There was no hiding place in the Group 2 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial Stakes with a spanking gallop set by Regent Street and while his stable companion, the odds-on Recital got the job done by winning under Kieren Fallon, he didn't exactly advance his claims for classic glory.
Recital came between the aforementioned Regent Street and his other Ballydoyle inmate Memphis Tennessee early in the straight. He soon put the outcome beyond doubt but his head-carriage was awkward and he tended to hang towards the rail – looking anything but an easy ride. Eventually he led home an Aidan O'Brien-trained one, two, three with Memphis Tennessee second and Regent Street third. Best Hello ran quite a decent race to be fourth whilst Zanughan and Giant Step were disappointing.
O'Brien said of the Group 1 Criterium De Saint-Cloud winner: "Recital is lazy once he hits the front. I thought the pace came back on top of him in that race. The plan is now to go to the Derby (Epsom).
"Recital has a lot of speed where as the likes of Seville is a more laid-back horse."
Recital remains unchanged at 7/1 with Ladbrokes for the Derby. Stan James go 11/2 from 8/1.
Meanwhile O'Brien commented of 2000 Guineas 11th Roderic O'Connor: "He is unlikely to go for the Dante and the Irish Guineas is on his agenda."
