Racing: Chaparral tests Derby credentials

Racing Post Trophy winner High Chaparral will have six rivals when he makes his seasonal debut in the Ballysax 3YO Stakes at Leopardstown on Sunday.

Trainer Aidan O’Brien has also declared Twentytwoandchange for the Listed race over 10 furlongs to ensure a good pace for the son of Sadler’s Wells.

The 52,000 Euro feature was won 12 months ago by the O’Brien-trained Galileo, who went on to glory in the Vodafone Derby.

High Chaparral, a best-priced 16-1 chance for the Epsom Classic, will be ridden by stable jockey Michael Kinane.

John Oxx is double-handed in Sunday’s race with the unbeaten pair Chartres and Tarifana, who both made winning debuts at the Curragh three weeks ago, while Dermot Weld runs Rahn.

The line-up is completed by Smuggler’s Song, trained by Charles O’Brien, and Jim Bolger’s Alluring Park.

O’Brien is also double-handed in both the 2000 and 1000 Guineas Trials on the card.

Century City (Kinane) and Stonemason represent the Ballydoyle trainer in the Leopardstown 2000 Guineas 3YO Trial over a mile, while he runs Lahinch (Kinane) and Pietra Dura in the Leopardstown 1000 Guineas Trial over seven furlongs.