Dubai: The Irish flat racing season swung into comprehensive action this weekend with the first set of Classic trials highlighted by the Group 3 Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown holding the spotlight.

Run over a stiff 2,000 metres, the race serves as an informative pointer to various European Classics as evidenced by the most recent winner of the contest, Harzand, who would progress into an Epsom Derby (G1) winner.

Three leading trainers have dominated the race in the last two decades including Aidan O’Brien with the great Galileo in 2001.

However, it was O’Brien’s son, Joseph, who won the contest in 2013 as a jockey for Battle of Marengo, who upstaged his father to win a first Ballysax victory as a trainer with Rekindling.

Previously trained by the now-retired David Wachman, 16-1 Rekindling delivered a solid effort to beat O’Brien Senior’s High Chaparral colt Douglas Macarthur.

Godolphin hope Dubai Sand, ridden by Kevin Manning for trainer Jim Bolger, could only finish fifth. Dubai Sand is a 50-1 chance for the Epsom Classic while the winner is available at 16-1.

“We were expecting him to run well as he’d been working nicely at home. He did a good bit of work last week. We thought he’d be placed but we didn’t think he’d win,” said Joseph. “He looks like he could be a nice staying horse. He even got stopped in his run and I was surprised that he got away with it.”

Another Derby hopeful, Irishcorrespondent, advertised his big race claims when displaying impressive acceleration to land the Leopardstown ‘Summer Bundle’ Maiden at the Dublin track.

Shane Foley did the honours for trainer Michael Halford who commented: “He’s been working well and we thought he’d improve from the run. He has a touch of class about him, and an attitude and temperament to go with it. An exciting prospect.

“He’s only been on grass once and we took him away to Dundalk one day just to give him a day away from home. He’d go another two furlongs no problem.

“On that performance we will have to look at a stakes race next. You don’t win maidens like that without being able to step up.”

Meanwhile, the 2,000 Guineas Trial was claimed by Aidan O’Brien’s Orderofthegarter in grand style under Seamie Heffernan.

Aidan said the Irish 2,000 Guineas could be the next target for the son of Galileo.

“He’s made nice progress from Naas. His two runs last year were second to two good horses of ours so we probably shouldn’t be surprised with what he’s doing,” said the Ballydoyle handler.

“Seamus was positive on him. He gets a mile well and should get a mile and a quarter. He could be an Irish Guineas horse, and he goes on any ground.

“At the moment we are looking at running Churchill at Newmarket and Caravaggio in France. That is Plan A, but things can always change.”

Godolphin hope Zorion, representing the Manning-Bolger combination, was third.

Hydrangea stuck on stoutly to claim Group Three honours in the Ballylinch Stud 1,000 Guineas Trial Stakes.

The daughter of Galileo may not have been the O’Brien-stable first string but she knuckled down in admirable fashion to come out on top.

Aidan completed a sweep at the Guineas trails when Hydrangea won the prep for the 1,000 Guineas.

“She jumped out and went an honest gallop, and found another bit in the final furlong,” he said.

Aidan was satisfied with all his four runners, especially the winner, who staked a claim to be in the trainer’s team for the Qipco 1000 Guineas at Newmarket.

“She’s a very solid filly, and had the form in the book,” he said.

“Padraig gave her a very good ride, and had her in a very good position. She will be in the mix for Newmarket.

“I’m happy with how they all ran. Some were a bit green. Ryan [Moore] thought his filly [Promise To Be True] would come on a lot and Seamus said the same of his filly [Rain Goddess]. Wayne [Lordan] was delighted with his filly [Winter], and said she just got a bit tired in the last 50 yards and was a bit fresh early.”