Leopardstown:Fame And Glory enhanced his reputation further still with an authoritative display in the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial Stakes at Leopardstown. The unbeaten Aidan O'Brien-trained colt had a Group One win to his name as a juvenile and warmed up for this event with a professional display in the Ballysax Stakes.
Many thought John Oxx's Mourayan, who finished third that day, had solid claims of turning the tables, despite meeting the winner on 2lb worse terms.
However, Seamie Heffernan extracted himself from a position against the rails soon after turning into the straight and once he engaged top gear the result was never in doubt.
The 4-7 favourite really caught the eye with the way he strode clear and Mourayan had no answer to the five-length winner.
William Hill make Fame And Glory their new 5-2 favourite for the Investec Derby (from 6-1).
Winning owner John Magnier is taking nothing for granted: "Seamus was impressed with him as I am sure most were, but we have to keep him healthy from now until Epsom."
Oxx may have been out of luck in the feature race but his filly Baliyana was an impressive winner of the Derrinstown Stud 1,000 Guineas Trial.
The 9-1 chance was prominent throughout under Mick Kinane and despite the field bunching up two furlongs from home, the Dalakhani filly kicked clear inside the distance to register a two-and-a-half-length success.
Jim Bolger's Aaroness made plenty of late headway to come from last to second with Dermot Weld's Firey Red in third.
O'Brien's Totally Devoted still held every chance when she met trouble in running and eventually dropped out to finish last.
Oxx said: "She did it well today. We thought a fair bit of her last year, but she ran poorly a couple of times on soft ground.
"She likes Leopardstown, but the main thing with her is the ground.
"She has caught us out a bit as we took her out of the Irish 1000 Guineas at the end of last year.
"We may have to look at putting her back in if the ground comes up quick."