14:20 Leopardstown

Sunday 7 April 2024

All13:1513:4514:2014:5515:3016:0516:4017:12

Ballylinch Stud 'Red Rocks' Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 14:21 | Winning time: 1m 39.31s

(3)

Atlantic Coast¹⁶⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Dylan Browne McMonagle| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 104| CD

3/1

Promising individual. Two wins from 3 runs last year. 2/1, won 6-runner Killavullan Stakes at this course (7.1f, heavy) by nose from Bright Stripes when last seen in October. Has to be taken seriously.

Form: 131-

(7)

Battle Cry¹⁸⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 102| D

10/1

Lightly-raced winner. 16/1, very good 1¾ lengths second of 14 to Mountain Bear in listed race at Dundalk (7f). Off 6 months. Yard also saddles Samuel Colt and The Liffey.

Form: 82142-

(8)

Bright Stripes^p¹⁶⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Billy Lee| T: A Oliver| OR: 103| D

6/1

Lightly-raced winner. Cheekpieces on for 1st time, excellent nose second of 6 to Atlantic Coast in Killavullan Stakes (11/2) at this course (7.1f, heavy). Off 169 days. Merits consideration.

Form: 6312-

(4)

Chicago Critic¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Ben Coen| T: J P Murtagh| OR: 93

16/1

Thrice-raced winner. One win from 2 runs last year. Winner at Naas in October. Third of 5 in minor event at Naas (8f, heavy, 4/1) 14 days ago. Open to improvement but this is a big ask.

Form: 31-3

(2)

My Mate Alfie^b1¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons| OR: 94| D

20/1

Useful gelding. 9/2, bit below form 10½ lengths fourth of 12 to Take Me To Church in handicap at Naas (7f, heavy) 14 days ago. Blinkers on 1st time and clearly has work to do.

Form: 31235-4

(1)

Samuel Colt¹⁵⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Gavin Ryan| T: A P O'Brien

4/1

Once-raced winner. One win from 1 run last year. 5/2, won 20-runner maiden at the Curragh (5.9f, heavy) on debut, forging clear. Off 159 days. Up in trip and class here but he's clearly promising.

Form: 1-

(6)

Take Me To Church^p¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Ronan Whelan| T: J Davison| OR: 101| D

3/1

Useful colt. Career best when winning 12-runner handicap (4/1) at Naas (7f, heavy) 14 days ago. Shouldn't be underestimated, despite the rise in class.

Form: 3721-11

(5)

The Liffey³⁰⁵

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

10/1

One win from 1 run last year. 8/1, won 8-runner minor event at the Curragh (6f, good) on debut by neck from My Mate Alfie, not knocked about, last June. Should improve.

Form: 1-

Forecasts

Take Me To Church (3/1), Atlantic Coast (3/1), Samuel Colt (4/1), Bright Stripes (6/1), Battle Cry (10/1), The Liffey (10/1), Chicago Critic (16/1), My Mate Alfie (20/1)

TAKE ME TO CHURCH looks ready for this step up in class judged on his impressive handicap debut success at Naas and he is taken to complete the four-timer. There wasn't much between Atlantic Coast and Bright Stripes in the Killavullan Stakes here during the autumn and they should be on the premises once again, while The Liffey could be the pick of the Ballydoyle trio, despite being passed over by Ryan Moore in favour of Battle Cry.