Henri Matisse came from last to first to stylishly edge out The Strikin Viking in the GAIN Railway Stakes at the Curragh. Sent off the 8-1 outsider of the field, the mount of Wayne Lordan was the Aidan O’Brien second string in the Group Two event and was held together in rear during the early stages as Adrian Murray’s Norfolk Stakes third Arizona Blaze led them along.
Kevin Ryan’s The Strikin Viking – named after Manchester City star Erling Haaland – and Ballydoyle favourite Tunbridge Wells were both up with the pace, keen to keep tabs on Arizona Blaze.
As both Arizona Blaze and Tunbridge Wells began to falter, The Strikin Viking looked poised to register a famous success in the Middleham Park Racing colours, but Henri Matisse was making headway throughout the closing stages and galloped on strongly to score by half a length.
It was O’Brien’s first win in the race since Van Beethoven in 2018 and now puts him level with the legendary Vincent O’Brien on a record 14 Railway Stakes victories.
Henri Matisse was shortened to 10-1 from 20s for next year’s 2000 Guineas by both Paddy Power and Betfair in the aftermath, and the winner’s immediate future will involve a return to the Curragh and a step up in trip.
“We’re delighted with him. We thought he was a bit too babyish to go to Ascot and Wayne said he’s still babyish,” said O’Brien.
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