15:45 Leopardstown

Sunday 2 April 2023

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

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

Off time: 15:45 | Winning time: 2m 19.95s

1^st

(7)

White Birch

39-5

22/1

T: J J MurphyJ: Shane Foley

Dwelt, held up in last, pushed along and closer in last 2f out, headway to dispute 3rd when bumped 1 1/2f out, ridden in close 2nd 1f out, led under 1f out, joined inside final furlong, stayed on well to lead last strides tchd 20/1

2^nd

(4)

Up And Under

39-5

15/2

T: J P O'BrienJ: Mikey Sheehy

Tracked leaders in 5th, travelling well in moderate 4th 2f out, soon pushed along, pushed along and disputing 3rd when checked 1 1/2f out, ridden in close 4th 1f out, improved to disputed lead inside final furlong, headed and no extra last strides op 10/1

3^rd

(5)

Alexandroupolis

39-5

4/5f

T: A P O'BrienJ: R L Moore

Tracked leaders in 3rd, pushed along in 2nd 2f out, ridden and briefly drifted right 1 1/2f out, dropped to 3rd 1f and no impression on leaders 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong op 4/7

4^th

1 ¾

(3)

Serious Challenge

39-5

18/1

T: J S BolgerJ: Rory Cleary

Led and soon clear, ridden and reduced advantage entering straight, strongly pressed 1f out, headed under 1f out, no impression tchd 20/1

5^th

(1)

Denmark

39-5

11/4

T: A P O'BrienJ: Wayne Lordan

Tracked leaders in 4th, pushed along 4f out, ridden and dropped to 5th 2f out, no impression op 10/3 tchd 5/2

6^th

6 ½

(2)

Mohawk Chief

39-5

16/1

T: A P O'BrienJ: Seamie Heffernan

Tracked leader in 2nd, pushed along 5f out, ridden 3f out, 3rd 2f out, weakened op 14/1 tchd 12/1

Unlimited Replays

of all UK and Irish races with our Race Replays

Discover Sporting Life Plus Benefits Sporting Life Plus - Join For Free

Non-Runners

(6)

Alder²⁰⁴

Weight: 9-5| Age: 3

T: Donnacha O'Brien J: Gavin Ryan

Betting Breakdown

Tote Win:€23.00Pl:€5.50, €2.80EX:€187.70Trifecta:€367.30SF:€157.66

Forecasts

Alexandroupolis (4/5), Denmark (11/4), Alder (6/1), Up And Under (15/2), Mohawk Chief (16/1), Serious Challenge (18/1), White Birch (22/1)

Aidan O'Brien has farmed this Group 3 in recent years and his highly promising Camelot colt ALEXANDROUPOLIS looks the way to go on the back of an impressive debut success at Galway in the autumn. Stablemate Denmark has more experience and could prove the chief threat, although both Alder and White Birch have better days ahead of them and can have a say too in a fascinating contest.

ALEXANDROUPOLIS (IRE)
DENMARK
ALDER (IRE)

Previous Winners

2022

Piz Badile

Weight: 9-5 |Age: 3

J: Gavin Ryan | T: Donnacha O'Brien

4/1

Prize Money

1st: €30,000.002nd: €10,000.003rd: €5,000.004th: €2,500.005th: €1,500.006th: €1,000.00