English/Ire
Irish Derby winner Los Angeles makes winning return
The 1m 2f Group 2 Coolmore Stud City Of Troy Irish EBF Mooresbridge Stakes from The Curragh saw the return to action of last year's Irish Derby winner Los Angeles, who finished 2024 with a highly respectable third to Bluestocking in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp before a disappointing ninth in the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot behind Anmaat the same month. A winner first time out each season, the odds suggested he was expected to make it three years in a row as he was sent off a fraction of odds-on in what looked a competitive line-up despite just the six runners going to post.
Joseph O'Brien's Galen, who comfortably won the Alleged Stakes last time after returning from Dubai, made sure this was a test for all under Dylan Browne Mcmonagle, setting off in front at what looked a blistering pace that soon saw the field strung out behind him, with outsider Sunchart detached and finding this too hot for him. Los Angeles soon slotted into second place for Ryan Moore with Trustyourinstict and White Birch vying for third, and Sons And Lovers close-up behind that quartet.
The order remained unchanged until the three furlong pole when the leader attempted to shrug off his rivals as Los Angeles went after him with last year's winner White Birch pulled out for a run as the front three pulled away, but the front-runner had done too much too early and was the first to crack. The favourite hit the front before the furlong pole with the grey in hot pursuit, but he could not reel him in with Ryan Moore at his tenacious best, hanging on by a diminishing neck at the line.
Trustyourinstict stuck on to come home a two and three-quarter length third, but it is the front two who look more likely to go on from here and carry on competing at Group level for the rest of the season.
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