Classic trials at Leopardstown

Two more classic trials today, both sponsored by Derrinstown Stud (Hamdan al Maktoum) at Leopardstown. Aidan O´Brien has saddled 6 of the last 10 winners of the Derby Trial at 17.05 CET, but after this week´s results must be wondering if he has any top 3yo´s in the yard. However he has an obvious chance of winning this, as he saddles half the field- 2 out of the 4 runners. Stable jockey Johnny Murtagh has chosen Midas Touch, while Seamus Heffernan is on At First Sight, just touched off here 3 weeks ago. On that occasion Address Unknown (Dermot Weld/ Pat Smullen) was a close 5th after not getting a clear run, while the field is completed by Reiteration (Jim Bolger/ Kevin Manning), who has already won twice this year but is taking a huge leap in class, Midas Touch lookad promising last year, and could be O´Brien´s last chance of finding a successor to Fame & Glory, who won this last year.

O´Brien saddles two fillies in the 1,000 Guineas Trial at 17.35, but Murtagh has jumped ship to partner David Wachman´s Picture Perfect, also owned by Coolmore. She was an easy maiden winner last time, as was Dermot Weld´s Betharah (Smullen). Bolger´s Atasari (Manning) is top-rated here, but that may not mean too much. However Weld and Smullen get on in the classic trials, they should certainly take the Group Three mile race at 18.35 with Famous Name, who stands out by a mile in this company.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Catalpa Sail - Purple Glow - Hope Of An Angel
2. Race: Carraiglawn - Be My Storm - Bold Quest
3. Race: Bravely Fought - Precious Gem - Curling Bird
4. Race: Midas Touch - At First Sight - Address Unknown
5. Race: Atasari - Picture Perfect - Bethrah
6. Race: Northgate - Award Ceremony - Tarrsille
7. Race: Famous Name - Duff - King Jock