Montreal far too strong in Leopardstown maiden What had been billed as quite a competitive contest pre-race, turned into something of a rout as the Aidan O'Brien-trained Montreal came well clear of his rivals to easily win the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF (C & G) Maiden at Leopardstown. Sent off 6/4, the once-raced son of Sea The Stars was expected to face a stiff test from Res Ipsa, a full-brother to high class juvenile Red Letter. However, with the latter running green and, suffering a troublesome passage, that dual failed to materialise on this occasion. Leading after a furlong, Wayne Lordan set steady fractions on Montreal, before kicking for home off the final bend. Even allowing for the 5/4f market leader failing to get a run in behind, the turn of foot that Montreal showed to pull eight-lengths clear of his rivals was hugely impressive. Stable representative Chris Armstrong reported: “He was going nicely at home before his first run, but he jumped slow and was just a bit green and immature. He’s improved nicely in the two weeks at home. “Wayne controlled it from the front setting a nice even tempo and kept gradually building it up. “All the big options for the rest of the year are open to him and he’ll be a lovely middle-distance horse for next year. He’s put himself in the mix to come back here Champions Weekend for the Champion Juvenile.” Additional reporting by Alan Magee.
