Leopardstown report: The English apprentice Sam Hitchcott had never ridden in Ireland before but made an immediate impression when winning last night's Ballycorus Stakes on Naahy. The Mick Channon-trained colt made all the running to land the Leopardstown Group Three from Hamairi and Latino Magic and provided the 21-year-old with a first Group winner.
"I walked the track with Dane O'Neill and it was lovely, really good," said the diminutive 3lb claimer who was delighted to be allowed an uncontested lead.
"He's a nice little horse if he is left alone to dominate. If that happens he takes some getting past. He has so much pace that he can kill them off early on," Hitchcott said.
It worked out perfectly for the jockey as the runner-up looked unlucky after being trapped on the rails for much of the straight by Latino Magic. The stewards held an inquiry but took no action on placings but gave Latino Magic's jockey Robbie Burke a one-day ban for improper riding.
Naahy is owned by a Kuwait-based syndicate whose representative, Khaled Al-Mudhef, pointed to a possible tilt at the Sussex Stakes.
"He is a seven-furlong specialist but he loves Goodwood. He's won three times there and loves that bend," he said.
Just four lined up for the Listed Rochestown Stakes with Pat Smullen's mount, Man O World, edging out the favourite Joyce by a head.
"He's a tough character and that was a nice battling performance," said Dermot Weld who is putting the finishing touches to his Royal Ascot team for next week. "It will be small but select and led by Vinnie Roe in the Gold Cup. He is going the right way and pleasing us in every way.
"Evolving Tactics has 9-10 in the Hunt Cup but will take his chance and Simple Exchange will run in the Hampton Court Stakes. He has been slow coming to hand but is in good shape now and should represent us well," Weld added.
The Curragh trainer made it a Listed double with Medicinal who got the better of the English raider Grand Passion by a head in the Listed Silver Stakes.
Medicinal travelled almost too well through the race and had to dig deep at the end, something Weld was not surprised to see. "He has blinkers only for concentration. He's very genuine and is progressive," Weld said.
Alexander Goldrun will represent Jim Bolger in the French Oaks at Chantilly on Sunday and the trainer was on the mark last night with Revenue who came from last to first in the Kingston Handicap to overhaul Shersha by a head.
Con Collins maintained a 100 per cent record with his juveniles this season as Chelsea Rose proved two lengths too good for Silk And Scarlet in the opening maiden.
"That's two from two and they're a nice bunch," said Collins. "There should be a lot of improvement as I didn't get her really ready for the race."