Group races this evening at Leopardstown

Very small fields in the two group races at Leopardstown´s evening fixture, with only 4 lining up for the Tyros Stakes for 2yo´s over 7 furlongs at 19.25 CET. The last 4 winners of this race were Teofilo, New Approach, Rip van Winkle and Cape Blanco, champions all, so the winner- who will almost certainly be Aidan Brien´s Zoffany (Johnny Murtagh) -has a lot to live up to. O´Brien can also take the Meld Stakes over 9 furlongs at 20.30, in which he saddles two runners Steinbeck (Murtagh) and Lord High Admiral (Seamus Heffernan- who also rides the stable second string in the earlier race). Steinbeck has had varuous setbacks nd has not yet run up to his lofty reputtion, but he gets his chance here. The obvious danger is Dermot Weld´s Famous Name (Pat Smullen), who has an excellent record at this track: he has run here six times, winning 4 times and finishing twice runner-up. However he has to give the 3yo´s a stone (14 lbs) which will not be easy.

There is also Irish jumping this evening at Limerick with some huge fields.