Exciting Flat action both at home and abroad The Cashel Palace Hotel Derby Trial Stakes is the highlight on an eight-race card at Leopardstown this afternoon while there is also plenty of Irish interest in the classic action at Longchamp. Pierre Bonard was a leading Derby fancy over the winter following Group 1 success as a juvenile, but the son of Camelot needs to bounce back in the Leopardstown feature after a disappointing reappearance in the Ballysax Stakes over course and distance last month. The Aidan O’Brien yard has enjoyed a tremendous run of success in UK classic trials this week and will be hoping Pierre Bonard can add to the tally in the Group 3 feature. Wayne Lordan’s mount faces four rivals including stablemate Endorsement, who filled the runner-up spot in the ‘Ballysax’, while easy Curragh maiden winner Shaihaan is another interesting contender. The going at Leopardstown remains good, good to firm in places, following watering and the forecast is for a dry day with racing taking place 25 yards off the inner Flat line. The action commences at 1.20pm. Ryan Moore is on duty at Longchamp where Puerto Rico lines up in the Emirates Essai Poulains at 2.50 while he partners another hot favourite for O’Brien in the shape of Diamond Necklace just over half an hour later in the Emirates Poule d'Essai Pouliches (3.25). Irish racing also takes place this afternoon at Cork where an eight-race National Hunt card gets underway at 1.30. The going at the Mallow venue remains good, good to yielding in places, following watering. Races six and seven will be run over the slightly shorter distance of 3m40yds.
