Wells on Derby trail
Mores Wells booked his ticket for the Vodafone Derby with victory in the P.W.McGrath Memorial Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown.
The race was supposed to revolve around the Aidan O’Brien-trained Macarthur, second favourite with most bookmakers for the Epsom Classic and a full brother to 2005 Derby hero Motivator.
However, he could finish only third in the hands of Seamus Heffernan as Mores Wells showed plenty of stamina in the 10-furlong contest.
Kevin Prendergast’s runner was sent off a 12-1 shot and he was travelling well for jockey Declan McDonogh turning into the straight.
Mores Wells came through to tackle the long-time leader and eventual runner-up Ferneley inside the final furlong, with McDonogh’s mount pulling half a length clear.
The winner was introduced as a 16-1 chance with VC Bet for the Derby and Prendergast now plans to head straight to Epsom on June 2 with his Sadler’s Wells colt.
He said: “He’s in the English and Irish Derbys. We will see how he comes out of this race but at the moment, he goes straight to Epsom.”
O’Brien was not too disheartened with Macarthur’s defeat and the colt will be given a chance to make amends back at the track on May 13.
“I thought it was a good trial and he didn’t run a bad race,” said O’Brien.
“He’ll probably go for the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial next.”
Macarthur had been as low as 6-1 with some firms for Epsom but he is now available at double those odds with Coral while VC Bet offer 10s about his chances.
O’Brien and Heffernan may have been out of luck with Macarthur but the duo still managed a double with both Warsaw and Mahler on the mark in their respective maidens.
Warsaw (9-4 joint favourite) showed a willing attitude to see off fellow market leader Irish Jig by a neck on his racecourse bow in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden over six furlongs.
Cashmans make Warsaw the 8-1 joint-favourite for the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot along with recent Newbury winner Winker Watson.
Mahler (5-2 favourite) showed significant improvement from his debut just over two weeks earlier when taking the 10-furlong maiden.
Although likely favourite Vincenzo Galilei was a late withdrawal, Mahler still impressed with a gutsy display to notch a length-and-a-quarter win over Akua’ba.
O’Brien revealed afterwards that Mahler is also likely to take his chance in the Derrinstown Stud Trial
John Oxx’s Danak (9-4 favourite) landed a thrilling renewal of the Listed Heritage Stakes by a short-head.
The unbeaten Pivotal colt was brought with a sweeping run down the outside by Mick Kinane who looked to have timed it to perfection.
However, Jim Bolger’s Heliostatic stuck to his task gamely and did not go down without a fight.
Kinane was at his strongest though, and managed to produce the four-year-old to lead right on the line and win by the narrowest of margins.
Kevin Prendergast’s Decado, not seen since finding the ground too lively in the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, showed up well on his comeback to finish third.
Mark Johnston’s sole British raider Prince Of Light was up with the pace early but faded tamely.
“He’s a tough little horse,” said Oxx of the winner. “He’s won now over seven, eight and nine furlongs and we think he will stay 10, but we are not sure what is best for him.
“He will come on for that race and will probably go for the Amethyst Stakes (on May 13) next.”
Willie Mullins switched his attentions to the level with great effect when Magnum Force sprang a 16-1 surprise in the Maple Handicap.
Ridden by promising young pilot Chris Hayes, the three-year-old shot clear with a furlong to run and held a four-length advantage over the 5-2 favourite Asafa at the line.
