One horse from the Aidan O’Brien stable replaced another on Sunday at the top of the market for the Derby next month, as Stone Age was cut to 3-1 favourite for the Classic following an easy win in Leopardstown’s Derby Trial just half an hour after the trainer had ruled out Luxembourg, third in last month’s 2,000 Guineas, due to a muscular problem.
Stone Age, sent off favourite at 10-11, made most of the running under Ryan Moore and was a couple of lengths ahead turning for home. When Moore asked him for a finishing kick he quickly moved further clear of his field, eventually crossing the line five and a half lengths clear of Glory Daze, an 18-1 outsider.
