Mission Central accomplished in Curragh victory

Mission Central blasted out of the stalls and never saw another rival to win the Heider Family Stables Round Tower Stakes in taking fashion at the Curragh.

The son of No Nay Never is a rarity in that he hails from Aidan O’Brien’s yard and has a blue-blood pedigree but is a gelding, having shown wayward tendencies when making his debut at Dundalk in April when only fifth of six.

Following a 120-day break he reappeared at the Curragh earlier this month and absolutely bolted up.

With Wayne Lordan replacing the injured Ryan Moore, by halfway Mission Central had everything bar Ipanema Queen off the bridle.

With a furlong to run Listed winner Ipanema Queen could not keep up, but Mission Central (11-8 favourite) clearly has a quirk or two still left as his head began to get a bit higher and he was beginning to pull himself up.

That allowed Joseph O’Brien’s newcomer The Publican’s Son to make rapid headway and close to within three-quarters of a length and while that was a very promising debut, the market leader held on.

“Wayne said, unusually, he was still green,” said O’Brien, who pointed towards an outing at Doncaster’s St Leger meeting.

“He said he was there at halfway and he was waiting. He said he has a lot of natural speed.

“He learned a bit today, he had to get down and knuckle down.

“I’d say he’s quick, five would be no problem to him, and that’s slow ground.

“Wayne said he felt he was only hacking and the lads in the race felt they were flying, that’s the sign of a speed horse.

“I suppose he could be a Flying Childers-type of horse, he’s very fast and I’d imagine that’s the type of horse he is.”

O’Brien’s Hawk Mountain looks a nice middle-distance type for next year having opened his account at the second time of asking in the John Ormonde Wexford Sand Irish EBF (C&G) Maiden.

Fifth on his debut, he made every yard of the running under Lordan to justify 10-11 favouritism.

He holds entries in the Beresford Stakes and the Dewhurst, but that would represent a drop in trip having won over a mile on this occasion.

“I’m delighted with him, he came forward lovely from the first day,” said O’Brien.

“He’s a lovely straightforward horse.”