SEPTIMUS LANDS CURRAGH CUP
29 June 2008
Irish Independent

Septimus, another leading stayer from the Ballydoyle battalion, got his 2008 campaign off to a winning start in the At The Races Curragh Cup in Co Kildare -- rounding off a near 10/1 treble for Aidan O'Brien and Johnny Murtagh.

Last year's winner of the Lonsdale and Doncaster Cups hails from the yard of triple Ascot Gold Cup winner Yeats, and could yet clash with his stablemate in the Irish St Leger later this summer.

Despite making a belated start to the year, the five-year-old started as the 1/2 favourite and his class radiated across the Curragh.

Murtagh initially kept him buried away between runners before asking his mount to go through the gears and record a two-and-a-half-length win.

"He has not been away at all this year and this was his first time on a racecourse," O'Brien said.

"That was a slight worry but we saw how classy he was last year. We'd love to bring him back here for the Irish St Leger, and maybe take in something like the Lonsdale on the way.''

Ladbrokes make Septimus their 3/1 favourite for the 2009 Ascot Gold Cup.

Supporters of O'Brien's Westphalia were given an anxious ride in the Barronstown Stud Maiden as the odds-on favourite waited until late to knuckle down and register a length-and-a-quarter victory.

The 2/5 market leader took plenty of winding up from the saddle but was well on top of Douze Points at the end of the six-furlong event, with the pair pulling five lengths clear.

Boylesports were impressed enough with the winner to trim his odds for the stanjamesuk.com 2000 Guineas to 16/1 from 33s.

"He is a young horse and it was only his second run, but I am happy with him," said O'Brien.

"He was green here the first day and was still green but he won nicely. We will step him up to Group company for his next start but I am not sure where that will be.''

The middle leg of O'Brien's treble was provided by King Of Westphalia, who took the Atlantic Homecare Derby Festival Handicap as the 4/1 favourite.