16:55 Leopardstown

Sunday 12 April 2026

All14:1014:4515:2015:5516:2516:5517:25

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

3YO only | Class 1 | 1m 2f | 9 Runners | Turf

(3)

Pierre Bonnard¹⁶⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 113| D

1/1

Son of Camelot who improved a chunk with each of his four runs as a juvenile (won 3 times) and bagged Zetland Stakes at Newmarket and Criterium de Saint-Cloud at Saint-Cloud (by 2 lengths from A Boy Named Susie) in October. Capable of better still for top yard. Big shout.

Form: 4111-

(7)

Christmas Day¹⁷⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 107| C

11/2

Improving colt who landed 1m Gowran maiden and 8-runner Eyrefield Stakes here (9f) last autumn. This son of Camelot has more to offer now stepping up in trip but Moore sides with Pierre Bonnard.

Form: 3511-

(2)

A Boy Named Susie¹⁶⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Oisin Murphy| T: Donnacha O'Brien| OR: 107

10/1

Debut Killarney novice winner. Showed better form in defeat after, signing off with a very good 2 lengths second of 10 to Pierre Bonnard in Criterium de Saint-Cloud at Saint-Cloud. Holds solid form claims.

Form: 14422-

(6)

Endorsement¹⁶⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Ronan Whelan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 105

12/1

Useful colt. Tipperary 9f maiden winner before advancing his form when second in the Zetland Stakes at Newmarket. Not disgraced when 5 lengths eighth of 10 to Pierre Bonnard in Criterium de Saint-Cloud at Saint-Cloud on his final run.

Form: 2128-

(5)

Italy^h1¹⁸³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Chris Hayes| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 112| C

15/2

Debut 7f course winner and showed useful form when placed in three runs subsequently, third in the National Stakes at the Curragh. Only eighth in Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket final run though and fitted with a hood for his return.

Form: 12238-

(4)

James J Braddock¹⁶¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: J M Sheridan| T: J P O'Brien

8/1

Built on debut promise when impressively landing 20-runner maiden at the Curragh (1m) in November. This son of Zarak is open to more progress, especially now stepped up in trip.

Form: 21-

(9)

Shosholoza¹⁶⁸

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

22/1

Made a winning debut in 9f Tipperary maiden and advanced his form when 2½ lengths fifth of 10 to Pierre Bonnard in Criterium de Saint-Cloud at Saint-Cloud later in October. This son of Australia is capable of better still.

Form: 15-

(8)

South Island¹⁷⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Gavin Ryan| T: Donnacha O'Brien| OR: 93

22/1

Got off the mark at the fourth attempt in 9f Curragh maiden in September. Last of 8 in Eyrefield Stakes here (9f) following month though. This is a tough ask.

Form: 52618-

(1)

Victory Tip²⁸

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

33/1

Invincible Army gelding who made a winning start in 23-runner maiden at the Curragh (1m) 28 days ago, showing a good turn of foot. This demands considerably more but he's promising.

Form: 1

Forecasts

Pierre Bonnard (10/11), Christmas Day (5/1), A Boy Named Susie (13/2), Italy (10/1), Endorsement (12/1), James J Braddock (12/1), Shosholoza (14/1), Victory Tip (33/1), South Island (50/1)

Aidan O'Brien has a fine record in this Group 3 and is fancied to garner another success with his upwardly-mobile PIERRE BONNARD who completed a hat-trick last autumn in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud and looks a fine prospect for 2026. The very useful A Boy Named Susie chased him home at Saint-Cloud and again looks set for runner-up spot ahead of James J Braddock and Christmas Day.