St Leger hope Southern France up in class following impressive maiden

4.10 Navan
Irish Stallion Farms EBF Yeats Stakes (Listed) | 1m5f | 3yo | ATR

Southern France earned a quote of 20-1 with Ladbrokes for the St Leger following his stylish maiden win at Leopardstown last Sunday and Aidan O'Brien has wasted little time in stepping the smart stayer up in class.

The imposing son of Galileo, who is entered in the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot, took the anticipated step forward from his eyecatching debut in a 1m2f Navan maiden to easily account for stablemate Cypress Creek in a 1m4f Leopardstown maiden.

Donnacha O'Brien always had matters in hand and was well on top at the line, so the extra furlong here looks sure to be right up his street. His trainer thinks he has taken another leap forward this week too.

O'Brien said: "Southern France is a lovely horse who is progressing gently. We didn't force him and were waiting for him to tell us; that is why he didn't run at two.

"I was very happy with the way he won at Leopardstown and hopefully he can take another step forward. He should come on for the Leopardstown run and has been in good form."

O'Brien ran two in this race last year but neither of them were able to land a glove on Naughty Or Nice, with Finn McCool in third and Belgravia, sent off the 11-10 favourite, taking fourth. He fires three bullets this time with Sizzling and Easter Lily completing his team.

Sizzling (left) ran in the 1,000 Guineas last timeCredit: Patrick McCann

He said: "Sizzling is back up in trip having ran in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket. It's obviously a completely different test for her but I'm hoping she'll enjoy it. She's been in good form since Newmarket.

"Easter Lily was a little disappointing at the Curragh last time but this better ground should suit and I would expect to see an improved display."

His son Joseph is represented by recent Dundalk maiden winner Drapers Guild, while the 88-rated Whirling Dervish, who won a Tipperary maiden by six lengths last October, is likely to be Southern France's main market rival following a promising return to action at Cork a fortnight ago.

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