Racing:Aidan O'Brien took both Guineas Trials at Leopardstown as he enjoyed a treble at the Dublin track, sending out Furner's Green to capture the 2,000 Guineas Trial Stakes followed by Homecoming Queen in the fillies' version.
Furner’s Green was cut to 33-1 from 66-1 for the Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket and was introduced into the Investec Derby betting at 33s with Ladbrokes after his success.
The 4-6 shot got the better of Akeed Wafi in the final half-furlong of this Group Three heat to win going away by two and three-quarter lengths.
“We’re delighted with that. He’s come on a lot for his first run when he got a bit tired. He travels well and quickens well,” said the Ballydoyle trainer.
“We always had him down as a Guineas/French Derby horse but which Guineas we don’t know yet.”
Homecoming Queen (8-1) was trimmed to 33-1 from 50-1 for the Qipco 1000 Guineas after boosting her Classic claims with a game front-running performance.
Colm O’Donoghue’s positive tactics on the race-fit filly had the opposition at full stretch as the race reached fever pitch in the straight.
Fire Lily came with what looked like a winning run but the 7-4 favourite could find no extra in the last 50 yards and was a neck down at the post.
Up, the winner’s stable companion, was three-quarters of a length away in third.
O’Brien said: “She is a hardy little filly and she improved nicely from the Curragh (ninth on March 25th). She will go into one of the Guineas now.”
Joseph O’Brien was aboard Furner’s Green and he got his father’s treble going on 4-6 shot Forester in the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.
Jim Bolger could have a good team of three-year-olds this season and Light Heavy (3-1) gave him a third successive win in the PW McGrath Memorial Ballysax Stakes.
Having struck with Puncher Clynch in 2010 and Banimpire 12 months ago, the Co Carlow handler unveiled another decent sort in the son of Teofilo.
Kevin Manning produced the progressive colt to lead at the distance and gallop on stoutly to keep Call To Battle at bay by two and a half lengths.
Bolger said: “I think Light Heavy will go to the Curragh (Irish Derby). We like him, he only does what he has to, he’s a very laid-back horse.
“He’s a good moving horse, hardy, laid back yet he still responds when he’s asked.
“He’ll come back for the Derrinstown (Stud Derby Trial), all being well. He has a fine turn of foot, there are no negatives with him.”
Bolger reported his Dewhurst stakes winner Parish Hall to be on course for Classic duty at Newmarket. “He’s well, he’ll go straight to the Guineas,” he added.
Famous Name clung on to nail his 10th course win in the Heritage Stakes, landing the Listed race for the third year in a row.
The line came just in time for Dermot Weld’s ultra-consistent seven-year-old, who was all out to hold the unlucky Sharestan by a head.
Pat Smullen got first run on the 9-10 shot, setting sail for home a furlong and a half out and the tactics paid off as Sharestan got blocked in towards the rail early in the straight. He made up several lengths in the final furlong but it was all too late.
Weld’s son, Kris, said: “The trainer is in China but I’ve relayed that to him. Pat said you’ll see dramatic improvement for that run.
“We’ll follow the same route as last year and hopefully pick up that elusive Group One. There’s lots to look forward to.”
Weld and Smullen doubled up with Olfa (5-1) in the FM104’s Strawberry Alarm Clock Handicap.
Johnny Murtagh got on the scoresheet in the concluding Leopardstown Leap On Facebook Handicap on Royal Diamond (14-1) for former jump jockey Tommy Carmody.