Harzand in full stride at Leopardstown© Photo Healy Racing
Harzand stuck to his task really well to grind down Idaho and win the Group Three Ballysax Stakes in Leopardstown.
Dermot Weld 's Gallileo colt was scrubbed along in sixth of the seven runners well over two furlongs from home.
He was then hard driven by Pat Smullen but began to stay on strongly coming to the last furlong. At this stage Idaho had set sail for home under Colm O'Donoghue but they were picked off by the resolute Harzand inside the final 150 yards. Harzand, the 2/1 favourite, won going away by a length and a quarter.
Aidan O'Brien 's Idaho was returned second at 8/1 with stablemates Beacon Rock and Cook Islands well back in third and fourth respectively.
Dermot Weld said: "It was a nice performance by him. He's a progressive big colt - a nice big horse.
“They went a very good gallop for the ground and he came home very well. It was a really good trial, the best trial run in Ireland this year.
“I love the way he switches off and is very relaxed. He's still green and has a lot to learn. Pat said he quickened in two strides.
“We'll see how he comes out of the race and make a decision in the coming weeks. He's very effective on that ground.
“I'd worry about him on very firm ground but good ground is not a problem. I think he'll prove very soon that he's not confined to testing ground. He's a good-actioned horse.
“As the year progresses he'll make a lovely horse. The best is yet to come. He'll progress gradually and is not the finished article.
“He's crying out to go a mile-and-a-half.”
Pat Smullen said: "He showed a lot of quality there because I couldn't tactically go the pace in a very good, strong gallop early. I just was tactically caught for a bit of speed early, lack of experience probably as well.
"I had to sit and suffer and then wait for a little bit of racing room on the turn. As soon as I met the rising ground I was never in any doubt, whether you would believe that or not, but I had never any doubt that I was going to get the horse in front then because he stays extremely well and he was always going to get to the line.
"It was run at a very true pace, there was no hiding place today and that brought out the best in our horse.
"I think he is too big and heavy to go around Epsom. He could make into an Irish Derby horse but personally I think he could be a Doncaster Leger horse. I think he has got all the qualities to win that race.
"I think he will be alright on a sound surface but we would never want extremes in that he would never want it firm. Nice ground I think he would be fine. He's a good fluent-actioned horse but he gets through that ground well but I definitely think he would be better on nicer ground. "
This was the third race of Harzand's career. He won his maiden in Cork after a fifth place on debut in Gowran Park.
Harzand was given a first show of 16/1 for the Derby by Paddy Power.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
