As with so many other black-type juvenile races in Ireland, Aidan O'Brien holds the record in the G3 Killavullan S. at Leopardstown with 10 wins, and his trio in Sunday's renewal features the exciting Spirit of Valor (War Front). Third to Godolphin's Holistic Approach (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) on debut over six furlongs at The Curragh a fortnight ago, Stonestreet Stables, Susan Magnier and Michael Tabor's $850,000 KEENOV graduate was back a week later to open his account over that trip at Naas and he must have a considerable constitution to be stepping out again so soon.
Ger Lyons is represented by Territory (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), who backed up a smart reputation when beating two subsequent winners impressively on debut over this trip at Naas Sept. 21. “He's been sold to go to Hong Kong,” his trainer revealed. “I think he runs in my wife's colours at the minute and then goes to Hong Kong. He wouldn't want it very soft, so if it did come up very soft he probably wouldn't go.”
Dermot Weld supplies the sole filly in Moyglare Stud homebred Making Light (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}), and she looked potentially smart when winning her maiden by eight lengths over this trip at Limerick Oct. 3. “She ran okay at Dundalk first time, but looked fairly limited and then won really well at Limerick, which was a bit of a surprise,” admitted Fiona Craig, the stud's advisor. “I think that was a very average race and this is an enormous step up, but we'll see what happens. I think the ground will be almost good by Sunday. What difference that will make to her, I don't know, but I think we'd probably be happier if it was soft to heavy.”
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