Martinstown makes Listed leap at Leopardstown

Cork winner moves up in class for Aidan O’Brien.

Martinstown is the potential star attraction in the King George V Cup at Leopardstown.

Aidan O’Brien’s three-year-old looked a smart prospect on his racecourse debut at Cork few weeks ago, finishing strongly to beat more experienced rivals with something to spare.

The Galileo colt’s big-race entries include the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Irish Derby at the Curragh and he could earn himself a tilt at one or the other if he can successfully step up to Listed class on Thursday evening.

Martinstown’s chief threat appears to be the Jim Bolger-trained Boundless Ocean, who finished down the field in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket before placing third in the Group Three Gallinule Stakes.

Ger Lyons saddles runaway Navan scorer Cairde Go Deo and Jezebel Queen, while Joseph O’Brien is also double-handed, with Inuit and River Rain completing the six-strong field.

“River Rain is in good form and ran a nice race when third at the Curragh last time and we’re looking to try to get some black type for her, which would be great,” said O’Brien.

“Inuit was disappointing on his first run for us since coming from France, but we think the better ground will suit him and that he will run better than he did on seasonal debut. He has more ability than he showed in Naas and good ground will hopefully bring that out in him.”

The other Listed race on Thursday’s card is the Glencairn Stakes, in which O’Brien runs dual course-and-distance winner Patrick Sarsfield.

Patrick Sarsfield in winning action at Leopardstown
Patrick Sarsfield in winning action at Leopardstown (PA)

He added: “Patrick Sarsfield is a course-and-distance winner and his last run when he was third in the Amethyst Stakes, also at Leopardstown, was good.

“We’re happy with him and hoping that he can run a big race.”

Patrick Sarsfield faces three other Leopardstown winners in Jessica Harrington’s Cadillac, the Lyons-trained Georgeville and Finans Bay from Mick Halford’s yard.

Charterhouse (John Murphy) and Morning Soldier (Tom Mullins) are the other hopefuls.

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