Success Days and Shane Foley lead Zafilani (Pat Smullen) and John F Kennedy (Ryan Moore) home© Photo Healy Racing
< John F Kennedy lost his tag as Derby ante-post favourite after trailing in last of three behind surprise winner Success Days in the PW McGrath Memorial Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown.
The Ken Condon-trained winner (10-1), who was race-fit having scored on his seasonal bow at Cork at the beginning of the month, was given a positive ride by Shane Foley, who kicked hard off the final bend and soon had his opponents in trouble.
Ryan Moore never looked at ease on 1-4 market leader John F Kennedy, who found nothing when asked to go in pursuit and was passed by Zafilani though Success Days was never threatened and finished four and a half lengths clear.
Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen, who landed a four-timer at Gowran on Saturday, continued their rich vein of form with another four winners highlighted by the impressive victory of 11-8 favourite Zawraq in the Leopardstown 2,000 Guineas Trial Stakes.
Conqueror of the well-touted Sir Isaac Newton on his only start as a juvenile, Sheikh Hamdan's colt swept past Endless Drama a furlong and a half out and finished three and a half lengths clear, advertising his Classic potential in the process.< Stormfly (4-1 joint-favourite), the head winner of a handicap on her previous start, then took the step up to Group Three company in her stride as she powered clear to take the Leopardstown 1,000 Guineas Trial Stakes by three and three-quarter lengths.
Trainer and jockey initiated their treble when Zannda struck in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden, though the 4-6 favourite had to work hard to repel Wedding Vow by half a length.
They completed another outstanding afternoon when the always prominent Zafayan (11-4 favourite) took over at the top of the straight and stayed on powerfully to beat Kabjoy by a length and three-quarters in the Leopardstown Club 25 Membership Handicap.
Paul Deegan's 7-2 joint-favourite Aussie Valentine led all the way under Chris Hayes and kept going strongly to hold Sophie's World by a length and three-quarters in the Racecourse Of The Year H
