Joseph O’Brien could be thorn in his father’s side at Leopardstown

Joseph O’Brien could prove to be a thorn in his father’s side once again at Leopardstown on Thursday, where he will field a raft of smart juveniles against some of the best Ballydoyle youngsters seen this term.

The Owning Hill handler has regularly provided the sternest opposition to the massed ranks of Coolmore over recent weeks and saddled a second Classic winner of the season when Johanna Walsh won the Irish Oaks, supplementing not only the Epsom triumph of Thundering On but also a fine Royal Ascot five-timer.

He now saddles a three-strong hand in the Saudi Cup Silver Flash Stakes in which Aidan O’Brien’s impressive Curragh scorer Alpha sets a formidable standard, but the younger O’Brien has a trio bringing smart form credentials of their own to the table.

On his runners, O’Brien said: “Green Empress was really good when second last time and now steps up to seven furlongs which we think will suit her and then we have Dancing Destiny who was a Listed winner last time and it makes sense now to try her in a Group Three.”

The third member of O’Brien’s squad is Blonde Over Blue who in fact got the better of Alpha over course and distance on debut and now meets her regally-bred rival in Group Three company.

O’Brien continued: “Blonde Over Blue had a nice debut and goes back to the same course and distance and it would be great to get some black type now with her.

“Alpha looked good the last day and we’re taking on the same filly, but in different conditions and at different stages of a season so we’ll go there with an open mind. But I’m happy with my hand.”

It is a similar story in the Group Three Japan Racing Association Tyros Stakes where wide-margin Gowran winner Folsom Blue appears the major threat to Ballydoyle’s talented Justify colt Aix La Chapelle, who would have been sent off favourite for the Chesham but for rearing in the stalls and being withdrawn.

O’Brien added: “Folsom Blue couldn’t have done it any easier at Gowran and we like him. He took a nice step forward from his debut to his second run and we think he comes here having progressed again.”