Racecards
17:55 Leopardstown (IRE)
Irish Stallion Farms E.B.F. Maiden
- 10 Runners
- Distance: 6f
- Going: Good to Firm
- Surface: Turf
- €16,500 added
- Winner: €11,386
- 2nd: €2,640
- 3rd: €1,154
- 4th: €660
- Form 7
- Age 2
- Weight 9-5
- Trainer A P O'Brien
- Jockey C O'Donoghue
settled in mid-division, 6th 3f out, ridden over 2f out and improved into 2nd on rail under 2f out, led 1f out and kept on well inside final furlong, comfortably
- Form 65
- Age 2
- Weight 9-5
- Trainer J S Bolger
- Jockey R P Cleary
broke smartly to lead, soon headed under keen hold and settled in 4th, ridden 2f out and no impression from 1f out, kept on same pace
- Form 5
- Age 2
- Weight 9-5
- Trainer M O'Callaghan
- Jockey F Lynch
settled in mid-division, 4th 3f out, ridden under 2f out and improved into 3rd 1f out, no impression on winner inside final furlong and kept on same pace
Itorio (IRE)
21- Age 2
- Weight 9-5
- Trainer Ms S Lavery
- Jockey M C Hussey
towards rear, 8th over 2f out and soon ridden, kept on without troubling principles from over 1f out
- Form 4
- Age 2
- Weight 9-5
- Trainer D Marnane
- Jockey Fran Berry
ridden to lead early, soon headed and remained prominent, slightly impeded over 3f, ridden and improved into 3rd 2f out, no impression and weakened final furlong
- Age 2
- Weight 9-5
- Trainer A P O'Brien
- Jockey J A Heffernan
prominent early and soon led, ridden and went a few lengths clear 2f out, headed 1f out and kept on same pace
- Form 655
- Age 2
- Weight 9-0
- Trainer M Mulvany
- Jockey G F Carroll
4th early before improving to settle in 2nd, ridden over 2f out and soon no impression, eased over 1f out, tailed off
- Form 6
- Age 2
- Weight 9-0
towards rear, 7th and ridden 3f out, no impression from over 1f out
Verdict
Subsequent Group 1 winner Sudirman took this last year and the form may be worth following. Ballydoyle's two-year-old have generally needed a run this season so expect BATTLE OF MARATHON, a £155,000 son of War Front, to improve markedly on his first run behind the well-regarded Anthem Alexander at Tipperary and he's preferred to unraced stablemate and half-brother Rule The Waves. Jim Bolger also runs two with Kevin Manning preferring debutant Family Pride to Fresh Focus. I Will Excel produced a cracking first run in a Listed race at Naas and should have no problem winning a maiden if building on that.
Formwatch
Battle Of Marathon (USA) 11-10fav (9-5) Chased leaders on outer, 4th 2f out, soon ridden, no impression 1f out, no extra final furlong, 7th of 8, 12l behind Anthem Alexander (9-0) at Tipperary 5f 2yo mdn gf.
Family Pride (IRE) Proud Citizen colt out of Family.
Fresh Focus (IRE) 10-3 (9-5) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, ridden and no extra in 4th early final furlong, 5th of 9, 6l behind Dandyleekie (9-5) at Navan 5f 2yo mdn gd in May.
I Will Excel (IRE) 33-1 (9-3) Towards rear, ridden under 2f out and 6th over 1f out, soon no impression and kept on same pace, 5th of 8, 4l behind Kool Kompany (9-3) at Naas 6f 2yo lst stk (1).
Itorio (IRE) 66-1 (9-2) Dwelt, rear of mid-division, 12th into straight, no impression and kept on same pace from 2f out, 10th of 14, 11l behind Stella Street (8-11) at Fairyhouse 6f 2yo mdn aut in May.
Just A Penny (IRE) 12-1 (9-5) Held up towards rear, ridden 2f out, kept on final furlong, 4th of 8, 9l behind Anthem Alexander (9-0) at Tipperary 5f 2yo mdn gf.
Rule The Waves (USA) War Front colt out of Rag And Bone.
Verbal Stiletto (IRE) 50-1 (9-2) Mid-division, ridden along 3f out, no impression from 2f out, last of 10, 22l behind Convergence (9-2) at Leopardstown 7f 2yo mdn gd.
Bluerince Lady (IRE) 66-1 (8-11) Led, ridden 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra and kept on same pace, 5th of 6, 6l behind The Great War (9-7) at Curragh 5f 2yo stk gf in May.
Pretty Famous (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Soon tracked leaders, 4th halfway, dropped to 7th and no extra from 1f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 12, 6l behind Bertie Le Belge (9-2) at Curragh 6f 2yo mdn.