Racing:Irish trainers Jim Bolger and Aidan O'Brien walked away with the two big Grade One pots on offer at Newmarket today.
Bolger improved his incredible recent record in the Dubai Dewhurst Stakes when Parish Hall sprang a 20-1 surprise.
Having won the race with Teofilo, who is the sire of Parish Hall, New Approach and Intense Focus in successive years, the Coolcullen maestro struck again.
Kevin Manning had the colt prominent throughout on the rails and despite seemingly being one of the first under pressure, he kept on galloping.
Most Improved and Bronterre were challenging inside the final furlong while O’Brien’s Power got going all too late and was beaten half a length in second.
Parish Hall had disappointed in the Phoenix Stakes after winning his maiden but was not beaten far in the Futurity Stakes behind Dragon Pulse.
Given Dragon Pulse had chased home Power in the National Stakes, Bolger and Manning were quietly confident of a bold show.
Manning said: “It has been a very lucky race for us. If you looked back at his form, he was only just behind Power who was one of the favourites.
“They went a nice even gallop, not overly fast, and when he hit the rising ground, he kept on again.
“I think seven furlongs is a minimum for him and that’s why I rode him that way.”
Bolger added: “It’s a very nice achievement. He’s been improving all along but he’s run into soft ground a couple of times and he can’t handle that, he’s better on quicker ground.
“He’s in that league (with Bolger’s previous Dewhurst winners) and they were good.
“I wouldn’t be sure he’d come back here for the Guineas but I certainly think of him as a horse for Epsom and the Irish Derby.
“We were looking at the Group Three (Autumn Stakes) because I thought a mile would suit him better but the word was some of the better horses were going for the Group Three.”
O’Brien said of Power: “He ran a stormer. We were delighted and he finished up the hill very well. We’ll look forward to next year.”
O’Brien’s second string Crusade won a dramatic Emaar Middle Park Stakes.
With plenty of the fancied runners failing to give their running, O’Brien’s Reply claimed third, just behind the supplemented Lilbourne Lad.
Fourth on his last start in the Tattersall Stakes, Crusade was sent off at 25-1 under Seamie Heffernan and won by three-quarters of a length.
The fancied Caspar Netscher looked an unlucky loser having been well behind with a furlong to run before flashing home to finish just behind the placed horses.
The well-fancied Family One, Bapak Chinta and Burwaaz all failed to get involved. Balty Boys and Michael Hills raced alone on the far side and finished fourth.
Heffernan said: “He’s improved from run to run. I’m never surprised (when outsiders win) any more. We have to make them good. It’s grand.
“His last race fitted in when he needed a run and it was a prep for this. When it comes together, it’s great but when it doesn’t it’s horrible.
“He takes his races well and has plenty of scope and speed. They have to keep improving (to be a Classic contender) but he’s in the right place.”
O’Brien added: “He ran a lovely race here the last day when he didn’t get home over seven furlongs, but he won his maiden very easy at the Curragh.
“We weren’t sure if it was the trip or if he got a little bit tired last time but he took a step forward today. He handled the dip well and travelled very well.
“The boys will speak about if he runs again but he could be a Breeders’ Cup Juvenile horse on the dirt. He’s got speed and travels and gets the six well but that will be discussed.”