16:20 Curragh

Saturday 15 July 2017

All15:1015:4516:2016:5017:2017:5518:3019:00

Tote Scurry Handicap (Premier Handicap)

Off time: 16:20 | Winning time: 1m 14.25s

(1)

Big Time^v⁶⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: O J Orr⁽⁵⁾| T: K A Ryan| OR: 99| D

14/1

Experienced runner, doesn't win often but should hold claims of place money on best form. Below par at Newmarket in May over this trip (good to firm) and while this looks tough, Oisin Orr's claim will help.

Form: 1382-20

(6)

Normandy Barriere²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: P J Smullen| T: N Tinkler| OR: 99| D

11/2

British raider has one win from three starts this year, having run well on all occasions. All those efforts have come over 6f on good to firm ground, set to get that again here and Smullen booked to ride is another plus.

Form: 410-219

(10)

G Force^p²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-11| J: D E Sheehy⁽⁷⁾| T: A Keatley| OR: 98| D

16/1

Victorious at the highest level in 2014 but failed to win in six starts last season for his new yard and not enough promise in two runs here (6f, yielding to soft) and Ascot (6f, good to firm) this term to fancy winning chance in this.

Form: 0344-00

(15)

Maarek¹³

Age: 10| Weight: 9-11| J: J A Heffernan| T: Miss E McCutcheon| OR: 98| CD

25/1

Now ten-years-old and is exposed but continues to run his races, was only 2¾L away over 5f at this track recently in valuable handicap. Win may be asking a lot but could threaten the minor money.

Form: 7-35559

(3)

George Bowen³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: W J Lee| T: R A Fahey| OR: 97| CD

6/1

Won emphatically over this trip at Nottingham 30 days ago, but that was off a mark of 86. Capable performer on his day and not one to overlook completely.

Form: 5-09631

(7)

Master Speaker^b,t¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-8| J: C O'Donoghue| T: M Hassett| OR: 95| CD

20/1

Infrequent winner who probably has place claims at best in this, ran well over C&D early in the month on softer ground than is likely here. Without a win since 2015, sequence now out to 28 runs.

Form: 07-S284

(5)

Celebration¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons| OR: 94

7/1

Been in cracking for this season in two runs over 5f, winning first run and good second since. Questions whether he'll have the stamina for 6f in this sort of environment.

Form: 4607-16

(14)

Sors¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: K J Leonard⁽⁵⁾| T: A Slattery| OR: 93| CD

25/1

Has been well beaten off in three runs at this track since May, over 5f/6f. Has to turn a corner if hoping to get involved. Last win came over C&D in August on yielding ground.

Form: 0-62850

(4)

Gin In The Inn³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Chris Hayes| T: R A Fahey| OR: 91| D

16/1

Twice a winner this season over the trip at Redcar and Pontefract on good/ good to firm ground. Below par last time at Newmarket but cannot draw a line through him representing respected British yard.

Form: 06-1120

(17)

Snap Shots^p³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Declan McDonogh| T: T Coyle & K Wood| OR: 91| D

7/1

Run excellent races at Ripon and Haydock recently over this trip, though may want more cut in the ground than seems likely here. Chance would surely increase with any rain.

Form: 690-923

(13)

Rattling Jewel^p¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: K J Manning| T: Nicole McKenna| OR: 90| CD

20/1

Has already scored over C&D and tackling 6f at this track this season, most recent run however over this trip brought with it a suggestion that handicapper is in control of things for now.

Form: 2-90110

(12)

Tithonus^b,t¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: Gary Halpin⁽³⁾| T: D Hogan| OR: 90| C| D

10/1

All out to win over 5f here at the start of this month, three previous runs this year had been fairly average. This looks tougher but does stay this trip well so has to have claims if in the same mood.

Form: 12-0401

(9)

Rapid Applause⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Shane Kelly⁽³⁾| T: M O'Callaghan| OR: 88| D

12/1

Beaten 3L when finishing third of 20 over this C&D in May on previous run. Has a decent record on turf, two wins and two places from ten runs, and can get involved again.

Form: 785143

(2)

Ma Fee Heela^p1¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Sean Davis⁽⁷⁾| T: M O'Callaghan| OR: 89| BF

9/1

Lightly-raced sort, was not beaten far in C&D handicap 15 days ago, has scope for further improvement and gets cheekpieces added here for the first time.

Form: 251323

(11)

Shepherd's Purse²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 8-10| J: S Foley| T: J G Murphy| OR: 83| CD

16/1

Won maiden over C&D on good to firm in 2014 but only registered one more turf success since. Well held on only 6f start this year and doesn't make significant appeal in this.

Form: 732083

(16)

Rivellino⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 8-9| J: Ronan Whelan| T: A McGuinness| OR: 82| D

33/1

Without a win 22 turf starts so far in career, was beaten 21L in a C&D handicap in May off a mark of 87.

Form: 015055

(8)

Tobacco Bay¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: Wayne Lordan| T: J P Murtagh| OR: 85

11/1

Just the five starts, impressed when landing Tipperary maiden over 7½f in April and has since in two starts over 7f around here. Has the scope to do much better though firm ground might rank as a concern (well held last year on debut over 6f, good to firm).

Form: 7-5125

Forecasts

Normandy Barriere (11/2), George Bowen (6/1), Snap Shots (7/1), Celebration (7/1), Ma Fee Heela (9/1), Tithonus (10/1), Tobacco Bay (11/1), Rapid Applause (12/1), Big Time (14/1), Gin In The Inn (16/1), Shepherd's Purse (16/1), G Force (16/1), Rattling Jewel (20/1), Master Speaker (20/1), Sors (25/1), Maarek (25/1), Rivellino (33/1)

A tough contest to assess but it might worth taking a chance that the cheekpieces bring a bit more from MA FEE HEELA. He's been running strong races since landing a Dundalk maiden on his third start in the spring. There's scope for more to come and he also gets a useful 7lb off his back with his claiming rider. Similarly, Big Time should be in the mix with Oisin Orr to assist in the saddle while British raider Normandy Barriere is a notable contender with Smullen up. George Bowen was an impressive winner at Nottingham last time out and merits some thought, while any rain would likely be a positive for the consistent Snap Shots.