WITH so much drama to follow at Ascot last Saturday, it would have been easy to miss the group action at Leopardstown, and there was one beaten favourite that I definitely think is worth following for next time.

Only five runners lined up for the Killavullan Stakes, and Daytona was the better fancied of the two Aidan O’Brien runners, but from the moment they left the stalls, it was clear that this was not going to be run to suit.

His stablemate, Dorset, broke well, but instead of setting true even fractions, he dropped anchor and ran the first two furlongs as ‘slow’ according to our par sectionals.

Where Daytona then took 0.43 seconds longer to reach 20mph and assumed hold up tactics, he immediately put himself at a disadvantage.

He was already 0.53 seconds behind Dorset by the end of the first furlong, and unfortunately had a mountain to climb from there.

He quickened up nicely when asked in the home straight to try and keep tabs on Dorset, but, despite completing the final two furlongs 0.34 seconds faster than Dorset, he couldn’t claw back the advantage.

His final two furlongs were the fastest recorded by any horse that day at Leopardstown, and, given he’s a listed winner over a mile, there are still plenty of positives to be taken from the run.

Back up in distance in a more conventionally run race next time, we should see a different horse. Especially given his dam was a listed winner over a mile and a half.