Racing:Profound Beauty forwarded her Melbourne Cup claims with a smooth success in the Ballyroan Stakes at Leopardstown. The five-year-old finished fifth in last year's Flemington showpiece for Dermot Weld, but William Hill clipped her into 14-1 favouritism from 16s following her Group Three victory.
Dropping back in trip to a mile and a half, Pat Smullen was content to sit in behind as Nafaath cut out the early pace before being to make his run at the top of the straight.
Favourite and St Leger hopeful Mourayan took it up some way out but despite battling bravely, he was no match for Profound Beauty with the 6-4 shot coming home a length and a quarter clear at the line.
Weld said: “That was a very impressive performance from Profound Beauty. She was very fit and very right for today’s race but the runner-up may just have needed the run.
“The race panned out well for us and she’ll run in the Irish St Leger next. The Melbourne Cup remains a possibility in November but her participation will depend on how we are treated by the Australian handicapper!”
Irish Derby third Mourayan remains on course for next month’s Ladbrokes St Leger at Doncaster despite his defeat.
Trainer John Oxx said “Mourayan ran a very good race and the winner is a good filly. The ground was probably plenty fast for him and he’d appreciate more of an ease and a longer trip. The plan is still to go for the St Leger at Doncaster.”
Elusive Award could also target Group One glory at Doncaster in October after making a successful bow in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.
A half-brother to Hardwicke Stakes winner Bronze Cannon, Elusive Award was sent off a 25-1 shot for the seven-furlong heat but proved smart enough to see off Rio Command by half a length.
“Elusive Award is entered in the Racing Post Trophy in October and he is a possibility for the race,” said trainer Andrew Oliver.
“He’s a big, leggy type of horse and won’t be knocked around so early in his career.”