Classic trials at Leopardstown

Today´s Leopardstown meeting features two early-season classic trials, and Aidan O´Brien is mob-handed in each - although judging by last week´s Curragh results his runners all appear to need a race. He has 4 runners in the 1,000 Guineas Trial at 15.55, with stable jockey Johnny Murtagh partnering Famous; however second string You´ll be Mine (Seamus Heffernan) looks equally strong on juvenile form. It could be that Lady Springbank (Peter Deegan/ Jim Crowley), a Group 3 winner at 25/1 on the Curragh last season, can outpoint them both.O´Brien has 3 runers in the 2,000 Guineas trial at 17.05, woth Blck Quartz (Murtagh) looking the bst of his trio. However Noll Wallop (Tommy Stack/ Wayne Lordan), whose stable has started the season in great style, and Free Judgement (Jim Bolger/ Kevin Manning) are tough nuts to crack.

However it is quite possible that the best 3yo´s on view at Leopardstown are not running in the recognised trials, but in the 10 furlongs maiden at 17.40. O´Brien has 5 entered here, with Murtagh on September Moon, but the really interesting one could be the Aga Khan´s Behtarini (John Oxx/ Fran Berry), who was runner-up at half a length to Jan Vermeer in possibly the hottest 2yo maiden of 2009 at Gowran Park and is regarded by his shrewd stable as a major player for this season.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Awe Inspiring - Black Eyed Susan - Brazilian Beauty
2. Race: Famous - You`Ll Be Mine - Karasiyra
3. Race: Baglioni - Ceannline - Le Cadre Noir
4. Race: Viscount Nelson - Black Quartz - Free Judgement
5. Race: Behtarini - September Morn - Legendary Lad
6. Race: Tovaria - New Phase - Duaiseoir
7. Race: Key Decision - Salgrev - Little Arrows