EMPEROR OUT TO CONTINUE O'BRIEN RULE
By Anita Chambers, PA Sport
(from Sporting Life)
With the British Classics over and done with for another year, attentions begin to turn to the contenders for next season.
The Laing O'Rourke National Stakes at the Curragh confirmed George Washington as a major player for top honours 12 months ago, and trainer Aidan O'Brien will be out to maintain his fantastic record in the seven-furlong event on Sunday.
And he has the ideal candidate in Holy Roman Emperor, an ultra-impressive winner of the Phoenix Stakes last time out.
The Danehill colt brushed aside Hellvelyn to reverse Coventry Stakes running and the form has turned out to be very hot, with Group winners coming out of the horses that finished behind the front two.
The National Stakes is the highlight of a two-day meeting at the Curragh, with Saturday's card headlined by the Irish Field St Leger.
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