Lundy justifies favouritism at Leopardstown

Lundy confirmed the promise of his debut run at Dundalk last month when taking the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Auction Maiden in fine style at Leopardstown.

The Fastnet Rock colt drew clear inside the final furlong under Donnacha O'Brien to beat Dapper Man by three lengths, with Medicine Jack finishing well just a further short-head back in third. Olympic Legend and Magnification both 50/1 chances, were withdrawn after proving difficult to load at the start.

This race is the second in a series of 17 qualifying races for a final worth 100,000 euro at Naas on October 16.

To qualify for the final you must run in one of the qualifying races and be EBF eligible.

Joseph O’Brien said, “He’s always worked well and showed plenty of pace. As he stepped up his work he got better. He ran well behind Caravaggio and finished out his race well.

“It remains to be seen how good a race this is. He could run next in the Marble Hill or the six-furlong Listed race at Naas. I’d imagine if he’s going to Ascot then he’ll run somewhere before then.

“I start the trainers’ course tomorrow at the apprentice centre. It will be three days a week over the next three weeks.”

Paddy Power quote Lundy at 25/1 for both the Coventry Stakes and the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot.