AIDEN NICS IT; Hills stars in Ascot big-race treble.

Byline: Garry Owen

ST NICHOLAS ABBEY is the new Epsom Derby favourite after a smooth performance in the Juddmonte Beresford Stakes at the Curragh.

Johnny Murtagh settled Aiden O'Brien's 2-5 favourite beautifully in mid-division but there was one slight moment of concern a furlong and a half out when Mark Johnston's Layali Al Andalus kicked a couple of lengths clear.

However, Murtagh did not panic and gathered his mount up before hitting top gear, without the rider resorting to his whip.

He smoothly went into the lead and was eased down to win by three-quarters of a length, with Godolphin's Passion For Gold staying on nicely in third.

O'Brien said "He's a lovely horse and he's come forward well from his first run, He could possibly run in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster."

"He looks to be a Classic-type horse for next year and Johnny was really impressed with him."

Paddy Power were very impressed and cut St Nicholas Abbey to 8-1 favourite for the Derby from 16-1, while William Hill and Ladbrokes make him their 10-1 jolly.

Richard Hills rounded off a near 202-1 Ascot treble aboard Sayif in the John Guest Diadem Stakes.

Peter Chapple-Hyam's 11-1 chance hinted at better to come when fourth in the Betfred Sprint Cup, and came well clear turned out 22 days later having settled matters with an electric turn of foot.

Hills said: "I rode him in work for the first time the other day and he is like a light switch - either full on or full off."

Marcus Tregoning's Mawatheeq gave Hills the second leg of his treble in the Cumberland Lodge Stakes.

The 7-2 favourite proved two-and-ahalf-lengths superior to Godolphin's Campanologist.

Hills had initiated his treble on Mark Johnston's Record Breaker (11-4) in the first race on the card.

CAPTION(S):

SO SAINTLY: St Nicholas Abbey wins the Beresford Stakes at The Curragh yesterday