Causeway ‘could be a Paddington’ at Naas

Causeway is the chosen one from the Ballydoyle battalion with the aim of becoming the next Paddington when he lines up in the Irish Racing Writers Association Madrid Handicap at Naas.

Paddington was an unheralded maiden winner ahead of the 2023 renewal when, off a mark of 97, he ran out an easy winner.

Winning a Listed race next time out, he went on to add the Irish Guineas, St James’s Palace Stakes, Eclipse and Sussex Stakes in an incredible winning streak that only came to an end in the Juddmonte International at York.

Aidan O’Brien did not have a runner in 2024 but Serengeti was a beaten joint-favourite 12 months ago.

Causeway was fourth on his debut before winning easily at the Curragh and runs off a mark of 94 with Ryan Moore doing the steering.

Speaking at his press morning earlier in the week O’Brien said: “He could be one for the Madrid Handicap at Naas.

“He could step up in trip. He could be a Paddington, he’s a big horse.

“I think he could be very good but I just don’t know how far he will stay. He won his maiden very easily at the Curragh second time out.”

Michael O’Callaghan takes him on with Breaking Dawn, a winner last week at the Curragh, while O’Brien will know Controlled well having trained him last year before he was bought by Daniel Murphy.

Michael Mulvany’s Irish Lincolnshire winner Ribee steps up in class for the Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Devoy Stakes which is also on the card.