Excelebration's Gladness cruise

Easy for O'Brien recruit

Last updated: 22nd April 2012   Subscribe to RSS Feed

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Excelebration Curragh

Excelebration: Easy winner

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Excelebration (2-7 favourite) was a facile winner of the Big Bad Bob Gladness Stakes at the Curragh on his Ballydoyle debut on Sunday.

The four-year-old was trained by Marco Botti last season when proving much the best of the rest behind Frankel in the mile division.

He was always cruising here in the hands of Joseph O'Brien and wasn't extended to win by three-and-a-quarter lengths from Croisultan.

Trainer Aidan O'Brien said: "He's a lovely horse. He's lazy at home and we weren't 100% sure, but he was doing well in his half-speed work with Joseph.

"Joseph rode him at the Curragh a month ago and was very happy with him. He said he gave him a proper feel, travelled very well and quickened very well. We're looking forward to his next run now.

"The plan was to come here then go for the Lockinge (at Newbury) if everything went well. I'd imagine that is what we'll be looking at now.

"We might meet Frankel there. Everyone knows what he is, an incredible horse. We're delighted with the way this fellow ran and look forward to the next day.

"He was a very good horse last year. Physically he's very well made. He's done very well over the winter and you couldn't be happier with his first run."