Big Ben strikes at the Curragh

A review of the rest of Sunday’s Curragh card as Big Ben opened his account at the second time of asking.

Following wins for Churchill and Rhododendron earlier on the card, Aidan O’Brien and Seamie Heffernan completed a treble as Big Ben won the Breast Cancer Research Maiden.

The three-year-old half-brother to five-times Group One scorer Attraction was thrown off balance in the final furlong but was gathered up by Seamie Heffernan to hold stablemate Tree Of Knowledge by three-quarters of a length.

“He’s a tough, hardy horse. He’s still green and when he gave him a belt he hit the rail,” said O’Brien.

“Hopefully he’ll keep progressing and I think he’ll stay further so he’ll probably step up in trip.

“The second horse came forward, too, and on his next run I’d say he’ll be there.”

Ronan Whelan brought Morga (16/1) with a late run to take the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Handicap.

Des McDonogh’s six-year-old pulled clear in the final furlong to score by three and three-quarter lengths from Ceol Na Nog.

“I had to fancy her as in Galway she gave 12lb to Heartbreak City and was only beaten two lengths,” said McDonogh.

“She ran a great race in Galway as she was giving weight away to the first three. She loved that ground and got a lovely ride. She found plenty.

“She’ll probably go back over hurdles but it’s hard to find one for her. The way she ran there she could go two and a half miles over …

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