DOUGLAS Macarthur progressed from a heartening comeback to lay down a claim for Epsom glory as he recorded an ultra game victory over two stablemates in a cracking conclusion to the Group 3 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial Stakes.

In last month’s Ballysax Stakes, Douglas Macarthur finished ahead of both Yucatan and Capri when the trio filled the minor placings behind Rekindling.

Despite this the Galileo colt, who carries the colours of Markus Jooste, was the least fancied of the trio at 7/1. Not for the first time though Emmet McNamara stepped in to land a big prize on a seemingly lesser fancied Ballydoyle runner as when the rider bagged the 2015 Beresford Stakes on Port Douglas.

Epsom will present the winner with an altogether stiffer test but in terms of courage and determination, allied to a pedigree rich in Epsom form, Douglas Macarthur is firmly in the picture for the classic.

McNamara set off in front on the own-brother to Was but from the turn-in he was under strong pressure to contain stablemate Capri. The latter simply could not find a way past and the leader then found more deep inside the final furlong when Yucatan arrived on the scene.

The three Ballydoyle runners were locked in combat at the line but Douglas Macarthur shaded Yucatan by a head with Capri just a short -head back in third. The lightly-raced Insayshable ran a fine race to finish a further length and three-quarters back in fourth.

“His last run here was good and the first three home today are all very nice horses,” said the winning rider who was recording his first success of the campaign. “He’s very tough and is a typical Galileo as he tries so hard for you. I thought we were in trouble turning in but he kept staying and that’s what won it for him. A mile and a half wouldn’t be a problem for him and he’s a lovely, relaxed, well balanced horse.”

History repeated itself in the Group 3 Derrinstown Stud 1000 Guineas Trial as Bean Feasa (100/30) shed her maiden tag.

This Godolphin-owned filly is a half-sister to trainer Jim Bolger’s outstanding two-year-old champion Teofilo while she was emulating her dam, Speirbhean, whom the Coolcullen trainer produced to win this race as a maiden in 2001.

Although she was beaten in a Gowran Park maiden the previous week, Kevin Manning’s mount had previously shown up very well behind Winter in a top drawer Guineas Trial at this track last month. The Dubawi filly closed in steadily on the front-running Asking from the turn-in and led a furlong out before a two and three-quarter lengths triumph.

“She relished the faster ground which will open up new opportunities,” remarked Bolger. “I wouldn’t rule out going for the Irish 1000 Guineas and she’s going to be versatile in terms of trip.”

RAIDER

The doughty English raider Custom Cut (9/2) enhanced his already excellent record at pattern level and underlined his fondness for this track in the Group 3 Ard Glen Construction Amethyst Stakes. The eight-year-old made all the running for Danny Tudhope and found plenty inside the last quarter of a mile when Raymonda threw down a strong challenge.

Despite her very best efforts Raymonda had to settle for the runner-up spot and went down by half a length. This was Custom Cut’s first win since he took the 2015 Boomerang Stakes here on Irish Champions Weekend.

“He likes it here although ideally he’d prefer more of an ease in the ground,” declared O’Meara who trains the winner for Frank Gillespie and Pat Breslin. “He’ll go for more group races and later in the season we’ll be looking at coming back here for the Boomerang Stakes and then heading on for the Joel Stakes at Newmarket.”

Royal Ascot is firmly on the agenda for Brother Bear (9/1) after Jessica Harrington’s charge made a smooth start to his career in the Irish Stallion EBF Maiden. In recent weeks the Moone trainer has introduced a number of promising juveniles and this Mill House LLC-owned son of Kodiac certainly looked the part.

The Colm O’Donoghue-ridden colt came off the rail to tackle the favourite Sioux Nation (8/11) early in the last furlong and soon got on top to score by two lengths.

“We knew he was pretty smart on his home work. Colm said he was a little green but that he floated over that quick ground. He’s definitely one for Royal Ascot,” stated Mrs Harrington. “He’s a very straight forward, relaxed type and he should stay seven furlongs.’’

Jessica Harrington and O’Donoghue then joined forces to take the Mortons Coaches Maiden with Pincheck (3/1). A 74-rated three maiden after his time in Britain last season, Pincheck took his time off a searing early pace before coming with a strong last furlong charge that enabled him to deny the 82-rated Captain Hardship by a neck.

“The ground was quick enough for him and Colm gave him time to get comfortable on it,” reflected the trainer. “He’s a beautiful colt and is one of five horses that his owner Jon Kelly sent to me from Luca Cumani.”

A 20/1 surprise was lying in wait in the John R Fitzpatrick Agricultural Contractor as Damien English’s Geological made a resounding return to form. This five-year-old won three times during Dundalk’s winter season but had struggled on his first two turf outings this season.

On this occasion Shane Foley’s mount was an entirely different proposition as he jumped off in front. Texas Rock and Korbous both threatened in the straight but an unyielding Geological scored by three-quarters of a length.

“He just loves to gallop and he was really bouncing before the race today,” stated English of the Grougha Stables Limited-owned winner. “We’ll probably be looking towards premier handicaps with him now. One of the handicaps at Royal Ascot could be an option too but we’ll see what the handicapper does.”

Any concerns that the ground would be too quick for Mandamus were allayed by his triumph in the Fitzpatrick Gallagher McEvoy Solicitors Handicap. Sheila Lavery’s charge hadn’t won since October 2014 but had dropped almost a stone in the weights since contesting this race last year.

Mandamus (7/1) travelled smoothly through the race for Leigh Roche and picked up nicely nearing the last furlong to join and then pass the dueling pair of Three Jacks and Sanus Per Aquam. At the line, Mandamus had a length and three-quarters to spare.

“He’s never run on ground as quick as this before but he handled it and Leigh said that this mile and a half is his trip,” reported the trainer whose brother John owns the five-year-old. “He absolutely loves jumping so he’ll mix it between the flat and hurdles.”

Another truly memorable weekend for Ballydoyle concluded with the victory of Belgravia (5/2) and Ana O’Brien in the Crew Of R116 Memorial & Irish Coastguard Maiden for the Coolmore partners. The brother to Ruler Of The World enjoyed the step up to a mile and a half and stayed on determinedly over the course of the last quarter of a mile to overhaul Clongowes in the closing stages.

“He’s very tough and we went a nice gallop which suited as he’s a horse that stays well,” remarked the successful rider.

Aguiar ban

ROBSON Aguiar, who rode the third-placed Shes Ranger, picked up a two-day careless riding ban in the 1000 Guineas Trial after the stewards looked into an incident in the closing stages where Elizabeth Browning was hampered.

ACTING STEWARDS

T. Hunt, R. Ryan,

N. O’Byrne, S. Barrett, M.F. O’Donoghue

Horse To Follow

CAMELBACK (G.M. Lyons): This colt shaped up well on his debut to be beaten two and a half lengths into third in the two-year-old maiden. He came home nicely from off the pace and will build on this form.