Another Ballydoyle Superstar?

ALFRED NOBEL provided Aidan O’Brien with his tenth victory in the Phoenix Stakes when coming from last to first in the hands of Johnny Murtagh.

There have been some top class winners of this Group 1 event in the past, including 2,000 Guineas hero George Washington, and Alfred Nobel was cut to 10-1 (from 14-1) for the Stan James-sponsored event next May.

Murtagh settled the winner at the back of the eight-runner field as stable companions Reggae Dancer and Air Chief Marshal set a fierce pace on the heavy going. It was Air Chief Marshal who was sent for home around two furlongs out and opened a decent lead on the field.

Murtagh followed Wayne Lordan through from the rear on chief market rival Walk On Bye before going in pursuit of his stablemate.

For a moment it looked as though Murtagh may have left it a fraction too late, but his partner quickened impressively to record a cosy victory as the 5-4 favourite.

Air Chief Marshal, sent off at 33-1, made it a one-two for Ballydoyle. The well-fancied Walk On Bye, who had been supplemented for the race at a cost of €22,500, plugged on for third.

Winning trainer Aidan O'Brien confirmed the 2,000 Guineas to be the long term target for the winner.

He said: "He's a proper horse and will hopefully be a Guineas horse. We will look at the National Stakes for him this year.

"He has progressed with every run and he has an impressive change of gears. It was just a case of if he could use them on that ground.

"Not many horses can do that and he looks a real good one."

Of second placed Air Chief Marshall, ridden by O'Brien's son Joseph, the trainer said: "He ran a super race and he is starting to get his act together.

"He is versatile with regards to trip and has plenty of options."

RACE REPLAY

I enjoyed that, cheers!

Yep was impressive win,walk on bye was supposed to be the next superstar filly,and considering these horses had either won or been placed in grp races prior,a good run..