Trading Leather booked his place in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby with a sound success against smart opposition in the TRM Silver Stakes at the Curragh.
Jim Bolger's colt had finished second in the Dante Stakes at York and third in the Irish 2000 Guineas on his last two starts, and made no mistake when dropped into a Listed contest over a mile and a quarter.
Kevin Manning sent him on two furlongs from home after Ansgar had set a strong pace and the 5-4 favourite soon stamped his authority on the race, storming clear to win by three and a half lengths from Aidan O'Brien's Lines Of Battle. The latter's stablemate Kingston Jamaica was third.
"I was expecting a good show, but you can never be too sure coming here to the Curragh for a race like that. There's nothing easy out there," said Bolger.
"It was a good effort in the Irish Guineas as the trip was short of his best. All going well in the meantime, he'll be back here for the Irish Derby. Hopefully this weather lasts. He's a very straightforward horse but he needs the ground good or faster."
Trading Leather was completing a double for the trainer and jockey after the victory of Freedom Square, who put his experience to good use as he made it third-time lucky in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.
Third in his first two starts, the youngster made all of the running and pulled out more in the final furlong when several newcomers in the field put in strong challenges.
The 9-4 joint-favourite battled on well to score by a length and a half from Shining Emerald, with Monsieur Power putting in a fine show in third.
Bolger said: "He's getting the hang of things and seems to go on any ground. We may look at the Railway Stakes (at the Curragh)."
