Curragh Report/ National Stakes: Teofilo shot to the head of the betting for the Stan James 2,000 Guineas following a hugely impressive defeat of Holy Roman Emperor in the Laing O'Rourke National Stakes at the Curragh yesterday.
Jim Bolger's unbeaten colt extended his winning sequence to four under Kevin Manning in the Group One feature, with Ladbrokes cutting his price for the Newmarket Classic to 6 to 1 market leader from 14 to 1.
Holy Roman Emperor was pushed out to 10 to 1.
Paddy Power make him 8 to 1 for the Guineas, while William Hill were forced to go 6 to 1 after seeing plenty of interest at an initial 7 to 1. Boylesports were even more impressed at 4 to 1. The big-race sponsors are 13 to 2.
The son of Galileo, named after Olympic boxing legend Teofilo Stevenson, is priced from 14 to 1 down to 8 to 1 to emulate his sire by winning the Derby.
Bolger ran Slaney Time to make the pace and he did a good job before Teofilo took over a furlong and a half out.
Holy Roman Emperor, the 4 to 9 favourite, flattered briefly but Bolger's charge was always going too well and held on to score by a length and a quarter.
When asked how good he thought the 2 to 1 winner was, Bolger said: "He's the best I've had and after that I wouldn't know how good he is."
That was some accolade from the man who trained the brilliant St Jovite to a runaway success in the Irish Derby and King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes in 1992.
The Carlow trainer continued: "We've two options this year, the Dewhurst or the Lagardere (Grand Criterium at Longchamp on Arc day). It's very possible he'll run again.
"We're not getting hung up about the ground with him, although he wouldn't want it heavy. We'd be expecting him to stay a mile and a half next year."
Manning added: "The pacemaker did a perfect job. This horse is learning all the time and was very professional today. He gave me all the right vibes and was always on top."
Trainer Aidan O'Brien was happy enough with Holy Roman Emperor's effort and he was also impressed with the winner. He said: "He ran well, but the winner is very good. Our horse is not finished for the season yet."
