Seven races, two Group 3s, it’s a tasty Thursday evening at Leopardstown.
Leopardstown Selections – Thursday, July 23
- 16:58 Shakespeare
- 17:33 Churchill Bond
- 18:08 Alpha
- 18:43 Aix La Chapelle
- 19:18 Kilcrea Rock
- 19:53 Wyman
- 20:28 Tatum
16:58 1m Frank Conroy Irish EBF Maiden (2yo)
Shakespeare can build after an encouraging debut third at the Curragh last month. The €1.3 million Dubawi colt shaped with plenty of promise despite showing signs of inexperience, finding himself outpaced over a furlong from home before staying on strongly once the penny dropped. He finished behind two more fancied Ballydoyle stablemates that day, and the extra furlong now looks certain to suit given his outstanding pedigree, which suggests a mile and beyond will be his optimum trip. With the benefit of that initial experience, Aidan O’Brien’s colt is expected to improve significantly and sets a high standard in this maiden.
Selection: Shakespeare
17:33 7f Irish EBF Median Sires Series Fillies Maiden (IRE Incentive Race) (2yo)
Churchill Bond could make a winning start for Paddy Twomey, whose juveniles have made a bright impression this season with a pair of debut winners already. A €300,000 breeze-up purchase by Pinatubo, she boasts an excellent pedigree as a half-sister to the useful stayer Golden Bugle out of a very smart 8f mare. She has already been handed lofty entries in both the Lowther Stakes at York and the Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh, a clear indication of the regard in which she is held. With Twomey’s strong record with two-year-olds and any market confidence likely to prove significant, she looks a leading contender on debut.
Selection: Churchill Bond
18:08 7f Saudi Cup Silver Flash Stakes (Group 3) (Fillies) (2yo)
Alpha can further enhance her reputation and strengthen her ante-post claims for next year’s 1000 Guineas. After shaping with plenty of promise when runner-up over this course and distance on debut, the Aidan O’Brien-trained filly took a significant step forward with a dominant six-length success at the Curragh last month, looking every inch a top-class prospect. Exceptionally well bred, with a multiple Group 1-winning dam, she is expected to improve further as she steps up in trip. O’Brien has won the last three runnings of this race, and his exciting filly sets a lofty standard. With the promise of much more to come from the Ballydoyle youngster, she looks the one they all have to beat.
Selection: Alpha
18:43 7f Japan Racing Association Tyros Stakes (Group 3) (2yo)
Aix La Chapelle can preserve his unbeaten record after making a highly impressive winning debut at the Curragh last month. Although only Aidan O’Brien’s apparent second string in the betting, the son of Justify showed a smart turn of foot to defeat a more fancied stablemate by a length and a half, marking himself down as a colt of considerable potential. With Ryan Moore taking over in the saddle, further improvement looks highly likely from the impeccably bred youngster, whose dam was a multiple Group 1 winner. O’Brien has won two of the last five renewals of this race, and his exciting colt sets a strong standard.
Selection: Aix La Chapelle
19:18 1m1f Dublin To Bahrain Race Series Handicap (3yo+)
Kilcrea Rock can follow up his breakthrough success at Dundalk and make a successful return to turf. Joseph O’Brien’s gelding deservedly got off the mark at the tenth attempt when showing plenty of determination to prevail by half a length last time, and there could be more to come now that his confidence has been boosted. His trainer’s string continues to fire in the winners, while his versatility across ground conditions and distances from a mile up to two miles is another positive. Although this represents a step up in class, further improvement looks possible, and he is capable of going well once again.
Selection: Kilcrea Rock
19:53 1m5f Dubai Racing Carnival Rated Race (3yo)
Wyman has improved with every start and can continue his progress now stepping up in trip. He opened his account in determined fashion over 1m2f at the Curragh last time, staying on strongly to suggest he needed every yard of that distance and would appreciate an even stiffer test. This longer trip looks ideal for the progressive gelding, who has proven effective on both yielding and good-to-firm ground. With further improvement likely, he looks capable of making another bold bid.
Selection: Wyman
20:28 1m7f Turkish Jockey Club Handicap (3yo+)
Tatum can make her course experience count and register a first success of the season. A dual winner at this venue, Noel Meade’s mare returned to form when beaten just a length into third over 1m5f here last week, shaping as though she was nearing her peak once again. The step back up in trip looks a positive given her proven stamina, while Paddy Harnett’s valuable 5lb claim further enhances her chances. Effective on both soft and good ground, the daughter of Postponed looks well capable of going one better back at a track which has brought about both of her career victories to date.
Selection: Tatum
Leopardstown Selections – Thursday, July 23
- 16:58 Shakespeare
- 17:33 Churchill Bond
- 18:08 Alpha
- 18:43 Aix La Chapelle
- 19:18 Kilcrea Rock
- 19:53 Wyman
- 20:28 Tatum
