Aidan O’Brien expects Most Improved to live up to his name after last year’s St James’s Palace Stakes winner finished third behind stablemate Flying The Flag on his comeback run in the eFlow ‘You First’ International Stakes at the Curragh last night.
The Ballydoyle trainer felt the four-year-old, formerly with Brian Meehan, is sure to benefit from his first start for 251 days. Most Improved was sent off the 5/4 favourite, but could never get in a blow for Joseph O’Brien in this four-runner Group Three heat over a mile and a quarter.
“He has been off a long time and he just got tired as he was entitled to do,” said the trainer. “I was very happy with the run, especially how he travelled during the race. Joseph said he won’t mind going back in trip.”
O’Brien still came out on top as Flying The Flag (21/10) under Seamie Heffernan overtook the pace-setting Aloof in the final furlong to win by four lengths. “I’m delighted with him. He’s a mile-and-a-quarter horse and fast ground is important to him. There was plenty of pace on and that suited him,” said O’Brien.
The Vatican (5-2) overcame a 358-day absence to win for the O’Brien team on his second start when holding Al Destoor in the eFlow ‘Hassle Free’ Maiden.
Avenue Gabriel got the better of Ballybacka Queen as two newcomers battled out the finish to the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden. Ridden by Chris Hayes, Avenue Gabriel (14-1) got on top close home to score by a neck from 50/1 outsider Ballybacka Queen and give owner Lady O’Reilly her first winner with trainer Paul Deegan.