Los Angeles storms to victory in a blockbuster Irish Derby and gives trainer Aidan O'Brien a record-extending 16th triumph in the race

Los Angeles finished three-quarters of a length clear of Sunway in second placeVictory gave trainer O'Brien a record-extending 16th triumph in the Irish Derby

With a name like Los Angeles, how could we have expected anything else? Aidan O’Brien’s colt has film-star good looks, so how appropriate it was that he became the leading man in a blockbuster Irish Derby.

Los Angeles came out on top in a thunderous finish thanks, in no small part to jockey Ryan Moore working his magic, as he repelled two British challengers Sunway (second for David Menuisier) and Ambiente Friendly (third).

A blanket could have been thrown over them all, it was that close.

To think that O’Brien — winning this race for the 16th time — has a much better three-year-old colt at home in City Of Troy shows the depth of talent at Ballydoyle.

Los Angeles finished third at Epsom in the big one last month but O’Brien told anyone who would listen back then that he expected this beast to improve and he repeated that message here.

Los Angeles (left) finished three-quarters of a length clear of Sunway in second place

Victory gave trainer Aidan O'Brien (left) a record-extending 16th triumph in the Irish Derby

‘We think he will get better,’ said O’Brien. ‘He’s a big hardy horse. He looks like he is a baby but he was a Group One winner as a two-year-old and he keeps progressing. Ryan tells us he is very classy and that leaves us a lot of options.’

It was a case of what might have been for Ambiente Friendly, who was second at Epsom and the 6-4 favourite here.

‘He ran really well,’ said trainer James Fanshawe. ‘He’s come an awful long way in a short period of time. His owner wanted to try to win the Derby. It just wasn’t to be.’