much he'll get too heavy and yet you don't want to push him too much. Hopefully he'll keep progressing and when Seamus said he had loads of speed that’s what you really look for." STEWARDS REPORTS * Following a request from broadcasters, the Raceday Stewards granted permission for a one minute delay to this race * C. D. Hayes, rider of Slurricane, trained by Ross O'Sullivan, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount ran green in the closing stages. Additional reporting by Alan Magee
