O'Brien purring after One Cool Cat's display

One Cool Cat propelled himself to the top of the 2,000 Guineas betting with a scintillating display at the Curragh yesterday that had Aidan O'Brien venturing into new territory.

Those of us paid to gather the words from the Ballydoyle trainer's lips have heard him use various utterances to describe his various superstars over the last six years.

But One Cool Cat's triumph in the Waterford Wedgwood Phoenix Stakes merited a new phrase.

"He's a unique horse," O'Brien said simply. "He is so relaxed, so natural, and he's only a baby. He makes moves in the middle of his work that knock you dead."

Considering just an hour previously the dual Derby hero High Chaparral, the proven classic article, made a triumphant start to his four-year-old career, O'Brien's enthusiasm was significant.

The bookmakers certainly noticed, with Ladbrokes making One Cool Cat a 4 to 1 Guineas favourite and pushing the previous incumbent, Three Valleys, out to 16 to 1.

A vet's examination found Three Valleys' lungs to be full of mucus but it was still hard to disagree with the bookies even though it was One Cool Cat's stablemate Old Deuteronomy who filled the second spot.

"He is not a six-furlong horse at all. He is bred to be a seven-furlong/mile horse. He is crying out for a mile and he has all the options, including the National Stakes," said O'Brien.

Roger Charlton, trainer of Three Valleys, had been left perplexed by his colt's display, with jockey Richard Hughes reporting he was beaten after a furlong.

However, he later explained: "He is full of mucus. I asked the vet if that would have affected him and I was told definitely it would. I'm happier now than I was."

The phrase could also apply to O'Brien, considering the disappointing form of most of his three-year-olds this year. One Cool Cat is the leader of the new juvenile crop but the trainer also has plenty of time for Old Deuteronomy.

"We shouldn't have run him at Goodwood because 15 minutes before the race the ground turned soft. Jamie (Spencer) said he was spinning like a car on chippings. He is a different horse on fast ground," he said.

The Irish Champion Stakes could be next on High Chaparral's agenda after a completely satisfactory return in the Royal Whip Stakes.

A three-quarter-length defeat of the Mick Channon-trained Imperial Dancer satisfied everyone, including his pilot, Michael Kinane, who commented: "He got there easily and then pricked his ears. He has a superb outlook and that was a very good start back."

O'Brien nominated the Leopardstown race or Longchamp's Prix Foy as a possible next target for High Chaparral as he builds up towards the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

"Safe ground will be the priority because we need him to stay around for a while," he said.

It was a day for O'Brien and Kinane all round as Necklace added the Group Three Debutante Stakes to Troubador's victory in the opener to complete an almost 53-1 four-timer.

Necklace did enough for Cashmans to make her a 12 to 1 favourite for next year's Oaks but she will be back to the Curragh first for the Moyglare.

Johnny Murtagh was fined e2,000 by the stewards after failing to fulfil his commitments on both Caldy Dancer, runner-up in the Debutante Stakes, and the Phoenix Stakes fifth Notable Lady.

Murtagh said he felt unwell after trying to lose weight in the morning and hadn't realised until reading Saturday's newspapers that he had to do 8st 11 lb.

The stewards said, however, they were not happy with his conduct and recent record in this regard.