Aidan O'Brien holds a strong hand in Sunday's classic trials at Leopardstown. He is represented by Stonemason and Century City in the 2000 Guineas Trial, Lahinch and Pietra Dura in the 1000 Guineas Trial and High Chaparral and Twentytwoandchange in the Ballysax Stakes.
Century City won the Houghton Stakes at Newmarket on the second of his two starts as a juvenile but flopped in the heavy ground at the Curragh on his seasonal reappearance last month. The mount of Mick Kinane, he will be hoping to get his classic aspirations back on track in the Listed 2000 Guineas Trial.
Cheveley Park Stakes fourth Lahinch is the stable choice in the 1000 Guineas Trial where she may have most to fear from Marionnaud, who completed a four timer in the Listed Silken Glider Stakes on her final start last year.
The Listed Ballysax Stakes over ten furlongs has been a most informative trial in recent years with Galileo winning last year and Sinndar finishing second the previous year. This time O'Brien has chosen the favoured Derby route for Racing Post Trophy winner High Chaparral, the mount of Mick Kinane.
Filed by Laura Reynolds
