Light Heavy will be aimed at the Irish Derby after continuing his progressive profile for Jim Bolger with an ultra-game performance in the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown.
Tower Rock, the apparent pacemaker for better-fancied Aidan O’Brien-trained stablemate and Breeders’ Cup winner Wrote, set off in front with Kevin Manning sitting in second on the eventual winner.
Light Heavy joined issue at the two-furlong pole with the Ryan Moore-ridden Wrote, the 8-13 favourite, struggling, and settled down for a titanic tussle as Tower Rock refused to give in.
Although not the biggest in comparison to Tower Rock, Light Heavy (15-8) certainly has the right attitude and the son of Teofilo answered every call before prevailing by a neck.
Bolger said: “He managed to get there despite not liking the ground. He’s not the same horse on that ground.
“He’s a top horse with a will to win and lots of ability. He’s not going to Epsom. I’m hoping for decent ground at the Curragh for the Irish Derby (June 30).”
Bolger confirmed that Dewhurst winner Parish Hall will go for the Irish 2,000 Guineas, and could be in contention for the Investec Derby after that.
He said: “He definitely does not handle soft ground but he could go to Epsom after the Irish Guineas.”
It was back to business as usual for Famous Name as he recorded a straightforward success in the Amethyst Stakes.
Dermot Weld’s prolific seven-year-old has a tremendous record at the Foxrock track, with 11 wins there now, but was last seen stuck in the mud in the Bet365 Mile at Sandown.
Sent off the 1-5 favourite, the Khalid Abdullah-owned entire was bagging his ninth Group Three victory and a hat-trick of Amethyst triumphs.
Pat Smullen sat in third before easing to the front a quarter of a mile out and Famous Name stretched well clear to win by four and a half lengths from former Lincoln winner Sweet Lightning, who put in an encouraging effort on his return from over a year off.
Weld said: “He’s an amazing horse. I would believe that’s a record for wins here, certainly most stakes race wins.
“He’s a wonderful horse to train and loves being a racecourse. He’ll go for the Tattersalls Gold Cup. He has been second in it before.”
