High Chaparral storms to victory

High Chaparral stormed to victory at the Curragh

High Chaparral became the 15th horse to complete the Epsom-Curragh Derby double as the favourite romped home to win the Irish Derby by four lengths.

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Mick Kinane's mount justified his near-unbackable odds-on price, romping past 200-1 outsider Sholokhov who had led for the majority of the race.

It was Kinane's second successive Irish Derby triumph, and the second year running that trainer Aidan O'Brien - a three-time winnner in Ireland's premier classic - has completed the Epsom-Curragh Derby double.

O'Brien also trains Sholokhov and third-placed Ballingarry to complete a memorable day for his stable.

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"[High Chaparral] did it very easily," said Kinane after the race.

"He was cruising through the race. He's never cruised so easily. I just let him coast."

The predicted challenge to High Chaparral's supremacy from the Aga Khan's improving Balakheri failed to materialise, the Royal Ascot winner making no impression under Pat Eddery.

All the first four home were sired by champion stallion Sadler's Wells, who equalled Gallinule's record of siring six Irish Derby winners.

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Irish Derby result:
1 High Chaparral 1-3
2 Sholokhov 200-1
3 Ballingarry 12-1
Also: 4 Nysaean