No Nay Never Juvenile Takes Derby Festival Opener

Mountain Bear (2c No Nay Never - Holy Alliance, by Holy Roman Emperor) kicked off a treble for Ballydoyle on the opening day of the Irish Derby Festival when taking the six furlong maiden on his second start.

Aidan O’Brien’s charge raced prominently throughout under Ryan Moore and was shaken up to lead a furlong from home. Ridden soon after, he kept on well to win by a length from Chandigah (Churchill).

“You'd be delighted with him,” the in-form O’Brien later commented. “He was green first time and he was still a bit green today. He's by No Nay Never and they are big strong horses with loads of natural speed.”

Mountain Bear holds an entry in the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes, with O’Brien adding that he’d hope to run his charge again before that target. Bred by Whisperview Trading, the son of No Nay Never is owned by Mrs John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith.