Keatley backing Ballymount Boy to make Acomb leap

Seven-furlong test awaits Goodwood runner-up

Adrian Keatley’s Ballymount Boy will aim to show his class again in the Tattersalls Acomb Stakes at York’s Ebor meeting.

The son of Camacho was beaten a neck on debut and then won a Hamilton novice in July, after which he took a big step into Group Two company to contest the Richmond Stakes at Goodwood.

Starting at 25-1 under Jason Hart, the colt was the outsider of the field but defied his odds when finishing a length behind the winner, Simon and Ed Crisford’s Vandeek.

That form was given a notable boost when Vandeek won the Group One Prix Morny at Deauville on Sunday, getting the better of Christopher Head’s previously undefeated filly Ramatuelle.

Keatley is therefore looking forward to getting Ballymount Boy out again, with the juvenile stepping up to seven furlongs for the first time on the Knavesmire.

He said: “He’s trained well since his run at Goodwood, we’re very happy with him and we’re looking forward to running him in the Acomb on Wednesday.

“It looked the obvious thing to do coming away from Goodwood (stepping up in trip), it looked to us like he’d appreciate another furlong, so that’s what we’re doing.

“We thought a lot of our horse going to Goodwood, so we weren’t by any means surprised by his run and we appreciate that the winner now looks very good as well – it’s all stacking up.”

Ballymount Boy made a slow start to the Richmond Stakes and left himself with ground to make up, but Keatley is happy to chalk that up to experience and has high hopes for the horse for this season and beyond.

“You have to forgive him that, he’s a big boy, he’s a big two-year-old and he’s still a baby,” he said.

“He went from a four-runner novice race at Hamilton into a Group Two and it was a massive step, a massive ask, and he answered all the questions bar one.

“You can forgive him for not winning considering the way everything went for him on the day.

“We think he could be a top-class seven furlong/miler for the future – we’re hopeful.”

Also set to run is Charlie Hills’ Cogitate, a Churchill colt out of the Listed-winning mare Damaniyat Girl.

The youngster was a winner on his only start to date, claiming a Newbury novice by two lengths in a taking performance under Hollie Doyle.

William Buick takes the ride at York, and Hills is hopeful the horse can build on his first outing.

“I’m very pleased with him, it’s always been the plan to run him in this race,” he said.

“His work has been good and we think he could be a nice horse for the future.

Cogitate winning on debut
Cogitate winning on debut (Adam Davy/PA)

“He travelled very well (at Newbury), he’s got a good attitude and a good temperament – I was really taken by his first run.

“He’s a big, scopey horse and he should be a nice horse for next year as well.”

Aidan O’Brien runs Edwardian, winner of a Naas maiden in July, while William Haggas fields Loose Cannon, who will return to the scene of his triumphant debut last month.

Eve Johnson Houghton’s Indian Run, successful in an Ascot maiden on his second run, and Tom Dascombe’s Hot Fuss, fifth in the Chesham, complete the field.

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