Aidan O'Brien set to plunder maiden once again with two-pronged attack

The 1m½f Shearwater Hotel & Spa Irish EBF Maiden (3.05) on the penultimate day of the Galway festival has been dominated in recent seasons by Aidan O'Brien, with the last four runnings of the race going to the Ballydoyle team.

O'Brien supplies two of the four runners this time around in an event he has won with subsequent dual Classic winner Capri and Broome, a dual Group 3 winner who was fourth in the Investec Derby this year.

His two representatives are once-raced sons of Galileo and speaking on Friday, O'Brien said: "Emperor Of The Sun ran a nice race at Killarney last month. He was slowly away before running on to finish third over a mile.

"We think he has progressed and while he'll be going the other way this time, the track and trip should suit."

Donnacha O'Brien rides Emperor Of The Sun, while Seamie Heffernan partners Delta Dawn, who ran fourth over 7f on his debut at Gowran Park in June.

"Like Emperor Of The Sun, we think Delta Dawn has progressed nicely from his first run," O'Brien added.

Dermot Weld introduces Gatwick Kitten, a son of Kitten's Joy, while the Arthur Moore-trained Whatsallthatabout completes the field.

Harrington looks to continue fine season

Jessica Harrington is enjoying a fine season, especially with her two-year-olds, and she is represented in the Galway Shopping Centre Irish EBF Nursery Handicap (4.10) by Justina, who won well on her debut before finishing runner-up at Killarney.

She said: "Justina ran second over a mile at Killarney after winning her maiden and was beaten by a better horse on the day. We think she is an improving filly and having acted around Roscommon and Killarney, she should handle this track."

Heading the weights in the nine-runner event is the O'Brien-trained Royal County Down, who got up for a narrow win at Down Royal on his most recent start.

O'Brien said: "Royal County Down has progressed with each run and hopefully he will improve again from his Down Royal win over the trip.

"We're putting blinkers on our other runner, Mythologic. He was very green two runs back at Gowran and things didn't work out for him at Naas last time. He's well and has a good draw [stall one]."

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