Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial Stakes 2011

4.15 Leopardstown

Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1)  (3YO only)

Winner €61,750

Pick: Recital (win)

Recital: Has been prominent in most ante-post Derby lists since powering clear to land the Group 1 Criterium De Saint-Cloud last November on only his second start, a performance of serious potential; Although only third in Ballysax stakes, given too much to do on first run of season giving away 5lbs to rivals; Form boosted since and every chance of making amends here.

Best Hello: Sprung a surprise when he won his maiden over C&D in March at 33/1 (beat odds – on Ballydoyle shot; Third held decent form); Will come forward from that but this steep rise in class.

Giant Step: Stepped up on his debut (2-1) last August (finished well adrift of subsequent Group 1 Racing Post hero Casamento) with easy maiden good ground win last month; was fancied on his debut (2-1) last August so presumably liked enough by his yard, and not hard to see him going close.  

Memphis Tennessee: Showed enough on his debut to suggest he could do well for himself and smashed into odds on before winning over 1m on the AW at Dundalk last November; Can do well this year but may need the run.

Regent Street: Fifth in strong maiden (well behind Recital) here on debut & broke maiden at prohibitive odds next time; one-length ahead of stablemate Recital in the Ballysax last month with Rich Tapestry another length behind in fourth, and interesting to see blinkers added after that excellent effort latest; Can go well.

Rich Tapestry: Made no mistake second time up when winning his maiden & decent effort from the back in Ballysax, although he has to make up some ground on Recital & Regent Street from that; Has it all to do.

Zaunghan: Derby/King Edward/ Irish St Leger; Took long time to get going in Curragh maiden but eye-catching when he did and extremely highly regarded based on  his 2/5 starting price at Navan, where he did the job cosily despite going markedly wide (delivered down stands – side); Can go close here for in form yard.

VERDICT: RECITAL, so impressive when landing the Criterium De Saint Cloud last season, can make amends for an unfortunate defeat in the Ballysax first time out. His stable is in blitzing form and he can get the better of the highly regarded Zanughan. Regent Street may prove best of the rest.