LOS ANGELES IS CLASS ACT
Bremen and Euphoric also contenders, but son of Camelot can follow up win in France
SHARP Ballydoyle prospect LOS ANGELES (3.35) can shine in the Cashel Palace House Derby Trial at Leopardstown today.
This powerful Camelot colt was a tidy debut winner at Tipperary last September and went to France for the Criterium de Saint Cloud where he beat Islands in the stream by a neck.
That sets the standard here, though recent Cork winner Bremen is clearly progressive. Euphoric, a stablemate of Los Angeles, was third to Bremen at Cork, where he was not suited by the heavy ground, but he is a threat to all on this faster surface today.
This race has produced a few surprises down the years and neither Keeper’s Heart nor Taraj, who both impressed when winning in Dundalk late last year, should be underestimated.
BUTTONS (2.25) can also score for Aidan O’Brien and Wayne Lordan in the Al Shira’aa Racing Mutamakina Stakes.
She won her maiden at this track last summer and should step forward from her third here last month to two very smart fillies A Lilac Rolla and Kitty Rose in a 1,000 Guineas Trial.
An extra furlong now and much better ground look ideal, but One Look is a big threat. Paddy Twomey’s classy sort sparkled on her debut when cruising home six lengths in front of Cherry Blossom in the Goffs Million Race at The Curragh.
She was a prohibitive 1/20 on her comeback race at Cork, where she got the job done on heavy ground that she clearly didn’t enjoy.
O’Brien and Lordan can kick off in style with IGOR STRAVINSKY (1.15) in the opener.
He was a warm favourite first time out at the Curragh, where he was pipped by Zaynab. Compensation awaits here, though he is drawn widest of all out in stall 15, which will see him almost on Brighton Road as they face the starter.
With Ryan Moore on French Guineas duty at Longchamp, Lordan can also make hay with HIGHBURY (1.50) a strong fancy in the Captain Dara Fitzpatrick Memorial Maiden and ORTELIUS (5.20), who looks different gravy in the concluding Breast Cancer Ireland 3-y-o Handicap.
The Dermot Weld team have clicked into gear and KNIGHT TO KING (3.00) could show big improvement from his seasonal debut second in the Devoy Stakes on a very sticky surface at Naas, while Yosemite Valley clearly commands respect after his Gladness Stakes triumph at the Curragh.
At Killarney, track specialist STEALTHY TOM (4.30) gets the vote in a wide open Tote Killarney National.
While Enda Bolger’s runner was brought down on his first visit to this scenic venue, he has won on all four appearances since.
SOLITARY MAN (3.20) is another Bolger runner who saves his best for here, while the Cian Collins-trained front-runner EFFERNOCK FIZZ (2.10) can lead them all a merry dance in what, remarkably, will be her 99th race no less.