Sport

O'Callaghan won't be Blue

YOUNG Curragh trainer Michael O’Callaghan has made a real name for himself over the past couple of seasons and can hit the headlines once more in the Killavullan Stakes at Leopardstown on Saturday.

O’Callaghan has shown a real eye for spotting talent and has produced some smart juveniles in his short career. Blue De Vega could be the best yet after a stunning performance when taking his maiden at Naas last month.

The Lope De Vega colt was well touted before his debut at Dundalk but greenness and traffic problems conspired to beat him as he finished third. With that run under his belt he was a different animal at Naas and blew away his opposition in some style to post a comprehensive four-and-three-quarter-length success.

Tribal Beat chased him home then and franked the form subsequently when winning at the same venue. He re-opposes in today’s Group Three but it’s hard to see him turning the tables.

The obvious threat has to be Black Sea, who looks the pick of the Ballydoyle pair on jockey bookings. He took his maiden nicely at the Curragh last time but it didn’t look the strongest race for the venue and though he’s a nice type you wouldn’t get the vibes that he’s near the top of the tree among Aidan O’Brien’s juveniles.

The Listed Trigo Stakes looks a tricky affair and the progressive Torcedor may be the one to follow as he steps up into pattern company for the first time. It was a particularly good effort from a three-year-old to win the big pot in an ultra-competitive handicap at the Curragh on Irish champions weekend.

He looks well up to this grade now and the fact that connections expect the big son of Fastnet Rock to improve further is encouraging.

Zannda battled gamely to win on her return from an absence when scoring at Cork in August but she has a 5lb penalty as a result of that. It was interesting to hear Pat Smullen say following her win that the step up to a mile-and-a-half was ideal so dropping back in trip is hardly a plus.

Intisari was very impressive when winning a good handicap at Dundalk in August and can’t be discounted having been turned over by a decent elder rival in a tactical conditions race since.

Jaqen H’Ghar pulled away impressively in the closing stages when landing a nursery at Gowran during the week and it’s no surprise to see him turned out again quickly under a penalty. His trainer Aidan O’Brien has, as ever, a strong team on the day and Even Song should land the opener after an eye-catching debut at Dundalk. 

Prospector also looks nicely treated in the concluding handicap.

NEVILLE RING


1.45pm: Even Song


2.20pm: Stellar Mass


2.55pm: Torcedor


3.30pm: Blue De Vega (nap)


4.05pm: Jaqen H'Ghar (dbl)


4.40pm: Laganore


5.15pm: Prospector

NEXT BEST


1.45pm: Nudge


2.20pm: Reckless Gold


2.55pm: Zannda


3.30pm: Black Sea


4.05pm: Fire Tree


4.40pm: Morselle


5.15pm: Sir Raston