Mogul makes step up in Juvenile Stakes

Mogul took the step up to stakes company in his stride as he ran out a cosy winner of the KPMG Champions Juvenile Stakes at Leopardstown this afternoon.

Japan's brother had made a big splash when taking his maiden on his second outing at the Curragh and added a Group 2 prize today as he took another step up the ladder.

Ryan Moore tracked the leaders on the outer on the 1/2 shot before sending him into the lead a furlong-and-a-half from home.

He soon settled matters and just needed to be kept going in the closing stages to record a length-and-a-quarter success over Sinawann

Trainer Aidan O'Brien said afterwards:- “We were delighted with him. He was trapped a little bit wide today and there was a nice pace on so he learned plenty.

“Ryan had to move early on him and when he got to the front he had a good look. I'd say he would have learned plenty and we've been very happy with his progress form race to race so hopefully he'll progress on again.

“He just had to keep him up to his job to make sure something wouldn't run him down late.

“Ryan was very happy and very complimentary when he came in off him.

“He would have a choice of two races now, probably the Dewhurst or the Vertem Futurity. We'll see how he comes out of it and the lads will decide on one of the two.

“We won't over-race him. His brother ran in a Group 2 and didn't run any more but this horse looks four weeks ahead of his brother at this stage.

“Obviously we think he's a classic horse, Guineas/Derby type horse.”

Boylesports cut the winner from 12/1 into 10/1 for next year's Derby while Betfair left him unchanged at 10/1.