15:40 Leopardstown

Sunday 13 May 2018

All14:0514:3515:1015:4016:1516:4517:15

Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 15:40 | Winning time: 2m 8.58s

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Selected odds by:

(7)

Delano Roosevelt²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 108| C

9/2

Maiden winner over 1m here last season, thrice-placed in Group races since, got closer to re-opposing stablemate Nelson in Ballysax Stakes over C&D last month, though ultimately held when ½L second. Better ground now.

Form: 132-2

(4)

Hazapour¹⁹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Declan McDonogh| T: D K Weld| OR: 95

16/1

Galway maiden winner on second start last season, then held behind pair of Ballydoyle runners in Group 3 over 1m1f here. May suffer similar fate today.

Form: 713-

(1)

Lethal Steps^b1²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons| OR: 98| BF| C

25/1

Fair sort, won first two starts last year including over 6f here on good ground. Came up shy in Curragh Group 1 (7f, soft) in September and first-time blinkers need to eke out plenty more here it seems.

Form: 11254-4

(6)

Nelson²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: D O'Brien| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 112| CD

5/2

Dug in well to hold off stablemate Delano Roosevelt in the Ballysax Stakes over C&D last month, hard to pick holes in his form and this better surface shouldn't hinder his claims. The one to beat.

Form: 62112-1

(3)

Platinum Warrior²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: S Foley| T: M Halford| OR: 96

40/1

Maiden winner on the AW at Dundalk over a mile on third and final start last year, came up short in 1m Navan handicap on return last month and plenty to find on that evidence amongst these rivals.

Form: 821-6

(2)

The King²³⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: C O'Donoghue| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 92

16/1

Mastercraftsman colt who cost 140,000gns as a yearling, won a Gowran Park maiden (1m, soft to heavy) on second start in September with plenty up his sleeve. Should improve for in-form Harrington team on reappearance.

Form: 51-

(8)

The Pentagon²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: J A Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 112| BF| C

6/5

Winner of a 7f Group 3 at this track last season before excellent third in Group 1 Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster on final start. Beaten favourite behind Nelson and Delano Roosevelt on reappearance over C&D (heavy). Can bounce back.

Form: 6113-3

(5)

Theobald¹⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger| OR: 101| C

16/1

Two wins last year, on first and final starts over 1m here and on AW at Dundalk. Solid performer but beaten by the likes of The Pentagon and Nelson in Group 3 races and must improve on reappearance.

Form: 228701-

Forecasts

The Pentagon (6/5), Nelson (5/2), Delano Roosevelt (9/2), Hazapour (16/1), Theobald (16/1), The King (16/1), Lethal Steps (25/1), Platinum Warrior (40/1)

Aidan O'Brien has claimed this seven times since 2006 and he looks to be hold a strong hand once again. NELSON fended off stablemates Delano Roosevelt and The Pentagon (in that order) over C&D to win the Ballysax Stakes last month. The improved ground may help the third home to get much closer but the selection has very few faults and won't mind the surface himself. He is hard to get away from. The King was impressive at Gowran Park when last spotted and should have progress in him as a three-year-old while Hazapour could sneak into the money if any of the Ballydoyle trio fail to fire.