Glory states case for classic fame
Aidan O’Brien’s colt stretched his unbeaten run to four without being seriously pressed in a race that has produced countless Derby winners down the years.
Ridden by Seamie Heffernan in the absence of Johnny Murtagh who was in France, the son of Montjeu was settled in the rear but always looked ready to pounce.
He had warmed up for the event by taking the Ballysax Stakes on his seasonal debut and the placed horses from that race, Fergus McIver and John Oxx’s Mourayan, took him on again.
Some even thought Mourayan had a chance of turning the tables but the market spoke volumes as Oxx’s colt drifted and Fame And Glory was sent off the 4-7 favourite.
After switching from a position against the rails, Heffernan never had to get too serious as his mount powered clear to beat Mourayan by five lengths.
Despite his impressive win, winning owner John Magnier is taking nothing for granted.
“Seamus was impressed with him as I am sure most were, but we have to keep him healthy from now until Epsom,” said the Coolmore supremo.
Totesport were very impressed and cut the winner to 5-2 from 6-1 for Epsom. Paddy Power have 11-4 joint-favourites for Epsom with 2000 Guineas winner Sea The Stars sharing top honours.
Oxx may have been out of luck in the feature race but his Baliyana was an impressive winner of the Derrinstown Stud 1,000 Guineas Trial.
The 9-1 chance was prominent throughout under Mick Kinane and despite the field bunching up two furlongs from home, the Dalakhani filly kicked clear inside the distance to register a two-and-a-half-length success.
Jim Bolger’s Aaroness made plenty of late headway to come from last to second with Dermot Weld’s Firey Red in third.
“She did it well today. We thought a fair bit of her last year, but she ran poorly a couple of times on soft ground,” said Oxx.
“She likes Leopardstown, but the main thing with her is the ground.
“She has caught us out a bit as we took her out of the Irish 1000 Guineas at the end of last year.
“We may have to look at putting her back in if the ground comes up quick.”
Summit Surge ran out a ready winner of the Amethyst Stakes to provide Ger Lyons and Keagan Latham with a double.
A winner out in Dubai in February, the five-year-old is consistent if nothing else and was conceding weight to every other runner.
However, the 9-1 chance stayed on strongly to beat Three Rocks by a length and a half.
Lyons said: “He is one of my favourite horses, a genuine Group-class performer when he gets good ground. He may come back here for the Ballycorus Stakes, but his participation will depend on the ground.”
Earlier on the card Love Lockdown (5-2) was a very impressive winner of the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Auction Maiden for Lyons.
“He is one of two I have by Verglas and both have been gelded as they proved a bit hot,” the trainer said. “I have no definite plans for him.”
It was a day to remember for trainer Thomond O’Mara, who saddled a fine 120/1 double with Eagle’s Pass and Castle Bar Sling at Leopardstown and then landed the concluding ladies’ race at Killarney with the Pauline Ryan-ridden Banna Man.
Ridden by Wayne Lordan, Eagle’s Pass outstayed South Wing and Speed Ticket in the Milltown Handicap, prompting O’Mara to nominate the Northumberland Plate, at Newcaastle on June 27, as the winner’s prime target.
O’Mara said: “He’s too high over hurdles. So another crack at the Galway Hurdle is out. I’ve had the Northumberland Plate in my head for him since last year.”
The O’Mara double was completed when Castle Bar Sling, ridden by apprentice Michael Cleere, outpointed gallant top-weight Monteriggioni in the Glencullen Handicap.
“He was gelded since last year and that has made all the difference,” explained O’Mara. “He’ll be aimed at the ‘McDonoagh’ (Tote Galway Mile) at the Galway Festival and will have one run before then.”
