17:20 Leopardstown

Thursday 5 August 2021

All15:4516:1516:4517:2017:5018:2018:5519:30

Grant Thornton Ballyroan Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 17:21 | Winning time: 2m 36.45s

(8)

Questionare^t³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: Billy Lee| T: L Comer| OR: 101

50/1

Useful gelding. Thirteen runs since last win in 2019. 22/1, 11¾ lengths fifth of 8 to Amhran Na Bhfiann in Curragh Cup at the Curragh (14f, good to firm) 39 days ago.

Form: 097-835

(5)

Effernock Fizz¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: N G McCullagh| T: Miss K Brown| OR: 82| D

200/1

Fairly useful mare. Latest win at the Curragh in June. Last of 6 in handicap at the Curragh (16f, good, 10/1) 19 days ago, hampered. Back down in trip. Uphill task.

Form: 00-5416

(7)

Silence Please^p³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Shane Foley| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 102

13/2

40/1 and cheekpieces on for 1st time, 5¼ lengths seventh of 8 to Thundering Nights in Pretty Polly at the Curragh (10f, good to firm) 39 days ago. Good place shout back at lower level.

Form: 342-427

(4)

Tarnawa²⁷¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Colin Keane| T: D K Weld| OR: 122| C| D

1/2

High-class mare who ended 2020 with 3 successive wins at the highest level, namely the Vermeille/Opera at Longchamp and the Breeders' Cup Turf (by length from Magical) at Keeneland. Can't oppose.

Form: 19/1111-

(9)

Benaud^t⁵⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Wayne Lordan| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 103| C

6/1

Progressive course winner. Good 3¾ lengths fourth of 13 to Kemari in Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot (14.2f, firm, 25/1) 50 days ago, nearest finish. Open to further progress.

Form: 7041-14

(3)

Hector De Maris¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 98

12/1

Useful colt. 4/1, fifth of 6 in handicap at the Curragh (16f, good) 19 days ago, badly hampered. Back down in trip. More needed.

Form: 1-57825

(10)

Seattle Sound¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Gary Carroll| T: L Comer

80/1

Improved third of 13 in maiden (20/1) at the Curragh (12f, good) 18 days ago but can't make a case for him at this much higher level.

Form: 783

(2)

Taipan^b⁵⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: T P Madden| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 102

6/1

Lightly-raced winner. 8/1 and blinkered for 1st time, creditable 4¼ lengths sixth of 13 to Kemari in Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot (14.2f, firm) 50 days ago.

Form: 1-3546

Non-Runners

(6)

Layfayette³⁷

Weight: 9-10| Age: 4

T: N Meade J: Chris Hayes

(1)

Wembley²⁵

Weight: 9-0| Age: 3

T: A P O'Brien J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Tarnawa (1/2), Wembley (11/2), Benaud (6/1), Taipan (6/1), Silence Please (13/2), Layfayette (10/1), Hector De Maris (12/1), Questionare (50/1), Seattle Sound (80/1), Effernock Fizz (200/1)

A Group 3 which features the return to action of last autumn's triple Group 1 winner TARNAWA. The Aga Khan's 5-y-o likely won't be fully primed for this, with much bigger targets ahead in the coming weeks, but she should still prove a cut above this opposition. Queen's Vase fourth Benaud and Jessica Harrington's can battle it out for the forecast spot.