STONE HOPES ROCK SOLID

O'Brien star ready for a step up in class

- RYAN MCELLIGOTT

IRISH RACING

STONE AGE can further strengthen Aidan O’Brien’s classic hand in the Group 3 Derby Trial Stakes at Leopardstown.

The Ballydoyle trainer dominated the Derby Trial scene this week and this colt looks another lively Epsom contender for O’Brien.

After running a series of very solid races in smart company last season, Stone Age returned to action with a nine lengths victory in a Navan maiden in late March.

This will represent a much tougher assignment for the Galileo colt but he should still be equal to the task.