Kyprios completes Ascot preparations with Saval Beg hat-trick

Kyprios claimed a third victory in the Saval Beg Levmoss Stakes at Leopardstown, although trainer Aidan O’Brien expressed some concern about his star stayer’s movement following the race.

The seven-year-old was following a familiar route, having won last month’s Vintage Crop Stakes before heading for this Group Three contest – the same path he took before his Gold Cup victories at Royal Ascot in 2022 and 2024, when he also enjoyed unbeaten seasons.

Sent off a 1-14 favourite to make it two from two this year, Kyprios settled well enough for Ryan Moore as stablemate Mont St Michel set the early gallop and he looked the winner turning into the straight.

Dallas Star and Satin did not go down without a fight though, with Moore having to push Kyprios out to beat that pair a length and a half and a length and a quarter respectively.

O’Brien said: “He did exactly as he always does and that should put him right for Ascot.

“Ryan was happy that he did everything he asked of him. He’s an incredible horse really.”

The Ballydoyle handler was not entirely satisfied with Kyprios’ movement after the race, adding: “He came back in perfect and when he went to walk off (out of the winner’s enclosure) he was moving a little bit gingerly in front.

“We’ll check him out and obviously he’s scanned and X-rayed before he runs every day. Hopefully it’s just a sprung shoe or something like that.”

Italy (4-9 favourite) had earlier got the O’Brien team off the mark as Wayne Lordan steered him to a cosy three-quarter-length success in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.

O’Brien said: “He was never away before so he would have been very green, and they went a good gallop.

“He has a bit of quality and Wayne gave him a lovely ride. He taught him plenty and he will have learned a lot from that.

“He could come back here for the Tyros (Stakes, July 24).”

All eyes were on Reaching High in the closing Leopardstown Lady Riders Handicap as Willie Mullins saddled his first runner for the King and Queen.

Previously trained by Sir Michael Stoute in Britain, Reaching High was sent off the 5-2 favourite in the hands of leading amateur Jody Townend for the mile-and-a-half affair.

Walhaan set out to make all, building up a handy advantage before running out petrol in the final furlong, allowing Reaching High and Not Just Any Eagle to sweep through with the post in sight.

It was neck and neck at the line, with Not Just Any Eagle (10-1) putting his head down at the right moment to edge a short head victory over the royal contender, although he had to survive a stewards’ inquiry before his win was confirmed.

Mullins’ son Patrick said: “It was a brilliant run, and Jody gave him a fantastic ride. He just ran out of road.

“We think that will bring him on nicely and hopefully we can have him ready for Ascot.

“We’re looking forward to having some fun with him and it would be magic if we could get a winner for the royals at Royal Ascot.”