O'Brien may have to explain comments

RACING NEWS: The Turf Club said yesterday they would probably want to talk to Aidan O'Brien regarding comments attributed to…

RACING NEWS: The Turf Club said yesterday they would probably want to talk to Aidan O'Brien regarding comments attributed to the champion trainer over the running of Brian Boru last weekend.

During a media open day at Ballydoyle on Monday, O'Brien expressed satisfaction with Brian Boru's third to Alamshar in the Derrinstown Derby Trial.

He was also quoted as saying that the object was in "trying to get Brian Boru to do the right thing, rather than winning the race."

He also reportedly said that a battle with Alamshar was "the last thing we wanted."

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These comments were highlighted by the specialist trade paper, the Racing Post, yesterday.

As a result the Turf Club chief executive Denis Egan said: "We will take another look at the video and we will probably ask Aidan to elaborate on his comments. We will decide then if we need to hold an official enquiry."

Brian Boru finished a head and two and a half lengths behind Alamshar and The Great Gatsby on Sunday, giving both 5lbs on his first start of the season.

Jockey Seamus Heffernan used his whip a number of times on the colt and the running and riding of Brian Boru was not examined by the racecourse stewards.

Yesterday O'Brien declined to comment on the matter.

The Turf Club also moved yesterday to give the popular Kilbeggan track a licence to race for this year. That licence had been withdrawn on April 28th after the infield ambulance road failed an inspection.

The decision, taken after another inspection on Monday, means Kilbeggan will after all be able to race on its next date, May 26th.

"There have been substantial improvements to the problem areas that were bumpy and it is safe," said Egan.

However, following the June 23rd meeting, the road will again be inspected to ensure the present satisfactory standard is being maintained.

O'Brien will be hoping for more positive news at Gowran Park this evening and if the pattern is anything to go by he should get it in the first seven furlong race of the year for two year olds.

O'Brien has won it for the last four years including with the subsequent Group 1 victors Spartacus and Landseer.

Tonight the Danzig colt Antonius Pius has just three opponents and will clearly be hard to beat.

Dermot Weld gives Prominent Feature another crack at losing his maiden tag in the second division of the maiden and the colt should be a lot happier than when only fifth to Fontanesi on very soft going at Naas.

The first division looks good for Alisar who should improve significantly on a fourth to Dalcassian at the Curragh on his only start to date.

Blue Corrig was fancied to score on his last start at Tipperary but found Doire-Chrinn too good. The Crowley runner can go one better in the nine furlong handicap.

Crimson Flower is on a hat-trick following a Wexford success on the flat and a victory at the Punchestown festival. The eight-year-old can do it too in the Ladies Handicap.