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

Off time: 15:50 | Winning time: 2m 26.58s

(1)

Nelson¹⁹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: D O'Brien| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 112| BF| C

7/4

A Group 3 winner here last season and admirable effort when second to Roaring Lion in Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket final two-year-old start. Should have plenty more to offer this season.

Form: 62112-

(5)

The Pentagon¹⁶⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 113| C

13/8

Winner of a 7f Group 3 at this track last season before excellent third in Group 1 Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster on final start. Both of those runs were on good ground. Choice of Ryan Moore.

Form: 6113-

(4)

Burgundy Boy¹⁶⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Declan McDonogh| T: D K Weld| OR: 98

14/1

Maiden winner at Roscommon last summer (7f, good to yielding) before fair third (3L) behind The Pentagon in Group 3 here over same trip. Has joined Dermot Weld over the winter.

Form: 44144-

(3)

Delano Roosevelt²⁰²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: J A Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 104| C

11/4

Maiden winner over a mile here in July on good ground, ran subsequent Racing Post Trophy winner Saxon Warrior close in soft-ground Naas Group 2 over a mile on final start. Entitled to plenty respect up in trip on return with conditions to suit.

Form: 132-

Non-Runners

(2)

Lethal Steps¹⁹⁰

Weight: 9-3| Age: 3

T: G M Lyons J: Colin Keane

Forecasts

The Pentagon (13/8), Nelson (7/4), Delano Roosevelt (11/4), Lethal Steps (12/1), Burgundy Boy (14/1)

It is not hard to suggest that trainer Aidan O'Brien will land this prize, but it is tough to decipher between his three runners. THE PENATGON gets the vote from Ryan Moore and probably deserves to have it. The step up in trip should suit him and his final effort of 2017 was a fine one when third in Group 1 Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster. This ground is a question mark however. Delano Roosevelt also has form that ties in with Saxon Warrior (Racing Post Trophy winner) and should handle the conditions, making him perhaps the value call. Nelson is likely to improve this term while Burgundy Boy also should have good days ahead having joined the Weld team.