THE feature race at Leopardstown on Saturday went the way of Cairo who landed the Group 3 Killavullan Stakes to complete a double for Aidan O’Brien.

However, although a step down the class ladder, Self Belief is nominated as the star performer on the clock at the Dublin track.

Cairo (102) was always handily placed in the Group 3 contest with Wayne Lordan in little doubt about his mount’s ability to see out the trip, striking for home as the field entered the straight. A closing sectional of 39.87secs confirmed the jockeys’ thinking as the son of Quality Road saw out his race strongly rather than quickening. Only Zoffman (100, with a closing three-furlong sectional of 40.15secs) and Aurifodina (95, 40.84secs) were slower through the closing stages.

Self Belief (109+) posted the fastest time figure of the day when adjusted for distance, denying the brave Kerkiyra with an irresistible finishing effort, stopping the clock for his concluding sectional at 39.09secs.

Willie McCreery’s gelding beat Group 3 winner Paris Peacock (103) on his debut and this run suggests he can step up in grade especially as the third home, Lyrical Poetry (106), was further behind here than when beaten by Paris Peacock in the Group 3 at Gowran Park.

Fastest

Sounds of Heaven (96) posted the fastest closing sectional of the day, covering the ground from the three-furlong marker in 38.77secs to win the opening race with Shane Foley never applying any more pressure than hands and heels.

Shamida (95+) closed off faster than the winner, clocking 37.88secs for her sectional while Star Galaxy (92+) also caught the eye with her finishing effort.

The Ballydoyle double was initiated by Peking Opera (94) who was slower overall and through the closing sectional than Jessica Harrington’s opening race winner.

Making best use of his experience, the son of Galileo held sway in a five-way tussle with his closing sectional of 39.55secs just enough to hold the challenge of stablemate Bertinelli (93+), who is sure to improve for his debut. The same comment can also be applied to Sea Gardens (91) who very much caught the eye and is one to keep on side.

To complete the data Dazzling Spirit (89+) and Rare Middleton (89) can be rated the same when considering their overall race times, although the former was quicker through the closing stages as Jamie Powell perfectly navigated a run against the rail to post a closing sectional of 38.82secs. In comparison Rare Middleton stopped the clock at 39.76secs.

HARLEY Street (92+) relished his return to the Curragh and extra distance of the mile and a half to reverse form with Hibernia Oppositus (89) and open his winning account at the second time of asking, justifying strong market support in the process.

Of the two races on the round course the maiden was the quickest, although there was only 0.77secs separating Aidan O’Brien’s colt and Chally Chute (80) who won a handicap.

However, the superiority of the maiden increased when analysing the closing sectionals with the gap between the winners growing to 1.53secs as Harley Street operated well in the straight to cover the ground in 37.28secs compared to Chally Chute (38.81secs).

Facethepuckout (89+) returned to winning ways on just his second start since re-joining Michael O’Callaghan with a smooth six-length success in the mile handicap, setting the standard for races on the straight course.

A closing sectional from the course intersection of 41.83secs was achieved with plenty in hand so it was no surprise to see the six-year-old follow up at Gowran Park on Tuesday.

In comparison, the other races on the straight course were slower, despite Aidan O’Brien and Joseph O’Brien combining for three of the five.

Paddington (89+) was an impressive winner of the opening maiden and will no doubt rate higher as he reversed the overall time difference with Facethepuckout through the closing sectional. The son of Siyouni covered the ground from the course intersection in 41.15secs, 0.68secs quicker than the handicap winner.

Save Your Love (80+) matched the winner despite not enjoying the smoothest passage. Although not in the clear until the final furlong. Johnny Murtagh’s gelding stopped the clock at 41.10secs.

Application

The application of blinkers and a drop in trip to five furlongs saw Hispanic (90+) demolish his field to win the maiden over the minimum distance.

The visual impression was the son of No Nay Never quickened away from his field as, from being closely grouped at the intersection, they were spread out all over the Curragh by the furlong marker. However, the clock shows his closing sectional of 39.79secs to be slower than the 39.73secs it took Mymomentintime (92+) to cover the same ground in the concluding handicap.

Notably, the handicap was also quicker overall so I would prefer to be following the handicap with the winner and runner-up, Swift Flight (88+), candidates for a tracker entry.

Galvin set up for Down Royal after improved seasonal debut

GALVIN (153) will head to Down Royal and a rematch with Frodon in the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Champion Chase having blown away the cobwebs at Punchestown last week.

Davy Russell produced the eight-year-old to challenge approaching the third last fence after tracking a strong gallop contested by stablemate Run Wild Fred (148) and Politesse (142). The fast pace resulted in the Gold Cup fourth posting a quicker time figure than when winning the race last season.

Comparing the final circuit with Adamantly Chosen (150) confirms the merit of the performance as there was nothing to choose between the two winners until the closing stages when Willie Mullins’ gelding edged the closing sectionals, covering the ground from the last ditch 0.6secs or roughly three lengths quicker.

King Kal (120+) was an impressive winner of the handicap hurdle and is another for the Down Royal notebook. Colm Murphy’s gelding needed to be ridden to lead although once in command cruised home to win by an eased down four and a half lengths in covering the final circuit 1.4secs faster than Well Funded (103).

The most talented winner over hurdles was without doubt Marine Nationale (95+), who was never out of second gear to win easily. The highly rated bumper winner was the fastest of those successful on the card through the closing stages and appears worthy of stepping up in class on his next assignment when contesting the Grade 3 For Auction Novice Hurdle at Navan.

Diamond Vega (89+), Haydock, Friday 14th October – confirmed promise of her debut to win readily in a good time

Tea For Free (132+), Uttoxeter, Friday 14th October – jumped accurately and drew clear from threre out to win effortlessly

Audience (110+), Leicester, Tuesday 11th October – a gelding operation, a first-time hood and step back in trip all contributed to convincing victory

Poker Face (94+), Pontefract, Monday 17th October – stepped up again on the clock to produce a performance of quality and already looks capable of pattern race success