Bracelet sparkles for O’Brien in Oaks

Bracelet gave trainer Aidan O’Brien a fourth victory in the Darley Irish Oaks at the Curragh with a determined effort in the hands of Colm O’Donoghue.

Despite winning the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot last month, Bracelet was a 10-1 shot stepped up to Group One level.

Luca Cumani’s British raider Volume took the field along for much of the mile and a half contest, but the pack had closed up by the home turn.

Bracelet and stable companion Tapestry came to make it a three-way fight inside the final furlong and it was Bracelet who got the better of her stable companion by a neck to lead home an O’Brien a one-two. Volume was third.

There was controversy before the off with Volume, third in the Oaks at Epsom, having to be replated after being found to be wearing shoes on her hind legs that are not allowed to be used in Ireland.

The incident caused a long delay, with the race eventually getting under way around 20 minutes later than scheduled.

For much of the journey it appeared Volume having not been in the parade ring for as long as her opponents could be a crucial factor as she bowled along clear of the field.

Even when caught she did not go down without a fight, but she eventually had to make do with minor honours.

Tapestry, one of the fillies to get most worked up in the parade ring beforehand, ran a fantastic race to fill the runner-up spot on her first start beyond a mile, but was unable to reel in her lesser-fancied stablemate.

O’Brien also saddled the fourth home Beyond Brilliance, ridden by his daughter Ana O’Brien, who was becoming the first female in history to ride in the race.

The disappointment was Dermot Weld’s 7-4 favourite Tarfasha, who had filled the runner-up spot ahead of Volume at Epsom.

She moved into contention early in the straight, but was a spent force inside the final furlong and passed the post well beaten in fifth.