Naas's triumph prepares Aesop's Fables for a Royal run

Aesop's Fables would next be seen at Royal Ascot in the King Charles III Stakes after he returned to form on Sunday at Naas.

Last season, Aidan O'Brien's speedy was placed twice at the Group One level, coming in third in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Santa Anita and the Prix de l'Abbaye at Paris Longchamp.

Three weeks ago, at this same location, Ryan Moore's ride in the Woodlands Stakes, his first start of the year, was not successful. However, he improved and won the Listed Sole Power Sprint Stakes by a neck from Twilight Jet, with a 150-1 chance So Majestic finished third just a length back.

“He came really good last year and was only just beaten in an Abbaye and a Breeders’ Cup Sprint,” said O’Brien. “He usually takes a few runs to get right. We ran him the last day in blinkers on soft ground and he ran very keenly and just didn’t finish out, so we left them off him today. We’re delighted with him. The ground is beautiful here and he’s a big, powerful, fast horse. He’s hardy and a real sprinter. We are thinking of the five-furlong race at Ascot.”

O'Brien's Royal Ascot team is also expected to include Treasure Isle, who used his experience to give the trainer his third straight victory in the Coolmore Stud Calyx Race.

The No Nay Never colt, who finished second on his debut at the Curragh four weeks ago, was an 8–13 favourite to improve and leave the footprints of the two previous winners, The Antarctic and River Tiber.

When Jessica Harrington's Saratoga Special was challenged, Treasure Isle, sent straight to the lead by Moore, was put to the test thoroughly but fought deep to defeat her by half a length.

“Ryan said he was very green and was surprised how green he was as he was swapping and changing his legs and looking. He felt that he had plenty still to learn but has a lot of speed,” said O’Brien. “We thought he was going to be one for Royal Ascot and hopefully he knows enough. He certainly has the speed for it. We’ll see how he takes the run and how much he comes on from it. River Tiber won this last year and went on to win the Coventry, but this horse will be very happy staying at five furlongs.”