Cashel Palace Hotel Derby Trial Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 15:42 | Winning time: 2m 8.20s

(5)

Endorsement^p1²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Ronan Whelan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 105

7/2

Stepped up on juvenile form when chasing home Christmas Day in the Ballysax Stakes over C&D on reappearance. Likely to employ similarly positive tactics and a repeat gives him claims with first time cheekpieces fitted.

Form: 2128-2

(3)

James J Braddock²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Dylan Browne McMonagle| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 100

9/1

Built on debut promise when impressively landing 20-runner maiden at the Curragh (1m) in 2025 and coped well enough with the step up in grade when fifth in the Ballysax here on return. He remains open to improvement, but already looks the type who will appreciate 1½m.

Form: 21-5

(1)

Pierre Bonnard²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 112| BF| D

5/6

Completed a hat-trick as a 2-y-o in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud, beating A Boy Named Susie by 2 lengths. Disappointed in the Ballysax on return but not the first from this yard to need that run in recent years and likely to prove a different proposition now.

Form: 4111-7

(4)

Shaihaan⁴³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Gavin Ryan| T: Donnacha O'Brien| OR: 102| D

7/2

Showed progressive form as a juvenile and capitalised on the drop back to maiden company when winning a 1¼m maiden at the Curragh on return. The second and third both won next time and another step forward back up in grade would be no surprise.

Form: 724-1

(2)

Straight Up^h1⁴⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Declan McDonogh| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 97| BF

40/1

Made a good impression when winning a 13-runner 7f Listowel maiden on debut. Showed better form when down the field in Newmarket Group 3 only other juvenile start and much too free when last of 3 on return. Remains capable of better, but yard have stronger candidates. Wears first-time hood.

Form: 16-3

Forecasts

Pierre Bonnard (5/6), Endorsement (7/2), Shaihaan (7/2), James J Braddock (9/1), Straight Up (40/1)

PIERRE BONNARD was disappointing on return, but had created a very good impression previously and is expected to put himself firmly back in the Derby picture with that recent run under his belt. Endorsement is currently 2-1 down in head-to-head battles with the selection and looks the one most likely to capitalise should that rival again run below expectations. Shaihaan won a good maiden at the Curragh on return and looks well worth another try in this company.