14:35 Leopardstown

Sunday 30 March 2025

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:5517:30

Ballylinch Stud 'Red Rocks' Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 14:35 | Winning time: 1m 28.44s

(1)

Henri Matisse¹⁴⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 116| D

6/4

Quickly developed into a smart performer as a juvenile, landing first 3 starts and back on the up when ending last year with success in Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar (1m, firm) in November. Obvious claims in this company on return to action.

Form: 111251-

(4)

Arizona Blaze¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: D Egan| T: A Murray| OR: 110

7/4

Useful, consistent juvenile last season who completed simple task back from 4 months off when winning 6-runner minor event at Dundalk (6f, 4/9) 16 days ago, driven clear. Well worth his place back at this higher level on first crack at 7f.

Form: 33242-1

(7)

Comanche Brave¹⁶²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Gavin Ryan| T: Donnacha O'Brien| OR: 100

22/1

Off the mark at second time of asking in a Cork maiden (6f) in September and improved again when second at listed level a month later. Not in same form when fourth in C&D Group 3 later that month and more needed if he's to play a lead role on return.

Form: 4124-

(3)

Hazdann²⁷⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Chris Hayes| T: D K Weld| D

9/2

Night Of Thunder colt who built on debut promise when winning 14-runner maiden (10/1) at the Curragh (7f, good to soft) last June, always holding on. Clearly remains with a good deal of potential on return and market confidence behind him would look significant.

Form: 91-

(6)

Rock Of Cashel¹⁶⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 104| D

22/1

Made it second time lucky in a 7f Galway maiden last summer but struggled to make an impact in pattern company thereafter and suspicion he'll come up short again on seasonal bow.

Form: 81465-

(5)

Spycraft¹⁰⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Scott McCullagh| T: J P O'Brien| D

66/1

310,000 gns yearling, Siyouni colt who is bred in the purple and justified good support to make a winning debut in 7-runner Dundalk maiden (7f) in December. In good hands and likely there's a good deal more to come.

Form: 1-

(2)

Tribal Nation¹⁵³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Dylan Browne McMonagle| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 90| D

11/1

Promising type who continued theme of race-by-race progress when winning 7-runner maiden at Galway (7f, heavy) in October, still green but asserting close home. Type to progress again as a 3-y-o.

Form: 521-

Forecasts

Henri Matisse (6/4), Arizona Blaze (7/4), Hazdann (9/2), Tribal Nation (11/1), Comanche Brave (22/1), Rock Of Cashel (22/1), Spycraft (66/1)

HENRI MATISSE signed off a highly-productive juvenile campaign with success in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar back in November and, with the drop in trip holding no fears, he's fancied to make a winning return. Easy Dundalk scorer Arizona Blaze, on his first crack at 7f, rates next best, with Hazdann completing the shortlist.