Fire freezes out Derby rivals

Aidan O'Brien and Seamus Heffernan completed an Irish Derby repeat as Frozen Fire sprung a 16-1 shock in the big race at the Curragh.

The pair combined last year to win the race with Solder of Fortune and they repeated the move 12 months later thanks to a well-timed late run.

The win made it a hat-trick of Irish Derby victories for Ballydoyle handler O'Brien after Dylan Thomas gained the top honour back in 2006.

16-1 shot Frozen Fire was one of a host of challengers in with a shout in the closing stages, after stable-mate Alessandro Volta and Johnny Murtagh led the field turning into the straight with even-money favourite Tartan Bearer going strongly just in behind.

Luca Cumani's Curtain Call was also there to fight out the finish when Murtagh's mount swerved noticeably when coming under pressure and forced Fran Berry to snatch up while Ryan Moore and Tartan Bearer where carried out wide.

Frozen Fire was unaffected but it might not have mattered given the turn of pace shown to claim a comfortable two-length success.

Casual Conquest plugged away gamely for Pat Smullen to finish second while Alessandro Volta finished third, but was later demoted to fourth after a stewards' inquiry after his swerve, with Tartan Bearer moving up a place from fourth.

"This is down to a lot of people - it's been a privilege to have been involved in it," O'Brien said.

"Seamus has worked very hard and is a great judge of a horse. Nobody deserves it more than Seamus and I couldn't be happier for him."

No Excuses

O'Brien continued: "This is marvellous. The race was a full, solid mile and a half and there are no excuses.

"All of ours have run great races, but I think Alessandro Volta got stage-fright when he turned into the straight and he wouldn't have seen a crowd like that in front of him before.

"Frozen Fire was second in the Dante but got trapped back in the Derby. Mick Kinane came in and said he was very happy with him and that he was a very good horse.

"All we wanted was an even, strong gallop and this is great for everyone involved as there are so many people in the team who make this happen.

"This is a very special race and is a full test over a mile and a half.

"The Curragh is probably the greatest racecourse in the world as it is a very fair track and really tests a horse over a mile and a half."

Jockey joy

Victorious jockey Heffernan said that Frozen Fire had not handled Epsom on his last run, but was delighted this time to have bagged a second Derby on the bounce.

"His second last run was a serious run and he just didn't handle the track at Epsom last time - he probably would have gone close if he had," said Heffernan.

"I was riding him to try to get placed and he is a bit weak but I was happy to get a lead and follow some of the fancied ones.

"It's unbelievable to win this two years in a row - it's a dream."