Twirl defeat a bitter pill

O'Brien still seeking his first triumph in Musidora Stakes

Niall Cronin

BACKED yesterday as if defeat was out of the question, Aidan O'Brien's Twirl was well overturned in yesterday's Musidora Stakes at York, leaving the trainer still looking for his first win in the race.

The money flooded in for the filly in the early morning exchanges as if money was no object, and while maybe money was no object to those who were lumping on, it was a bitter pill to swallow to see John Gosden's second favourite, The Fugue, pass the judge four and a half lengths in front.

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Joseph O'Brien had a frustrating day of it yesterday as he also drew a blank at Naas in the evening.

After partnering Twirl in the 2.30 at York, O'Brien was back in Naas to finish sixth in the opening maiden at 5.20 and, despite some fancied horses, he was never better than fourth on any of his five rides on what was a decent card at Woodlands Park.

Following the success of Princess Highway in the Group Three Blue Wind Stakes, it was easy to grasp the regard with which Dermot Weld holds the now two-time winner.

Weld had little hesitation in suggesting that the daughter of Street Cry could well develop into a Group One winning filly and she now heads to the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Indeed, Weld went on to say that Princess Highway could well develop into being as good as Blue Wind, who the race last night was named after.

The meeting at Naas last year saw the likes of Maybe and Banimpire involved and another set to go for Royal Ascot next is Jim Bolger's Dawn Approach, who won the Fishery Lane Race over six furlongs.

Ranging

Anything ranging from six furlongs to a mile makes little difference to Bolger as he plots his next raid with the son of Epsom Derby winner New Approach.

The trainer wouldn't hold much confidence in him getting much further than the mile, but nothing was ruled out, although the Chesham was most favourably suggested as a future engagement.