Leopardstown report: Sons And Lovers takes top billing

Sons And Lovers put up a smart front-running performance to repel Crystal Black in the Tote Ballyroan Stakes at Leopardstown and set up some potentially big targets on the international stage.

A staying-on fifth in the 10-furlong Wolferton Stakes at Royal Ascot, Joseph O’Brien elected to try a mile and a half with his four-year-old, who was well backed as the 6-5 favourite .

The popular Crystal Black tracked the winner all the way, but try as he might he could not quite get to Dylan Browne McMonagle’s mount, going doing by half a length.

O’Brien: “He’s had some very good runs this year and it was his first time going the trip. We were pretty hopeful that he would enjoy it.

“There is a race here for him on Champions Weekend (Kilternan Stakes) and we’re also going to look at some international targets in the autumn.

“The owners have Absurde who ran well in Melbourne a couple of times and there is a good chance we could look at something like that for him.

“There are races all over the Middle East and there is also Dubai early next year. Everything is on the table at the moment.”

Johan has been a tremendous servant to the Channon yard and the decision to travel to Ireland with the eight-year-old proved inspired in the Bahrain Turf Club Desmond Stakes, the other Group Three on the card.

Having his first run since October, Jack Channon’s charge was straight to the front under Ronan Whelan and the 2022 Lincoln Handicap winner refused to give way, holding on by half a length from 15-8 favourite Alakazi.

Whelan said of the 12-1 winner: “Obviously his form suggests he runs well fresh and the lads pinpointed him to come here fresh.

“He likes to get into a rhythm, so we were happy enough to bowl away and the way the track sets up played to his strengths today.

“He’s a credit to connections and is getting better with age. It’s nice to tick off a stakes race for them.”

He added: “The Channons have always been very good to me and it’s great to repay them.”

Aidan O’Brien’s Montreal defied market weakness to run out a most impressive winner of the Irish Stallion Farms EBF (C&G) Maiden.

With plenty of support for Ger Lyons’ newcomer Res Ipsa, Montreal drifted out to 6-4, as Res Ipsa went off the 5-4 favourite.

However, after missing the break Colin Keane was always fighting a losing battle on the market leader, with Wayne Lordan getting Montreal over to the rail from his wide draw and moving an effortless eight lengths clear in the straight.

A son of Sea The Stars, Montreal holds entries in the Champagne Stakes and National Stakes and a look into the female side of his pedigree sees the likes of King’s Best and Urban Sea.

Stable representative Chris Armstrong said: “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 on Champions Weekend.”