Kennedy back in Ballysax Investec Derby favourite John F Kennedy will face only two rivals on his comeback in the PW McGrath Memorial Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown on Sunday. As low as 7-2 in places for the Epsom Classic, the regally bred colt signed off last season with an easy win in a Group Three. A son of Galileo and the Group One-winning mare Rumplestiltskin, he has family honour to uphold as his sister Tapestry landed the Yorkshire Oaks last season. Galileo claimed this Group Three in 2001 before going on to glory at Epsom. Aidan O'Brien has also been on the mark in the mile-and-a-quarter Ballysax with the likes of High Chaparral, Yeats and Fame And Glory. John F Kennedy will be ridden by Ryan Moore, who is expected to take up a more prominent role at Ballydoyle this season. O'Brien's son, Joseph, who has ridden countless Group One winners for the yard in recent years, is struggling with his weight and has been in action over hurdles in recent weeks. Due to his ongoing battle with the scales, O'Brien jnr's options on the Flat are limited, but he will still ride on the level when his weight allows. John F Kennedy's presence in the Ballysax has not frightened off Dermot Weld as he saddles Zafilani, third in a Listed race last October. Weld won the race 12 months ago with the useful Fascinating Rock. The third runner is Ken Condon's Success Days, a winner at Cork last weekend.
