Cornerstone first in Futurity

Last updated: 26th August 2012   Subscribe to RSS Feed

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Chris Hayes 2010

Chris Hayes: Won aboard First Cornerstone

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Oliver's faith in First rewarded

First Cornerstone (7-2) stepped up on his recent Listed victory at Tipperary as he landed the Group Two Galileo EBF Futurity Stakes at the Curragh.

Andy Oliver's charge supplemented for the seven-furlong race at the start of the week and he repaid that confidence with a smart victory.

The race lost a little of its sparkle when likely favourite Nevis was withdrawn earlier in the day, but trainer Aidan O'Brien still had 7-4 joint-favourite Flying The Flag and Kingston Jamaica in the field.

The latter set the early gallop, opening up a couple of lengths lead over Flying The Flag with First Cornerstone settled in behind.

Kingston Jamaica was still in front two furlongs out but Flying The Flag was poised to challenge while Chris Hayes was getting to work on First Cornerstone down the outside.

That pair went on with a furlong to run but First Cornerstone, who was bought by Team Valor on Wednesday, proved the better of the two.

British raider Birdman was the other 7-4 joint-favourite but he never looked like taking a hand in the finish.