Lope Y Fernandez booked his ticket for the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury next month having made a winning reappearance in the Listed Heritage Stakes at Leopardstown today, comfortably scoring for Champion Trainer Aidan O'Brien and jockey Seamie Heffernan.

Placed in four Group 1 races in 2020, the son of Lope De Vega began his 2020 campaign with a third-place finish behind Siskin in the Irish 2,000 Guineas, was then placed in two French Group 1s and concluded his year with another third-placing when chasing home stablemates, winner Order Of Australia and runner-up Circus Maximus in the Breeders Cup Mile at Keeneland.

Today Lope Y Fernandez justified 4/6 favouritism in scoring an easy five and a half lengths win over Saltonstall

Afterwards O’Brien reported “last year we messed around with his trip a good bit, we didn't learn what it was until the end, at the Breeders Cup. He's a miler and you take your time with him.

“He's at his best when he's able to quicken and likes nice ground.

“We're thinking about going to the Lockinge with him, then possibly the Queen Anne Stakes.”

Paddy Power later cut Lope Y Fernandez to 5/1 (from 6/1) for the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury on May 8.

Quotes from Alan Magee