Nelson shortens up for Derby after Ballysax success

Nelson is 14/1 from 33/1 with Paddy Power for the Derby after his success in the Group 3 P.W. McGrath Memorial Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown.

Donnacha O'Brien aboard the Frankel colt, brought up a double on the programme for his father Aidan, who'd earlier taken the 2,000 Guineas Trial with Gustav Klimt (Ryan Moore).

Another Ballydoyle hope, Delano Roosevelt looked like he'd go by the front-running Nelson, but the latter found enough to score by half a length.

The other Aidan O'Brien runner, The Pentagon (13/8 favourite), finished eight and a half lengths back in third.

"You'd be delighted with that, it's tough going out there," said O'Brien.

"Donnacha was delighted with his horse and said he stays well. Seamus (Heffernan on Delano Roosevelt) was very happy with his horse and said he just got a little bit lonely when he got there.

"Ryan (Moore on The Pentagon) was very happy. He said of all our horses that he rode he wants real nice ground, but he'll come on a ton. It was great because you need to get the racing miles into them.

"Nelson handles soft ground looking at that. Obviously we had to have something to make the running and he's the fella that held up his hand and he said he wouldn't mind going on.

"He had gone forward in his races before and won around here before making the running.

"He'll come back for the Derrinstown and that's what they'll probably all do."

On the earlier third placer, I Can Fly in the 1,000 Guineas Trial, O'Brien stated: "We were very happy with her and Ryan was very kind on her. She'll probably go to Newmarket next.

"It's tough going out there especially for fillies. The winner won well."

On Saxon Warrior meanwhile the Ballydoyle maestro commented: "He's going straight to the Guineas at the moment unless something changes.

"He's coming, he has a good bit to do still but he's coming. He's a big powerful horse."

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined The Pentagon, trained by A.P.O'Brien, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.

(GC & EM)