Pattern Horse: That's Hot (5yo, GM Lyons)

Though the presence of English raiders like Cartimandua and Manzila and a few potentially smart three-year-olds makes the Ballyogan Stakes at Leopardstown look a hot fillies and mares event, That’s Hot looks sure to run a big race and can hopefully go one better than when second in the same contest last year. Ger Lyons’ 5yo has an excellent record fresh – her form figures on her first start of the season read:211 with the sole defeat coming on her racecourse debut – and having won on firm ground she will relish the conditions. Having been narrowly beaten in similar races three times in the past, she has leading form claims and looked particularly unlucky when meeting trouble in running behind Absolutelyfabulous in the Cork Stakes last May. Her 3/4l fourth in the Stewards’ Cup off 102 also reads well especially as proven pattern performers Zidane and Borderlescott were just in front of her on that occasion. Johnny Murtagh has gotten off his Queen Mary winner Elletelle (whom he has ridden in her last 6 starts) to ride suggesting a big run is imminent and her trainer recently said she was due to be covered by Acclamation so she may also have the added bonus of being in foal, something that can bring about untold improvement.