AIDAN O'Brien has yet another potential classic contender for 2018 on his hands after Kenya took the step up to Group 3 company in his stride in the Killavullan Stakes at Leopardstown.

Just eight days on from a wide-margin Cork victory, the son of Galileo was given a positive ride by Donnacha O'Brien, who set sail for home early in the straight on the 7/4 favourite.

Mcmunigal tried to chase him down but stamina appears to be Kenya's forte and the market leader answered every question put to him by his rider to cross the line with a length in hand.

O'Brien said: "He improved from his first to his second run and obviously has again. Donnacha said he handles an ease in the ground and won't mind stepping up in trip.

"Donnacha said he was very happy with him and that he's a grand, big, genuine horse."

RaceBets gave the Galileo colt a quote of 33/1 for the Investec Derby, and O'Brien added: "I think he'll be one for a Derby trial, whether he runs in a Guineas trial we'll see, but Donnacha feels he'll have no problem with a mile and a quarter.

"I'd imagine that will be it for this year. Obviously things can change, but more than likely that will be it."

TREBLE

Bound's victory in the Listed Trigo Stakes completed a treble on the card for Aidan O'Brien.

The daughter of Galileo came into the race as an 11-race maiden but had showed talent, including when a close-up fourth at this same level at Naas last week.

She tracked the pacesetter Grandee until Seamie Heffernan made his move two furlongs out and although she didn't put the race to bed immediately, Bound (5/1) eventually established a decisive advantage and disposed of 6/4 favourite Cannonball by a length and three-quarters.

O'Brien said: "Seamus always liked her and he wanted to ride her today. He gave her a lovely ride. She is a very honest filly, and very clear winded. We didn't always get a clear run with her and she's probably even better than her form. She is a very well-bred filly and I'd say she will be going to the paddock next year."

The first leg of the treble came when James Cook got off the mark with a workmanlike performance in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF (C & G) Maiden.

An encouraging runner-up to Mcmunigal on his first taste of competitive action at Naas last month, the full-brother to Found was always to the fore and kicked for home at the top of the straight.

Latrobe emerged from the pack and got close in the dying strides but never really looked like beating the 4/7 favourite, who held on by half a length.

O'Brien said: "He's still very green from the front, but you would have to be happy with that. He probably won't run again this year. We will probably leave him alone."

IMPRESSIVE DEBUT

Contingent made a sparkling start to her career with victory in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden.

A daughter of Frankel out of Group 1 winner Proportional, there was a good word for Dermot Weld's youngster beforehand and she was sent off the 9/4 favourite in the hands of Pat Smullen.

She showed off impressive acceleration to sweep to the front inside the final quarter-mile and ran right the way to the line to keep another debutant, Awtaad's half-sister Alghabrah, a length and three-quarters at bay.

Weld said: "She's a very talented filly, with a lot of potential, and next spring we'll decide which way we go with her. My immediate reaction was she's more of an Oaks filly, but we'll see what the spring brings.

"She just could be very good, and it takes a good filly to win from stall 18. She has a lot of class and is a lovely big staying filly. She also has plenty of pace."

Of another potential star for Frankel, Weld added: "It was great to see Cracksman win for Frankel yesterday and hopefully this filly won't let him down next year."

Smullen said: "She's a proper filly, she overcame a lot there. I thought it was a very good performance for a filly first time out and there's a lot to look forward to next year."

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