Delacroix enhances Derby claims in Leopardstown trial The Aidan O'Brien trained Delacroix enhanced his Epsom Derby claims when readily justifying odds-on favouritism in the Group 3 Cashel Palace Hotel Derby Trial Stakes at Leopardstown. A winner over course and distance in the Ballysax Stakes on his reappearance, the form of that contest received a considerable boost when the two-and-a-quarter lengths runner-up, Lambourn, landed the Chester Vase in mid-week. Tracking the pace set by stablemate Rock Of Cashel, Wayne Lordan moved up to head the latter over a furlong out. Purview briefly looked a threat for a couple of strides but as soon as Lordan asked for more at the furlong pole, Delacroix quickened from the front to go clear to win by two-and-three-quarter lengths. Chris Armstrong said: “Gavin went along at an even tempo and Wayne got a lovely lead into it. “When he got after him a furlong and a half out the most impressive part was he really lengthened and quickened to the line. “Wayne said going to the line he was having a good look which is a good sign there is plenty left in there. “It’s all road on to Epsom now. His homework has been very good since here the last day. He’s come forward lovely and all being well he’ll come forward again.” “Wayne Lordan (unseated on the way to the start), “He was a bit fresh and when we got out on the track, he went a bit quicker than I wanted to go and when we met the rail gravity took over. “He was straight forward after that. He can go at a good tempo and quicken as well which is the sign of a good horse.” Paddy Power cut Delacroix to 4/1(from 6/1) for the Epsom Derby. The Lion In Winter is 11-4f, with Ruling Court 7/2. Additional reporting by Alan Magee.
