Leitrim books Irish 2000 Guineas ticket
The Cadeaux Genereux colt, who was the centre-piece of a superb Michael Kinane treble, was sent off the 5-2 joint favourite and made all the running to comfortably hold Grand Reward.
“He had to do all the donkey work but quickened nicely. After he won at Lingfield it was the plan to go for the Irish 2000 Guineas and this has confirmed our view,” said Meehan, whose charge clocked the joint third-fastest time over seven furlongs at the course.
The Group Three Golan EBF Mooresbridge Stakes also fell to a British-trained runner as Richard Hannon’s Nysaean defeated Latino Magic by two and a half lengths. Always prominent, Kinane’s mount went to the front with a furlong to run and soon had the race in safe keeping as last season’s St Leger winner Brian Boru finished a slightly disappointing fifth, having held every chance in the straight.
“He has matured well and handled the good ground. Michael gave him a lovely ride and the horse settled very well for him. He could be supplemented for the Tattersalls Gold Cup,” said trainer’s representative Peter Doyle. Coral reacted to Brian Boru’s disappointing performance by pushing him out to 16-1 from 10-1 for the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Ascot in July.
Kinane’s other winner came courtesy of Athlumney Lad, who ran out a two-length winner of the Spartacus Handicap.
Aidan O’Brien’s Russian Blue made it two wins from as many starts with a pillar-to-post victory in the Choisir EBF Fund Race. The Danehill juvenile, who carried the colours of the late Robert Sangster, could now return to the track in three weeks for the Marble Hill Stakes.
Fairy Pass gave Ger Lyons his first Curragh winner for some time when she won the seven-furlong Statue Of Liberty Handicap.
Pat Cosgrave’s mount was always close up on the far rail and went to the front with over a furlong to run before holding the renewed challenge of Stranded Gentry by a length and a half.
