Swelter proves too hot for Leopardstown rivals

A tilt at the Irish 1,000 Guineas could be on the agenda for Swelter following an impressive display in the Ballylinch Stud “Priory Belle” Stakes at Leopardstown.

Making her first appearance since scoring on debut at the Foxrock track over a mile last July, the Juddmonte-owned Kingman filly was a 6-1 shot as she stepped up in class but down in trip for this seven-furlong Group Three.

The three-year-old was bidding to complete a double on the card for trainer Dermot Weld and jockey Chris Hayes following the earlier maiden success of the well-bred Tarima and she delivered in some style, quickening up smartly to grab the lead over a furlong out and finding plenty for pressure to beat the slightly wayward 5-6 favourite Exactly by a length and a quarter.

Weld said: “I’d say it was a good renewal of the race, a very competitive Group Three. I was delighted with her, as it was only her second start.

“She won over a mile here last year and my concern was that seven furlongs might be a little too sharp for her. My reason for running her was that she would learn a lot from it and I thought she came home very nicely.

“We’ll see how she comes out of the race, but my present thoughts would be to head for something like the Irish 1,000 Guineas.

“She is a filly that will hopefully get 10 furlongs as the season progresses.”