Peking Opera leads home 1-2 for Ballydoyle

Aidan O’Brien sent out a 1-2 in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF (C&G) Maiden as Peking Opera justified favouritism in workmanlike fashion at Leopardstown.

The Galileo colt filled the runner-up spot on debut at Naas last month and had to work hard here under Seamie Heffernan to go one better.

There was a line of horses in contention at the furlong pole and the 6/5 favourite took a slight advantage from around 150 yards out.

He was driven out to beat stablemate Bertinelli by half a length with Walsingham just a neck back in third.

Stable representative Chris Armstrong said, “He had a lovely run the first day and his work has stepped up since. Seamus gave him a lovely ride. It's nice to get the win with him as a two-year-old and he'll be a horse to look forward to next year over a trip.

“That might be him done for the year, we'll see how he comes out of it.

“Wayne's horse, in second, ran a lovely race and he's one to look forward to for next year as well.”

Quotes by Gary Carson