Rolo Tomasi put up an immensely impressive performance to win last night's Goffs £100,000 Challenge and set himself up for a tilt at the Group One Heinz 57 Stakes.
The unbeaten colt will be no back number in the Leopardstown race because he sauntered clear of 19 opponents yesterday to justify the faith of his trainer Eddie Lynam.
"I've waited 15 years for one like this," Lynam said with the quiet air of a man who had just seen only what he had expected. But it wasn't that easy as three weeks ago Rolo Tomasi was a very sick horse.
"He had a snotty nose and a Grade Two infection and it looked pretty bad but he's come right. Tantum Ergo won a Group race and was very good to me but I think this is a right horse. He's in the Anglesey in a fortnight but I don't want to over race him," Lynam said before adding with a grin: "Who'd have thought John Mulhern (Access All Areas) and Eddie Lynam would have the two best two year olds in Ireland!"
Alabama Jacks came late to deny Show Me The Money second spot and Bodfari Muka was best of the seven English raiders in fourth but the likeable Rolo Tomasi, bought for only 13,500 guineas, is unlikely to remain as anonymous as his LA Confidential namesake in the future.
Sarayan will be going for a Derby of his own after winning the Festival Maiden but it's the Ulster Harp Derby on July 14th.
The Kevin Prendergast-trained colt will be no back number in that race either.
