Exaltation is likely to be supplemented into the Irish Derby line-up following a stylish performance in the Group 3 Gallinule Stakes at Leopardstown this evening.
Runner-up to Galileo over course and distance last time, the Rainbow Quest colt could take on the Epsom hero again at the Curragh after heading pace-setter Jammaal 1f out to score by 3/4 length.
'We'll see how he is on the Tuesday before the Derby, but it is a decision for (owner) Sheikh Mohammed whether it is worth paying the #90,000 supplementary fee,' said trainer John Oxx.
'The horse has really sharpened up since his last run, and considering he ideally wants a strongly run 1m4f, that was a professional effort over what was a slowly-run 1m2f,' he continued.
King Charlemagne looks one to follow this season following an impressive victory on his seasonal bow in the Ballycorus Stakes, to register a double for trainer Aidan O'Brien.
Having drifted out to 9/2 in places, the Nureyev colt was hammered back down to an SP of 3/1, and justified the confidence in great style, taking it up inside the final furlong for a 1 1/2 length verdict over One Won One.
Tumbleweed Ridge, bidding for his fourth successive win in the event, could manage only fourth behind the winner, who the Ballydoyle handler may now take to Goodwood for the Sussex Stakes.
The well-touted Shah Jehan had earlier initiated the O'Brien brace in the juvenile maiden, but the odds-on shot certainly made his supporters sweat.
Backed from 2/5 into 1/3 just before the off, the $4.4m purchase was all out to master Dermot Weld's Saranac Lake by the minimum margin, and then had to survive a stewards' enquiry.
High Society, bought as a replacement for Gladness heroine Softly Tread, captured the Listed Rochestown Stakes, comfortably holding favourite Hidden Dragon's late surge by a length.
'That makes up for Ballinrobe yesterday,' said Eddie Lynam, referring to the unlucky defeat of Jakeal at the Western venue.
The trainer hopes to run the promising filly in the Anglesey Stakes next, with the Moyglare Stakes a possible long-term objective.
Purty Dancer returned to form when taking the 1m apprentices handicap under Tadgh O'Shea, just resisting the late efforts of Heemanela and Macintosh Man in a blanket finish.
Kevin Manning brought Avorado, nibbled at from 10/1 to 8/1, with a sweeping run down the outside for a cosy triumph over dead-heaters D'anjou and stable-companion Sephora in the 7f handicap.
Alan Crowe, riding 8/1 shot Sweet Brief, pinched a fifteen-length lead over his rivals at the start of the 1m6f QR Race and the partnership never looked like relinquishing their advantage, eventually winning by twenty.
The jockeys of each of the remaining nine horses were fined #50 each for failing to obey the starter's instructions when lining-up.
