Landed a weak looking C&D maiden before making his handicap debut at Leopardstown in June over 1m2f. Dropped back to 1m and won a Leopardstown handicap ½L, beating six rivals seven days later.
Gelded son of Equiano purchased for 8,000 gns as a yearling. Half-brother to a couple of useful winners most notably Maid A Million. Won on debut, but beaten 1¾L last Tuesday in a Gowran Park median auction stakes.
Had gone well in two of three turf runs between a mile and 1m2f, won last day over 9½f Gowran Park handicap on good ground winning by a head from the Jim Bolger-trained Modern Approach.
Really promising effort at Dundalk on the AW 11 days ago when tackling this sort of trip for the first time, only just failing to get up, before 4¼L, fifth of 11 last day in a Navan handicap over this trip.
Steady improvement of late in tackling longer trips, beaten less than 2L at Fairyhouse last month on good ground and an encouraging second of 19, 1½L behind Zeftan at Curragh, before fourth of 14, 2½L behind Eagle Spirit on Saturday.
Lost place and pushed along from 3f out, weakened from over 2f out and soon eased when beaten, last of eight just over two weeks ago.
Non-Runners
6
(7)
Hyperdrive32
Weight: 9-0| Age: 3
T: Mrs J Harrington J: C O'Donoghue
NR
Forecasts
Gustavus Vassa (5/2), Hyperdrive (5/2), Auckland (11/4), Remember The Days (7/2), Slaney Street (9/2), Room To Roam (8/1), Lady Lambada (50/1)
Slaney Street and Lady Lambada could lead here, with possibly Remember The Days and Hyperdrive in behind. Distance winner, GUSTAVUS VASSA, could give the market leaders most to think about here. Won on debut and just beaten 1¾L last Tuesday in a Gowran Park median auction stakes. Auckland for the O'Brien yard will, of course be well backed and Slaney Street, fourth of 14, 2½L behind Eagle Spirit on Saturday, can fill the places.