Create Belief goes for Group Three honours at Leopardstown

Royal Ascot-winning filly up in class for Desmond Stakes.

Royal Ascot heroine Create Belief tests Group-race waters for the first time in the Invesco Pension Consultants Desmond Stakes at Leopardstown.

Johnny Murtagh’s filly claimed her third victory from four starts this season with a dominant display in the Sandringham Stakes at the showpiece meeting in June.

The daughter of Awtaad faces a step up in class for Thursday’s Group Three feature, but Murtagh is relishing the challenge.

He said: “She’s in good form. We’ve just been waiting for the ground and we’re looking to getting her out now.

“We’ll see how she copes with Group company. She’s rated 110 now, so she has to go into this sort of league and we’ll find out if she’s up to it.

“The ground in Leopardstown is on the easy side and there’s plenty of rain around, so let’s hope the rain comes.”

Create Belief is the highest-rated of nine runners declared for the one-mile contest.

Military Style winning at Leopardstown last season
Military Style winning at Leopardstown last season (Brian Lawless/PA)

Course winner Military Style is an interesting contender for Aidan O’Brien on what is his first competitive appearance since finishing down the field in the Group One National Stakes at the Curragh in September.

The Jessica Harrington-trained Real Appeal bids for back-to-back Group Three wins at Leopardstown after landing the Ballycorus Stakes in June, but must concede weight all round.

Jim Bolger’s Flying Visit and Neptune Rock from Joseph O’Brien’s yard also feature.

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