Parliament Square dig deeps for win

PARLIAMENT SQUARE made the leap to Listed company with a game success under Joseph O’Brien at Tipperary yesterday.

While his task was eased slight by the absence of Dylanbaru and Tale Of Flame, the Aidan O’Brien-trained runner had to dig pretty deep to gain the day in the Danehill Dancer Tipperary Stakes.

Fifth in the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot and a winner at Fairyhouse last time, Parliament Square was sent off the 2 to 1 favourite for the five-furlong heat.

The son of Acclamation was pushed along by O’Brien two furlongs out as he tried to catch Zoola and Boston Rocker, responding gamely to his rider’s urging. With 100 yards left to run, he pushed his head in front and eventually had half a length to spare over Boston Rocker at the line.

The winning rider said: “He can be quite lazy. The cheekpieces helped as he idled in front.”

The Ferryman gave a boost to the form of stablemate Mars as he landed the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden. Mars is the early favourite for next year’s Derby after an impressive debut at Dundalk and fellow O’Brien inmate The Ferryman just did enough to get home ahead of Ballydoyle second string Line Drummer and favourite Leitir Mor third.