Van Nistelrooy retained his unbeaten record and is heading for the National Stakes next month following this afternoon's victory at the Curragh in the Galileo Futurity Stakes. Sent off the even money favourite, Van Nistlerooy was produced with a late run by Michael Kinane to overtake the lone English runner Wilful and hold off Chappel Cresent by a neck to record his third success in a fast time.
Easy to back in the betting ring because of fears over the coughing among the Ballydoyle juveniles, the American-bred winner 'rode very fresh and just does the minimum according to Mick Kinane' said champion trainer Aidan O'Brien, who indicated that the horse would complete his first season back at the Curragh next month.
'The plan all along was for him to have four runs, ending with the Aga Khan Studs National Stakes on September 15 next. It's a relief to see him win again as our two-year-olds are very much under a cloud with the coughing,' O'Brien added.
Filed by James McMahon
