A Los not in plan for Angeles
UNBEATEN Los Angeles will be expected to boost his classic credentials by taking tomorrow’s Group 3 Derby trial in Leopardstown.
With a rating of 111, Los Angeles sets a decent standard in a fascinating, five-runner affair.
A convincing winner on his debut over nine furlongs at Tipperary last October, Los Angeles was immediately stepped-up to Group 1 company in the Criterium de Saint-cloud.
And, in a typically muddling contest, over just short of a mile and a quarter, he prevailed by a neck over Joseph O’brien’s Islandsinthstream, with his stable-companion Illinois (disappointing since) a close third.
Los Angeles, a dour stayer, should be capable of entering the Epsom picture by landing the spoils here,
Wayne Lordan’s mount is officially rated 11lb. superior to Donnacha O’brien’s recent Cork winner Bremen, who holds the Ballydoyle second-string Euphoric on that form.
Paddy Twomey will have high hopes for unbeaten Irish 1,000 Guineas hope One Look, impressive winner of the Goffs Million on debut last September and successful at 1/20 on her three-year-old debut in Cork, in the Group 3 Al Shira’aa Racing Mutamakina Stakes.
But, although rated 5lb. below Twomey’s filly, I prefer the Ballydoyle runner Buttons, narrow winner on debut here last summer and an eye-catching, staying on third behind another Twomey filly A Lila Rolla and Kitty Rose in a Guineas trial last month, giving the impression that she was crying out for a longer trip, which she gets here.
Yosemite Valley proved a revelation when sweeping past Jumbly to land the listed Lester Piggott Gladness Stakes at the Curragh three weeks ago and, with juice still in the ground, might follow-up in the Group 3 Porsche In Support Of Breast Cancer Ireland Amethyst Stakes.