Tag Archive for: Leopardstown

Crystal Black out to extend winning run at Leopardstown

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Crystal Black could book a trip to the Melbourne Cup when the Royal Ascot hero lines up for the Xin Gin Ballyroan Stakes at Leopardstown on Thursday evening.

Trained by Gerard Keane, the six-year-old was both a popular and convincing winner of the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes at the Royal meeting in the hands of the handler’s son, Irish champion jockey Colin Keane.

He has since been freshened up, with an Australian adventure for ‘the race that stops a nation’ cited as the long-term aim.

However, before thoughts can turn to Flemington in November, the gelding Keane describes as “the best horse we’ve ever had” has to come through his first assignment at group level, where he will be attempting to continue a four-race winning run.

Keane said: “He’s been unbelievable and the best horse we’ve ever had. When he first came, he gave us a bit of trouble and some little niggly things, but once he came right, he’s been great. He’s been a superstar for us.

“He will qualify for Melbourne if he finishes in the first three.”

There is a field of four heading to post for the Group Three event, with Crystal Black having to concede 10lb to Aidan O’Brien’s Marble City Stakes winner The Euphrates. Adrian Murray’s Crypto Force and Johnny Murtagh’s Safecracker complete the line-up.

“We gave him a nice break after Ascot and he’s been freshened up and put on a good bit of weight,” continued Keane.

Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas Day – Curragh Racecourse – Saturday 25th May
Crystal Black with connections after winning at the Curragh (Damien Eagers/PA).

“He’s ready to go again now but obviously he has to give 10lb to the three-year-old (The Euphrates) and that is the only thing I would worry about. On all known form, he has the other two covered.”

The other group action at the Dublin track is the Bahrain Turf Club Desmond Stakes, where one-time Classic hope Ylang Ylang drops back both in distance and class representing Ballydoyle.

Beaten only a length in the 1000 Guineas on her return to action, the daughter of Frankel was then sent off the 11-8 favourite for the Oaks when finishing down the field at Epsom on her next start.

She now reverts to a mile, the distance she scooped Group One honours at as a two-year-old.

Dubai Future Champions Festival 2023 – Newmarket Racecourse – Day One
Ylang Ylang ridden by jockey Ryan Moore (second left) wins the Fillies’ Mile (Nigel French/PA).

Ylang Ylang’s biggest danger could be provided by Joseph O’Brien’s upwardly mobile Galen, who makes the move into deeper waters after two convincing victories of late.

“He’s stepping up but he has earned that and he is coming off the back of two very good wins,” said O’Brien.

“Even for a group race, it looks a very hot race, but we’re looking forward to the step up in class with him.”

The consistent Lord Massusus returns to the Irish capital to defend his crown for Joseph Murphy, with Breeders’ Cup runner-up Mountain Bear in the mix as the Ballydoyle second string.



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Green Impact breaks new ground for owner-breeder Marc Chan

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Green Impact put his previous experience to good use when coming out on top in the one-mile Frank Conroy Irish EBF Maiden at Leopardstown ahead of two well-bred Aidan O’Brien-trained newcomers.

Jessica Harrington’s juvenile went down by just a neck behind Hazdann on his racecourse bow at the Curragh last month and looked more professional than his main market rivals on this occasion.

Shane Foley had the 11-8 favourite on the heels of front-runner Glen To Glen and loomed alongside at the two-furlong pole before kicking for home.

Green Impact responded impressively and that proved a decisive move, as the Wootton Bassett colt built up enough of a buffer to score by a length and a half from Delacroix, a son of Tepin, with his Ballydoyle stablemate Scandinavia, a half-brother to Above The Curve, back in third.

Leopardstown Races – Thursday 25th July
Green Impact ridden by Shane Foley on their way to victory at Leopardstown (Brian Lawless/PA).

Harrington said: “It’s great to get that, he’s a lovely horse. He’s the first horse that (owner) Marc Chan has ever bred, so he’s very excited.

“He’s a very laid-back horse, a big horse, and he’s probably a little bit on the weak side still.

“We’ll give him a bit of time and we probably won’t be going anywhere in a hurry. There are plenty of mile races in the autumn. He’s got some entries.

“We’ll see how he comes out of this and go from there. Whatever he does now, he’s going to get better.”

There was a major upset in the Irish EBF Median Sires Series Fillies Maiden when a host of blue-blooded youngsters were eclipsed by 80-1 longshot Latin Fever.

Leopardstown Races – Thursday 25th July
Latin Fever ridden by Mikey Sheehy on their way to winning (Brian Lawless/PA).

Mikey Sheehy produced Kevin Coleman’s daughter of Equiano with a late charge alongside 50-1 outsider Aleramo to prevail by a neck, with that pair pulling nicely clear of 7-2 joint-favourite Dahlia Noir.

Part owner Adam Potts said: “Everything went wrong, she had to overcome a bad draw and being kept on the wing the whole way and then she got a bump turning in.

“I think class got her through. She’s a half-sister to a Group Three winner (Markaz Paname) and the dam hasn’t missed.

“She was a gorgeous looking filly, so we thought we’d chance her.”



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Hotazhell burns off Tyros rivals to land Leopardstown spoils

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Hotazhell produced a taking display to claim the Group Three Japan Racing Association Tyros Stakes at Leopardstown.

It was Aidan O’Brien’s unbeaten Surpass who was sent off the 5-6 favourite and expected to enhance his reputation, but Shane Foley claimed the perfect position tracking the pace set by the market leader’s stablemate Swagman and was ideally placed to pounce when the race entered the business end.

Jessica Harrington’s 10-3 shot, who cost 200,000 guineas at the breeze-up sales, was pushed along to make his challenge when straightening for home and the son of Too Darn Hot hit top gear with a furlong to run as he stretched past Swagman and galloped on to register a length and a half success.

Surpass, who had previously won twice at Tipperary, could only plug on for third, a further two and a half lengths back.

Leopardstown Races – Thursday 25th July
Hotazhell ridden by Shane Foley after winning at Leopardstown (Brian Lawless/PA).

“That was nice, he’s a nice colt,” said Harrington.

“He quickened up well, they went a good old gallop the whole way. He’s tough and he’ll probably just have one more run this year.

“He had to do it the hard way because he had to go and catch the pacemaker and then go away from him.

“Shane was thinking the other horse would come to him and take him along but it didn’t and he had to go and commit.

“He’ll go a mile, probably even this year. I don’t think we’ll go to the National Stakes, I’d say we’ll wait for something over a mile in September.”

The handler had earlier struck with impressive maiden winner Green Impact and added: “We’ve got two nice milers and we’ll keep them well apart!”



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Bedtime Story secures Silver Flash victory in smooth fashion

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Impressive Royal Ascot winner Bedtime Story comfortably maintained her unbeaten record with a professional display in the Jockey Club of Turkey Silver Flash Stakes at Leopardstown.

Aidan O’Brien’s daughter of Frankel, who is out of the speedy Mecca’s Angel, returned to the scene of her winning debut following her spectacular nine-and-a-half-length romp against the colts in the Chesham Stakes.

Sent off as a prohibitive 1-16 favourite in the hands of Ryan Moore for this Group Three contest, her jockey never had a moment’s worry as Bedtime Story was urged to move alongside stablemate Exactly with a furlong to run before breezing away for a commanding three-and-a-half-length success.

Bedtime Story and Ryan Moore after winning at Leopardstown
Bedtime Story and Ryan Moore after winning at Leopardstown (Gary Carson/PA)

In the aftermath, she was left unchanged as the 5-2 favourite for next year’s 1000 Guineas by Paddy Power and made the 8-1 ante-post market leader for the Oaks.

“I’m delighted with her, Ryan was delighted with her and said he didn’t open her up,” said O’Brien.

“He said she was very green and in an ideal world, he would have preferred the tempo to be quicker. He said he just came there and taught her.

“That’s exactly what we came here for, for education. It’s a great place to do it.

“He said she’s very pacey and classy and for sure, we saw that. I’d say you couldn’t go fast enough for her.

“To hear him saying that he never opened her up is a good sign. That means he was only in third gear.

“It’s great to be educating them. Last year, we ran Ylang Ylang here, made the running and mentally it did her a little bit of harm for the rest of the year. We had to go back and start again.

“That’s why we let the other filly go along in front of her today, to educate her.

“I thought if she was well, she’d go for the Debutante at the Curragh on the way to the Moyglare.

“We’re teaching her to relax and race.

“The second filly is a lovely filly and she’ll step up to a mile whenever we want her to.”

Leopardstown Races – Thursday 25th July
Bedtime Story ridden by Ryan Moore on their way to winning at Leopardstown (Brian Lawless/PA).

When asked to compare Bedtime Story with Albany Stakes winner Fairy Godmother, O’Brien added: “Obviously, I haven’t worked them together. We’ll all see together, but I won’t be opening them up at home.

“We were thinking about going to the Phoenix or the Morny with Fairy Godmother, but Whistlejacket might take that slot now, so I won’t rush with her.

“If everything went well with Whistlejacket in the Phoenix, he could go back to the Morny the week after, because he’s a fast two-year-old.

“Henri Matisse is going to go to the Futurity on the way to the National Stakes. We’re going to go up to seven with him next.

“Lake Victoria will probably end up in the Moyglare and might go to the Debutante for experience.

“The Lion In Winter is in the Goffs Million and he might have a run before it. It could be the Futurity, he just needs one run in between.”



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Diego Velazquez roars back to form in Meld Stakes

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Diego Velazquez negotiated a wide route to return to winning form in the Meld Stakes at Leopardstown.

Aidan O’Brien’s charge was a Group Two winner last term and has been highly tried this year, finishing fourth in the French 2000 Guineas, eighth in the French Derby and then a distant 10th in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Dropped back to Group Three company and racing over nine furlongs, Diego Velazquez was sent off the 8-11 favourite in the hands of Ryan Moore and travelled well enough before getting pushing a little wide on the turn for home.

Racing up the the middle of the straight, Diego Velazquez had no immediate company but he firmly stamped his authority, coming home a seven-length winner over Tarawa.

Paddy Power make the Frankel colt a 16-1 chance from 40s for the Irish Champion Stakes, but O’Brien has an international target on his mind.

He said: “He ran a lovely race in the French Guineas and then we went to the French Derby with him, Ryan just said maybe over a mile and a quarter we rode him too forward and the pace of the race didn’t work out for him.

“We went to Ascot over a mile and a half and we felt very much coming from Ascot that he’s not a mile-and-a-half horse.

“He’s made like a miler so he’s probably an eight, nine or 10-furlong horse. He loved the ground.

“We ran him back quick because we wanted to know where to go with him in the autumn. Ryan said he has all the class in the world and all the speed in the world.

“He could be a Cox Plate horse and we’ll see what we do in between with him. He’s definitely not short of pace.

“We’re delighted with him. He has a lot of options and at least we know now what to do in the autumn. We’ll give him a little bit of time now.”



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Ezeliya still taking it easy after superb Oaks success

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Connections of Ezeliya remain in no rush to finalise plans for their Oaks-winning filly.

The Dermot Weld-trained three-year-old was an impressive winner of the Epsom showpiece, beating Dance Sequence by three lengths under Chris Hayes.

Owned by the Aga Khan, the daughter of Dubawi is enjoying a break at his stud following her Classic display.

Weld said: “She’s having a break at the moment, back in Gilltown. We’ll see how she comes on and when she comes back, we’ll make a decision.”

The Betfred Derby Festival – Ladies Day – Epsom Downs Racecourse
Ezeliya and winning connections after the Betfred Oaks (Steven Paston for the Jockey Club).

Weld also had news of another smart filly in Elizabeth Jane, who was an impressive winner on her sole start so far last October.

“She’s been very backward this spring, but she’s coming forward nicely. All being well, she’ll run in the Oaks trial at Naas in two weeks’ time,” said the Rosewell House handler.

Weld was speaking after Ghaiyyath’s full-brother Duraji opened his account at Leopardstown on Thursday evening.

The trainer was pleased with what he saw, saying: “He’s a nice colt, he’s progressive. He’s still very immature, both mentally and physically. There is a lot of improvement in this horse.

“Obviously, we’ll have a crack at a stakes race with him next.

“Chris said it took him two furlongs to pull him up. He was off the bridle turning for home but the way he finished out really impressed me. I’d say he’s a colt that will enjoy going a mile and a half.

“He’s still a very immature colt and he won’t be anything until next year as a four-year-old.

“I loved his attitude, loved the way he put his head down and I would expect him to be a stakes horse in the future.

“We’ll have an open mind on him, see how he comes out of the race and then make a decision.”



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Mutasarref delights Lyons with Leopardstown success

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Mutasarref landed the first Group Three win of his career in the BoyleSports Ballycorus Stakes at Leopardstown.

Trained by Ger Lyons, the six-year-old has been a consistent performer throughout his career and was winning for the eighth time in all.

Three times a Listed scorer already, he has resumed this season in great form and Colin Keane was confident the whole way on the 5-4 favourite, sitting in third place.

Special Wan, having just the fourth run of her life, laid down a big challenge in the final furlong on 5lb worse terms than their last meeting, but Mutasarref just had enough in reserve.

“He’s a legend. In his own grade around here he’s brilliant,” said Lyons.

“That’s the one-two from Naas, I thought the filly was going to have him today, but he’s just a legend of a horse.

“Colin said he’s back to what he was before his little nick.

“I think that’s Eleanora’s (Kennedy, owner) 19th winner since she came to Ireland, which is fantastic in a short space of time. You can’t beat being lucky.

“Eleanora is invited over to Goodwood on Sussex Stakes day and the only race he’s qualified for is the Sussex Stakes, but I don’t think that’s the right thing to do with the horse, you’d be over facing him.

“The secret to the horse is keeping in his own company, as he tries so hard. I run the horses where it suits them and Eleanora understands that.

“We’ll pick our pots and aim for (Irish) Champions Weekend and have a good day out here.”

Lyons and Keane had already been on the mark with even-money favourite Transcending in the Irish EBF Median Sires Series Fillies Maiden.

Willie McCreery’s Jancis looks a filly with a future following her startling 40-1 debut success.

Billy Lee’s mount was seemingly going nowhere with two furlongs to run and only had a couple of her 14 rivals behind her as Dermot Weld’s Ebanza cruised to the front.

However, Jancis soon engaged top gear and began to make rapid headway, looking set to hit the frame.

It got better than that, though, because as soon as she knew what she was meant to be doing she quickened again to win Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies & Mares Maiden going away by two and three-quarter lengths.

“They went very hard up front. Billy said she jumped smart but he just wanted to settle her in,” said McCreery.

“She’s a bit nervous and the whole thing about today was to get her started. The owner has been very patient with her and we wanted to get her started, give her a good day out and see where we go from there.

“She turned in and Billy said he gave her a chance and she just lengthened the whole way to the line and she loved it.

“How good the race was, I don’t know. She’s been doing that at home, but she’s just a little bit leery, she’s nervous and hasn’t got confidence in herself. That will do her the world of good, she only got one flick there.

“Nancy Sexton sent her to me. Those colours are 100 years old in Chile and it’s the first time they’ve been seen here in Ireland so it’s a great pleasure to train a winner first time out for Arturo (Cousino).

“Hopefully it’s onwards and upwards with her.”



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Portland in line for Royal Ascot after game Leopardstown win

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Portland put in a gutsy performance to prevail in the Listed-class King George V Cup at Leopardstown and could now play a part in Aidan O’Brien’s Royal Ascot plans.

On his first attempt at a mile and a half, the 13-8 favourite was settled in third behind Gesture and Keeper’s Heart for much of the race by Ryan Moore but came through to hit the front at the furlong pole.

The son of Dubawi was given a scare by main market rival Kinesiology, who then threw down a serious challenge, but Portland dug deep to fend off Jessica Harrington’s charge by a neck.

O’Brien’s representative Chris Armstrong said: “It’s lovely to get another win as he’s run some good races. We thought he’d appreciate stepping up to a mile and a half.

“Ryan gave him a lovely ride and wanted to get there at just the right time.

“That puts him in the mix now for Royal Ascot and he could go for the King Edward over a mile and a half or there is no reason why he wouldn’t get the mile and six in a Queen’s Vase.

“We’ll see over the next week where they are all going to fit in.

“It’s nice to get another run into him, give him a confidence booster and he’ll come on another bit from it.

“When the second horse got up his inside and came at him, he put the head down well. He’s as game as the day is long.”

Tarawa enjoyed a relatively smooth success in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Glencairn Stakes over nine furlongs thanks to an enterprising ride from Chris Hayes.

Leopardstown Races – Thursday June 6th
Tarawa ridden by Chris Hayes on the way to winning at Leopardstown (Brian Lawless/PA).

Dermot Weld’s filly was third behind Quar Shamar and Unreasonable early on but Hayes clearly felt the pace wasn’t strong enough, as he sent the 2-1 favourite to the front before halfway.

The four-year-old kicked clear just after turning for home and never looked in danger following that move, ultimately obliging by two and a quarter lengths from the staying-on Cairo.

Weld said: “She deserved that. It was her first time to run over that trip and I thought she’d enjoy it.

“She has a lot of Group black type and I wanted to win a Stakes race with her. Winning over that trip opens up a lot more opportunities going forward.

“I loved the way she quickened and put it away very quickly.

“I left it (riding plans) to Chris. I said sit handy and there wasn’t a lot of pace on, so he decided to go on and it was the right thing to do.

“We’ve held her up before and last time in Naas we both felt that we probably should have made a bit more use of her.

“I’d stick to at least a mile and one now and we could edge on to a mile and a quarter with her.

“The ground is a credit to Leopardstown – beautiful summer ground.”



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Bedtime Story leads home Frankel one-two for O’Brien

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Bedtime Story upset the script when getting the better of strongly-fancied stablemate Giselle in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden at Leopardstown.

Both of Aidan O’Brien’s debutants are impeccably-bred daughters of Frankel, but the latter carried more confidence as the 8-11 favourite, with Ryan Moore on board.

However, Moore never quite looked comfortable on Giselle, who is out of Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf winner Newspaperofrecord, and despite staying on well enough, she had no answer to the late surge of 5-1 shot Bedtime Story.

The winner, herself out of dual Nunthorpe victor Mecca’s Angel, who has already produced one classy offspring in Content, put in a more professional performance under Wayne Lordan and quickened up to score by a length and a quarter.

O’Brien’s representative Chris Armstrong said: “They are two lovely fillies going forward. There wasn’t much between them at home, and it was a tough choice for Ryan.

“Both fillies were quite green through the race and Wayne’s filly probably got an easier run at it.

“Before the race, they were both in the mix for the Chesham and you can’t really take much away from Ryan’s filly. We’ll see how they come through it and at the moment they are both in the mix.

“Wayne said when she steps up in trip again, she will be a fine filly for the backend.

“She has plenty of class and has an unbelievable pedigree.”



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Yoshito Yahagi gives Shin Emperor option of Irish Champion Stakes

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Having already conquered America, Australia and the Middle East, leading Japanese trainer Yoshito Yahagi could be set to target one of Ireland’s top races.

Yahagi has entered French-bred three-year-old Shin Emperor for the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on September 14.

The veteran handler – well known for his inimitable taste in hats – has enjoyed huge success on home turf with the likes of local Triple Crown winner Contrail and is never afraid of trying his luck further afield.

Loves Only You and Marche Lorraine gave him a famous double at the 2021 Breeders’ Cup, while Lys Gracieux landed Australia’s Cox Plate in 2019.

Stable stalwart Panthalassa provided Yahagi with a second Dubai Turf triumph in 2022 and went on to prevail in the Saudi Cup the following year.

Shin Emperor appears to be an ideal candidate to pick up the globetrotting baton after finishing a close fifth in the Japanese 2,000 Guineas and then taking third place in his home Derby, the Tokyo Yushun.

He is a son of Siyouni and is out of Galileo mare Starlet’s Sister, making him a full-brother to 2020 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe hero Sottsass.

The only previous Japanese raider to run in the Irish Champion Stakes was Deirdre, who followed up her Nassau Stakes success at Glorious Goodwood by finishing fourth behind Magical at Leopardstown five years ago.

See It Again is one of two South African entries, with the dual Grade One victor being trained by former top jockey Michael Roberts, who partnered Indian Skimmer to glory in this race back in 1988 during his time in the saddle.

Aidan O’Brien has made 14 entries for a race he has won for the last five years and a record 12 times overall, including title holder Auguste Rodin and 2022 scorer Luxembourg.

City Of Troy, Los Angeles, Henry Longfellow and Ylang Ylang are featured on the Ballydoyle list from the current Classic generation.

Recent Tattersalls Gold Cup star White Birch would be another strong home contender for John Joseph Murphy, while a 17-strong British contingent includes Inspiral, Emily Upjohn and last year’s third, Nashwa.

Dubai Turf winner Facteur Cheval and French 2,000 Guineas ace Metropolitan could attempt to emulate the 2016 Gallic triumph of Almanzor.



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Kyprios claims Saval Beg honours

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Kyprios triumphed as the 1-12 favourite in the Saval Beg Levmoss Stakes at Leopardstown.

Trained by Aidan O’Brien and ridden by Ryan Moore, Kyprios landed the Group Three contest before going on to claim the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot in 2022, with his outings limited due to injury last term.

Kyprios’ stablemate Queenstown set the early pace although Sunchart was similarly eager to be in front and took over after a couple of furlongs, with Kyprios settled on the heels of the first two by Ryan Moore.

The rider appeared to be pushing along on the market leader with around three furlongs to run, with Kyprios slowly making up ground to be in front in the final furlong.

Queenstown tried to make a battle of it but Kyprios was always holding him, coming home a one-length winner, with Yashin staying on for third.

Coral left Kyprios unchanged as the 11-10 favourite for the Gold Cup, with O’Brien satisfied by his Ascot prep run.

He said: “We’re delighted with him, he’s a lovely horse. When he gets there he just waits but Ryan was very happy with him.

“Ryan said he has plenty of speed left, all the speed is there, but he just pulls up when he gets there, he’s just lazy.

“The plan was obviously the two runs and then go to Ascot, if everything is well with him then.

“It’s amazing that he came back, it’s great to have him back. He just has a lovely, relaxed way of doing it.”



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Tower to hit Yorkshire Cup heights

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Tower Of London can rise above his rivals on the Knavesmire to lift the Boodles Yorkshire Cup.

Aidan O’Brien’s four-year-old made his winter travels to the Middle East a worthwhile venture when landing both the Red Sea Turf Handicap in Riyadh and the Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan.

Those lucrative triumphs came ahead of some respected performers and were a step forward on his European form from last summer.

The peak of that segment of his career was a fourth-placed run in the St Leger, where his stablemate Continuous may have been the clear winner but the placed horses finished fairly well bunched.

After some longer distance efforts since, Tower Of London drops down to a mile and six furlongs and looks the horse to beat under Ryan Moore.

On the same card, Running Queen can take the Clipper EBF Marygate Fillies’ Stakes at Listed level for Sam Sangster and Oisin Murphy.

The Kingman filly was the winner of a Salisbury conditions race when last seen in early May, a smart length-and-a-quarter success on soft ground that tees her up nicely for a step up in grade.

The other Listed contest on the card is the Sky Bet Fillies’ Stakes, where Charlie Appleby’s Devoted Queen catches the eye on her third career start.

Another daughter of Kingman out of multiple Group race-winning mare Fintry, her two prior outings ended in success as she took a Newmarket maiden by a good margin last year and returned to action in April to win on the all-weather at Kempton.

Now returned to turf, she looks poised to take the next step in her career under William Buick.

Newbury punters are advised to side with Diligently in the ARC & Sky Sports Racing Support Starlight Maiden Stakes.

There was plenty of chatter about Clive Cox’s juvenile prior to his racecourse introduction at Ascot a couple of weeks ago and by the time the gates opened, he was a 2-1 favourite.

Diligently’s supporters were ultimately left counting their losses, with the Harry Angel colt beaten two lengths into fourth place, but he should improve for the run and deserves a second chance.

Mount Teide is another who can confirm debut promise in the Starlight Express Novice Stakes.

Andrew Balding’s three-year-old was a big price at 25-1 at Newmarket’s Craven meeting, but hit the front at one stage before being caught close home by a trio of rivals.

Mount Teide was beaten just three-quarters of a length by Frankel’s half-brother Kikkuli and he can only progress.

In Ireland there is Group Three action in the Saval Beg Levmoss Stakes, where O’Brien has the key contender in Kyprios.

Once appearing to be the champion-elect in the staying division with a string of Group One successes in 2022, including the Gold Cup, the Goodwood Cup and the Irish St Leger, the chestnut has since been hindered by injury.

His winning streak may have been interrupted but his talent clearly remains and a Listed win in the Vintage Crop at Navan was a good way to return in late April.

This is a level up but in a small field, he is a clear choice and should not find too much hardship in the assignment if he can tap into the ability he has shown in abundance previously.

SELECTIONS

AINTREE: 5.45 Roaring Legend, 6.20 Homme Public, 6.55 Alnilam, 7.30 Kinondo Kwetu, 8.05 Majestic Jameela, 8.40 Bells of Ufford.

HAMILTON: 5.30 Captain Corcoran, 6.05 Gobsmacked, 6.40 Quintus Arrius, 7.15 Capital Theory, 7.50 Majestic Newlaw, 8.25 Lia Rose, 9.00 Bernie The Bear.

KILBEGGAN: 4.25 Minella Buddy, 5.00 Run For Harry, 5.35 Oh So Charming, 6.10 Jhentong Enki, 6.45 Ottizzini, 7.20 Warm In Gorey, 7.55 Take All, 8.30 Custom Taylor.

LEOPARDSTOWN: 4.15 Mount Kilimanjaro, 4.50 Cardinal Zin, 5.25 Giuseppe Cassioli, 5.55 Storm Eric, 6.30 Speckled Meadow, 7.05 Kyprios, 7.40 Charlie Darling, 8.15 The Black Tiger.

NEWBURY: 2.00 Darvel, 2.30 Glam De Vega, 3.00 Diligently, 3.30 Jarraaf, 4.00 Clockmaker, 4.35 Houstonn, 5.10 Papagei, 5.40 Waxing Gibbous.

NEWMARKET: 2.23 Powdering, 2.53 Creative Story, 3.23 Skukuza, 3.53 Gold Medallist, 4.25 Moktasaab, 4.55 Unico.

YORK: 2.15 Running Queen, 2.45 Botanical, 3.15 Devoted Queen, 3.45 TOWER OF LONDON (NAP), 4.15 Lead Artist, 4.45 Challet, 5.20 Vantheman.

DOUBLE: Tower Of London and Running Queen.



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Los Angeles stakes Derby claim with Trial triumph

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Los Angeles put himself in the Derby picture with victory in the Cashel Palace Hotel Derby Trial Stakes at Leopardstown.

The Camelot colt was unbeaten at two, winning a Tipperary maiden and then bowing out for the season at the top level when taking the Group One Criterium de Saint-Cloud in October.

He returned to action as one of two Aidan O’Brien-trained horses in the Leopardstown Group Three, starting as the 4-5 favourite under Wayne Lordan as Declan McDonogh took the ride on stablemate Euphoric.

After racing in midfield, the three-year-old began to progress as the race reached the halfway stage and challenged for the lead two furlongs from home.

From there he edged past Euphoric on the inside rail and held off Dermot Weld’s Taraj to prevail by a length and shrink his price for the Derby from 20-1 to 10-1 with Coral.

Aidan O’Brien’s stable representative Chris Armstrong said: “It was great to get him out. Obviously he won his maiden first time in Tipperary and then stepped up quickly enough to the race in France.

“Both his runs last year were on an easier surface, so it’s great to get him out here. He’s carrying a bit more condition and the run is going to bring him on a ton.

“When he steps up again to a mile and a half he’ll improve and he’s right now bang in the Derby picture. He’s very exciting.

“The second horse ran a cracker as well and once he goes up in trip again he’ll improve a lot. The second horse is a very solid horse.”

Of the winner, Armstrong added: “He only had the two runs under his belt at two, which came in quite quick succession.

Los Angeles after winning the Cashel Palace Hotel Derby Trial Stakes
Los Angeles after winning the Cashel Palace Hotel Derby Trial Stakes (Lorraine O’Sullivan/PA)

“I’d say he’s still quite raw and he’ll come on mentally and physically. He’s one to look forward to for the Derby.

“He’s got the pedigree. He’s by Camelot, where he gets the stamina.

“He’s a big horse but he’s a beautiful mover and he’s got the right mind. You could see him walking around the paddock beforehand, absolutely chilled and he has the same attitude at home.

“Camelot obviously went around there (Epsom) no problem and this horse has a lot of his good sire traits. He can travel away and the big improvement will be when he goes up to the mile and a half.”



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Bold Discovery sparkles in Amethyst win

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Bold Discovery reached new heights with success in the Porsche In Support Of Breast Cancer Ireland Amethyst Stakes at Leopardstown.

The four-year-old had Listed form from the Celebration Stakes on his CV from last season but was unplaced at the latter half of the campaign when upped in class.

Having addressed some physical issues and gelded the horse, trainer Jessica Harrington sent him to start his campaign at Group Three level over a mile at Leopardstown.

Under Shane Foley, he was a 5-1 chance and rewarded the effort put into him over the winter to claim a half-length victory and book his ticket for Royal Ascot.

“We’re delighted with that, he’s a horse that’s always promised an awful lot and we’ve held him in very high regard,” said Kate Harrington, assistant trainer to her mother.

Bold Discovery (right) winning at Leopardstown
Bold Discovery (right) winning at Leopardstown (Lorraine O’Sullivan/PA)

“He had an allergy issue last year, it turned out he was allergic to grass.

“When he got his good to firm ground in the Curragh he was very good. We went hunting a bit afterwards with him but we never got our ground.

“Fair play to Marc (Chan, owner) and Jamie McCalmont as they said ‘why don’t we geld him?’ and we actually did a kissing spine operation on him as well.

“He was only just ready to start there today and I think we should have a really exciting season ahead with him.

“We’ll go to Royal Ascot next with him for the Wolferton Stakes. We didn’t put him in the Queen Anne.

“I wasn’t too bothered if we did finish second today as then he wouldn’t have had a penalty for Ascot but now he will!”

Foley added: “He’s a horse who always runs well fresh. The race fell apart a little bit with the non-runners, but it was still a Group Three and a lovely race to win.

“He’s had a few niggly issues, but all of those seem to be sorted now and he’s been training well.

“I want to come back here for the Meld Stakes, but Kate is on about Royal Ascot for him, so we’ll see what happens.”

Aidan O’Brien’s Igor Stravinsky took another step in the right direction when landing the FITZ AGRIPLANT Maiden under Wayne Lordan.

The No Nay Never colt was second on debut at the Curragh when beaten only a short head, but struck this time when drawn widest of all in the field of 15 at a price of 5-2.

“Wayne gave him a lovely ride from a tricky stall, drawn so wide,” said stable representative Chris Armstrong.

“He had a lovely run the first day at the Curragh, obviously over slightly shorter and on easier ground.

“We felt he’d come forward a nice bit from his debut. He won well and when Colin’s horse (Apricot Ice) came to him, he put the head down and lengthened to the line.

“He’s a horse that’s come along nicely so far and we’ll take little steps. We’ll see whether he goes for a handicap or steps up into stakes company.”

The same trainer and jockey teamed up to take the Captain Dara Fitzpatrick Memorial Maiden with the Galileo colt Highbury.

Highbury winning the Captain Dara Fitzpatrick Memorial Maiden
Highbury winning the Captain Dara Fitzpatrick Memorial Maiden (Lorraine O’Sullivan/PA)

Another horse beaten on debut, the bay built on that experience to cruise home on his second start and claim and seven-and-a-half-length success as the 11-10 favourite.

Armstrong said: “He’s a horse that had shown a lot at the backend of last year and early in the spring and we just had to get him out.

“Aidan ran him in Cork and he ran a lovely race but he was just very green throughout.

“He stepped up a nice bit from Cork to here, he’s still not fully there yet but he’s a horse that stays very well and he can gallop.

“He could come back here for something like the Nijinsky Stakes, he could be an Ascot horse or an Irish Derby horse. They are all nice options to have.

Lope De Lilas winning the It’s Family Day At Leopardstown Fillies Maiden during the Derby Trials Day
Lope De Lilas winning the It’s Family Day At Leopardstown Fillies Maiden during the Derby Trials Day (Lorraine O’Sullivan/PA)

“He’s a high cruiser, stays well and it’s nice to see what he has promised at home on the track.”

O’Brien and Lordan completed a four-timer with Ortelius (11-8 favourite) in the closing Breast Cancer Ireland Handicap, having also taken the Derby Trial with Los Angeles.

Willie Mullins has a fascinating contender on the Flat in Lope De Lilas (9-2), who impressed when defeating Jim Bolger’s Finsceal Luas by two and a quarter lengths in the It’s Family Day At Leopardstown Fillies Maiden.

“Jim was very impressed with our filly. He thinks a lot of his filly and he thought our filly could go places,” Mullins said.

“Galway (where she was fifth on debut last year) is a hard place to start off a two-year-old but I wanted to get a run into her before the end of the season just to teach her something.

“She was only getting going at the line, she went the whole way around to the mile-and-a-quarter start again.

“She wouldn’t have had any ground like that at home and it was a learning day for her.”

Of the next steps for Lope De Lilas, Mullins added: “She has a pedigree that could be anything and we’ll just keep our options open. It’s easier to be in it (the Irish Oaks) rather than trying to get in at a late stage.

“We’d love to think that she’s good enough to be a contender in that.”



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Wendla makes all for Leopardstown honours

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Ger Lyons’ Wendla landed a Group Three prize at Leopardstown when taking the Al Shira’aa Racing “Mutamakina” Stakes.

The three-year-old is owned and bred by Juddmonte, and her dam, Intercontinental, is a daughter of the great mare Hasili.

Wendla started her season on a good note when winning a Naas maiden, after which she was sixth over seven furlongs in the Priory Belle at Leopardstown in early April.

She returned to the same course and over a mile this time under Colin Keane, starting at odds of 7-1 in a field of seven and making the running from an early stage.

From there she was never passed, pulling away to secure a three-quarter-length victory with Aidan O’Brien’s Buttons, the 6-5 favourite, the runner-up behind her.

“She’s a lovely, honest filly. The ground comes all the same to her, she’s handled heavy and she handled that,” said Lyons.

“She’s a light filly so I didn’t have any doubts she’d handle that.

“I probably had her wrong and Colin had her right. I thought the way the race was run it wasn’t going to suit, she’s pacier than I gave her credit for.

“I had her down as a horse, going forward, that would go further sooner rather than later.

“Colin has her as having more speed than I gave her credit for, thankfully he was right. He was in the right place on her and she answered and did it well. You couldn’t knock the performance.

Wendla after winning the Al Shira’aa Racing ‘Mutamakina’ Stakes during the Derby Trials
Wendla after winning the Al Shira’aa Racing ‘Mutamakina’ Stakes during the Derby Trials (Lorraine O’Sullivan)

“When you get those fillies, you try to win a maiden to tick the first box and then you are looking for black type and winning black type is brilliant.

“I just thought we were going too slow, they were doing 14-seconds fractions and that’s too slow. I was thinking we’re in trouble and that speed is just going to go past us. Thankfully I was wrong about my filly, she’s quicker than I gave her credit for.”

When asked if she could tackle the Irish 1,000 Guineas, Lyons added: “I wouldn’t think so but we’ll talk to Barry and Rory (Mahon, of Juddmonte) and better brains than me will decide that.

“She’s earned the right and the lads can decide that. If she ends up doing what Zarinsk did last year, we’ll be over the moon.

“There are big races here at the end of the year that we can aim for, the mile race (Matron Stakes).”



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