20:30 Naas
Wednesday 26 July 2017
All17:5518:2518:5519:3020:0020:3021:00
Michael Higgins & Co. Handicap
- 3YO plus  |  1m  |  Good  |  10 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 20:30Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 1m 39.96s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Once a highly-rated sort but has had his problems. Sole run last year brought a maiden win at Listowel (1m, heavy), very tame on seasonal bow last month at Gowran Park (7f, good) when beating just one of eight rivals home.
Has looked progressive for much of the campaign, though things have stalled lately. Two wins from nine starts this season both came over 7f on good to firm ground. Can't be ruled out but handicapper may retain grip for now.
Rattled off a four-timer back in 2016 (latest win off 78) but struggling from his revised mark since and beaten close to 6L over a mile at Bellewstown earlier this month. Needs to bounce back to best form.
Scored over a mile last month at Leopardstown off mark of 78 but has found hike in ratings too much in two runs since including when well beaten favourite back over 1m at Leopardstown 12 days ago.
Produced career-best to win over this trip at Leopardstown in May on good to firm but has twice struggled back there off increased mark since.
Won first two starts last summer and went well on return to action over a mile at Naas (good to yielding) on first handicap start. Not as good in two runs since over longer trips, this drop in distance looks a positive move and yard close to 28% strike rate recently.
Filly won both 2yo starts last term (both 7f with give in the ground) but was very disappointing last month at Leopardstown on return to action over same trip (yielding). First time in a handicap and firm ground an unknown factor but much too soon to write her off.
Won a 1m Leopardstown maiden in May on first start for this trainer, held last week over 1m1½f in Gowran Park rated contest. One to note in first handicap start with yard starting to go well again.
Losing streak is out to 17 now, has run some credible races in that sequence though soundly beaten in three turf runs of late and yet to win on grass in 14 attempts.
Showed some promise over 7f (yielding) here in second of three starts in maiden company. Is race-fit and could have more to offer now going handicapping for the first time.
Non-Runners
9
(3)
Room To Roam12
Weight: 8-13|Â Â Age: 3
T: G M Lyons  J: Colin Keane
NR
Forecasts
Pincheck (2/1), Auckland (3/1), Room To Roam (4/1), Club Wexford (11/2), Sweet Sounds (6/1), Sbraase (12/1), Khabaray (14/1), Trevanna (14/1), Tribal Path (20/1), Araqeel (20/1), Uno Momento (25/1)
ROOM TO ROAM may be able to add to the fantastic recent of the Ger Lyons yard by scoring in this trappy contest. He's yet to score on turf but has posted two promising efforts so far this season over a longer trip than this. The drop back in distance is not a worry and the prospect of a decent surface is also in his favour. Handicap debutant Trevanna is one to note in the betting and could be capable of a big run while similar sentiments are true of Pincheck. Auckland is forgiven a poor run last time out goes on the shortlist along with Club Wexford.
- Room To Roam
- Trevanna
- Auckland
Prize Money
1st: €10,780.002nd: €3,343.003rd: €1,592.004th: €717.005th: €280.00
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