O’Brien has Champions Weekend in mind for Montreal

Montreal, a hugely impressive eight-length winner at Leopardstown on Thursday, is heading to the Irish Champions Festival weekend.

Aidan O’Brien’s superbly-bred Sea The Stars colt stepped up markedly on his debut effort, putting his race to bed in a matter of strides for Wayne Lordan.

He holds an entry in the Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes at the Curragh on September 14 over seven furlongs, while the day-earlier KPMG Champions Juvenile Stakes over a mile could also come into the equation back at Leopardstown.

“He’d improved from his debut at Leopardstown when he was very green and finished third,” said O’Brien.

“We like him and he showed what we thought he might when he wasn’t as green, he was impressive.

“I think he could go back to Leopardstown on Champions Weekend, something like that might be next.”

O’Brien also confirmed the departure of two smart three-year-olds from his ranks, with Irish Derby runner-up Serious Contender sold to race in Hong Kong and Hampton Court Stakes winner Trinity College also on the move.

The trainer said: “Serious Contender’s form is excellent and obviously we’re sorry to see him go. He’s a good horse and will do very well.

“We thought he couldn’t get beat in Ascot (when second to Merchant) and then the one that beat us was entered in the King George.

“Trinity College has gone to Australia.”

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