Hazapour brings up Weld's double in Leopardstown

Hazapour brought up a Leopardstown double for the Aga Khan and Dermot Weld by staying on strongly in the Group Three Amethyst Stakes.

He dropped back in trip for this assignment and tracked his stablemate Zuenoon before hitting the front full of running at the two pole.

The Shamardal colt moved clear by the final furlong, however, Verbal Dexterity then began to cut into the lead.

The winner found extra in the closing stages to win by two and a half lengths.

He rewarded favourite backers at 2/1. Verbal Dexterity took second at 7/2.

“That's his right trip. He did it well and got a nice ride from Oisin (Orr),” Dermot Weld said.

“I was pretty confident that he'd win and he did what we thought he'd do. It's upwards and forwards.

“I just wanted to see him at group level today over a mile and if everything goes well we'll move on now for a Group Two or Group One for him, that will be next.

“We're very pleased with the way he performed. We have no definite plans, it's possible he could go to Ascot for the Queen Anne.

“I thought he would progress from the first run and I think he'll progress again from today.”

Paddy Power cut Hazapour from 50/1 to 16/1 for the Queen Anne Stakes.

Weld took the preceding race with Baladiya

Additional reporting by Gary Carson