Mount Athos and Sense of Purpose declared favourites for the Ballyroan Stakes, Athos to skip Ebor meeting if he wins
The 4-year-old bay gelding, Mount Athos, who was bought by Dr Marwan Koukash after his win in the Melrose Stakes in last year’s Ebor meeting, is gearing up for the Europe’s richest handicap, the Group 3 Ballyroan Stakes at Leopardstown on 4 August, 2011.
The race is run over at a distance of 1 mile and 4 furlongs, with good to firm. The race has reeled in six runners including Mount Athos who is the 10 to 1 favourite, and the winner of the race will receive €37,375.
Jockey Jamie Spencer is opted to ride the gelding for the Leopardstown meet for trainer David Wachman. Jamie Spencer also accompanied Mount Athos in his last two starts at Haydock and Chester racecourse.
On 4 May, 2011, Mount Athos went up against 16 other horses in the Chester Cup Heritage Handicap at Chester. The pair ran a disappointing race, never reached the leaders as they finished fourth out of 17.
The next start with Jamie Spencer was the most recent Old Newton Cup Handicap at Haydock on 2 July, 2011. Again packed in a field of 17 horses, the pair got held up at the rear with no clear opening. Jockey Jamie Spencer decided to switch sides towards the
right with 2 furlongs out.
The combination of Spencer and Mount Athos looked in form for the first time in the final furlong of the Old Newton Cup, when the pair surged powerfully from last position to finish fourth in the race.
In the final furlong, Mount Athos stayed on well and finished even better, defeated by Halicarnassus by 2 ¼ lengths.
The son of Montjeu has won 4 races out of 14 life time starts with one 3rd place finish, with the life time earnings of £67,926.
It was revealed earlier by Mount Athos connections that if the bay gelding goes on to win the Group 3 Ballyroan Stakes, than it could be possible that he goes on to miss the Betfred Ebor Heritage Handicap held at York.
Ebor Handicap attracted a number of 101 runners and it will be held on 20 August, 2011 over at distance of 1 mile and 6 furlongs. The number of runners will reduce with early scratches and going for other events.
Trainer David Wachman said, "Mount Athos is in good form. He's still in the mix for York, either for the Ebor or something else, but we'll see how he gets on tomorrow before making a plan".
On the other hand, Sense of Purpose the 4-year-old chestnut filly is sent as the 16 to 1 favourite to win the Ballyroan Stakes.
Trained by D K Weld, the filly won at Leopardstown last month by a neck over Bob Le Beau in the Challenge Stakes.
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