Sinndar emerged yesterday as a genuine Derby prospect and will arrive at Epsom in 26 days with all the right words ringing in his ears.
Tough, courageous, reliable, genuine: they were all used by John Oxx to describe the Aga Khan-owned colt after he had defied both a 7lb penalty and the Aidan O'Brien-trained Bach by a head in the Derrinstown Trial.
It was enough to have Ladbrokes slamming a 12 to 1 Derby sticker on Sinndar's rump, and Paddy Power's initial 25 to 1 was quickly snapped up by the value piranhas.
With the French Guineas races on at Longchamp, the significance of the Aga's presence at Leopardstown was not missed by the punters before the race either, and he went off at joint favourite.
The other favourite, Bach, was indeed the main danger, but Sinndar sneaked up the inside of his pacemaker on the turn-in and the O'Brien horse could never get past.
'He's a very good horse that has improved steadily and is crying out for further, but courage is his biggest attribute. That overcomes a lot,' said Oxx, who confirmed that he will consider Epsom for Sinndar if the Aga wishes it.
The Aga Khan, standing next to Oxx, left his trainer in no doubt and said: 'I think so, if all is even.'
The only thing that may make things uneven is very firm ground at Epsom which could result in Sinndar being switched to the French Derby. But significantly, Oxx said: 'He handles quick ground well and he should be able to handle the track.'
The card's other Group One winner, Preseli, also defied her penalty in the 1,000 Guineas Trial and heads for the Irish 1,000 Guineas with her unbeaten record intact.
Always prominent, Preseli quickened past Invoque in the straight but had to fight hard to just hold off Storm Dream by the minimum margin.
'She idled a bit in front and I would expect her to improve. My horses have been slow to come to hand and while she won't improve much fitness wise, another couple of weeks will put her right,' said trainer Michael Grassick, who confirmed the Guineas, the Pretty Polly Stakes and the Irish Oaks as Preseli's summer plan.
'When the head and neck finishes start to go your way, you tend to get a few of them,' remarked Oxx after Anzari finished best of all between Jammaal and One Won One in the Amethyst Stakes. 'He's a tough little horse who wants firm ground and we'll bring him back here for the Ballycorus Stakes.'
Dermot Weld had a frustrating day, but there was no more expensive failure than the wellbacked favourite Dippers in the six furlong handicap. She finished the last half furlong well, but not well enough to catch King Of Prussia who held on by a length.
The Oxx and O'Brien horses in the three-year-old maiden attracted all the money, but it was the experienced Dutch Harrier who proved much too strong for both and Kevin Prendergast's colt ran out a comfortable winner.
