Group Three Derby Trial Stakes Leopardstown Guide 2023

Donnacha O’Brien sends his colt Proud And Regal to the Derby Trial Stakes after the three-year-old had a brilliant debut season last year. He won three times last term, here at Leopardstown, Curragh and Saint-Cloud to round off his season. Two of his successes were in grouped company, with his Saint-Cloud win coming in a group one contest.

He also finished second and third in two other grouped contests and now arrives here back in group three company for this Leopardstown race. Steps up to 1m 2f now which isn’t expected to be an issue and it would be surprising if he’s not there at the end.

Joseph Murphy boasts one in this Leopardstown contest on Sunday, with his three-year-old Mr Lincoln going for grouped glory for the first time. After finishing tenth on debut at Cork in September; the colt then finished first in 1m maiden at the same course when priced 40/1. Moves up in trip again here.

This company may be too good for her considering her disappointing first run and that unexpected success last time out. Gary Carroll is on board.

Aidan O’Brien sends three of his runners to the Derby Trial Stakes in the form of Mohawk Chief, Londoner and Tower Of London. The latter has had a couple of runs in his short career so far, winning 1m maiden here last July with ease before stepping up to group two company in the Group Two Champions Juvenile Stakes here in September, finishing last of five, eight lengths behind winner Auguste Rodin.

Has been off 239-days since but should be able to bounce back here down in company and up in trip. Wayne Lordan does the steering.

Aidan O’Brien has three in this year’s Derby Trial Stakes with Mohawk Chief, Tower Of London and Londoner. The latter Londoner has had three runs in his career so far, finishing fourth at Navan and ParisLongchamp which sandwiches his only victory at Dundalk in 14-runner maiden last October. Entered grouped company for the first time in that ParisLongchamp defeat but trainer has a good record in this so not discounted.

James Heffernan will do the steering on the three-year-old, who bids for his first grouped success in this Leopardstown contest.

Aidan O’Brien has three in the Derby Trial Stakes with Londoner, Tower Of London and Mohawk Chief. The latter has had three runs so far in his career, finishing seventh on debut at Listowel and last of six here on grouped debut in the Ballysax Stakes over 1m 2f. Those runs sandwiched a maiden win here in October, holding off 17 rivals.

Mohawk Chief is the least fancied of the O’Brien team in this race and he would be a surprising winner.

Joseph O’Brien has one in the Derby Trial Stakes with his three-year-old Up And Under. The colt has had just two career runs so far, showing plenty of promise when finishing third at Navan on debut and then second in the Group Three Ballysax Stakes here last month, half a length behind winner White Birch.

More improvement is likely with this three-year-old and despite not claiming any victories on his first two outings, he could go one better here.

Mrs John Harrington has one in this Leopardstown contest with Sprewell, a three-year-old colt who has improved with every run so far, finishing fourth on debut at Gowran Park before finishing second to Sierra Blanca in Naas maiden in November. Improved further to win four-runner Naas auction race a couple of months ago before heading here.

He doesn’t look out of place in this company and further improvement could come here. Up against some good prospects so it will be tough, though.

Johnny Murtagh sends his lightly raced three-year-old Goldenstatewarrior to the Derby Trial Stakes after just one career run, winning on debut in 1m 1f Gowran Park maiden last month. He edged out Carlo Bianconi by a short head, showing plenty of promise.

Difficult to weigh up his chances here having had just the one run so far, but he will probably win more races in the future. It’s just about whether he’s ready for the step into grouped company or not. Ben Coen will do the steering.