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

Made rapid progress to become a top middle-distance prospect after winning a 1m Dundalk maiden; asserted strongly when beating stablemate Endorsement in the Zetland Stakes (1m2f, good to firm); continued his rise with a smart display to beat A Boy Names Susie on very soft ground in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud; sets the standard.

Short head winner from A Boy Named Susie in the Eyrefield Stakes over 1m1f here last October; extra furlong should suit but would probably need more than a 2lb concession to account for Pierre Bonnard.

Debut maiden winner; lost out by only a short head to Christmas Day in the 1m1f Eyrefield Stakes here in October on his fourth start; built on that when 2l second to Pierre Bonnard at Saint-Cloud; does not need to improve much to win a Pattern race; solid chance here.

Stepped up on his previous form when second to stablemate Pierre Bonnard in the Zetland last time; well held on his running at Saint-Cloud, dropping away in the final furlong.

Split the ill-fated Gewan and Distant Storm in the Acomb at York; then ran well behind Zavateri and stablemate Gstaad in National Stakes at the Curragh; repeated a hard-pulling tendency in the Dewhurst; needs to settle better to do full justice to his ability; hooded now for seasonal debut.