Favourite on course

RACING NEWS: The Epsom Derby favourite Brian Boru worked after racing at the Curragh yesterday and is on course to reappear in the Ballysax Stakes next month. The Leopardstown race has kicked off the season for the last three Derby winners, High Chaparral, Galileo and Sinndar.

"The Ballysax is very much a possible for Brian Boru. It's like last year when High Chaparral worked here and then went to Leopardstown," said Aidan O'Brien who worked 15 horses.

Brian Boru, ridden by Michael Kinane, finished upsides Cougar and The Great Gatsby after going a mile.

Last year's Derby first and second, High Chaparral and Hawk Wing, also worked over a mile and High Chaparral could drop down to a mile for Newbury's Lockinge Stakes.

"If it wasn't for the Guineas horses last year he would have run in the Guineas so pace is not a problem. Mick said he felt very pacey there and the trip could help him pacewise.

"Hawk Wing and High Chaparral have a choice of the Newbury race or the Tatts Gold Cup here over 10 furlongs. Seamus Heffernan said he thought Hawk Wing has done real well," O'Brien said.

Other O'Brien horses to work yesterday in front of the remnants of the 7,013 crowd included the Group One winner Alberto Giacometti and The Great Gatsby.

Dermot Weld ignored the temptation to work his unbeaten National Stakes winner Refuse To Bend, but the colt will have his first outing in Leopardstown's 2,000 Guineas Trial on April 13th.

"That will tell us where to go as regards the Guineas or the Derby. He is well but it is hard to get him fit as he is so laid back. All he does is eat and sleep," Weld said.

Next Saturday the Weld focus will be on Dubai where One More Round runs in the $1 million Godolphin Mile at Nad Al Sheba."Pat Smullen is suspended so Johnny Murtagh has agreed to ride," he reported.