Henry Longfellow cut for 2000 Guineas and Derby after winning Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes
The long-time market leader and antepost favourite for next year's Derby, City Of Troy was declared a non-runner at the Curragh with less than two hours to go before the off, after the ground was officially changed to 'good to yielding' from 'good, good to firm in places' in light of some heavy showers.
That saw Aidan O'Brien's number one jockey Ryan Moore jump ship to partner Henry Longfellow, who didn't disappoint as the eventual 10/11 favourite, bringing up his trainer's 4,000th winner in the process.
Henry Longfellow was maintaining his unbeaten start to his career, all three runs now coming at the Curragh, with the son of Dubawi taking the step up to Group 1 level in his stride following a two-length defeat of Islandsinthestream in the Futurity Stakes.
The reopposing Islandsinthestream, trained by Joseph O'Brien, once again filled the runner-up spot, five lengths in arrears on this occasion, with Group 1 Phoenix Stakes hero Bucanero Fuerte disappointing in third as an even money chance.
The latter's Adrian Murray stablemate Cuban Thunder cut out the early running but ended up last of the four runners, Jessica Harrington's Givemethebeatboys the other non-runner on the day.
Unlimited race replays of all UK & Irish racing
Access to exclusive features all for FREE - No monthly subscription fee
Log in with your existing Sporting Life, Sky Bet, or Sky Games account. If you don't have any of those, it's completely FREE to register!
Henri Longfellow was clipped to 4/1 from 6/1 by Sky Bet for next year's 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, while Betfair and Paddy Power go 6/1 from 8/1 for the Derby.
O'Brien said: "The pedigree of this horse is second to absolutely none. By Dubawi out of the best mare we've ever trained, Minding.
"What he has different is that he quickens. He travels and quickens, which is very hard for other horses to deal with."
On taking City Of Troy out of the race at the 11th hour, the trainer added: "City Of Troy ran in ground similar to this, maybe not quite as bad, at Newmarket, but he had a long time since he ran and we just felt he was going to improve from the run. And sometimes in that soft ground horses who are going to improve for the run, win lose or draw, they can have a very hard time.
"We knew this horse [Henry Longfellow] ran just a couple of weeks ago and his dam handled the ground no problem, and he had run in it as well. Everyone had been very happy with him and he looks a very special horse.
"City Of Troy only ever pleases in every way but we said we wouldn't run him on soft ground and we had to be true to our word."
- Racecards
- Fast results
- Full results and free video replays
- Horse racing news
- Horse racing tips
- Horse racing features
- Download our free iOS and Android app
- Football and other sports tips
- Podcasts and video content
Safer gambling
We are committed in our support of safer gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.
If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline / GamCare on 0808 8020 133.
Further support and information can be found at begambleaware.org and gamblingtherapy.org
