LEOPARDSTOWN

4:05 P.W.MCGRATH MEMORIAL BALLYSAX STAKES (GROUP 3) (3yo) 1m2f

ALESSANDRO VOLTA 9-1 ~ Stable first string on jockey bookings and in a fairly prominent position in the anti post market for the Derby (25/1). However he will needed to have improved considerably on his 2yo form if he’s to mark his mark in the Epsom Classic. Beaten by Moiqen at Navan he improved when winning a Listed race over 9f here at Leopardstown. He was definitely value for more than his 2 length victory but everything dropped his way and it was a weak field with the exposed 85 rated Dick Morris in 3rd. The way he finished the race though suggests this sort of trip will be the minimum he runs over this season. He is likely to have progressed over the winter and he has to be respected.

DIRAR 9-1 ~ Had some decent form over a mile but when stepped up to 1¼ miles at Leopardstown he didn’t appear to stay the extra two furlongs. He needs to translate his all weather form from Dundalk onto the turf but judging by his last run he has plenty to find with Unwritten Rule. No apparent excuses for that run and he has plenty to prove over this trip and on the turf.

HEBRIDEAN 9-1 ~ Raced as a juvenile for Joseph Crowley and showed very little as a 2yo. In 8 starts he won only once and the victory came in an auction maiden at Roscommon. He made his debut for his new trainer in the Group 3 Leopardstown 2,000 Guineas Trial and the colt finished 3rd of 4. It was a much improved effort though so there is hope he can prove a much better 3yo. He still has ground to find with Moiqen though and this trip has to bring around considerable improvement if he is to win today. His sire Bach stayed this far but then again he was equally good over a mile. The yards runners can improve for the run but given that they have only had one winner this month it may pay to take them on in their current form.

KING OF ROME 9-1 ~ He destroyed the field in his maiden at Tipperary and the way he finished the race suggested he’ll only be better over further. So it was a disappointing effort in the Racing Post Trophy but connections are firm in the belief he is better than that. He is bred to appreciate middle distances and if back in the form he showed at Tipperary he has to be respected

MOIQEN 9-1 ~ Stable won this last year with Mores Well but he had already produced some decent performances. Moiqen doesn’t have the same level of form but he did break his maiden at Navan whilst Alexander Volta was back in 3rd. The 2nd Mikhail Fokine hasn’t done much for the form but it was still a fair effort. The Kevin Prendergast colt made his seasonal reappearance in the Group 3 Leopardstown 2,000 Guineas Trial but he was blown away by the favourite Famous Name and only just managed to beat Hebridean. He should be fitter for the run but he has to improve on what he has shown so far in his career. The step up in trip holds out some hope and there is enough in his pedigree to suggest he’ll stay.

UNWRITTEN RULE 9-1 ~ The further Dermot Welds Dalakhani colt goes the better he performs. Over a mile he produced a gritty display to hold off the late charge of Wassily Kandinsky on his final start as a 2yo. Back on the track a year older he faced another Ballydoyle in mate Washington Irving, who holds a prominent position at the head of the Derby market (14/1). Off a steady pace he quickened up well to lead and he ran on extremely well all the way to the line just holding off the challenge of the odds on favourite. He can be expected to improve for the run but he will have to and the 3rd Houston Dynimo let the form down badly next time out.

SOLAS NA GREINE 8-12 ~ Given the fillies pedigree she is sure to relish the step up in trip. Her trainer, Jim Bolger, does well with Galileo progeny and as there is plenty enough stamina on the dams side so its surprising that she hasn’t tackled this far before. She was thought good enough to run in the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes and she performed with credit giving the impression she was progressive. However she didn’t really build on that but the 6f was never likely to suit and she ran too bad to be true on her last race of the season so it’s possible she was over the top. This season she must be given a second chance now stepped up in trip.

CONCLUSION

An interesting contest and whereas the market has it as a two horse race it is far from that simple.

Shortlist includes Alessandro Volta, King Of Rome, Unwritten Rule and Solas Na Greine.

Jim Bolgers filly looks to be the only pace angle in the race given that connections have said Dirar will be ridden differently today. She could nick it from the front and is sure to improve for the step up in trip. If the race does turn into a sprint it could go against Alessandro Volta who looked to improve when attacking a decent pace here at the end of last season. He is sure to progress but given the form of the yard he is a short price after his long lay off. Unwritten Rule isn’t short of stamina but he has also shown a taking turn of foot when needed and he might not be as inconvenienced as some other horses by a slow pace. He looks the most likely winner given the fine form of his yard and he has the advantage of race fitness. Dermot Welds colt is sure to be better for the run but he has to improve on what he has shown so far and his price doesn’t leave much room for error. Despite concerns about the form of Ballydoyle King Of Rome is a very attractive price. He disappointed some what in the Racing Post Trophy but he has previous put in a good effort when winning at Tipperary and he recorded an impressive speed figure in the process. This race doesn’t seem to be as good as it first appears and he could run well at a price.

1pt WIN – KING OF ROME @ 33/1

RESULT

KING OF ROME 5th = -1pt