Ballydoyle experimented with running their horses in familiar groupings last year and in Leopardstown's G3 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial S. it was a one-two-three with Douglas Macarthur (Ire) on top of fellow Galileo colts Yucatan (Ire) and Capri (Ire). This time there is a duo by Coolmore's resident monarch in 'TDN Rising Stars' The Pentagon (Ire) and Delano Roosevelt (Ire), and they are joined by a product of Galileo's best, Frankel (GB), in Nelson (GB). All three are true Derby colts that have been heading towards Tesio's winning post since conception and help make up an embarrassment of riches in that department for their stable. The former is a product of Lagardere/Aga Khan breeding which Aidan O'Brien has had little access to in the past, but now that Barronstown Stud have the high-class dam Vadawina (Ire) (Unfuwain) there is a way in. The fact that he was able to get so close to Saxon Warrior (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and Roaring Lion (Kitten's Joy) in Doncaster's G1 Racing Post Trophy in October speaks well of his ability which he had flaunted earlier in the season. Delano Roosevelt has given the impression he is a colt building to something big and Wayne Lordan is back on, which may be significant as he rode him to win his maiden over a mile here in July. Nelson had his measure last time in the G3 Ballysax S. over this course and distance Apr. 14 and he has that Frankel willingness to run through a brick wall allied to an abundance of stamina being out of the stable's G1 Irish Oaks heroine Moonstone (GB) (Dalakhani {Ire}). “All three are well and have come on great for their runs,” O'Brien said. “The Pentagon has probably moved up a nice bit [from his nine-lengths third in the Ballysax]. We're looking forward to seeing them run.”
Although tied in with The Pentagon, His Highness The Aga Khan's presence is more directly felt here in the Dermot Weld-trained Hazapour (Ire) (Shamardal), a relative of the 2016 G1 Epsom Derby hero Harzand (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) who was third when last seen in the nine-furlong G3 Eyrefield S. here in October.
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