DILEMMA FOR AIDAN
WINGS OF EAGLES and Cliffs Of Moher could go separate ways for their next race after giving Aidan O’Brien a one-two in the Investec Derby.
The Ballydoyle trainer is thinking of aiming Epsom hero Wings Of Eagles at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh.
Meanwhile, Cliffs Of Moher could drop back to a mile and a quarter for the Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown.
Wings Of Eagles sprang a 40-1 surprise in the premier Classic on Saturday in the hands of Padraig Beggy, coming late to deny Ryan Moore on Cliffs Of Moher by three-quarters of a length.
O'Brien, who was winning the Derby for the sixth time, said: “We might have a look at the Irish Derby with Wings Of Eagles and it's possible we might have a look at the Eclipse with Cliffs Of Moher. But we're not sure yet.
“It will be a week or 10 days before we decide anything but that's what we are thinking at the moment.”
■Adrian Nicholls last night led the tributes to his father David “Dandy” Nicholls who has died at the age of 61.
Nicholls senior, a former jockey, rode over 400 winners, including the flying filly Soba.
He then had an illustrious training career, winning the Nunthorpe Stakes, July Cup, Prix de l'Abbaye, Haydock Sprint Cup and all the top sprint handicaps such as the Ayr Gold Cup.
Adrian said: “His record speaks for itself. There are a few others after the ‘Sprint King' title but they'll do well to do what he did.”
■Beeves won a dramatic Horizon Parking City Of Perth Gold Cup as he collared a faltering Aerlite Supreme in the shadow of the post to score by a neck.
The 12-1 winner is trained by Jennie Candlish and jockey Sean Quinlan said: “I'd have settled for second jumping the last but Adam Wedge's horse stopped close to home and I switched to the stands side and got back up.
“He has been a real star and we won here the time before and at Fakenham. He will probably have a break now – he has been busy.”
In front of a bumper 8000 crowd, Warren Greatrex enjoyed his first course success when Attest completed a hat-trick in the Perth Is The Place To Be Handicap Hurdle.
Winning jockey Harry Bannister maintained his 50 per cent Perth strike-rate.
He said: “I'd say this was the most impressive of his wins so far. He's in very good form and has done it very nicely.”