Wootton Bassett G3 Quinella

The Group III Red Rocks Stakes (7f) at Leopardstown on Sunday had a short priced favourite in Henri Matisse (3c Wootton Bassett x Immortal Verse, by Pivotal), who was lining up for his first start since winning the Group I Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar in November.

Trained by Aidan O’Brien and ridden by Ryan Moore, he travelled midfield and took a while to switch on, but was doing his best work at the finish to win by half a length over another Wootton Bassett colt in Comanche Brave.

"He wants to get there late and when he gets there, he waits," said Aidan O'Brien.

"He did well because it was a good gallop and he's going to improve fitness wise. You would have to be happy with him. He's obviously a very smart horse and does quicken very well. He'll improve plenty."

Henri Matisse holds entries for all the Classic races so has a myriad of options on the table.

Bred by the Immortal Verse Syndicate and retained to race by the Coolmore partners, Henri Matisse is a half-brother to Champion European 2YO Filly and dual Group I winner Tenebrism as well as Group II winner Statuette being the third stakes-winner among five winners from dual Group I winning Pivotal mare Immortal Verse.

It’s an elite Black Type packed family that features champion sire Last Tycoon.

With five wins and a second from seven starts Henri Matisse is a model of consistency and was one of an impressive 13 2YO stakes-winners last year for Wootton Bassett and is the first of them to return at three and win in stakes company again.

The second crop of Australian bred yearlings by Wootton Basset have been in hot demand this year with 17 entries for the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale on April 6 and 7.