Ascot option for Fame And Glory
Last season’s Irish Derby winner was securing his third Group One on Sunday and is was assumed he next port of call would be the Coronation Cup at Epsom’s Derby meeting.
However, Ballydoyle trainer Aidan O’Brien did mention that might come a little too soon, and the Royal Ascot race over 10 furlongs arrives nearly two weeks later in the calendar.
“Fame And Glory won nicely in the Tattersalls Gold Cup, he will probably go next to either the Coronation Cup at Epsom or the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot,” said O’Brien.
O’Brien also had new of some other stable stars who ran at the Irish Guineas meeting.
“We were really pleased with Steinbeck’s run in the Guineas on Saturday, he came home very strongly and we expect him to improve from the run. We will aim him for the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot,” he added.
“We were also delighted with Viscount Nelson’s run and he will probably be aimed at the French Derby next.
“Fencing Master was a little disappointing in the race, we feel that he was not quite right. We are going to give him a little break and give him some time to come back to himself.
“Both two-year-olds ran really good races in the Marble Hill Stakes. Samuel Morse will probably go for the Coventry at Royal Ascot and So Stylish could go for the Albany, also at Royal Ascot.
“We were really pleased with Jan Vermeer’s run in the Gallinule, he showed plenty of pace and came home really well despite it being his first run of the season.
“Remember When ran very well in the 1000 Guineas, she might go for the Oaks next.
“Lillie Langtry ran a great race for her first run back, she could go for the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot for her next start.”
Meanwhile, Dermot Weld’s Rite Of Passage looks a fascinating contender for Sunday’s Saval Beg Stakes at Leopardstown.
The six-year-old has only had two previous starts on the Flat, winning a maiden at Ballinrobe before turning the November Handicap at Leopardstown into a procession.
He was last seen finishing third to Peddlers Cross at the Cheltenham Festival over hurdles.
Weld has also entered the classy Profound Beauty, who won her first three starts last season and wound up her campaign finishing fourth in the Irish St Leger.
There are 15 entries, with Aidan O’Brien’s Age Of Aquarius a leading contender, and Mark Johnston represented by Gold Cup entrant Yes Mr President.
Willie Mullins’ Mourad, another smart hurdler, has been given the option along with John Oxx’s Haralan.
The other British entry is Kevin Ryan’s mare Les Fazzani.
On the same card Duff and Rayeni head 12 entries in the Group Three Ballycorus Stakes with Clive Cox’s Dunelight also a contender.