Nine in a row? Aidan O'Brien out to continue Tyros domination with Age Of Kings

Thursday: Leopardstown

On a night when indie-rock band Razorlight perform after racing at Leopardstown, Aidan O'Brien will be hoping Age Of Kings can continue his golden touch in the Group 3 Japan Racing Association Tyros Stakes (6.30), a race he has won for the last eight years in a row and an astonishing 15 times in all.

Gleneagles began the perfect sequence in 2014 before going on to win the Qipco 2,000 Guineas the following year and 2016 winner Churchill did likewise. It is a race O'Brien tends to target with a potential Classic contender, but Age Of Kings is a 50-1 shot for the first Classic of 2023 at Newmarket, so he will need to win this convincingly to enter that picture.

The Kingman colt was the subject of a major late plunge in the Coventry, backed from a morning price of 13-2 into 3-1 at the off, but he finished only seventh under Frankie Dettori and was fourth of six in the Railway Stakes 11 days later.

O'Brien said: "We always thought he'd be very comfortable stepping up to seven furlongs. He ran a lovely race last time at the Curragh and that form has been working out well. We always thought this trip would suit him."

This is the first occasion Age Of Kings will race beyond 6f, but one of his main rivals, Chesham runner-up Pearling Path, already has a cracking run over 7f under his belt.

He hit a low of 1.08 in running on the Betfair Exchange, but was collared close home by the newcomer, Holloway Boy. It was a fine effort on his third start and trainer John O'Donoghue is expecting an even better showing.

O'Donoghue said: "We were happy with how he came out of Royal Ascot. We think he has grown up a lot and improved since then."

Proud And Regal won what is traditionally a hot Curragh maiden on his debut and Donnacha O'Brien thinks Leopardstown will suit the son of Galileo, who is out of Falmouth winner Simply Perfect.

He said: "We think Proud And Regal has progressed nicely since his last run. It looks a competitive contest but the track and trip should suit him perfectly."

Donnacha's older brother Joseph, who won the race on Gleneagles eight years ago and the following year on Deauville, is represented by Roscommon maiden winner Voce Del Palio.

Joseph O'Brien said: "He's in good shape but it's a very competitive race. It would be great if he could run into a place at the very least."

The trainer also has a leading contender for the Group 3 Silver Flash Stakes (6.00) in the shape of Zoinnocent.

"This race has been the plan for her ever since she won her maiden at Gowran," he said.

Jessica Harrington is confident the longer trip will suit It's Showtime Baby. She said: "I think stepping up to seven furlongs for the first time will help her. She seemed to stay on well last time over six furlongs. She should like the ground too."

It's Showtime Baby (far left) is expected to be suited by the longer tripCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

The likely favourite is Never Ending Story, a general 25-1 shot for next year's Qipco 1,000 Guineas following her emphatic odds-on victory in a Curragh maiden last month.

Aidan O'Brien last won the Silver Flash with subsequent five-time Group 1 winner Love in 2019, while last year's record-breaking Oaks winner Snowfall was fourth in 2020.

On Never Ending Story, he said: "We were delighted with her in her maiden at the Curragh last time. We've always had this kind of race in mind for her after that."

Hans Andersen franked the form of La Dolce Vita's maiden win at Tipperary by scoring decisively at the Curragh last weekend and Donnacha O'Brien thinks she can acquit herself well up in class.

He said: "La Dolce Vita is in good form since Tipperary and she's coming back down a little bit in trip."

Leopardstown card and betting

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