Dylan Thomas cruises to Champion success

Dylan Thomas clocked up a fifth Group One victory with back-to-back wins in the Tattersalls Millions Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown.

Aidan O'Brien's Danehill colt has enjoyed a scintillating campaign and savoured yet another triumph at the highest level in the hands of Kieren Fallon.

The 8-15 favourite was followed home by stablemates Duke Of Marmalade and Red Rock Canyon in a famous 1-2-3 for Ballydoyle.
Dylan Thomas was also creating history by becoming the first horse to win consecutive renewals of the race.

The King George winner was far from disgraced behind Authorized in the Juddmonte International on his last start.

And while the calibre of opposition in the Irish showpiece was arguably below-par, Dylan Thomas underscored his appetite for racing with an effortless display.

Rank outsider Red Rock Canyon guaranteed a generous clip in the 10-furlong contest as Fallon had his mount cosily ensconced in fourth at the halfway stage.

Indeed, the referee could have arguably stopped the contest once he overtook Maraahel at the two-furlong pole.

Runner-up Duke Of Marmalade (15-2) and Red Rock Canyon then had no response to Dylan Thomas' majestic finishing kick, which yielded a most comfortable length and a half victory.

Dylan Thomas remains unchanged at 6-1 with VC Bet and Stan James for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

'I have to say he's the best horse I've every ridden,' enthused Fallon.

'He's done nothing wrong for me and has gone from strength to strength.

'He didn't have his ground at York last time but he had it this time.
'I thought it looked a very good race with a dual Guineas winner (Finsceal Beo) and a Breeders' Cup winner (Red Rocks) in there.

'I was worried when Duke Of Marmalade took three lengths out of us turning in but I had a good horse under me and he picked him (Duke Of Marmalade) up.'

O'Brien added: 'He's a serious horse and has got a very long stride so it takes him while to pick up over a mile and a quarter.

'But a mile and a half really plays to his strength and he can get into a rhythm. If all goes smoothly and we end up with good ground in Paris, the Arc will be his next race.'

Of Duke Of Marmalade, the Ballydoyle handler added: 'He had a break after Ascot and is still progressing.

'All races are open to him over a mile and quarter, and even further.

'The English Champion Stakes is a possibility, along with the Breeders' Cup.'