Alfred Nobel: found keeping straight harder than defeating these rivals

  PICTURE: Edward Whitaker/ racingpostpix.com  

Alfred continues O'Brien domination in Railway

Report: Curragh, Sunday

Netjets Railway Stakes (Group 2) 6f

ALFRED NOBEL earned a quote of 14-1 with Boylesports for next year's 2,000 Guineas when landing trainer Aidan O'Brien his 11th victory in the €72,000 prize since 1997.

Sent off the 6-4 favourite, the son of Danehill Dancer was settled at the rear of the field by Johnny Murtagh behind the generous pace set by Love Lockdown, seeking a four-timer.

At the two furlong pole Murtagh woke Alfred Nobel up, pushing him through Kitty Kiernan and Ledley King to make four upsides with Love Lockdown still narrowly ahead.

However Kitty Kiernan and Love Lockdown soon weakened and, despite hanging slightly into the rail, Alfred Nobel proved too strong, winning by a length and a quarter.

Having taken it first 12 years ago with King Of Kings, who went on to Guineas glory, the trainer has secured all but two of the past 13 runnings, following up in the 2,000 Guineas a further twice with Rock Of Gibraltar in 2002 and George Washington in 2006.

Aidan O'Brien: hopes he'll get a mile

  PICTURE: Edward Whitaker  

Mastercraftsman, last term's victor, could muster only fifth in the English Classic, but bookmakers were quick to price up Alfred Nobel, Skybet quoting the son of Danehill Dancer at 16-1 and Victor Chandler giving the best price of 20-1.

O'Brien said: "He progressed from his first run to his second, his second run to his third, and he's come forward again so I'm delighted with that.

"He was green when he hit the front, and leaned away from the ground, and you'd hope he'd get a mile in time."

20-1 chance In Some Respect faded having raced prominently but came back at King Ledley to steal second by a head, while Kitty Kiernan finished fourth.