Classic trials at Leopardstown

The Irish flat season gets into top gear today with Aidan O´Brien saddling his first runners of the year at Leopardstown, where the main features are two classic trials, both Group Three. In the 2000 Guineas trial at 16.50 CET, both O´Brien and Jim Bolger field two runners in the field of 6. Hail Caesar, the mount of Johnny Muirtagh, is the main O´Brien hope, but on last season´s form Intense Focus (Bolger/ Kevin Manning) looks the one to beat after his narrow Dewhurst Stakes victory. He carries a Group One penalty for this success, but still has to win here to maintain his credibility as a major player this season. German-bred Liebermann (Dermot Weld/ Pat Smullen), a son of Big Shuffle, could be out of his depth here. In the 1000 Guineas trial at 16.05 the main players on 2yo form are Heart Shaped (O´Brien/ Murtagh), runner-up in the Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, and Chintz (David Wachma/ Seamus Heffernan), first and second on all her starts last season. Possibly of ev en greater interest as a classic trial is the opening 3yo fillies maiden at 15.30, in which O´Brien runs Roman Empress, 3rd of 14 on her only start last year at Navan, but already regarded as a major Oaks prospect. There is also jumps racing in Irelabd at Downpatrick. Two Gertman-breds with chances are Der Spieler, who was third in strong company for Christian von der Recke at Kempton´s Christ,mas meeting and has since been sold to Ireland, who runs in thr maiden hurdle at 15.15, and Azana in the handicap hurdle an hour later. Azana has shown little, but this is a very weak race and his only career win came at this track. Willie Mullins and Ruy Walsh can take the main event, a hurdle race at 16.45, with the consistent Borrowaddy, whse last poor performance can be excused as he was not right.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Roman Empress - Perfect Truth - Jakarta Jazz
2. Race: Intense Focus - Recharge - Hail Caesar
3. Race: Three Rocks - Award Ceremony - Impossible Dream
4. Race: Heart Shaped - Chintz - Maoineach
5. Race: Gratified - Numen - Astonish
6. Race: Charminamix - Timoca - Salute Him
7. Race: The Bull Hayes - Rockhampton - Pittoni