18:55 Leopardstown
Thursday 13 July 2017
All17:5018:2518:5519:2519:5520:3021:00
Hothouse Flowers Handicap (50-80)
- 3YO plus | 1m | Good to Firm | 10 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 18:56 | Winning time: 1m 43.22s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Not seen in the winners enclosure since September 2014 and has plenty to prove on the basis of two tame efforts in handicaps early this season though was much better when 1L fourth of 12 at the Curragh over 7f last week off this mark.
Had two wins from just five starts last year, including at Ballinrobe (1m1f) in July off a mark of 82, close-up fifth over 1m at Bellewstown last week and suspicion there will be more to come. Runs off same mark.
Maiden winner over C&D on final start last year, twice went well over that trip on return to action but poor shows since in two attempts at 6f around the Curragh. Back up to the mile looks positive.
Twice gone close over 7f this season from just four runs and run decent races in both other outings. Crept up another 2lb in the handicap but turn could come around again soon.
Career-best effort in May to win C&D handicap on good to firm ground, doing well to come through the traffic and score. Was raised 7lb for that win and since flopped here when trailing home last. May prove better than that bare form.
Sole success came over 6f at Carlisle (good to firm) in September 2015, showed some promise over 7f (good) here in May on bow for this yard but has regressed in two runs since and hard to fancy now as a result despite first-time hood added.
All five wins have come on the AW including over 1m at Dundalk two starts back. Doesn't appear to be as comfortable on turf and so others make more appeal.
Has won 3/17 career starts, ended last year under a cloud and first two runs this time in were also well below best, is however on a very workable mark if able to rediscover some spark and took a step in the right direction at Naas last time (7f, good to firm).
Decent run at Navan over the mile in May, beaten 2½L into fourth of eight. Just the six starts and this a third in handicaps so is open to doing much better.
Well held in three maidens so far but could be open to doing more now having attained opening handicap mark and with first-time blinkers added.
Forecasts
Ruler Of France (3/1), Korbous (9/2), Liberatio (11/2), Victorious Secret (7/1), Escondida (7/1), Khabaray (8/1), Il Piccolo Grande (10/1), Elusive Time (12/1), Coreczka (16/1), Kelley (50/1)
Liberatio is open to further progress at this level after just six starts and could have a say having run well over the trip last time out while Khabaray is perhaps best forgiven a flop last time out and judged on previous C&D win, giving him claims. Victorious Secret needs her best form to land this while there is a chance that Ruler Of France will prove up to outrunning his odds and finding the frame. ESCONDIDA won a maiden over C&D last year and also ran well over this trip early in the season. Less promising over shorter since, this extra distance could be the key to the Bolger gelding getting back on track.
- Escondida
- Ruler Of France
- Liberatio
Prize Money
1st: €7,392.002nd: €2,292.003rd: €1,092.004th: €493.005th: €192.00
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