19:20 Leopardstown

Thursday 15 June 2017

All17:4518:1518:4519:2019:5020:2020:50

Oliver Brady Memorial Shabra Charity Ballycorus Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 19:20 | Winning time: 1m 28.31s

(3)

Gordon Lord Byron¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: Chris Hayes| T: T Hogan| OR: 112| C| D

12/1

Winner of eight Group races including the Greenlands Stakes last month. That haul counts against him given the conditions of this contest. Fifth in this last year but "scoped wrong" afterwards.

Form: 992541

(5)

Don't Touch²⁴³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: T Hamilton| T: R A Fahey| OR: 113

5/2

Smart sprinter tackling a new trip. Has won first time out in both previous seasons but is yet to make the frame in Group company. Trainer has found an easier opportunity this time and one where he is favoured by the race conditions. Stable 3-47 when bringing runners to Ireland.

Form: 151045-

(6)

Firmament¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 109| BF

7/4

Suited by a strongly run 7f but there has to be a fear this will prove tactical with no obvious pacemaker in the lineup. Yet to tackle Group company but has form in Listed events and official ratings give him an obvious chance. Trainer 4-26 on his raids over here.

Form: 1223-32

(1)

Flight Risk²²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger| OR: 108| D

12/1

Returns from a seven month layoff seeking first win since landing the Gladness Stakes 22 runs ago. Has faced some difficult tasks since and this will be one of the few opportunities in that period where he has been weighted to be competitive.

Form: 452490-

(4)

Marshall Jennings⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: C O'Donoghue| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 102| D

12/1

Placed in a Listed race here two months ago. Graduates to a higher class with something to find on form.

Form: 22-0248

(7)

Sevenleft^t⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Ronan Whelan| T: Ms S Lavery| OR: 97| D

20/1

Not disgraced behind Brendan Bracken here last month but has a lot more to do in this higher grade.

Form: 891-504

(2)

Psychedelic Funk²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons| OR: 104

4/1

No match for the mighty Caravaggio last time but that was still a huge improvement on his reappearance effort. Only test over this trip came in the National Stakes and proved inconclusive given the calibre of opposition and change of tactics. The way he stayed on at Naas raises hopes this trip might be right for him and the stable landed this with three-year-olds in 2015 and 2006.

Form: 1326-02

Forecasts

Firmament (7/4), Don't Touch (5/2), Psychedelic Funk (4/1), Flight Risk (12/1), Gordon Lord Byron (12/1), Marshall Jennings (12/1), Sevenleft (20/1)

Gordon Lord Byron is the most consistent performer of these when it comes to tackling Group races. The conditions of this set him a stiff task but his tactical versatility and proven wellbeing make him the one to beat. Don't Touch tackles this trip for the first time and the lack of an obvious pacemaker may bring his speed into play. Having won first time up in each of his two season's racing there should be few worries on that score. PSYCHEDELIC FUNK was sticking on nicely behind Caravaggio last time and is worth another attempt at this trip. His yard are in form and have a good record in this. This could prove tactical and that would play into his hands and would count against Firmament. David O'Meara's raider is not far off this class judged by his official ratings and, provided the race is run to suit, he would be an obvious danger.