RACING: Aidan O'Brien hailed Rock Of Gibraltar as "a truly great horse" after the colt galloped his way into the history books with a record-breaking seventh consecutive Group One victory in the Netjets Prix du Moulin at Longchamp yesterdayday.
O'Brien, who was relieved to see Rock Of Gibraltar win again with some of his horses still under a cloud following an outbreak of coughing in his Ballydoyle yard, was clearly delighted with the outcome. He was full of praise for the winner and said: "It doesn't matter whether they go fast or slow, he can quicken up off any pace. He's a truly great horse.
"The main target is the Breeders' Cup Mile at Arlington but the Queen Elizabeth ll Stakes at Ascot later this month (September 28th) is also a possibility at this stage." Bookmakers Coral now make Rock Of Gibraltar the 6 to 4 favourite from 11 to 4 to round off an extraordinary season with victory in the Breeders' Cup Mile at Arlington Park on October 26th.
Michael Kinane held O'Brien's star miler, who carries the colours of Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson, up in fifth place in the Longchamp feature as stable companion Sahara Desert cut out the running at a steady pace.
As the seven-strong field turned for home the leader's stride began to shorten as Proudwings and Banks Hill loomed up menacingly as Rock Of Gibraltar took closer order on the outside. At this stage Luca Cumani`s Irish 1000 Guineas winner Gossamer came under pressure and appeared to be struggling for Jamie Spencer.
With one of the eight furlongs left to travel Banks Hill took over but Kinane had the move covered and he eased the three-year-old into the lead well inside the final furlong to secure the £105,166 first prize a shade comfortably by half a length from Richard Hughes's mount. Gossamer ran on well to take third place a length and a half away, without ever being able to land a blow to the leaders.
Meanwhile, Dermot Weld returns to Galway today hoping the September festival treats him better than the main summer meeting. After saddling a treble at Leopardstown on Saturday, Weld quipped: "You're only as good as your last winner. After they were getting beaten all the time at Galway, I was gone!"
The forecast "yielding" ground will not be ideal for the Rosewell House team but it should be better than the main meeting and Maid To Order and National Honour can keep the Weld streak going. The feature three-mile handicap hurdle can go to Plate runner up Wotsitooya.
