Johnny claims his first treble

TRUE Valour bagged a deserved first Group 3 victory when justifying favouritism in the Ballycorus Stakes at Leopardstown last night.

Sent off 7/4 favourite on Chris Hayes’ first ride for trainer Johnny Murtagh, True Valour challenged to lead off the home-turn and stayed on strongly up the straight to beat Smash Williams by two and a quarter lengths.

“I’m so delighted he’s won his Group 3,” said Murtagh. “His big day will be back here on Qipco Champions Weekend – he’ll come back for the Boomerang. And he’ll tip away in races like the Meld until then.”

It was the second winner of the night for Murtagh, who ended up with the first treble of his training career when Circling Moon (Conor Hoban) won the Leopardstown Ladies Golf Club Handicap. Earlier, Parkers Hill, ridden by Niall Mccullagh, turned over 2/ll Ballydoyle hot-pot National Guard.

Jim Bolger’s New Approach filly Scriobh Nua, unplaced in the Irish 1,000 Guineas, outclassed her rivals in the sevenfurlong fillies maiden, slamming Encantador by nearly five lengths.

She’ll now revert to stakes company.

Tonight, dropping in class having run in the Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas last month, Aidan O’brien’s Most Gifted looks the one to beat in the Group 3 Toals.com Bookmakers Fillies Race in Fairyhouse.

The War Front filly was an eye-catcher on her Curragh debut last month, when third behind Wisdom Mind and subsequent winner and listed-placed stablecompanion Athena.

She built on that promise when making all to land a Cork maiden, beating Hence, which has since won a premier fillies handicap at the Curragh off a mark of 95.

Upped to Group 1 company in the Guineas three weeks ago, Most Gifted finished eighth, beaten less than seven lengths by Alpha Centauri, and, in doing so, split Who’s Steph and Clemmie.

Donnacha O’brien might try to dictate things on the 99-rated filly. She gets the nod over Willie Mccreery’s Belle Boyd, third to Zorion in the listed Glencairn Stakes at Leopardstown on her seasonal debut last week.

Earlier, Aidan and Donnacha O’brien might also triumph with Coral Beach in the two-year-old fillies maiden, despite the fact that she has disappointed twice, although placed, since finishing a very promising third to classy stablecompanion Fairyland on her debut.

Not helped by a high draw when runner-up to Mintd at Listowel last time, the Ballydoyle filly is marginally preferred to Jessica Harrington’s Sparkle’n’joy, which started favourite for a hot Curragh maiden on her debut, finishing fifth to Just Wonderful.

Loving A Boom, second to Alanannda on his first start for Gordon Elliott (formerly with Jessica Harrington) should be tough to beat in the Fairyhouse For Fundraisers Maiden.