No Needs Never up in grade as he bids for Group 3 strike in Killavullan Stakes

No Needs Never, winner of the Listed Star Appeal Stakes at Dundalk on his most recent start, steps up a grade in the Group 3 Killavullan Stakes (3.05) at Leopardstown. And trainer Joseph O'Brien reports the colt in good form for the 7f juvenile event in which the son of No Nay Never faces nine rivals, including Old Glory, who was second to him at Dundalk.

O'Brien said: "No Needs Never won well at Dundalk and has been pleasing us since. The ground drying out will suit him."

Aidan O'Brien, who has sent out 11 winners of the race, most recently Kenya 12 months ago, is represented by Old Glory, who was beaten a length and three-quarters by No Needs Never at Dundalk, and Coral Beach.

Could Be King, a maiden winner at Limerick a week ago, goes for Patrick Prendergast, who said: "The ground was very soft and not ideal for him at Limerick but he coped with it. He came out of the race well and as he had run well at Group level before his win we decided to let him take his chance. His rating suggests he belongs in this type of race."

Sheila Lavery, trainer of Breaking Story, who won a maiden over the trip at the Curragh in August, said: "He just found the six furlongs at Fairyhouse a bit sharp last time. I'd love to have been able to educate him further before stepping up to this level but he takes his chance as this will be his last run of the season. He's in good shape but ideally I'd have preferred if this race was a week or ten days later."

Riven Light's trip to Korea last month proved very disappointing when he finished tailed off, but he will bid to make amends and bag a second Listed race success in the 1m2f Trigo Stakes (3.40) and trainer Willie Mullins said: "Riven Light wasn't able to handle the dirt surface at all in Seoul, so we're hoping he will show a lot more back on turf. He seems in good form."

Those taking on Riven Light include the Aidan O'Brien-trained North Face, who is blinkered for the first time and who will be stepping up in trip having run second in a mile Listed event at Cork on his second start ten days ago, and the vastly experienced Success Days.

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