Galileo's Choice on his way to victory under Pat Smullen© Photo Healy Racing
Galileo's Choice followed up on his recent Listed win over the course as he took the feature race at Leopardstown this evening the Group 3 Ballyroan Stakes.
Trained by Dermot Weld and ridden by Pat Smullen (both recording quick doubles after Stuccodor won the previous contest), the 6yo son of Galileo was sent off the 9/4 favourite for the 1m 4f contest.
He was 7/2 overnight with Paddy Powers before opening the 5/2 joint favourite with Treasure Beach on-course. Bob Le Beau made the earlier running under Emmet McNamara with Galileo's Choice settling in fifth.
As the approached the turn for home the front runner faded away as a line of horses entered the straight together.
Galileo's Choice was in the centre and he soon came through to hit the front over two furlongs out with Treasure Beach coming with his run on the outside.
Driven out by Pat Smullen from there he kept on best to hold off all challengers and win by a length and a half at the line.
The Mick Halford trained Massiyn ran a cracker to finish second at 6/1 under Johnny Murtagh while Bible Belt who got squeezed for room by the winner inside the final furlong, ran well to finish a neck back in third under Fran Berry for Jessica Harrington also at 6/1.
2011 Irish Derby winner Treasure Beach (3/1) had every chance on the outside under Colm O’Donoghue but he could only finish fourth.
The Jim Bolger trained Light Heavy was well backed on course from 6/1 into 7/2 but he could only manage sixth under Kevin Manning.
Winning trainer Dermot Weld said afterwards: "It was a very good performance. It was an excellent renewal of the race.
"I’m considering the Irish St Leger for him and he’ll be entered in the Melbourne Cup.
"There was a lot of very good horses in the race. It was a proper race full of Derby winners and Derby places horses."
The versatile bay gelding was recording his eighth career success this evening and his second in Group 3 company having won the Kilternan Stakes over the course last September.
Paddy Powers introduced the winner at 25/1 for the Melbourne Cup while Stan James moved him in from 33/1 to 25/1 for 'the race that stops a Nation'.
(On-course reporting by Michael Graham)
