White Birch defeats Auguste Rodin for Tattersalls gold at the Curragh under Colin Keane
White Birch carried on his phenomenal form in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh, defeating Auguste Rodin; White Birch to 7/1 from 25/1 for the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot
White Birch continued his brilliant start to the season by claiming a first Group One victory in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh.
Third behind the reopposing Auguste Rodin in the Derby last year, John Joseph Murphy’s grey made a successful start to his four-year-old campaign in the Group Three Alleged Stakes in April before following up over the same course and distance at Group Two level in the Mooresbridge three weeks ago.
- Appleby breaks Hong Kong duck with Rebel’s RomanceRosallion fends off Haatem for Irish Guineas glory
Dual Derby hero Auguste Rodin was the marginal favourite at 11/10 as he looked to bounce back from a disappointing run in Dubai, but while he moved menacingly into it in the straight, White Birch (15-8) was going even better in his slipstream in the hands of a motionless Colin Keane.
Once asked to extend, the grey showed smart acceleration to put three lengths between himself and Auguste Rodin, with Crypto Force a further eight lengths behind in third.
Royal Ascot – live on Sky Sports Racing!
Watch every race from Royal Ascot, all live on Sky Sports Racing from Tuesday 18th June to Saturday 22nd June
“That couldn’t have gone better. We got behind the two we wanted to be behind (early),” said Keane.
“Ryan (Moore, on Auguste Rodin) brought us as far as we could then we just quickened up well.
Get racing news on your phone
Never miss a story with all the latest racing news, interviews and features on your phone. Find out more
“He cantered into it. He has plenty of pace but would have no bother going a bit further.
“He has matured massively from three to four.”
Major bookmakers cut White Birch to 7/1 from 25/1 for the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot, while he is 8/1 from 20/1 for the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown.
Follow Sky Sports Racing on Twitter
See the latest horse racing news, interviews and features from Sky Sports Racing
