Galen gets the better of Jan Brueghel at the Curragh

Galen enjoyed a step up in trip and made the most of his race fitness to lower the colours of Jan Brueghel and win the Tote.ie Alleged Stakes at the Curragh.

Joseph O’Brien’s four-year-old has not long returned from a spell in Dubai, where he made only the minor placings in a trio of races over nine furlongs.

He was tasked with an extra furlong when back on home turf at Group Three level and was swift out of the stalls to lead for the whole race, beating 4-5 favourite Jan Brueghel – winner of last year’s St Leger at Doncaster for Aidan O’Brien – by two and a half lengths.

“He’s always been a good horse and he ran well in Dubai a few times where he just didn’t get the rub of the green, didn’t break and had a few bad draws,” said O’Brien of his 6-1 winner.

“He obviously had the fitness edge. Dylan (Browne McMonagle) didn’t think there was much pace and was happy to go to the front and it was a good performance.

“If you look at his form his best runs are probably when he was ridden very positive.

“He just struggled when he went up in class to get to the lead over a mile. I think the step up in trip has allowed him to get to the front again.

“I think he does enjoy being ridden like that and the cheekpieces helped him concentrate.”

When asked if the Tattersalls Gold Cup could be a target, the trainer added: “We’d have to look at the Mooresbridge first, and then why not?

“He’s a fun horse and I’m delighted for his ownership group. Barry Taylor bought into him and there is Paul Redmond, Ger Fitzgerald and Barry Fowler. They are lovely guys and have had horses for a long time. This lad is a smart horse.”