Three Weekend Eyecatchers - 13/05/19

There was some excellent action over at Leopardstown, Ireland on Sunday, with owner HH Aga Khan (Harzand colours) landing a quick-fire hat-trick with wins for Baladiya, Hazapour and Hamariyna.

King’s Vow however was the wow later in the day – a son of Frankel streaking clear to land the Mortons Coaches Handicap over a mile-and-a-half, for the brother combination of Joseph and Donnacha O’Brien.

Held up in touch, the three-year-old improved travelling well into the straight to lead two furlongs out, and was soon in command and not for catching.

Very taking performance, and could very much be a group performer down the line.

Aidan O’Brien has dominated the Derby and Oaks Trials so far this late spring and early summer, and took another at Lingfield on Saturday in the shape of Anthony Van Dyck.

This three-year-old stood out on his seven-furlong two-year-old form, having won a Group Two in Ireland, and placed in a Group One on home turf and at Newmarket in the Dewhurst.

He did disappoint in the states at the Breeders Cup meeting, but bounced back in style in East Surrey on his first start over a further trip.

Not bred to stay this distance, the son of Galileo confirmed his Derby promise with a two-and-a-half length success in the hands of Ryan Moore, fending off the William Haggas- trained Pablo Escobarr in second, and Archie Watson’s Nate The Great.

Oisin Murphy has started the season very positively indeed, and rode Salouen to reverse the form with Barsanti in the Listed Buckhounds Stakes at Ascot.

Two-lengths third to the Roger Varian-trained seven-year-old in this twelve months ago, Salouen – trained by Sylvester Kirk was back on an even keel and back on ground that really suited him.

For a horse that does not win that often, he deserved his victory after a lot of near misses at the top level – including when a head 33/1 second to Cracksman in the Coronation Cup at Epsom last June.

If anything, he was going further and further clear on the run-up towards the line, whilst What About Carlo added salt in the wounds of Barsanti by nabbing second close home.