Dewhurst next for 'classy' Henry Longfellow as Aidan O'Brien continues remarkable Futurity record

Henry Longfellow was cut to 5-1 (from 9) for the 2,000 Guineas and 8-1 (from 14) for the Derby by Paddy Power after making it two from two in quite impressive fashion under Ryan Moore.

It was a 16th win in this Group 2 for Aidan O'Brien, who also saddled the third Portland. A proper gallop was set by Spanish Flame, and indeed he had the winner coming off the bridle very briefly at the two-furlong pole. But once the winner was asked to up it a gear, he did so in very taking style and put the contest beyond any real doubt in a few strides.

Inside the final furlong, he still showed a little bit of inexperience but had more than enough in hand to beat the once-raced Islandsinthestream by two lengths. Galway nursery winner Portland kept on for third, a further three lengths back, with Spanish Flame fading to finish fourth, beaten 10 lengths in total.

Keeping his good juvenile colts apart is going to be a nice headache for O'Brien and the Coolmore connections to have, with Henry Longfellow now likely to head to Newmarket for the Dewhurst and star colt City Of Troy set to return to the Curragh next month for the Vincent O'Brien National Stakes.

Henry Longfellow pulls clear of Islandsinthestream in the Group 2 FuturityCredit: Patrick McCann

He said: “They went a good, solid pace, which is what we hoped would happen. He would've gone on himself if he had to, so he learned plenty out there today. He's a classy horse. He's able to travel, and he can quicken too. He got a bit lazy when he got there [to the front], but Ryan caught hold of him and made him stretch out again and that's what he wanted.

“The Dewhurst is next, with City Of Troy coming here for the National Stakes – we just want to divide them up. He's not short of pace, but Dubawis do stay, and his dam Minding was unusual in that she won Group 1s from a mile all the way to a mile and a half. Pierre-Charles [Boudot] rides him out in all of his work and he was very happy with him, and when those boys are happy, you're in business. It was a good race.”

For many watchers, the horse to take out of the race will be runner-up Islandsinthestream, who was making just his second start for Joseph O'Brien after winning a maiden here in June. He picked up from the back of the field to chase the winner but showed his inexperience inside the last.

It was still a very smart effort, and Declan McDonogh, rider of the runner-up, said: “I'm delighted with him. He's learning on the job. I thought that was a real, proper trial. I would say he'll only get better; he's a big, unfurnished type, and he was still a bit green."

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