Albigna to face might of O’briens

THE only Group 1 winner in the field, Albigna tops the list of 20 acceptors for Saturday’s Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh.

Winner of the Prix Marcel Boussac at Longchamp on her final two-year-old start, the Commonstown filly retains favouritism for the classic, ahead of a plethora of O’brien hopefuls.

The O’brien family is responsible for nine of the 20 entries.

Aidan, above, runs fillies Peaceful, Elfin Queen, So Wonderful and Salsa.

Joseph has a similar representation, with A New Dawn, Brook On Fifth, Gin Blossom and New York Girl.

And Donnacha is set to have his first classic runner, Fancy Blue, winner of a listed event at the Curragh last season.

Meanwhile, Aidan O’brien dominated yesterday’s action in Leopardstown, registering a superb four-timer, highlighted by a 13th victory in the Group 3 Derrinstown

Stud Derby Trial.

Cormorant, 12/1 outsider of the fiverunner field, made all for Padraig Beggy to lead home a 1-2-3 for Ballydoyle, holding favourite Russian Emperor by a half-length.

O’brien also won both maidens, with Ennistymon and Tiger Moth, which spearheaded a 1-2-3-4 for the trainer in the colts’ event.

And Love Locket, second leg of a double for Seamus Heffernan, made virtually all to win the Group 3 Fillies Trial.

But the colts’ trial saw O’brien’s odds-on favourite Year Of The Tiger sustain a fatal injury turning for home before stable-companion King Of Athens was collared by 8/1 shot Ten Year Ticket, trained by Jim Bolger and delivered