PIZ BADILE (Ulysses) entered Classic calculations after a tenacious victory in the Gr.3 Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown for Donnacha O’Brien and Gavin Ryan. The Flaxman Stables homebred was a very creditable second in the Gr.3 Eyrefield Stakes at the end of last season and took another good step forward on just his third start to supply Ulysses with his first Group winner. Piz Badile was headed by Buckaroo (last seen finishing 4th in the Gr.1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud) entering the final furlong but rallied bravely to get back up in the dying strides, the pair pulling almost four lengths clear of Gr.3 winner Duke De Sessa. O’Brien reported that Piz Badile could turn out in the Derrinstown Derby Trial next before heading to Epsom, all being well.
Piz Badile was one of 17 individual 2yo winners from the first crop of ULYSSES and one of seven horses to win on debut for the sire. One of two Derby entrants sired by Ulysses, along with exciting maiden winner Mighty Ulysses, Piz Badile is currently a general 20/1 shot for the Epsom showpiece.