Late Power surge enough for O'Briens

Racing: Power employed an electric turn of foot to land the Abu Dhabi Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh to give Aidan O’Brien…

Racing:Power employed an electric turn of foot to land the Abu Dhabi Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh to give Aidan O'Brien his eighth win in the race.

Ridden by his son, Joseph, Power, Power was sent off an uneasy 5-1 chance after disappointing in the Newmarket Guineas on his seasonal bow.

Having seen his stablemate Daddy Long Legs open up a big early advantage, Power flew in the final furlong to pip Bryan Smart’s outsider Foxtrot Romeo, with Reply, another O’Brien runner, in third.

Daddy Long Legs, who was pulled up in the Kentucky Derby, set the early pace under Colm O’Donoghue, with fellow O’Brien inmate Wrote the only one to follow his lead.

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The pair built up a healthy advantage over the rest of the field and were still well in control two furlongs out.

However, the distress signals were out thereafter with O’Donoghue pushing his mount along while Seamie Heffernan aboard Wrote was also getting to work.

With just a furlong left to run, the field still had plenty of ground to make up, but first Foxtrot Romeo and then Power emerged to challenge.

Power’s change of gear was thoroughly impressive and when O’Brien jnr finally got his head in front, the Oasis Dream colt pulled a length clear in style.

Foxtrot Romeo, a 33-1 chance, outran his odds to claim the runner-up prize with Reply filling the frame at 25-1.

Richard Hannon’s Trumpet Major was sent off the 9-4 favourite but never looked dangerous, while Sea The Stars half-brother Born To Sea ran on to make good late headway behind the principals.