IN THE past tomorrow's PW McGrath Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown has been the kick-off point in the classic seasons of Aidan O'Brien superstars like Galileo, High Chaparral and Yeats so Alessandro Volta has a lot to live up to in Leopardstown's Group Three highlight.
John Murtagh has elected to ride the Montjeu colt from the O'Brien trio that help make up a seven-strong field that at first glance might not look set to make much of an impact in ante-post betting for the Epsom Derby.
However, those who take the view that Ladbrokes usually have an accurate line on the merits of Ballydoyle's inmates will take into account how the firm are shortest of all in Derby betting with their 20 to 1 about Alessandro Volta.
This strapping colt took three starts to win but that came here in the Listed Eyrefield Stakes at the back end of last season and physically Alessandro Volta looked a type to improve with time. All his form is on quick ground but being by Montjeu, this slower surface shouldn't be a problem.
Dermot Weld's Unwritten Rule short-headed the supposed number one in the O'Brien pecking order for Epsom, Washington Irving, here two weeks ago but will do well to repeat the dose.
Murtagh will also be fancied in the other black-type race, the Listed Heritage Stakes, but it will be on David Wachman's Followmyfootsteps, who can score on his first start of the season.
Fifth in last year's Irish 2,000 Guineas, and sixth in the French version, Wachman's runner is clear of these on ratings and is preferred to Alarazi.
O'Brien throws four at the mile-and-a-quarter maiden with Murtagh on board the unraced filly Moonstone. She will have to be smart to win first of asking against colts, especially her stable companion William Hogarth, who is as low as 25 to 1 for Epsom.
William Hogarth was heavily backed for the Derby even before he ran and his two starts as a juvenile were pretty uninspired in that context. However, he is reportedly working well and his experience could prove crucial.
Vilasol was expected to win on his Curragh debut only to fade to fourth behind Cool Tarifa last month. With that experience under his best, however, he should be a tough opponent for the Ballydoyle newcomer in the opening juvenile event.
Ruby Walsh and Davy Russell will be in direct opposition at Cork where Russell could have the better of things in the novice handicap chase courtesy of War Of The World.
