O'Brien Rues Impact of Pacemakers at York

Aidan O'Brien is confident Constitution River (FR) can get back to his brilliant best in the Irish Champion Stakes (G1) at Leopardstown after what he has called a "complete mess" of a race in the Juddmonte International (G1) at York last time. Constitution River cemented himself as one of the most exciting colts in training when landing the Dee Stakes, the Prix du Jockey Club (G1) and the Eclipse Stakes (G1) in excellent style, and his meeting with Ombudsman (IRE) at York was billed as a mouthwatering clash of generations. However, the race did not develop as O'Brien predicted, with his intended pacemaker Action (IRE) missing the break and Devil's Advocate (GB), trained by John and Thady Gosden and a usual pacemaker for his stablemate Ombudsman, also not leading and keeping Constitution River company for the bulk of the race. Hawk Mountain (IRE) ended up making the running with Constitution River getting lit up in second, while Ombudsman was ridden patiently. The Andrew Balding-trained Item eventually edged out Almaqam (GB) in the finish with Constitution River and Ombudsman filling third and fourth spots. Speaking at a press day at Ballydoyle ahead of the Irish Champions Festival Sept. 12-13, O'Brien explained how the race went awry early on from his perspective. "It was just a bit of a mess the last day," he said. "Everything that could have went wrong, went wrong. The horse we had in to make the running ended up not being quick enough to make it and he couldn't get any closer than he was. We thought that John's horse (Devil's Advocate) was going to go but obviously they didn't have any intention of going so that meant Wayne (Lordan) got left in front on Hawk Mountain, which was far from ideal as he didn't like being in front. "When Wayne had to squeeze him along, they ended up going a bit quick and Constitution River jumped, was a little bit keen and charged over the road. He ended up being second and John's horse obviously spotted him and just kept him company for a little bit of the race. "Coming down the straight, John's horse was on his outside and obviously started to hold his place so Ryan (Moore) felt he had to get out of there. He ended up having to challenge Wayne too early and was there too early so it was all a complete mess really. "We'd like to have something else to make it for him at Leopardstown so that Hawk Mountain wouldn't have to be as forward, so hopefully we'll have something that might be able to go in there." Benvenuto Cellini will not join Constitution River at Leopardstown and will be sent to the Prix Niel (G2) at Longchamp this weekend, with an Arc bid a possibility if the ground was suitable.