RIFF' HITS THE RIGHT NOTE

Joseph's star reigns at Curragh

- By ALAN MAGEE

THE Melbourne Cup-bound Al Riffa stamped his class on the Comer Group International Irish St Leger yesterday.

Winner of the National Stakes on this day three years ago, Joseph O’Brien’ charge doubled his Group One tally in Germany last summer and opened his account for the current campaign in the Curragh Cup over this course and distance in mid-July.

The most recent of those victories prompted ownership group Australian Bloodstock Two to get involved ahead of a planned trip to Flemington in November, and he appears a major contender for a race his trainer has previously won with Rekindling in 2017 and Twilight Payment in 2020.

Ridden by Dylan Browne McMonagle, Al Riffa (3-1) was given a patient ride as Karl Burke's front-running Al Qareem committed for home from the front at the top of the straight.