Leading trainer David Menuisier is plotting a trip across to Ireland with his star Lionel now being targeted at the Irish Derby at the Curragh, with plans for Ascot now put on the back burner.
The three year old son of Lope De Vega has been highly touted by the French trainer to be a smart horse at home and last week finally put it all together on the track to land the Listed Cocked Hat Stakes at Goodwood.
Before that he had shown some very promising signs that he held big ability, finishing second on debut over a mile behind Zain Nights and then up to 1m3f was a close third behind two nice Godolphin types in Ottoman Fleet and Natural World.
In the immediate aftermath of his victory at Goodwood, Menuisier mentioned possibilities of heading to Royal Ascot for the Queen’s Vase and the King Edward VII Stakes, with also races like the the Grand Prix de Paris thrown in to the mix.
🎵 Lionel is dancing on the ceiling at @Goodwood_Races
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 20, 2022
Nothing Messi about this performance from Lionel who sheds his maiden tag in the £55,000 Listed Cocked Hat Stakes for @DavidMenuisier
He needs to be supplemented for the Derby, but does hold an Irish Derby entry 👀 pic.twitter.com/PuMK05XVHC
However, it now looks as though Lionel will be aimed at the Irish Derby at the Curragh, with his big aim for the season set to be the final Classic of the British flat season in the St Leger.
(Credit ATR) With nothing certain of yet Menuisier said: “We’ll give ourselves a little bit of time, let the Derby run and see what’s what, but my first thought is to go for the Irish race.
"Ascot is a lovely galloping track but I just think the Curragh, with it’s long straight, might suit him and the ground is more likely to be good at the Curragh than Royal Ascot.
“So that’s the vibes, but we haven’t really had a proper discussion yet because we don’t have to make a plan yet.
“While we are thinking of the St Leger, don’t forget he hasn’t even run over a mile and a half yet. While he might stay, I’d want to run over a mile and a half next and that could potentially lead to the Leger.
“I think we’ve plenty of pace though, the Leger is in our minds but he could have the pace to be very good over one-mile-four.”