19:50 Curragh

Friday 30 June 2017

All17:4518:1518:4519:1519:5020:2020:55

Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund 'Ragusa' Handicap

Off time: 19:52 | Winning time: 2m 43.80s

(14)

Jaqen H'ghar^p,t³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: D O'Brien| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 97| C| D

22/1

Close second over C&D in penultimate start in rated contest, since found things infinitely tougher in a handicap however. Tough ask on current terms.

Form: 541-029

(2)

Morga^h³²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Declan McDonogh| T: D McDonogh| OR: 97| CD

25/1

Is now rated 15lb higher than when winning over C&D in August, struggled on sole Flat run this year in a Group 3 over 1m6f at Navan. Will have to find a career-best to land this.

Form: 34126-5

(11)

Tipstaff^p1²⁵⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-13| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger| OR: 96

16/1

Maiden winner over 1m2f at Navan in October, ended last year win credible run in Listed Cork contest over extended-mile. Long break to overcome sporting first-time cheekpieces and starting in a handicap for the first time.

Form: 213-

(3)

Riven Light⁶³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: P J Smullen| T: W P Mullins| OR: 90

6/5

French-import has done well enough over hurdles for the champion jumps trainer without setting the world alight, some decent Flat form in native land and respected coming here in these colours.

Form: 231314/

(10)

Mandamus⁵⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Leigh Roche| T: S Lavery| OR: 88| D

25/1

Scored over this trip at Leopardstown in May on return to action, only previous win was a maiden at Cork in 2014. Not guaranteed to follow up but entitled to respect on comeback effort.

Form: 89080-1

(6)

Sandstorming⁵⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Gary Carroll| T: G M Lyons| OR: 88

16/1

Maiden winner at Cork (1m2f, good) last month on return to action. That was just a third start and could have plenty more to offer now going handicapping.

Form: 42-1

(9)

Spruce Meadows^p¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: D M Simmonson⁽⁵⁾| T: J Feane| OR: 88

10/1

Last two runs have been excellent under this claiming rider, just failing to get up over this trip at Cork 12 days ago having also gone well here over shorter. Raised 1lb but remains of interest.

Form: 7-60622

(4)

My Direction¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: O J Orr⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss Ellmarie Holden| OR: 86| D

12/1

Got effort last time over 1m2f (soft to heavy) at this track when second behind easy winner. Chance again but would prefer to see the ground drying.

Form: 3219-02

(8)

Mawaany¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons| OR: 85| BF| C

7/1

Was all dressed up with nowhere to go last time out at Cork when attempting to challenge up the running rail and denied a run. Had previously won both starts for this yard and, with even luck, might get back on track now.

Form: 226-118

(13)

Landsman^t¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Billy Lee| T: A J Martin| OR: 82

16/1

Lightly-raced sort was noted staying on nicely over this trip at Fairyhouse earlier in the month on switch back to the Flat, could still have plenty more to give and in-form jockey booked. One of two for shrewd yard.

Form: 8/1328-5

(5)

Sweet Company^t⁶⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: Seamie Heffernan| T: A J Martin| OR: 82| D

25/1

Good run over 1m2f (good to yielding) at Cork in April on previous Flat start, lightly raced in this sphere and could have some more to offer. Second runner for yard and, again, respectable jockey booking.

Form: 0/41-04

(12)

Act Of Valour^p1²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Shane Kelly⁽³⁾| T: M O'Callaghan| OR: 95

33/1

Commendable effort in Group 3 here over 1m2f (yielding) in May, ran to similar level since in handicap at Navan over same trip. Cheekpieces replace blinkers here and has something to find.

Form: 5-3174

(1)

Sea The Lion²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 8-10| J: Ronan Whelan| T: J P Fahey| OR: 79| C

6/1

Spent nearly three years on the sidelines before good effort in 1m3f Killarney handicap last month, then scored game success in 1m5f Navan handicap. Has been raised 8lb for that win but isn't written off.

Form: 4140/31

(7)

Abraham⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: Wayne Lordan| T: J R Barry| OR: 78

25/1

Has plenty more to find based on Killarney effort last month (2m1f, yielding to soft) and has since unseated rider on hurdles bow.

Form: 2562-45

Forecasts

Riven Light (6/5), Sea The Lion (6/1), Mawaany (7/1), Spruce Meadows (10/1), My Direction (12/1), Sandstorming (16/1), Landsman (16/1), Tipstaff (16/1), Jaqen H'ghar (22/1), Morga (25/1), Sweet Company (25/1), Abraham (25/1), Mandamus (25/1), Act Of Valour (33/1)

A tough puzzle by any standards, there are reasons to suggest plenty of these have a chance. Riven Light is an intriguing runner having his first start on the Flat for the champion jumps trainer, he may well have the talent to produce a big run in this. With just three runs under his belt, Sandstorming has scope to improve on his handicap debut and is respected alongside last time out winner Sea The Lion and Spruce Meadows. MAWAANY may be the answer however. He won his first two starts for this handler before running into trouble in running last time at Cork. He was about to challenge there and, with better luck, can have a big say in this.