20:45 Wexford

Friday 7 July 2017

All17:1517:4518:1518:4519:1519:4520:1520:45

Michael Moore Mercedes-Benz & Volkswagen, Portarlington & Athlone Flat Race

Off time: 20:46 | Winning time: 4m 14.80s

Allannahs Gold^h1,t1⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr D L Queally⁽³⁾| T: D Queally

12/1

Maiden point-to-point winner at the fourth time of asking at Bartlemy (good) in May but soundly beaten in that sphere subsequently. Worth a check in the market on rules debut.

Form: 52F-14

Askance¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr S Clements⁽³⁾| T: Thomas Coyle

33/1

Sent off a 40/1 chance for his racecourse debut in a 2m NH Flat event here (good) recently and, though beaten 24L, offered something to work on. Still unlikely to be good enough.

Form: 7

Bobsfirth⁹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr R P Quinlan⁽³⁾| T: Miss H McLoughlin

25/1

Fancied for his debut in a point-to-point in April but, following a mistake-strewn effort, was eventually pulled up in a race won by Clondaw Native. Too early to be writing off and may do better without obstacles.

Form: P-

Eagle Ridge²⁵⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr D O'Connor| T: J R Barry

4/1

Signs of ability in two bumper runs last autumn when finishing fifth and third respectively at Navan and Punchestown. Lengthy layoff to overcome but worth considering in this company.

Form: 53-

Pancrace^h1⁴¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Ms L O'Neill⁽⁵⁾| T: G Elliott

5/1

On the face of it, didn't look any great shakes in a handful of point-to-points last spring but was in the process of running a better race until slipping up last time. Couldn't be in better hands now, so market confidence would be interesting.

Form: P/F4S-

Rock Road⁸¹

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr R M Cody⁽⁷⁾| T: M J Bowe

8/1

Has shown flashes promise in NH Flat events and a couple of maiden hurdles without ever threatening to win a race. Vulnerable to less exposed types here.

Form: 90474-

Baby Bee³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr L Bleahen⁽⁷⁾| T: P W Flynn

25/1

Won a maiden point-to-point on her debut over 3m in April but has has disappointingly failed to kick on in two subsequent starts, beaten 22L last time. Hard to get too excited about right now.

Form: 1-P7

Betty's Lane Star

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr H D Dunne⁽⁵⁾| T: P M Pierce

66/1

Makes a belated racecourse debut for a small yard which has had little success in recent seasons. Probably best watched unless there was market support.

Form:

Geni Johnson³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr R J Kiely⁽³⁾| T: J R Barry

25/1

Not unfancied when making her debut in a NH Flat event at Tramore (2m, good) last month and offered something to work on by finishing a 17L eighth of 11. This slightly longer trip should suit.

Form: 8

Lucca Lady³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr B O'Neill| T: R P Rath

7/1

Pulled up on her debut in a 3m point-to-point but found significant improvement to finish a runner-up on slightly easier ground next time. Open to further improvement in this sphere.

Form: P-2

Mother's Best¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr J C Barry⁽⁵⁾| T: N Stokes

9/2

Has produced a similar level of form in three NH Flat events between 2m and 2m4f, beaten between 7L and 15L each time. Should again run her race but would need to eke about improvement to get her head in front.

Form: 73-5

Smooth River⁵¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr D G Lavery⁽³⁾| T: W P Mullins

11/4

Distinct signs of promise in two NH Flat runs for Stuart Crawford in early 2016, most notably when only beaten 7L behind the smart Sunni May at Leopardstown. Now with Willie Mullins, she is of obvious interest despite the lengthy absence.

Form: 93/

Non-Runners

Peacocks Secret³⁰

Weight: 12-0| Age: 5

T: E Mullins J: Mr P W Mullins

Forecasts

Peacocks Secret (13/8), Smooth River (11/4), Eagle Ridge (4/1), Mother's Best (9/2), Pancrace (5/1), Lucca Lady (7/1), Rock Road (8/1), Allannahs Gold (12/1), Baby Bee (25/1), Geni Johnson (25/1), Bobsfirth (25/1), Askance (33/1), Betty's Lane Star (66/1)

Peacocks Secret has gone close in three similar events this year and wouldn't be winning out of turn but it would be no surprise if SMOOTH RIVER has his measure. Formerly with Stuart Crawford, the mare had enough about her to finish a 7L third behind subsequent Grade 1 performer Sunny May at Leopardstown last year and, despite the long absence, she makes obvious appeal now with Willie Mullins. Eagle Ridge and Pancrae are also interesting.