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Review LEOPARDSTOWN 6th Apr

Ballydoyle's leading Derby fancy Washington Irving suffered a surprise defeat on his reappearance as Dermot Weld earned the plaudits at Leopardstown.

The Aidan O'Brien-trained 8-13 favourite came from some way off the pace in the Foxrock (C&G) Race and looked to have matters in safe keeping when challenging for the lead inside the final furlong.

However, Weld's Unwritten Rule (9-2) was not to be denied and ran on well to score by a short head, giving the master of Rosewell House and jockey Pat Smullen a big-race treble.

Famous Name completed the middle leg of the Weld three-timer when staking his Classic claims in the Leopardstown 2,000 Guineas Trial. The 4-6 favourite tracked the front-running Greek Mythology before being asked a question by Smullen swinging for home.

The response wasn't exactly immediate, but he never looked in danger and he eventually opened up to beat Moiqen by four lengths. Weld had earlier struck when Carribean Sunset dented some big reputations in the Leopardstown 1,000 Guineas Trial.

The 12-1 chance had the benefit of a pipe-opener at Cork and travelled well

on the heels of the leaders in this Grade Three contest. Smullen eased her out to make her challenge straightening up and she dug deep to beat the O'Brien-trained Halfway To Heaven by a head, with Saoirse Abu only third.

The runner-up's stablemate Psalm was sent off favourite but lost her chance early on when her saddle slipped.

O'Brien again had to settle for second when Sail failed to land a gamble in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden. She looked very raw and could only get to within a length of 25-1 chance Beach Bunny.

John Hayden saddled a 1-2 in the Leopardstown Aertel Page 277 Handicap when Fran Berry brought Alone He Stands (100-30 favourite) with a well-timed run to beat Emily Blake close home.

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