Leitrim House, trained by Brian Meehan and ridden by Mick Kinane, is on course for the Irish 2000 Guineas after his victory in the Tetrarch Stakes at the Curragh on Monday.
The three-year-old made all with a superb waiting-in-front ride by Kinane. Although Mick Channon's Mokabra and the Aidan O'Brien trained Grand Reward kept tabs on Leitrim House for the first half of the seven-furlong contest, neither could cope once Kinane pressed the button.
Leitrim House, the 5-2 joint favourite, skipped clear in the final quarter-mile to score by three lengths from Grand Reward.
Afterwards Meehan added: "He had to do all the donkey work today but quickened nicely. After he won at Lingfield it was always the plan to go for the Irish 2000 Guineas. This has confirmed our view. He has progressed with each run."
Kinane also captured the Group 3 Golan EBF Mooresbridge Stakes as the Richard Hannon-trained Nysaean proved far too strong for the home team when defeating Latino Magic by two-and-a-half lengths.
Last year’s St Leger winner Brian Boru was sent off the 5/4 favourite for the ten furlong contest but after challenging for the lead early in the straight he could find no more and faded to finish fifth.
“He’s matured a lot and handles good ground well. He’s magic on very soft and we might look at the Arc later on in the year,” said trainer’s representative Peter Doyle.
Kinane had earlier teamed up with Noel Meade-trained Athlumney Lad, who raced to a two-length success in the 60-90 mile-and-a-half handicap.
After settling in rear, the 11/2 chance improved into fourth with two furlongs to run and stayed on well to lead inside the final 200 yards and beat Gemini Diamond by two lengths.
Meanwhile, Russian Blue had little difficulty in justifying odds of 30/100 in the opening two-year-old race as he made all the running for Colm O’Donoghue to beat Value Plus by five lengths.
"He’s a lovely horse and could come back here later this month for the Marble Hill Stakes,"remarked Aidan O’Brien.
Elsewhere, Ger Lyons and Pat Cosgrave teamed up to win the 60-90 seven furlong handicap with Fairy Pass. The Houmayoun filly went to the front with over a furlong to run and recorded a one-and-a-half length success over Stranded Gentry.
Finally, the five furlong handicap produced a thrilling finish with at least half a dozen horses holding chances inside the final furlong but it was the Michael Hussey-ridden Ridyan that edged out Raining by a neck.
"He was in great form and has never travelled better in race. He’s nine now and hopefully the handicapper won’t be too hard on him," observed Peter Henley.
Filed by James McMahon
