Mary Tudor aiming to stake Classic claim Mary Tudor bids to earn herself a shot at Classic glory in Sunday's Derrinstown Stud 1,000 Guineas Trial at Leopardstown. After shaping with promise in Group-race company as a juvenile, the daughter of Dawn Approach made an impressive start to her three-year-old campaign when dominating her rivals in last month’s Salsabil Stakes at Navan. She steps back up in class and comes back in distance this weekend and trainer Willie McCreery hopes his filly can confirm herself a major contender for the Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh on May 27th. "Mary Tudor has come out of her first run of the season really well. Sunday will be on better ground again and back over the Guineas trip, so it will be a nice trial for her," said the Rathbride-based trainer. "I feel the better the ground, the better she will be and it was just nice to get that win with her as she had some very good form last year. "She is growing and maturing all the time and she’s getting more relaxed too, so we are looking forward to Sunday." The Aidan O’Brien-trained Magical sets the standard having run with credit at Group One level last season. The Ballydoyle handler has a second string to his bow in Ballet Shoes. Ger Lyons bids to continued his excellent start to the 2018 season with Who's Steph, who carries the colours of leading owner George Strawbridge for the first time. The Zoffany filly won a seven-furlong 1,000 Guineas trial here a month ago and Lyons is expecting a bold showing on her return to Foxrock. Lyons said: "She's a lovely, honest filly who has been training well since the last day and this looked the obvious race to aim towards as she is able to line up without a penalty. "We hope she will run well on Sunday and that race will help us to make a plan going forward. "We're blessed to have a new owner to have joined the team and it’s just great to have those colours in the yard." Dermot Weld’s impressive Leopardstown maiden winner Chiara Luna also features in a 12-strong field.
