Melbourne Cup hope Cleveland out to make winning debut for Joseph O'Brien

Thursday: 6.15 Leopardstown
Grant Thornton Ballyroan Stakes (Group 3) | 1m4f | 3yo+ | RTV

This race has offered a pointer towards major Australian spring carnival prizes in the past and we could be set for more of the same as Melbourne Cup hope Cleveland makes his debut for Joseph O'Brien.

Johannes Vermeer was runner-up in the 2017 Ballyroan before filling the same spot in the same year's Melbourne Cup, Yucatan bolted up in Caulfield's Herbert Power Stakes following a third in this in 2018, while in 2020 Pondus was just touched off in two lucrative Australian Group 3 handicaps having finished fourth here.

One-time Classic hope Cleveland showed a touch of class to win this year's Chester Cup off a mark of 98 and went down fighting when runner-up in the Copper Horse Handicap at Royal Ascot last time behind Get Shirty.

There was no shame in finding Get Shirty too strong on that occasion given the David O'Meara-trained winner is now rated 11lb higher after winning the Old Newton Cup next time.

Cleveland's transfer from Aidan O'Brien to Joseph could indicate a trip down under is on the cards for the talented four-year-old, but he is bound to be tested here in a competitive Group 3.

Beamish: showed an excellent attitude to score at Roscommon last timeCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Beamish, trained by Paddy Twomey, extended his unbeaten record to three starts when winning the Listed Lenebane Stakes at Roscommon last time and is entitled to try this company, while the Noel Meade-trained Layfayette is another significant player if back to his early-season form.

Duke De Sessa, out to make it back-to-back wins in the race for Dermot Weld, is an interesting candidate having his first try at this trip and Gear Up comes here on the back of his best effort since joining Joseph O'Brien when runner-up in the Curragh Cup.

What they say

Noel Meade, trainer of Layfayette
We wouldn't mind seeing the ground a little easier and he's got to give weight away, but he seems in good form. We always felt he could be fine over a mile and a half, but we wondered slightly whether we're right about that after his last run at Ascot. Hopefully this will tell us.

Layfayette: finished fifth in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot last timeCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Paddy Twomey, trainer of Beamish
He's in good form and has been progressing nicely. He stays well, is a pleasure to train and looks very versatile in terms of ground.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Cleveland and Gear Up
We've been happy with what we've seen from Cleveland so far and we're hoping he can run a nice race. It was a good effort from Gear Up last time at the Curragh, so hopefully he can run well again.

Dermot Weld, trainer of Falcon Eight and Duke De Sessa
Falcon Eight is reverting to the Flat after running over hurdles at Galway. His last two Flat starts at Chester and Royal Ascot were good. Duke De Sessa is in great form, but I'd have a concern about the ground. Any rain would be welcomed for him.

Jessica Harrington, trainer of Sandhurst
It was a very messy race last time, but hopefully this will suit him. He came out of Galway very well and we're happy with him.

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