'Proper gallop' sees O'Brien's Cairo clear at Leopardstown

Aidan O'Brien's Cairo was a straightforward winner of the Group Three Killavullan Stakes at Leopardstown.

The Quality Road two-year-old was the runner-up in the the Listed Star Appeal Stakes last time out and this time went one better when starting as the 5-2 favourite.

After racing in mid-division, the colt quickened at the furlong pole under Wayne Lordan to prevail by two and three-quarter lengths, with stablemate Sierra Blanca in second. Betfair gave the winner a 33-1 from 50-1 quote for the Derby.

Stable representative Chris Armstrong said: "Wayne gave him a lovely ride. It was a nice even gallop from the word go which suited him.

"He had a good run the last day behind a nice filly of Willie Browne's in Dundalk and he has stepped up again since.

"I think the proper gallop helped him today. He's a lovely horse physically and he's done everything right so far.

Cairo is a commanding winner of the Group 3 Killavullan Stakes, today's €50,000 feature for @waynemlordan, Aidan O'Brien and @Ballydoyle pic.twitter.com/emZbfjsTP7

"He's in the Group One in France next weekend, but that will probably come too soon. It's nice to get the Group win for him and he's a horse to look forward to for next year.

"The second horse ran a lovely race and he'll come on again."

Listed success went the way of Willie McCreey's Self Belief in the Trigo Stakes.

The 8-1 chance prevailed by a head from Johnny Murtagh's Kerkiyra and in doing so gave rider Nathan Crosse a first winner at the level.

"I'm delighted to get that. I'm very thankful to the owners and especially to Willie for putting me up, it was a big thing to do," he said.

"I was very happy with him today. He jumped out, travelled along well early and we just slotted in behind and he dropped the