Stakes Winner Completes Smart Double For No Nay Never

Sunday saw Group 1 performer Aesop’s Fables (4c No Nay Never – How’s She Cuttin, by Shinko Forest) return to winning ways in the Listed Sole Power Sprint Stakes at Naas.

A Group 2 winner as a juvenile, the Aidan O’Brien-trained colt finished third in both the Group 1 Prix de l’Abbaye and Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint last season. Ryan Moore settled the bay in midfield on Sunday, asking him to quicken from two furlongs out, with his mount improving to lead inside the final furlong. He kept on well to beat long-time leader Twilight Jet by a neck.

A return to Group 1 level at Royal Ascot is now on the cards for Aesop’s Fables, who is owned by Coolmore partners and Westerberg. The Barronstown Stud-bred sprinter completed a quickfire double for Ballydoyle and No Nay Never, with Treasure Isle (2c No Nay Never – Newton’s Night, by Galileo) having justified favouritism in the Coolmore Stud Calyx Race.

Runner-up to Midnight Strike (Starspangledbanner) on debut at the Curragh, he was reunited with Ryan Moore on his second start and made all of the running. Pushed along a furlong from home, he was ridden out to score by half a length, with another three and a half lengths back to the third.

“Ryan said he was very green,” O’Brien revealed after the race. “He felt that he had plenty still to learn, but has a lot of speed. We thought he was going to be one for Royal Ascot and hopefully he knows enough. River Tiber won this last year and went on to win the Coventry but this horse will be very happy staying at five.”

Owned by Coolmore partners, Treasure Isle was bred by Newstead Breeding out of a full-sister to dual Stakes winner Dress Rehearsal (Galileo).