Woodford Reserve Ballysax Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 17:30 | Winning time: 2m 16.91s

(6)

Choice Of Mine^t³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: E Greatrex| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 95| C

22/1

Winner on this surface in December over 1m beating seven rivals 1¼L. Well held on return to action in a Group 3 contest at the Curragh last month. Needs to improve significantly.

Form: 41-26

(5)

Dalvey^t¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: James J Doyle| T: D Hogan| OR: 99

8/1

Running well since making career debut this year at Naas last month, winning at Gowran Park before a solid effort in the Group 3 Amethyst stakes at Leopardstown at the start of the month. Main danger.

Form: 614

(3)

Indicative Vote²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: D W O'Connor| T: G M Lyons

9/1

Gelded son of Elzaam out of a Fath mare. Cost €34,000 as a foal. Closely related to 7f winner Alkhawaneej, successful as a two-year-old. Winner on sole start so far landing a Roscommon maiden over a similar trip last month. May need a few to falter

Form: 1

(2)

Monarch Of Egypt²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: M C Hussey| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 111

10/11

Highest rated in the race by 12lb. Trainer has won this race for the last two years (run at Leopardstown) with Nelson in 2018 and 12 months ago with Broome.

Form: 2285-72

(1)

Nobel Prize²³

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

4/1

Won a maiden contest in November before finishing fifth of eight runners in the Group 2 Queens Vase at Royal Ascot. The yard, as well as winning the last two renewals, saddled the second, third and fourth in both the 2016 and 2017 contests.

Form: 921-5

(4)

Siamese¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Ben Coen| T: J P Murtagh| OR: 93| C

6/1

€130,000 Kitten's Joy Filly. Winner on this surface in September, ran well in defeat at the Curragh last month finishing second of 13 runners beaten a head over 1m. Can give a good account for in form yard.

Form: 41-02

Forecasts

Monarch Of Egypt (10/11), Nobel Prize (4/1), Siamese (6/1), Dalvey (8/1), Indicative Vote (9/1), Choice Of Mine (22/1)

The stand-out record of the Aidan O'Brien yard in this contest over the years leaves it hard to ignore the clear and obvious chances of Nobel Prize and the 111-rated MONARCH OF EGYPT. The colt has finished behind Pinatubo (9½L) and Siskin on three occasions in Group company since making his debut in June 2019. The three-year-old can land this Group 3 contest at the expense of his stablemate and the Denis Hogan-trained Dalvey, who ran well in defeat over 1m at Leopardstown earlier this month.