15:45 Leopardstown

Sunday 2 April 2023

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:5517:30

P.W. McGrath Memorial Ballysax Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 15:45 | Winning time: 2m 19.95s

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Selected odds by:

(5)

Alexandroupolis²⁰⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien

4/5

Camelot colt who impressed when making a winning start in 11-runner maiden (17/2) at Galway (8.6f, soft) 6 months ago. Has plnty more to offer now stepping up in trip. Player for yard with excellent record in this event.

Form: 1-

(1)

Denmark¹⁸³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 97

11/4

Naas 1m debut scorer before taking his form up a notch when second of 16 in conditions event at Longchamp (8f, soft) in October. Should have more to offer as his stamina is drawn out more. Firmly in the picture.

Form: 12-

(2)

Mohawk Chief¹⁶²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: J A Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 92| C

16/1

17/2, built on his debut promise when landing 18-runner maiden here (7f, soft) in October. Can do better still now significantly up in trip. One to consider.

Form: 71-

(3)

Serious Challenge⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Rory Cleary| T: J S Bolger| OR: 101| BF

18/1

Ready Galway 1m maiden winner before excellent fourth to Auguste Rodin in Champions Juvenile Stakes here. Failed to land the odds when third of 4 in minor event at Naas (8f, heavy) 7 days ago so needs to bounce back.

Form: 314-3

(4)

Up And Under¹⁷⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: M P Sheehy| T: J P O'Brien

15/2

Highly promising debut third of 12 in maiden at Navan (8f, soft, 8/1) in October, nearest finish under a considerate ride. Up in trip. Open to significant progress.

Form: 3-

(7)

White Birch^t¹³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: S Foley| T: J J Murphy| OR: 95

22/1

Confirmed debut promise to run out a ready winner of 13-runner maiden at Dundalk (7f, 7/2) in November. Open to further progress as his stamina is drawn out more.

Form: 51-

Non-Runners

(6)

Alder²⁰⁴

Weight: 9-5| Age: 3

T: Donnacha O'Brien J: G M Ryan

Forecasts

Alexandroupolis (4/5), Denmark (11/4), Alder (6/1), Up And Under (15/2), Mohawk Chief (16/1), Serious Challenge (18/1), White Birch (22/1)

Aidan O'Brien has farmed this Group 3 in recent years and his highly promising Camelot colt ALEXANDROUPOLIS looks the way to go on the back of an impressive debut success at Galway in the autumn. Stablemate Denmark has more experience and could prove the chief threat, although both Alder and White Birch have better days ahead of them and can have a say too in a fascinating contest.