Swallow flying high in Classic betting

Highly-rated Classic hope Grey Swallow had his price for the 2000 Guineas and the Derby slashed yesterday after an impressive victory in the Killavullan Stakes at Leopardstown.

Grey Swallow, now unbeaten in two starts, was given an immediate quote of 12-1 (from 14-1) for the Guineas by Ladbrokes, but that soon went as punters stepped in and a further cut left him at 9-1.

They go 25-1 from 33-1 for the Vodafone Derby.

Coral were more impressed, going 6-1 Grey Swallow for the Guineas from 12-1. They quote 10-1 from 25-1 for the Derby.

The Dermot Weld-trained steed stormed to the front just over a furlong out to stamp his authority on the seven-furlong Group Three contest.

It was a procession from then on, with the 4-9 shot powering home to score by eight lengths in the hands of Pat Smullen.

Aidan O’Brien’s Newton, who cut out most of the running, stuck on well for second place, with Takrice third of the four runners.

Weld, delighted with the performance, said: “He did it very impressively. He was cruising throughout. That should help him stay next season. How far we’ll have to see, but I’d imagine he would get 10 furlongs.

“For different reasons he didn’t run in the Group One on Arc day, and the ground at both Newmarket and Doncaster was too quick. As it turned out he may have won the Dewhurst, but I didn’t want to risk jarring him up.

“I’m quite sure this was the logical race to run him in. The ground was good and he won’t have to carry a Group One penalty in a Classic trial next spring.”