Aidan O'Brien's Theatre world brought his winning tally under both codes to 14 last evening when scooping the featured Guinness Extra Stout Handicap over one-and-a-half miles. Runner-up in the Smurfit Champion Hurdle for the second successive year at Cheltenham in March, the versatile six-year-old gelded son of Sadler's Wells was ridden close to the pace by promising apprentice Paul Scallan before sweeping past the warm market leader Winged Hussar inside the final furlong to run out the three-and-a-half length victor.
"He just loves racing," was the immediate reaction of champion trainer Aidan O'Brien, before he revealed, "The Melbourne Cup is a live possibility as he was put in the race the other day. He's also in the Ebor, but I'd say he could be suited by the Australian race."
O'Brien, recording his fifth win of the week, was also praised his 19-year-old apprentice who hails from Clerystown, Co Wexford. "Paul is a lovely rider. He rides Saratoga Springs in work so he knows well how to push them along." Rite Of Spring, leased by the Dundalk Racing Club from owner-breeder Kersten Rausing, quickened up smartly for John Murtagh rounding the home turn to run away from her rivals and score eased down in the Smithwicks Maiden.
John Oxx described the daughter of Niniski as, "a nervous sort of filly" before adding: "The race should bring her on but we have no plans at present." Christy Roche was fined £100 for failing to make the weight (9-2) at which he was engaged to carry on Alleged Agressor. He was substituted by Kevin Manning who went on to be just pipped for second spot by Just Wondering in the dying stride. Roche stated in his defence he was a pound overweight and as he had been delayed arriving at the track was unable to use the sauna in time to shed the excess. Dermot Weld continued his annual rich vein of form at Ballybrit when he initiated a double in the Carlsberg Race with market drifter Alexis. It looked all over when Mick Kinane sent the 5 to 2 chance to the lead inside the final furlong from Artistic Blue, but Kevin Manning rousted up a renewed effort on Jim Bolger's filly only to be just denied.
