Vermeer seeking back-to-back Group 3 wins at Leopardstown

GRENKE Finance Ballyroan Stakes (Group 3) | 3yo+ | 1m4f | ATR

Johannes Vermeer, a colt making up for lost time, faces six rivals as he bids for back-to-back wins at Group 3 level following his victory in the International Stakes at the Curragh.

Winner of the Group 1 Criterium International at Saint-Cloud as a two-year-old, a setback restricted the son of Galileo to only one run last season and his Curragh win last month came on his fourth start this year.

Aidan O'Brien, who is also represented by Spanish Steps, said: "It was a long road back with Johannes Vermeer but he came good last time and all has gone well with him since.

"It will be his first time going a mile and a half. We always thought he would get the trip and it will be interesting to find out."

The trainer added: "Spanish Steps was due to go to Goodwood last week until the ground changed. We ran him in the Grand Prix de Paris but he was very green and babyish and we're hoping for a better run this time."

Gatsby out to improve

The Grey Gatsby, who achieved his biggest win when landing the Irish Champion Stakes over this course in 2014, has failed to score since getting the better of Australia by a neck that day.

He will be tackling a mile and a half for the first time since finishing in rear in last year's Arc and will be making his third appearance since joining Dermot Weld.

Weld, who with eight wins is the most successful trainer in the history of the race, first run in 1991 said: "We're hoping The Grey Gatsby will come forward and improve on his two previous runs this year.

"I'm expecting him to run a nice race and he should appreciate the better ground - it was slower than he likes last time."

Stellar Mass, third in last year's Irish Derby, won this a year ago and the Jim Bolger-trained four-year-old will be attempting to become the fourth dual winner of the contest, the most recent of the previous three having been Profound Beauty in 2009 and 2010.

Kevin Manning's mount will be dropping back in distance having run fourth in the 1m6f Curragh Cup on his most recent start.

Grandee, a course and distance winner at Listed level in June, represents Jessica Harrington, while completing the seven-runner line-up are the Charles O'Brien-trained Santa Monica, winner of the Group 3 Munster Oaks over this distance at Cork in June, and Act Of Valour, who represents Michael O'Callaghan.