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Painted Cliffs on winning track in Railway Stakes

Saturday 27 June 2015 18:23, UK

Painted Cliffs and jockey Ryan Moore win the GAIN Railway Stakes during day two of the Irish Derby Festival at the Curragh Racecourse.
Image: Painted Cliffs and jockey Ryan Moore come home clear in the Railway Stakes.

Painted Cliffs and Ryan Moore bounded clear to win to overturn the odds in the GAIN Railway Stakes at the Curragh.

Down the field on debut before getting off the mark at Leopardstown just nine days ago, the Canford Cliffs colt was a 7/1 shot to provide Aidan O'Brien with a 12th triumph in this Group Two contest, with the likes of Rock Of Gibraltar (2001) and George Washington (2005) among those on the roll of honour.

Richard Hannon's British raider Log Out Island took the field along, looking to go one place better than when runner-up in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot last week, with Painted Cliffs his nearest pursuer.

There was little to choose between the pair passing the two-furlong marker, but Painted Cliffs quickly asserted and was well on top at the finish.

  1. Plagiarism (green silks) takes the opening Betfred TV/Irish Farms EBF Maiden from Paddy Power (black silks) on Northumberland Plate Day at Newcastle.
    Image: The action gets underway as Plagiarism (green silks) takes the opening Betfred TV/Irish Farms EBF Maiden from Paddy Power (black silks) on Northumberland P
  2. NEWCASTLE, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 27: Racegoers wear traditional flat caps during The Northumberland Plate Meeting at High Gosforth Park on June 27, 2015 i
    Image: Fancy dress is the order for some ahead of the big race, known as the Pitmen's Derby.
  3. Aeolus ridden by George Baker (far left) wins the Betfred Chipchase Stakes during the John Smith's Northumberland Plate Day at Newcastle Racecourse. PRESS
    Image: Aeolus ridden by George Baker (far left) wins the Betfred Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle
  4. Aeolus ridden by George Baker wins the Betfred Chipchase Stakes during the John Smith's Northumberland Plate Day at Newcastle Racecourse. PRESS ASSOCIATION
    Image: A close-up of Aeolus getting the job done
  5. Bushcraft ridden by Graham Lee wins the Betfred 'Six Best Odds Races Daily' Handicap during the John Smith's Northumberland Plate Day at Newcastle Racecour
    Image: Bushcraft ridden by Graham Lee wins the Betfred 'Six Best Odds Races Daily' Handicap.
  6. NEWCASTLE, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 27: Bushcraft riden by Graham Lee (R) on the way to winning The third race The Betfred 'Six Best Odds Daily' handicap stak
    Image: A bumper crowd enjoyed the action all day at Newcastle.
  7. Zarwaan ridden by Paul Hanagan (left) wins the Betfred Membership 'Play Your Way' Handicap during the John Smith's Northumberland Plate Day at Newcastle Ra
    Image: The well-backed Zarwaan wins under Paul Hanagan at Newcastle
  8. Final Frontier ridden by Shane Foley wins the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise European Breeders Fund Maiden during day two of the Irish Derby Festival at t
    Image: Final Frontier ridden by Shane Foley wins the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise European Breeders Fund Maiden, the opening contest on the Irish Derby card at The Curragh.
  9. Gordon Lord Byron ridden by Wayne Lordan (left) wins the Dubai Duty Free Dash Stakes during day two of the Irish Derby Festival at the Curragh Racecourse,
    Image: Gordon Lord Byron ridden by Wayne Lordan returns to winning form to take the Dubai Duty Free Dash Stakes from Balmont Mist.
  10. Quest For More ridden by George Baker (right) wins the John Smith's Northumberland Plate during the John Smith's Northumberland Plate Day at Newcastle Race
    Image: Quest For More and George Baker capture the John Smith's Northumberland Plate.
  11. Quest For More ridden by George Baker (right) wins the John Smith's Northumberland Plate during the John Smith's Northumberland Plate Day at Newcastle Race
    Image: Quest For More goes clear of the Plate field with Max Dynamite (far left, pink colours) staying on for second place.
  12. Winning jockey George Baker celebrates with the trophy after victory with Quest For More in the John Smith's Northumberland Plate during the John Smith's N
    Image: Winning jockey George Baker celebrates with the Northumberland Plate trophy
  13. Sovereign Debt and Chris Hayes win the Dubai Duty Free Full Of Surprises Celebration Stakes for trainer Dandy Nicholls.
    Image: Sovereign Debt and Chris Hayes take the Dubai Duty Free Full Of Surprises Celebration Stakes for trainer Dandy Nicholls.

Jessica Harrington's Rockaway Valley was the 11/8 favourite having had the winner well behind him here last month, but was under pressure some way from home before boxing on to beat Log Out Island to the runner-up spot.

Moore said: "We took it up far too early really, but he's a nice horse and he'll improve.

"All Aidan's two-year-olds are running great at the moment."

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O'Brien added: "We liked him before he ever ran but he disappointed the first day and Joseph (O'Brien) said he was very idle and babyish. We put the blinkers on him at Leopardstown to help him concentrate and I wasn't sure if it was just a bad race or that the blinkers worked.

"Ryan said he's a very nice horse. He likes him. Maybe we could leave the blinkers off him in future."

The winner was installed at 20/1 by Sky Bet in their market for next year's 2000 Guineas.

 

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