GARDENS OF BABYLON winning over hurdles at the Punchestown Festival in May under Derek O'Connor© Photo Healy Racing
Gardens Of Babylon third in the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, warms up for another jumps campaign with a run on the Flat at Killarney on Friday.
The four-year-old, trained by Joseph O’Brien, ran twice on the level without success for Aidan O’Brien, but wasted no time in showing an aptitude for obstacles with two victories and several creditable efforts at a high level.
The JP McManus-owned Gardens Of Babylon returns to action in the Tote Maiden over a mile and three-quarters, in which he has 13 rivals.
All eyes will be on Willie Mullins’ much-travelled Max Dynamite in the concluding Tote (Q.R.) Race, also over a mile and three-quarters.
The classy dual-purpose nine-year-old made an encouraging return following a 237-day absence to finish third to Cleonte in the Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot.
He may not have it all his own way as the seven-strong field includes Jessica Harrington-trained The King, who was third to Magical in the Group Two Mooresbridge Stakes at the Curragh in May. Tony The Gent is set turn out quickly in the Tote Handicap just two days after finishing second at the Kerry course.
The Ger Lyons-trained six-year-old put in good late work when chasing home Turnberry Isle over a mile and sticks to that distance when he takes on six rivals.
Opposition includes Yuften who has his first run for Denis Hogan after being claimed out of Adrian McGuinness’s stable following his victory at Bellewstown two weeks ago. Marchons Ensemble a convincing winner on that same card, bids to follow up in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Races over the extended mile for the Lyons stable.
A trappy six-runner line-up includes the Harrington representative Justina who made a successful debut at Roscommon earlier this month, and the Dermot Weld-trained newcomer Siradjan
