Group Three Ballysax Stakes Leopardstown Guide 2023

Joe Glayshier | @joeglayshier

Leopardstown - April 01 2023
Leopardstown 14:45
2(5)
Ryan Moore

Alexandroupolis

J: Ryan Moore
T: A P O'Brien
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 9-5
OR: N/A
Days: 208

The second of Aidan O’Brien’s runners in this contest is Alexandroupolis, who won impressively on debut by just under two lengths to Espionage, who has since gone on to win at Curragh and finish second at Saint-Cloud after that run.

This looks a top race with many chances, but O’Brien has a good record in this race and leads the market currently with Denmark, who should pose a threat to Alexandroupolis but you’d think he’s right in with a shout after that impressive debut success.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
02/04/23LEO10Hy9-53
06/09/22GAL8.5Sft9-71
Leopardstown - April 01 2023
Leopardstown 14:45
1(6)

Alder

J:
T: Donnacha Aidan O'Brien
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 9-5
OR: 104
Days: 204

Three-year-old for Donnacha O’Brien who steps up to 1m 2f here following fourth of 11 at Curragh (7f), first of seven at Killarney (1m) before third of five last time out here over 1m in Group Two Champions Juvenile Stakes, behind Caroline Street and Auguste Rodin in September last year.

This colt holds solid claims over this trip for the first time and can challenge for victory with Gavin Ryan on board.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
11/05/23CHS10.5Sft9-22
21/04/23COR10Gd/Y9-91
10/09/22LEO8Sft9-53
11/07/22KLN8Gd9-71
26/06/22CUR7Y9-54
Leopardstown - April 01 2023
Leopardstown 14:45
3(1)
Wayne Lordan

Denmark

J: Wayne Lordan
T: A P O'Brien
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 9-5
OR: 97
Days: 183

Three-year-old 97-rated colt for Aidan O’Brien who currently sits at the top of the market after winning debut at Naas over 1m in August, beating Warrior Lion by just over three lengths before second of 16 at ParisLongchamp over 7f at 5/4 favourite.

Denmark should have more to come on the back of those two runs and steps up to 1m 2f here. Should be there or thereabouts but there’s a few in with a chance of winning this race.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
01/10/22LON8VSft9-22
01/08/22NAA8Y9-51
Leopardstown - April 01 2023
Leopardstown 14:45
5(3)
Rory Cleary

Serious Challenge

J: Rory Cleary
T: J S Bolger
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 9-5
OR: 101
Days: 7

Three-year-old gelding for Jim Bolger who won at Galway over 1m after finishing third on debut at the same course before fourth of five here in the Group Two Champions Juvenile Stakes over 1m in September last year.

Returned seven days ago to finish third of four in Naas Median Auction Race over 1m so needs to bounce back here and is the highest rated runner in this contest. Can see others winning, however.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
21/04/23COR10Gd/Y9-63
02/04/23LEO10Hy9-54
26/03/23NAA8Hy9-63
10/09/22LEO8Sft9-54
30/07/22GAL8.5Sft9-71
Leopardstown - April 01 2023
Leopardstown 14:45
7(7)
Shane Foley

White Birch

J: Shane Foley
T: John Joseph Murphy
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 9-5
OR: 95
Days: 130

White Birch finished fifth of 20 on debut at Naas over 1m in November last year before following up that promising run 17 days later at Dundalk down in trip to 7f to win by six and a half lengths to Brasilian Princess at 7/2.

Looks like a runner that is open to more progress and steps up in trip here to test his stamina and despite this being a tougher test, he can go well again.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
18/05/23YOR10.5GF9-22
02/04/23LEO10Hy9-51
23/11/22DUN7St9-71
06/11/22NAA8Hy9-75
Leopardstown - April 01 2023
Leopardstown 14:45
4(2)
Seamie Heffernan

Mohawk Chief

J: Seamie Heffernan
T: A P O'Brien
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 9-5
OR: 92
Days: 162

92-rated colt who began career with seventh-place finish in Irish Stallions Farms EBF Maiden at Listowel in September over 7f before landing maiden next time out here over 7f again in October, beating favourite Livio Milo by a head.

Should build on that run again here up in trip significantly and must not be dismissed after that win last time out.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
07/05/23LEO10Sft/Hy9-58
02/04/23LEO10Hy9-56
22/10/22LEO7Sft9-51
20/09/22LIS7Gd/Y9-77
Leopardstown - April 01 2023
Leopardstown 14:45
6(4)
Mikey Sheehy

Up And Under

J: Mikey Sheehy
T: Joseph Patrick O'Brien
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 9-5
OR: N/A
Days: 179

Joseph O’Brien sends one for this contest here in the shape of three-year-old colt Up And Under. He finished third on debut at Navan over 1m in October last year behind Dutch Gold and Salt Lake City at 8/1.

Another runner in this contest who should be able to improve more being only three years old and steps up in trip here for the Ballysax Stakes.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
07/05/23LEO10Sft/Hy9-52
02/04/23LEO10Hy9-52
05/10/22NAV8Sft9-73