It’s all go for happy Loughnane

TRAINER David Loughnane admits it will be extra special if Go Bears Go can provide him with the first Group One win of his training career in his Irish homeland in the Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh this afternoon, writes Marcus Townend.

Loughnane, 33, is making waves from his base in Shropshire but his first experience of racing came in his native County Galway where he also first dreamed of becoming a trainer while working for David Ryan.

With perfect symmetry, it is Ryan’s son Rossa who rides Go Bears Go, who has already given Loughnane his first Group Two race win when lifting the Railway Stakes at the Curragh last month.

Go Bears Go’s only defeat in three races came as an unlucky head second. He faces eight opponents in the race being shown live on ITV4, four of which he beat in the Railway Stakes.

Loughnane said: ‘I’m probably more confident than I should be but it is hard not to be confident with him.’