Classic trials at Leopardstown

This week´s series of classic trials continues this afternoon at Leopardstown, where the main event is the Group Two Derby Trial over 10 furlongs at 17.15 CET. Aidan O´Brien has won this race 7 times in the last 10 years, and with his 3yo´s now in commanding form, can confidently be expected to score again. It would appear that Recital (Kieren Fallon) is his best chance; he won the Criterium de Saint-Cloud last November, establishing him as a major classic candidate. However O´Brien´s two other runners can also not be ignored, especially Regent Street (Seamus Heffernan), who actually finished in front of Recital on his seasonal debut over this CD. Recital started at odds-on then and is now taken to reverse the form. Zanughan (John Oxx/ Johnny Murtagh) was an easy winner of a Navan maiden and is taking a huge leap in class, but looks the main threat to the O´Brien trio.

The 1,000 Guineas trial half an hour later looks much more open. O´Brin hass onlyon runner here, Germstone Heffernan), who needs to improve. Handassa (Kevin Prndergast/ Declan McDonogh), Sapphire Pendant (David Wachman/ Wayne Lordan) and Zaminast (Dermot Weld/ Pat Smullen) have all won their only start and could be anything, but are obviously untested at this level. Oxx saddles two runners, of whom Manieree is the choice of stable jockey Murtagh, and she looks the most solid option.

Note: There is no flat racing in the U.K. today, and the three N.H. fixtures are all of a very low standard.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Pinkisthecolour - Vegas Rocks - Dayrina
2. Race: Nantucket Bay - Brown Butterfly - Admiral Of The Red
3. Race: Rock Medley - Celtic Dane - Zerashan
4. Race: Recital - Zanughan - Regent Street
5. Race: Handassa - Manieree - Gemstone
6. Race: Duc De Savoie - Skyway - Aznavour
7. Race: Famous Name - Across The Rhine - Barack