Weld hoping to extend excellent Heritage Stakes record with Imaging

5.00 Leopardstown
Spin 1038 Heritage Stakes (Listed) | 4yo+ | 1m | RTV

Imaging bids to give Dermot Weld a seventh success in this €45,000 Listed event, the most valuable prize in Ireland or Britain on Wednesday and which was first run in 2004.

Weld won this mile contest three times with Famous Name and achieved his most recent success when Rose De Pierre scored two years ago.

Imaging is a three-time winner for the trainer, who got off the mark for the season with a double at Navan on Saturday. Oisin Orr will partner the Khalid Abdullah-owned four-year-old, who was beaten a neck in the Knockaire Stakes over seven furlongs at this track in October on his final start last year.

The son of Oasis Dream faces ten rivals, including the well-regarded Amedeo Modigliani.

Weld said: "Imaging was a consistent stakes-level performer last season and we're looking forward to a good campaign with him. He's a big strong colt who should progress well from tomorrow's race and the ground should be fine."

One-time Classic hope Amedeo Modigliani, who missed all of last year due to an early-season setback, finished third in the Listed Devoy Stakes over a mile and a quarter at Naas ten days ago and will be reverting to the trip over which he won a maiden at Galway as a two-year-old.

Trainer Aidan O'Brien said: "Amedeo Modigliani is a colt with a lot of pace and a combination of the slow ground and the trip, plus the fact he was having his first run following a long absence, all told against him at Naas. We've been happy with him since and dropping down in trip should suit."

Verbal Dexterity, winner of the Group 1 National Stakes at two but without a win last year, represents Jim Bolger, who has made a fine start to the season.

Ger Lyons saddles Psychedelic Funk, a five-time winner, including twice at Group 3 level, who has been gelded since his final appearance last season.

The field also includes the Fozzy Stack-trained Zihba, who won the Amethyst Stakes over course and distance early last season.

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