'Big as a bull' Los Angeles back with a bang and 16-1 for the Arc after riveting battle with White Birch

Aidan O'Brien has mapped out the whole of the season for Los Angeles. It began with a bang here on a beautiful Bank Holiday Monday and could end in Paris in October, with some spicy events sandwiched in between. 

A decent crowd enjoyed a real humdinger in the feature Group 2 Coolmore Irish EBF Mooresbridge Stakes over 1m2f as last year's Irish Derby winner displayed his trademark tenacity under Ryan Moore to withstand the late surge of White Birch by a neck. 

O'Brien was quick to divulge plans for Los Angeles afterwards. He said: "The plan would be to come back here for the Tattersalls Gold Cup and, if that went well, he would go to Ascot for the Prince of Wales's Stakes. Then we could have a look at the King George, give him a little break after that, and then have a prep for the Arc, maybe back here in the Royal Whip, before having another go at the Arc." 

Los Angeles was cut to 16-1 (from 25) with Paddy Power and Betfair for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp in October, a race in which he finished third last year.

Video courtesy of Racing TV

Reflecting on this particular performance, the trainer added: "We’re delighted with him. He’s a lovely, big, honest horse. When he gets there he doesn’t do much, but that’s always been him. You can see he’s still as big as a bull – he’s big and powerful. It’s very hard to get by him, because he’s lazy and he'd be waiting there.

"We don’t want to go too far with him until we have to. We want to keep him sharp for when he goes up to a mile and a half. If he goes to the King George, he’ll want to be sharp."

Los Angeles didn't look too eager to go down to the start beforehand, but O'Brien laughed that off. 

"He’s a big four-year-old colt, and he knows how big he is," he said. "He’d be very happy to walk over you rather than walk around you! That’s the way he is. 

"He hates hanging around, but he doesn’t even break sweat. He’s like a big child who didn’t get manners put on him when he was young, and then when he got too big it was too late!"

Another Ballydoyle winner Officer heads to the Irish 2,000 Guineas nextCredit: Patrick McCann

Officer stamped himself down as a big Irish 2,000 Guineas contender with an emphatic victory for O'Brien and Moore in the Listed Coolmore Stud Irish EBF Tetrarch Stakes. 

The trainer was impressed, and said: "The Irish Guineas looks perfect for him. Ryan felt he got there earlier than he wanted, but he just got there in two strides. He’s a great shape of a horse, really mature and strong."

Atsila the one

From a Bellewstown maiden to Group 3 glory, Atsila has come a long way in a short space of time and Donnacha O'Brien could now consider supplementing her for the Irish 1,000 Guineas after the daughter of Phoenix Of Spain landed the Coolmore Stud Irish EBF Athasi Stakes under Gavin Ryan.

The winning trainer said: "We’ll see how she comes out of it. If she comes out of it very well Barry [Fowler, owner] mentioned we could supplement her for the Irish Guineas. All you can do from now is go up in class and see where her level is. She’s two from two and has earned a shot at a good race."

Rapid Lady 

Arguably, the most impressive winner of the day was Lady Iman in the Listed First Flier Stakes over 5f. She looks rapid. 

Winning trainer Ger Lyons said: "She’s a lovely filly. Colin [Keane, rider] was very impressed with her. He said she has plenty of speed. 

"I’m thinking of Naas [Group 3 Juvenile Fillies Sprint Stakes] next. I’ll sleep on it and talk to Colin, but I’ve no problem with her getting six furlongs, but she has plenty of speed and will learn plenty from that. I’ve never taken this filly off the bridle, so I don’t know her limit."

Read more:

'He was learning on the job quickly' - Tom Marquand impressed by debut victory of 200,000gns purchase 

Jockey rides first winner on Gordon Elliott debutant who beats 102-rated Flat horse in maiden hurdle 

'We can always dream of Ascot' - new trainer thinking big after dominant two-year-old winner

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