Derrinstown Stud Derby Stakes 2014

3.55 Leopardstown

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

Winner €60,000

Geoffrey Chaucer: Incredibly bred colt who won snugly on debut here over a mile (runner up won well and then placed in the Park Stakes) and better for that when winning Beresford Stakes at the Curragh, beating stablemate Okalhoma City with ease; That form since been boosted by runner up’s second in Autumn Stakes and third (Altruistic) making frame in Racing Post Trophy; As a as Montjeu half-brother to Shamardal, should relish this trip and further and expect a big run today although 3lbs penalty doesn’t make things easy and will need to be ready.

Altruistic: Looked a promising type when landing maiden on debut with some easy but then well beaten by Geoffrey Chaucher in the Beresford; Soft ground possibly not ideal when well beaten third in Racing Post Trophy on last start of the season; Could have done with rain staying away for him today but 3lbs better off with Ballydoyle charge.

Answered: Looked a real staying type when landing maiden at the Curragh on debut and sent off favourite for the Ballysax, although that day he was brushed aside by Fascinating Rock that day and hard to see a form reversal here although recent rain going to help.

Ebanoran: Shaped with significant promise on debut and only juvenile start when beating Table Rock, and reappearance run was a satisfactory one even though he was only third in moderate trial for 2,000 Guineas over a mile here on reappearance; If step upto this trip suits as much as promised, could get involved today.

Fascinating Rock: Not at the races on his one and only 2 year old start but won well on return at Leopardstown and really showed his quality when landing Ballysax Stakes in style, getting the better of Answered convincingly and winning going away at the line; Big chance again in that same form.

Highly Toxic: Well do better in time after three maiden efforts, one of which shows major promise, but likely to be outclassed today.

VERDICT: It’s tremendously frustrating not to see Olibeterator here, which would have given a line between the Irish form and True Story’s Fielden Stakes before the Dante next week, but a prospective clash between Beresford Stakes winner Geoffrey Chaucher and Ballysax victor FASCINATING ROCK should tell us plenty about the way Irish hopes stack up ahead of Epsom with Dermot Weld’s contender taken to stake his claim after his impressive win. Ebnoran and Altrustic should enjoy this trip, although bot have improvement to make on the form book.