Footsteps stars in Ballydoyle treble

Footstepsinthesand proved the star of the show as the Ballydoyle team enjoyed a good day at Leopardstown this afternoon.

The son of Giant’s Causeway was the middle leg of a treble for trainer Aidan O’Brien when running out a comfortable winner of the Group Three Kilavullan Stakes.

Jamie Spencer sent the 4-5 favourite into the lead turning for home and did not have to get too serious on the colt to record a two-length verdict over Gaff in the seven-furlong contest.

“He’s a serious horse. It was a big risk running him here so quick after winning at Naas,” said O’Brien. “Jamie said he gave him an unbelievable feel. He is a lovely relaxed horse and has lots of options for next year.”

The winner was given a 25-1 quote for the 2000 Guineas by Ladbrokes.

Full Moon Tonight (8-1) had kicked off proceedings when making all under Seamus Heffernan in the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden.

Spencer’s mount, Reggae, looked the likely winner turning for home but faded into third.

Grand Central (2-5) was a warm order to make a winning debut in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF (C&G) Maiden and more than justified those skimpy odds when leading two furlongs out under Spencer and going away to score by four lengths.

Dermot Weld predicted a bright future for Cairdeas (4-1) after he ran out an easy winner of the Listed Trigo Stakes.

Pat Smullen went for home entering the straight on the Darshaan colt and the pair stayed on well for a convincing three-and-a-half-length verdict over Zarafsha.

“He’s still immature and I think we’ll see a very nice horse next year over a mile and a quarter or a mile and a half,” said Weld.