classic trials at Leopardstown

With the Grand National meeting over, attention now switches to the flat. Although there are three N.H. meetings in the U.K. today and one in Ireland, by far the best races are run on the flat at Lepardstown, where two classic trials hold centre sage, for fillies at 16.15 CET and for colts at 17.15, both Group Three races over 7 furlongs. In the former event it should not really be necessary to look beyond Jim Bolger´s Saoirse Abu (Kevin Manning), winner of the Moyglare Stud Stakes Group One) on very soft ground last year. Main opposition is likely to come from the two Aidan O´Brien runners Halfway to Heaven (Seamus Heffernan) and Psalm (Johnny Murtagh). In the colts´ race, O´Brien saddles three of the five runners, with Murtagh riding Greek Mythology, who looks the stable´s best hope; however he may have to give best to Dermot Weld´s Famous Name (Pat Smullen), who looks a smart prospect.