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Tom Weekes

Tom Weekes

All options open for Alder

Fri 21st Apr 2023, 17:23

Alder and Gavin RyanAlder and Gavin Ryan
© Photo Healy Racing

Last season's Group 2-placed juvenile Alder made a winning seasonal return today, quickening well to win Cork's Sign Up To Our Newsletter Race for trainer Donnacha O'Brien and jockey Gavin Ryan.

The Australia colt had finished third to 2,000 Guineas and Epsom Derby antepost favourite Auguste Rodin on Irish Champions Weekend last September and today scored readily from Bertinelli.

Trainer O'Brien later said “we always thought he was a smart horse and had good form behind Auguste Rodin last year and has done very well over the winter. It was nice to get him started and he has a big engine.

“He isn't a slow horse, has a turn of foot and while he will stay 12 furlongs, isn't a horse who is crying out for 1m6f.

“He is one to look forward to and whether he knows enough for Epsom (the Derby) I don't know but we'll have a think about it. He is still raw and was hanging at the start of the straight so whether we go to Epsom or the Curragh, I'm not sure. We'll have a look at a Trial and then on to a Derby.”

About Tom Weekes
A lifelong racing fan, Tom began writing point to point reports in 2002 and has reported for irishracing.com since 2003, when he joined Irish Racing Services - since taken over by the Press Association. Has ridden a point to point winner and won the 2018 Irish Field Naps Table.