• Spirit Of Valor and Elizabeth Browning complete 45-1 double for O’Brien • Caravaggio’s next run could be the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville

After the shock of watching his sprint superstar Caravaggio lose his unbeaten record in the July Cup at Newmarket on Saturday, it was business as usual for trainer Aidan O’Brien at the Curragh on Sunday as he won each of the two Group races on the card.

The Ballydoyle handler saddled two fillies in the Group Two Kilboy Estate Stakes, and it was the 12-1 outsider of his pair, Elizabeth Browning, that landed this valuable prize for Seamie Heffernan.

Harry Angel eclipses Caravaggio and company to claim July Cup glory Read more

Ryan Moore chose Pocketfullofdreams, but her challenge folded tamely as her stablemate swept through to take up the running and come home an impressive winner by a length and three quarters.

Moore was happier 35 minutes later after Spirit Of Valor proved his Royal Ascot run was no fluke when holding off the British challenger So Beloved, also by a length and three quarters, in the Group Two Minstrel Stakes.

The betting public may have sidestepped the first O’Brien winner but this fellow was strongly supported and was returned 5-2 joint favourite.

“Over six or seven furlongs on fast ground he’s obviously a real good horse,” said O’Brien.

“He had a very good run in Ascot. We tried him at a mile the first day [Qipco 2000 Guineas] and it was stretching him a bit. Then we came back to a mile on soft ground [Irish Guineas]. “Ryan was very happy with him. There were horses with good form in that race.

We might have a look at [August’s] Lennox in Goodwood or something like that. There’s no doubt he’s improving. He’s by War Front so he would like nice ground and the reason they do is because they are all fast horses.”

The champion trainer had news of Caravaggio who could now be aimed at next month’s Prix Maurice de Gheest.

Speaking of the Scat Daddy colt O’Brien said: “He’s good. I thought he ran very well. He ran a good race and we should be praising the winner Harry Angel … we ran a good race, but the winner was very good on the day.

“It was one of those days, they are only flesh and blood and we’ll look forward to him the next day. The lads will obviously decide what’s next.”

O’Brien added that John Magnier suggested they look at the August race at Deauville. “He was just saying that to me this morning, but we’ll see how he is after a week or 10 days. I think the Everest [in Australia] is still on the table. If he went to France that could be very much so still.

“After France the lads would have to make a decision what they want to do. Whether they want to go to Australia. I imagine if he was going there he would have to have a little break.

“Either that or he’d just keep going on, to York or somewhere. We’ll try to get to the next one first and see how we go.”

O’Brien also reported that his Super-lative Stakes winner, Gustav Klimt, the new 2,000 Guineas favourite, will stay in Ireland for his next run. He said: “Obviously we’ll look at the National Stakes for him. We would usually go to the Futurity before the National Stakes, so we’ll probably look at something like that. He might not have to do the Futurity and could go straight for the National Stakes.”

Clemmie was another big winner for Ballydoyle, with Churchill’s sister coming out on top in the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes. Speaking of more September race options in Ireland, O’Brien added: “Clemmie is in good form. There is probably no point coming back for the Debutante now and if she didn’t go there she could go on to the Moyglare. She knows enough now if she doesn’t run in the Debutante. We were delighted with her.”

Dettori settles for second and Power faces spell on sidelines



Frankie Dettori had to settle for second place on his two big-race mounts at Maisons-Laffitte. The Italian was hoping to add to his tally after having his first winner on his return from injury on Enable in the Irish Oaks at the Curragh on Saturday.

However, it was not to be with his pair of rides for his retainer, Al Shaqab Racing, filling the runner-up spots. Afandem lost his unbeaten tag when beaten half a length by André Fabre’s Finche, a son of Frankel, in the Group Two Prix Eugene Adam.

Roly Poly keeps Aidan O’Brien on track for all-time record of top-flight wins Read more

Then, 2000 Guineas third Al Wukair found the Jean Claude-Rouget-trained Taareef too strong in the Group Three Prix Messidor, the odds-on shot going down by two lengths.

Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning rider Robbie Power faces a spell on the sidelines after suffering a heavy fall at Sligo. He was hurt when Jacobs Well came to grief at the first flight in the maiden hurdle, with the hurdle subsequently bypassed, as he received treatment on the course. Power eventually rose to his feet and was helped to the ambulance.

Turf Club medical officer Dr Adrian McGoldrick said: “Robbie has suffered soft tissue damage to his face and also has some dental injuries.

“He was eventually able to walk to the ambulance room unaided and has gone to Sligo Hospital for more check-ups. He will be out of action for at least six days.”

Power has enjoyed a golden 2017, winning the Gold Cup in March aboard the Jessica Harrington-trained Sizing John, who also landed the Irish Gold Cup and Punchestown Gold Cup. He also teamed up with Harrington to win the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse with Our Duke.

John O’Hara’s Monday tips



Ayr

2.00 French Flyer 2.30 Lomu 3.00 Duncan Of Scotland 3.30 Gerry The Glover 4.00 Thornton 4.30 Zwayyan 5.00 Easy Wind

Ffos Las

2.15 Boreagh Lass 2.45 Mishari 3.15 Major Valentine 3.45 African Beat 4.15 Filament Of Gold 4.45 Mordoree 5.15 Spare Parts 5.45 Hungarian Rhapsody

Windsor

5.50 Secret Soul 6.20 Awesometank 6.50 Running Cloud 7.20 Stepper Point 7.50 Blushing Rose 8.20 Alcatraz

Wolverhampton

5.40 Amazing Alice 6.10 Sheriff Garrett 6.40 Desert Rain 7.10 Monologue 7.40 Lewinsky (nap) 8.10 Anna Medici 8.40 Bruny Island.