Blanco a Cape of good hope for O’Brien

THE Korean Racing Authority Tyros Stakes has produced its share of stars in recent seasons and the Aidan O’Brien-trained Cape Blanco produced an impressive display to land last night’s renewal at Leopardstown, a performance which stamped him another potentially high-class colt.

Successful on his debut at Fairyhouse, the Galileo colt, strongly supported all day and sent off a red-hot 1/2 favourite, made all under Johnny Murtagh before stretching clear to slam Marfach by three and a half lengths, prompting Boylesports to quote him at 25/1 for the 2010 Stan James 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket.

Only time will tell whether Cape Blanco can follow the example of recent ‘Tyros’ winners Teofilo, New Approach and Rip Van Winkle. But Johnny Murtagh declared: “He has a chance of being a proper horse” after dismounting the Derrick Smith-owned colt.