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O’Brien triple-handed in Beresford

Aidan O’Brien is triple-handed in the Group 2 Beresford Stakes at the Curragh, with Frankie Dettori taking partnering Navy Seal whilst Ryan Moore is riding in Australia.

Curragh Racecourse.
Curragh Racecourse. Picture: Pat Healy Photography

According to the current market, the pick of the Ballydoyle colts appears to be Grosvenor Square, a half-brother to Irish Derby winner Santiago. The Ballydoyle colt overcame inexperience on debut to record an easy two-and-a-quarter length success over a mile at Galway.

Dettori's mount Navy Seal is a full brother to this year's Group 3 Irish 1000 Guineas Trial winner Never Ending Story. Fifth on debut behind Bremen, the Dubawi colt improved on his second start to record a maiden victory at Galway.

Chief Little Rock was ridden by the absent Ryan Moore on his second start and claimed a victory at Leopardstown over a mile. Although the colt only beat Jessica Harrington's Kinesiology by half a length, he was always in control of the race, pulling clear with the second-placed horse from the furlong marker.

"Chief Little Rock came forward nicely to win at Leopardstown, but he only just won, we thought he'd win easier than he did but he won anyway," said Aidan O'Brien.

"He's in good form and we think he's a horse who is going to progress more. He's got a stout pedigree and will be staying well next year.

"Grosvenor Square won nicely at Galway, that was only 11 days ago. He's a lovely, big horse but he was babyish and green there, so we think the experience will do him well. He's another with plenty of stamina in his pedigree.

"Frankie is riding Navy Seal for us. He won nicely at Galway the last day, but he was a little but green.

"He ended up winning nicely at the end and we think he's ready to go again. The first day we were a bit disappointed, we expected him to run better, but he was very green. He was still green the last day, so we're just hoping that he keeps coming forward.

"Ryan is in Australia, and it's worked out that Frankie is available."

The Ballydoyle trio are joined by Joseph O'Brien's wide-margin Galway winner Stromberg, Paddy Twomey's Deepone and maiden Ozark Daze.


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