Langtry strikes to get O'Brien back on track

Aidan O'Brien'S near four-day wait for a Royal Ascot winner ended in stunning style as Lillie Langtry ran away with the Coronation Stakes.

The Coolmore team had suffered a host of near-misses earlier in the week – with Age Of Aquarius's late mugging by Rite Of Passage in the Gold Cup on Thursday a prime example.

But Lillie Langtry resumed normal service and provided O'Brien with his 29th Royal Ascot winner as she forged clear under Johnny Murtagh as the

7-2 favourite.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The English and Irish 1000 Guineas have served up mixed messages in terms of form, but with only Special Duty of the key contenders absent, Lillie Langtry proved herself superior.

Gile Na Greine had finished a close third in the English Classic and flopped in the Irish equivalent, but almost caused a mighty upset with Jim Bolger's 25-1 outsider kicking for home over two furlongs out.

Murtagh did not hit the panic button behind, though, and angled his filly out to challenge at the two pole.

She responded and soon drew upsides before going away to assert by a length-and-a-quarter to become just O'Brien's second winner of the race after Sophisticat eight years earlier.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The daughter of Danehill Dancer picked up an injury at the Breeders' Cup but hinted at a fruitful season ahead when staying on for fifth on her seasonal bow in the Irish Guineas.

O'Brien said: "It is a relief as everyone puts a lot of work in and it is a privilege to be part of the team."

Related topics: