15:45 Leopardstown

Saturday 2 April 2022

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:5517:25

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

Off time: 15:45 | Winning time: 2m 9.80s

(3)

Duke De Sessa¹⁶¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Chris Hayes| T: D K Weld| OR: 106| C

10/3

Two wins from 4 runs last year. Career best when winning 13-runner Eyrefield Stakes (11/2) at this course (9f, good) in October by ½ length from Piz Badile. Has to penalty to carry but likely has more to offer.

Form: 3161-

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(2)

Absolute Ruler²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Killian Leonard| T: Donnacha O'Brien| OR: 101

40/1

Lightly-raced winner. One win from 3 runs last year. 7/2, 9½ lengths sixth of 8 to Juncture in listed race at Dundalk (8f) 29 days ago. Up in trip. Others hold stronger claims.

Form: 130-6

(1)

Bluegrass¹⁷⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 98

11/2

Left debut well behind to win 1m Curragh maiden last August. Improved again when 3½ lengths fourth of 9 to Goldspur in Zetland Stakes at Newmarket (10f, good to soft) 6 weeks later. Type to do better again at 3. Yard seeking fifth successive win in this.

Form: 614-

(7)

Buckaroo¹⁶¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: S M Crosse| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 107

9/2

Promising type. Much improved when 2¾ lengths fourth of 9 to El Bodegon in Criterium de Saint-Cloud (17/1) at Saint-Cloud (10f, soft), left with lot to do. Off 161 days. Sets the benchmark.

Form: 3164-

(5)

Manu Et Corde¹⁸⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger| OR: 102| C

10/1

Useful colt. Course winner. Good 4¾ lengths second of 5 to Luxembourg in Beresford Stakes at the Curragh (8f, good, 14/1). Off 6 months. Up in trip.

Form: 591452-

(4)

Piz Badile¹⁶¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Gavin Ryan| T: Donnacha O'Brien| OR: 105

4/1

Promising type. Debut winner last summer. Useful form when ½-length second of 13 to reopposing Duke De Sessa in Eyrefield Stakes (10/1) at this course (9f, good) in October. Receives 3 lb from that one now. Should be more to come from him in 2022.

Form: 12-

(6)

More Felons¹⁷⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 102

17/2

One win from 3 runs last year. Winner at Gowran in September. 5¾ lengths fifth of 10 to Coroebus in Autumn Stakes (14/1) at Newmarket (8f, good to soft). Off 175 days. Up in trip. Moore seemingly prefers Bluegrass.

Form: 615-

(8)

Swan Bay¹⁸⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Declan McDonogh| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 101

7/1

Thrice-raced winner. 5¼ lengths fourth of 5 to Luxembourg in Beresford Stakes at the Curragh (8f, good, 15/8) on final start.

Form: 214-

(9)

Vina Sena¹²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Billy Lee| T: H De Bromhead

18/1

16/5, won 13-runner maiden at Dundalk (1m) on debut in December, staying on well. Up in trip. Capable of better but this is a jump in class.

Form: 1-

Forecasts

Duke De Sessa (10/3), Piz Badile (4/1), Buckaroo (9/2), Bluegrass (11/2), Swan Bay (7/1), More Felons (17/2), Manu Et Corde (10/1), Vina Sena (18/1), Absolute Ruler (40/1)

BUCKAROO improved with each run last year, culminating with his Group 1 fourth in France in the autumn, and is selected to advance his form again and make a successful reappearance. Aidan O'Brien has won the last 4 runnings of this so it's likely his Bluegrass will be involved at the finish. Piz Badile and Duke de Sessa are others to consider.