5.30 1m. 2f. 150yds. 6 Declared. Woodford Reserve Ballysax Stakes (Group 3) of €50,000.00 3-y-o
1st - €30,000.00 2nd - €10,000.00 3rd - €5,000.00 4th - €2,500.00 5th - €1,500.00 6th - €1,000.00
FormscanBy Michael Graham - A Group 3 that has moved to Dundalk in the revised calendar. MONARCH OF EGYPT, with a rating of 111, is very difficult to get away from although he is hardly going to be a working man's price. The American Pharoah colt makes his Polytrack debut and steps up in trip, so you wouldn't want to be taking very short odds. His dam, Up, was a Group 2 winner over 10 furlongs. He has had the misfortune to face the unbeaten Classic-winner Siskin three times, and has chased him home twice in Group company. His last outing saw him collared in the Group 3 Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot. Aidan O'Brien has dominated the Ballysax Stakes having won nine renewals, in Leopardstown, since 1999. Dalvey is next best on ratings (99) after a close fourth in a Group 3 at Leopardstown. He is also up in trip. The unexposed one is Indicative Vote who won over a similar trip on debut in a median auction maiden at Roscommon. He clearly has an abundance of stamina, as he did another lap of the track after the race was over. He could be the one to take advantage of any stamina issues the others have. Siamese and Nobel Prize cannot be ruled out on what they have shown.
For three years old only Weights - 9st 5lbs; Fillies allowed 3lbs; Penalties - Winner of a Group 3 race 3lb extra Of a Group 2 or Group 1 race 5lb extra