'We think he's progressing' - Aidan O'Brien-trained Ivy League seeking hat-trick

Sunday: 5.05 Leopardstown
Amethyst Stakes (Group 3) | 1m | 3yo+ | ITV4/RTV

Do you favour proven talent or unexposed potential? That is the dilemma facing punters in this interesting Group 3 affair.

Real Appeal, winner of the Group 2 Clipper Logistics Boomerang Mile here on Irish Champions Weekend last year, brings a fair deal of quality to the table with his rating of 112 and his course form figures of 31131 confirm he absolutely loves this place.

Likewise, Patrick Sarsfield's career-high RPR of 114 came when landing the Group 3 Meld Stakes here in 2020, and Georgeville posted an RPR of 113 when winning the Listed Trigo Stakes at this venue last October.

Patrick Sarsfield: finished just ahead of Chester Cup hero Cleveland on his reappearance at Naas in MarchCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Considering that trio have had an average of 17 runs in their respective careers, it's probably safe to assume that there is much greater scope for improvement in the Aidan O'Brien-trained Ivy League, who as a three-year-old, receives a whopping 18lb from Real Appeal.

This will be just his fourth start, having followed up a Dundalk maiden win by landing a Naas handicap in impressive fashion last month off a mark of 84.

These are much deeper waters and he needs to improve to match the battle-hardened operators, but such progression is clearly possible.

If sharp enough for her first start since finishing fifth in last year's Irish 1,000 Guineas, Fantasy Lady could be the one to throw down a serious challenge for Paddy Twomey.

A Listed-winning juvenile who improved with each start at three, she could have more to offer as a four-year-old.

What they say

Jessica Harrington, trainer of Real Appeal
It's his first run of the season and he might need it. He loves Leopardstown, though, so hopefully he can run well.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Patrick Sarsfield
A mile might be a little bit on the sharp side for him at this stage but we're hoping for a good run. The form of his first start of the season at Naas is working out well.

Real Appeal: landed the Group 2 Clipper Logistics Boomerang Mile at last year's Irish Champions WeekendCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Ado McGuinness, trainer of Pretreville
He seems in good form and worked well last week. He doesn't like being backed up too quickly so we're happy coming here after he ran well at this track last month. We got his wind done towards the back end of last season, as well as gelding him and it seems to have helped. We're hoping for a big run.

Paddy Twomey, trainer of Fantasy Lady
It looks a nice place for her to start back. She was beaten just a length and three quarters in the Irish 1,000 Guineas last year, and we didn't race her again after that. She's changed ownership in the interim and we're looking forward to the year ahead with her. My horses usually improve for their first runs back so hopefully she'll run a nice race and progress from it.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Ivy League
He's been coming along lovely. We liked him last year. He was a little disappointing in his first maiden start but improved nicely to win on his second run and we were delighted with him last time at Naas. We think he's progressing.

Read Sunday's previews:

4.05 Leopardstown: Irish 1,000 Guineas clues may emerge as Agartha bids to enhance Classic claims

4.35 Leopardstown: 'This was always the plan' - analysis and quotes for another key Derby trial

5.18 Hamilton: 'That's not ideal' - how will the draw impact on a fast and furious sprint?

6.18 Hamilton: 'The prize-money is so good' - which stayer can claim Hamilton riches?

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