Dettori and Hazapour try again over shorter trip after finishing fifth in Derby

7.15 Leopardstown
ICON Meld Stakes | Group 3 | 3yo+ | 1m1f | ATR

Frankie Dettori and the Dermot Weld-trained Hazapour link up again in Thursday night's Leopardstown feature after the duo finished fifth behind Masar in the Investec Derby.

Weld and Dettori agreed the Aga Khan-owned colt failed to stay at Epsom and it was decided to drop the son of Shamardal in distance, starting with this contest which the trainer has won four times since it was moved to Leopardstown in 2003.

Hazapour earned his place in the Derby line-up when landing the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial over this course in May and Weld reports him in good form as he bids for a second Group 3 victory.

"He ran very well at Epsom, where it seemed obvious he didn't get the mile and a half. He's in good form and we're looking forward to running over this shorter distance," said Weld.

Hazapour's rivals include the much-travelled and battle-hardened Deauville, whose trainer Aidan O'Brien is also represented by Gowran Park maiden winner Curly.

Runner-up in the race a year ago, Deauville has plenty of Group 1 experience – he won the Belmont Derby Invitational two years ago –and although he has not won since landing the Huxley Stakes at Chester early last season, he has been placed three times at the top level since.

Having failed to reach the first three in the Lockinge Stakes and the Queen Anne Stakes he reverts to the trip over which he ran second to Forest Ranger in the Earl of Sefton at Newmarket in April.

O'Brien said: "Deauville seems in good form. He had a short break after Ascot and we're happy with him. Curly has had only two runs. We think she's progressive and we're hoping she might get some black type."

Jim Bolger, successful with Moonlight Magic a year ago and with five victories in the race in the past 15 years, is represented by Turret Rocks, who has won in Group 2 company as well as at this level. Winner of a Listed event at Gowran Park in May, she drops in grade having finished last of six in the Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes on her most recent start.

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