VALUE OUT OF THE LIMELIGHT

Ben Morgan shares his September shortlist of track hopefuls

- Ben Morgan

City Of Troy sealed his triumphant British season with the Derby hero landing the Juddmonte International in style at York.

The Ballydoyle star's powerful performance might have added fresh spice to a possible showdown with Economics in the Irish Champions Stakes at Leopardstown on September 14. But it looks more likely City Of Troy will be carefully set up for a cross-Atlantic trip and a crack at the Breeders Cup Classic in November - with an All-Weather run touted as more likely preparation.

Meanwhile we're looking ahead closer to home for the coming weeks with a glance across the talent which has been bubbling up sometimes under the radar - in recent action.

Ballymount Boy - An above average two-year-old, Ballymount Boy could easily have been discarded on his next run as his form figures are not inspiring. However, I saw plenty of encouragement last time out at Goodwood as he stayed on powerfully into sixth having been in an unpromising position turning into the straight. That was on quick ground, which he copes with, but he is so much more effective on a softer surface that he really has to be high on this shortlist given the time of year where the ground begins to change. Any 7f/1m handicap on a softer surface will have to be high on the agenda.

Knightswood - I thought this lad was a big eye-catcher at Goodwood as he was denied a run several times before rattling home for 5th, beaten little over a length. That was over 1m 6f and that run clearly convinced connections to try 2m at York where he was underwhelming although potentially unsuited by track position. If dropped back to 1m 6f I think he is certainly on a winning mark after running very well at Newmarket and Goodwood as mentioned previously. There should be some nice pots at Doncaster, Haydock, Ascot and Newmarket before the season is out and he seems to run well everywhere so I wouldn't be afraid to see him in a top race off a low weight.