15.30
HeavyP.W. McGrath Memorial Ballysax Stakes (Group 3)
- Prize money: £25652.17
- 1m 2f 0y
- 5 runners
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Runners: 5 runners
Type: Flat Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Cloudy
33/1 (Won)
- Win: £24.50
- Place: £7.50
Form: 38313-
Last run: 176 days
W: 9st 5lb
3 yo Colt
OR: 90
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 3 (5) |
29th May 2026 Good 2m 0f 0y |
9st 6lb |
Won 1m2f Group 3 Ballysax Stakes in 2024 (1m2f, heavy); last win was at Dundalk early last year, having faced some stiff tasks since, career-best when front-running second to ready winner Scandinavia in Navan Listed last month; not as good behind same rival since under similar tactics in Group 3 Saval Beg; bit to find on ratings and step up to 2m looks a big ask. |
10/1 |
|
5th 3 (5) |
15th May 2026 Good 1m 6f 0y |
9st 5lb |
Won the 1m2f Group 3 Ballysax Stakes here in April 2024 (1m2f, heavy); last win was at Dundalk early last year; no match for Leinster in a St Leger trial at the Curragh last August; twice placed in small-field AW events during the winter; stronger form in defeat behind Scandinavia at Navan; not certain to uphold form with Leinster. |
10/1 |
|
2nd 4 (5) |
25th Apr 2026 Yielding 1m 6f 0y |
9st 5lb |
Won Leopardstown Group 3 in April 2024 (1m2f, heavy); last win was at Dundalk early last year; no match for Leinster in a St Leger trial at the Curragh last August; twice placed in small-field AW events during the winter; well held in third behind Layfayette at the Curragh early this month; up against it. |
25/1 |
6/1
- Place: £2.40
Form: 31-
Last run: 173 days
W: 9st 5lb
3 yo Colt
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 9 (3) |
19th Oct 2024 Soft 1m 7f 127y Class 1 |
9st 1lb |
Won a heavy-ground maiden as 2yo but unraced on softer than good since reappearance; fifth in the 1m4f King Edward VII at Royal Ascot; raised his game markedly when stepped up in trip on his last two outings, finishing fourth to stablemate Kyprios in the 1m6f Irish St Leger and justifying favouritism in the extremely valuable 2m1f Irish Cesarewitch (handicap); blinkered latest outing, replacing visor; may well try to make the running and, given recent form, he'd be much better than a mere pacemaker. |
28/1 |
|
1st 18 (27) |
29th Sep 2024 Yielding 2m 0f 170y |
9st 2lb |
prominent on outer, went second after 6f, led 4f out, pushed along and clear 2f out, pushed out inside final furlong, reduced lead towards finish |
8/1 |
|
4th 8 (8) |
15th Sep 2024 Good 1m 6f 0y |
9st 2lb |
soon led, much reduced lead 6f out, headed under 3f out, weakened and lost two places inside final furlong |
25/1 |
13/8
Form: 13- BF
Last run: 168 days
W: 9st 5lb
3 yo Colt
OR: 109
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 4 (6) |
7th May 2026 Good 1m 5f 84y Class 1 |
9st 2lb |
Ran as if something was amiss in the Irish St Leger on last appearance; very consistent otherwise and justified favouritism in this contest (good) 12 months ago, prior to second-place finishes in two Cup races; beaten only a neck by stablemate Jan Brueghel in the 2024 St Leger; respected in rematch with that rival. |
3/1 |
|
7th 5 (7) |
14th Sep 2025 Good To Yielding 1m 6f 0y |
9st 10lb |
Very consistent high-class stayer; narrowly beaten in last year's St Leger at Doncaster and beat Al Qareem on seasonal return in Ormonde Stakes (Chester) before second placings in both Ascot Gold Cup and when outstayed by stablemate Scandinavia in 2m Goodwood Cup, having made the running; cheekpieces now tried and big player. |
15/8 |
|
2nd 3 (8) |
29th Jul 2025 Good 2m 0f 0y Class 1 |
9st 12lb |
Sometimes hangs under pressure but he's a resolute galloper who races prominently and can make the running if necessary; superbly reliable since last May and although he's not yet won a Group 1, he's been second in three of them, including last year's St Leger and last month's Gold Cup at Royal Ascot; another leading role looks assured. |
6/4 |
Form: 11241- C
Last run: 197 days
W: 9st 10lb
3 yo Colt
OR: 111
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2 (3) |
28th Jun 2025 Good 1m 2f 0y |
9st 9lb |
Group 2 course winner as a juvenile who was only seen once last term; down the field in the Tattersalls Gold Cup last month; that was a tough ask on return from 413 days off and this drop in class looks more suitable; potential pace angle and not ruled out if he can come on for that return. |
3/1 |
|
4 (8) |
25th May 2025 Good 1m 2f 110y |
9st 5lb |
Was 3-5 in a 2023 juvenile campaign; highlighted by a course 1m Group 2 win Beresford Stakes; has raced just once since, well beaten in a Leopardstown Group 3 early last season. |
50/1 |
|
4 (8) |
25th May 2025 Good 1m 2f 110y |
9st 5lb |
Was 3-5 in a 2023 juvenile campaign; highlighted by a course 1m Group 2 win Beresford Stakes; has raced just once since, well beaten in a Leopardstown Group 3 early last season. |
50/1 |
9/4
Form: 1- C
Last run: 169 days
W: 9st 5lb
3 yo Colt
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8th 3 |
18th Apr 2026 Yielding 2m 1f 30y |
11st 12lb |
Flat winner was beaten 29l on handicap debut last time but can do better today so not discounted. |
14/1 |
|
6th 2 |
8th Mar 2026 Heavy 2m 0f 77y |
12st 0lb |
Won a heavy-ground 1m maiden at Leopardstown in 2023 for Aidan O'Brien; failed to add to his tally for Archie Watson and three maiden hurdle runs since December poor; hard to make a case for entering handicaps but market worth a look. |
12/1 |
|
14th 9 |
5th Feb 2026 Soft 2m 0f 34y |
11st 12lb |
Won a heavy-ground 1m maiden at Leopardstown in October 2023 for Aidan O'Brien; failed to add to his tally for Archie Watson; jumped poorly on hurdling debut at Leopardstown, tailed off at Punchestown. |
100/1 |
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | €163.90 |
| Straight Forecast | €319.20 |
| Trifecta | €875.30 |