Storm Boy headlines ‘very competitive’ Greenlands field

All eyes will be on in the Weatherbys Ireland Greenlands Stakes at the Curragh, with Aidan O’Brien having described the exciting Australian import as “very quick”.

The three-year-old son of Justify hit the jackpot during his time with Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott in the southern hemisphere, collecting more than £930,000 for an emphatic Magic Millions 2yo Classic triumph on the Gold Coast.

That was one of five wins from 10 starts and even eighth place in The Everest on his most recent outing at Randwick last October was worth almost £375,000.

is already among the ante-post favourites for both the King Charles III Stakes and the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot and has reportedly acclimatised well at Ballydoyle.

O’Brien said in a stable visit earlier this year: “Before he came, I wasn’t sure whether he’d want six, seven or a mile, but there’s no doubt he’s a sprinter, he’s fast. He’s big and powerful. You’d be very happy with everything he’s doing.”

The same connections successfully pulled off a similar coup seven years ago with Merchant Navy, who was a Group One winner in Australia before taking this prize on route to Diamond Jubilee Stakes glory at the Royal meeting.

Ryan Moore has hailed Storm Boy as “an exciting horse to have in the yard” but feels this is a tough first European assignment against some proven performers.

Writing in his World Pool blog, the jockey said: “He’s got a big reputation, and he’s a big, strong boy, but it’s his first start for a long time and it will just be nice to get him started over here.

“The will be a new experience for him, as it’s a stiff six furlongs rather than running round a bend.

“There are some good horses in there, like Iberian, Big Gossey, James’s Delight, My Mate Alfie and Vespertilio, so it looks a very competitive Group Two, and we’re just looking forward to getting him up and running for the season.

“The Everest is the strongest sprint in the world, so we’ve got no doubt about his ability.”

Former 2000 Guineas contender Iberian features among a strong British challenge, having shown his well-being following a lay-off by scoring on the all-weather at Southwell in December and then going down by an agonising neck to Spycatcher in the Cammidge Trophy at Doncaster, with James’s Delight fifth for Clive Cox.

Trainer Charles Hills said: “I was really pleased with his Doncaster run, he was probably a bit unlucky with the way he dived across the track and seemed to lose his concentration for a little bit.

“He hit the line strong though, so we’ll put that behind us now and look forward to the rest of the season.”

Grand Grey showed plenty of promise in France for Gianluca Bietolini and made a fine start for Kevin Ryan when second to Sajir in the Abernant Stakes at Newmarket, where Karl Burke’s reopposing Lethal Levi was just half a length back in third.

The Ger Lyons-trained My Mate Alfie stands out from the other home hopes, having signed off last season with a hat-trick and running well in second on his four-year-old debut at Naas.