Exciting Martinstown to have second start in King George V Cup at Leopardstown A field of six runners will go to post for the prestigious King George V Cup at Leopardstown on Thursday evening with the exciting Cork debut winner Martinstown having his second start for Aidan O'Brien. The British Embassy in Ireland in partnership with Leopardstown Racecourse, the British Irish Chamber of Commerce and Kmend announced last week that the King George V Cup will be reinstated this year as the feature contest on Thursday's card. Joseph O'Brien is double-handed in the historic race which was first run 111 years ago and reintroduced into the Irish racing calendar in 2013, taking a brief hiatus for the past three seasons before being revitalised again this time. O'Brien saddles French import Inuit and River Rain who take on the Ger Lyons-trained Cairde Go Deo. The latter, who will be ridden by Colin Keane, earned a rating of 99 when winning over 1m5f at Navan last time out and reverts to 1m4f on Thursday evening. Lyons won this race in 2014 with the Keane-ridden Roheryn and is also launching a two-pronged attack on Thursday with Jezebel Queen making a quick reappearance after a solid run at Gowran Park last week. The field is completed by the Jim Bolger-trained Boundless Ocean who is the highest rated in the line up with a mark of 103 having won a maiden at Leopardstown earlier in the season. Speaking following this morning's declarations, Joseph O'Brien said: “River Rain is in good form and ran a nice race when third in The Curragh last time and we’re looking to try and get some black type for her, which would be great. “Inuit was disappointing on his first run for us since coming from France but we think the better ground will suit him and that he will run better than he did on seasonal debut. He has more ability than he showed in Naas and good ground will hopefully bring that out in him.” Also on Thursday evening, there is more listed action with the Glencairn Stakes over nine furlongs. Joseph O'Brien's dual course and distance winner Patrick Sarsfield returns to his favourite track and will once again be partnered by Declan McDonogh. “Patrick Sarsfield is a course and distance winner and his last run when he was third in the (Group 3) Amethyst Stakes, also at Leopardstown, was good. We’re happy with him. and hoping that he can run a big race." The Jessica Harrington-trained Cadillac was a winner on Longines Irish Champions Weekend in 2020 as a juvenile and will look for a third Foxrock win when facing Patrick Sarsfield and four other rivals. Colin Keane and Ger Lyons combine with Georgeville, while the Mick Halford-trained Finans Bay is another interesting runner. The field for the Glencairn Stakes is completed by Charterhouse and Morning Soldier. The first race goes to post at 4.30pm with the King George V Cup at 7.20pm. For more information or to purchase tickets to racing, which also includes entertainment from DJ Al Gibbs after racing in the Marquee, visit www.leopardstown.com.
