Wells on top in Ballysax

Mores Wells sprung a minor surprise as he accounted for leading Vodafone Derby contender Macarthur in the P.W.McGrath Memorial Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown.

Macarthur, a full brother to 2005 Epsom hero Motivator, was sent off the 2-1 favourite but he could manage only third behind the Kevin Prendergast-trained winner.

Mores Wells (12-1) tackled the long-time leader and eventual runner-up Ferneley inside the final furlong, with Declan McDonogh seen to great effect as he got up to win by half a length.

The winner was introduced as a 16-1 chance with VC Bet for the Derby and Prendergast now plans to head straight for Epsom on June 2 with his Sadler’s Wells colt.

He said: “He’s in the English and Irish Derbys. We will see how he comes out of this race but at the moment, he goes straight to Epsom.”

Macarthur was pushed out to 10-1 from 6s with VC Bet while William Hill make him a 12-1 chance from 13-2.