17:05 Curragh
Saturday 13 May 2017
All14:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:0517:40
Buy Curragh Tickets Online At curragh.ie Apprentice Handicap
- 4YO plus  |  7f  |  Good (Good to Yielding in places)  |  21 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 17:07Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 1m 28.12s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Knocking on the door of late, finishing third in previous three handicaps. Latest was over this trip at Leopardstown early last month, with the winner doing form no harm since. Raised another 1lb on that effort, should remain competitive.
Couple of promising efforts in a six-race career to date. Finished last of 14 when running over an extended 1m2f at Dundalk in January on her debut for this stable and probably best watched in her first handicap start here over much shorter trip.
Has six turf wins on his CV but was woefully out of form in final two starts in Britain before joining this yard and hard to be confident now on return from a short break.
Scored over 6f on the AW at Dundalk in February though wasn't able to build on that effort. Good effort in apprentice contest at Navan over 6f on penultimate run when 1L fifth of 21, though since disappointing at Limerick over this trip. Gets 1lb back, doesn't seem the most reliable.
Ran fair race in Leopardstown handicap over 7f last month, has since disappointed in a claimer on AW at Dundalk. Is 2lb lower for return to turf with first-time cheekpieces applied.
Unplaced in four maidens on AW at Dundalk, he showed fair improvement on handicap bow at Gowran Park over a mile to be second of 14 on soft ground. Drop back in distance should suit though has been raised 10lb for that effort.
Has shown some glimpses of ability in eight runs and wasn't disgraced last month in a mile handicap at Leopardstown, can retain hopes of getting involved over this shorter trip.
Didn't get the clearest passage over a mile at Dundalk on Wednesday, finishing close enough in fifth to suggest he'll be competitive off the same mark back on turf and down in trip.
Remains a maiden after nine starts, last of ten in 7f handicap at Limerick 13 days ago on stable debut. Has plenty to find coming here.
Was 6L behind Bainne in fourth over the mile here in October in previous Flat run, has fitness to prove after 153 days away having been pulled up over jumps in December.
Unable to justify support in four starts in Britain for Charlie Hills, proving very disappointing over 6f on AW at Newcastle in December when last seen in a fillies' maiden. Plenty to prove on first start for new yard.
Won apprentice contest at Limerick over this trip in October for this rider, is rated 3lb higher coming into this on first start for 206 days. Should be competitive if stripping fit.
A 13-race maiden from the Weld yard, he's hit the frame in no less than ten of those runs. Returns to action here for handicap debut and is very much one to monitor off what looks to be a fair mark with rider taking handy 7lb off.
Winner of four from 18 starts on turf, most recently on heavy ground over 6½f at Listowel in September from a 4lb lower mark. Tends to go well fresh (twice won) and is one for the shortlist.
Looked laboured in three maiden outings last year, didn't fare any better jumping hurdles in February at Naas and limited expectations seemingly on handicap bow.
Won twice last season in England for Richard Fahey, has disappointed in three starts for current yard, including twice last month in good ground handicaps over 6f/5f at Navan. Bit to prove at the moment.
Veteran of more than 100 races now, made use of low rating to score at Wolverhampton (7f) and Dundalk (6f) on the AW this year. Didn't run badly at those venues subsequently off this increased rating but poor in soft ground mile handicap at Gowran Park last time out. Forecast ground here should suit better.
Yet to score but run encouragingly at times last year, including over C&D in September when 2L fourth of 20 runners. Returns to action off a 3lb lower mark if ready to go first time.
Filly showed best effort for a while on seasonal bow at Navan (1m) though didn't build on it next time at Gowran Park and has plenty ground to make up on Mountain Fox based on that run, despite being better off at the weights.
Continues to fall in the weights and little improvement to show for it, first-time hood (retained here) didn't bring change in fortune over a mile at Navan last month. Drops in trip.
Has shown little in four starts since joining this yard, latest being a 12L defat on the AW at Dundalk in a claimer over this trip. Due relief from the handicapper and is in need of it.
Non-Runners
19
(10)
Iconic Figure3
Weight: 8-5|Â Â Age: 4
T: P W Flynn  J: D M Melia
NR
Forecasts
Complicit (5/1), Mountain Fox (13/2), Yourartisonfire (7/1), Nutini (8/1), Bainne (9/1), Vocal Experience (9/1), Smiling Emily (12/1), Jealika (14/1), Hamley (14/1), Cardigan Street (16/1), William Ashford (16/1), No Approval (16/1), Guanabara Bay (16/1), Rose Anjou (20/1), Texas Radio (20/1), A Likely Story (20/1), Oor Jock (25/1), Iconic Figure (25/1), Demi Plie (28/1), Initially (33/1), In My Place (33/1), Scobias (50/1)
A typically competitive apprentice contest, this doesn't appeal as a race for large stakes. Mountain Fox showed up well at Gowran Park last time out on his handicap bow and may go well again despite a fairly hefty hike, while top-weight Bainne continues to be competitive but is creeping up in the ratings without winning. Jealika owns a decent strike rate and with a habit of going well fresh is worthy of a spot on any shortlist but this might go the way of A LIKELY STORY. The Rosewell House inmate remains a maiden but has been there or thereabouts on plenty occasions and has a decent shot at a winning start in handicaps now. Complicit and Rose Anjou are others worthy of consideration.
- A Likely Story
- Jealika
- Mountain Fox
Prize Money
1st: €6,775.002nd: €2,101.003rd: €1,002.004th: €450.005th: €176.00
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