Moiqen boosts Prendergast's Epsom dream

LEOPARDSTOWN REPORT:KEVIN PRENDERGAST denied Aidan O'Brien another success in the PW McGrath Memorial Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown yesterday as Moiqen staked his Classic claim in the Derby trial.

O'Brien saddled Epsom heroes Galileo and High Chaparral to victory in the 10-furlong heat, but whether Prendergast's Moiqen can progress to those heights remains to be seen.

Cashmans quote the son of Red Ransom at 40 to 1 for the Vodafone Derby in June, with William Hill and Boylesports both going 33s after he took command over a furlong out to fend off O'Brien's Hebridean by a three-quarters of a length.

Dermot Weld's Unwritten Rule was third, with 6 to 4 favourite Alessandro Volta - who reportedly slipped on leaving the stalls - finishing fourth.

Prendergast, winning the race for the second year running, said: "He is the best I have got and he is highly-rated, so he is entered in everything, including the Derby at Epsom.

"He might come back here for the Derrinstown, but we'll see how he comes out of this and let the boss (Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum) decide."

O'Brien said: "The horses look backward at the moment and it will be interesting to see if they are still backward in a month."

Weld dominated the rest of the afternoon by sending out a 94 to 1 treble, highlighted by Irish Derby-bound Winchester's convincing win in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.

The 3 to 1 joint-favourite stretched clear inside the distance to reward those who had supported him down from his morning price of 8s, with O'Brien's Juddmonte Oaks-entered Moonstone running an eye-catching race in second under Johnny Murtagh.

"He was a little green when he hit the front and has a little to learn but he is a nice, progressive colt," Weld said. "I trained his dam and his sire and I think he has the breeding and the looks of a very nice horse.

"He could come back here for the Derrinstown or go to the Gallinule and I see him as an Irish Derby horse."

The second leg of Weld's hat-trick came as the former Andre Fabre-trained Tian Shan (100 to 30) benefited from a well-judged Pat Smullen ride to grind out a three-quarter-length success in the Listed Heritage Stakes.

Weld said: "He is progressing and came on for his first win for me at Tipperary. I think a mile is about right for him and the obvious place to go is back here in two weeks for the Amethyst."

Luxie initiated Weld's winning spree when kicking on down the straight to take the Maple Handicap as the 9 to 2 favourite.

"She is less than 15 hands and would be the smallest thoroughbred I have trained, but few have the courage and will to win she has. She's now had four runs in quick succession, so I will give her a break and bring her back later in the year."

Vilasol (3 to 1) got proceedings off to a winning start for Prendergast as the grey left his debut run at the Curragh behind with a stylish victory in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.

The juvenile never landed a blow on his debut but fared much better here when easing away after the home bend to open his account by half a length.