Jupiter rises for O'Brien

Jupiter Pluvius maintained his unbeaten record in the Killavullan Stakes at Leopardstown to provide a bright spot for Aidan O'Brien yesterday.

After the sad demise of George Washington in the Breeders' Cup Classic and the news Scorpion might miss his intended engagement in the Melbourne Cup, O'Brien was due a change of fortune.

And it duly came when 6 to 4 favourite Jupiter Pluvius arrived on the scene with a strong run to trump his rivals in the seven-furlong Group Three event.

Partnered by Seamus Heffernan, the son of Johannesburg responded well to get on top inside the distance and repel runner-up Famous Name (4 to 1) by three-quarters of a length.

Billyford took third spot at 16 to 1 in an eventful renewal that saw Shane Gorey thrown from the saddle after bunching forced his mount, Amended, through the rails with over a furlong to run.

Ballydoyle's Footstepsinthesand took this race three years ago before going on to lift the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket the following year and bookmakers were quick to react to the success.

VC Bet cut Jupiter Pluvius to 12 to 1 from 16s for the Headquarters Classic. Cashmans were content to leave him unchanged at 20 to 1.

Heffernan and O'Brien went on to land a double when Plan justified favouritism at 11 to 4 with an easy win in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.

Quickening to lead at the distance, Heffernan's mount powered away from Tarkari to score by five and a half lengths.

Ezima (7 to 4 favourite) showed her rivals two clean pairs of hooves when registering a most impressive success in the Trigo Stakes.

Jim Bolger's daughter of Sadler's Wells was well-supported on the back of a taking win in Listed grade last time, and gave her supporters few anxious moments in this 10-furlong heat.

Kevin Manning produced her with a strong run on the outside of the field as the leaders entered the straight and she lengthened well in the manner of a smart filly.

Meanwhile, at Galway, with the National Hunt season beginning to kick into gear, a number of promising horses for the coming campaign were on show.

Among these were Clopf, Cailin Alainn and Mister Top Notch, who all struck at the highest level under the jumping code last season.

The talented trio locked horns in a 14-furlong race, but Eric McNamara's Larkwing spoiled the party with a convincing success.

Coming with a sustained drive to take up the running soon after entering the straight, the 11 to 2 chance stuck on well to repel Davy Fitzgerald's Mister Top Notch (10 to 1).

Clopf arrived on the scene travelling well but faded, while Cailin Alainn failed to get competitive - although it later transpired her saddle had slipped.

Jamie Spencer has moved closer to regaining the jockeys' title as he extended his lead over Seb Sanders to seven at Kempton.

The 2005 champion has been battling Sanders for weeks now and, with his rival serving the first of a two-day ban, a Spencer double came at the ideal moment with the Flat season ending a week on Saturday.