16:40 Curragh
Saturday 29 July 2017
All13:4514:2014:5515:3016:0516:4017:10
Irish Daily Mail Amateur Riders Derby (Q.R.) Handicap (50-85)
- 3YO plus  |  1m 4f  |  Good to Firm (Good in places on straight)  |  12 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 16:41Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 2m 37.03s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Three time C&D winner who has also run well here over other trips, including when winning over 2m last time out. Versatile trip-wise (gets shorter than this as well), and should be able to give another good account off 3lb higher now.
C&D winner and not in bad form when winning at Tramore last year (2m, good), but has looked past his best so far this season and has plenty to prove now.
Fairly useful when trained by Charlie Hills in Britain but recently returned in Ireland after a long break, and is yet to replicate any of his better form from earlier on his career, with two lackluster runs so far.
Lightly-raced type who is surely better than a very disappointing effort on handicap debut last time. Steps up in trip here in first time cheek pieces and though it would be a tall order for him to win this, he should at least run better.
No win on the Flat since his debut in April 2013, and though he hasn't been in bad form on the level recently, others seem more progressive and to possess more class.
Look held by the handicapper over the winter at Dundalk, but has capitalised on a much lower turf mark the last twice to win at Navan (1m5f, good to firm), and go close to doubling up at Fairyhouse last time (1m2f, good). Up another 4lb but still looks on a workable mark.
Winner of a Killarney maiden last August, but not so good since switching to handicap company. Last two runs have suggested she may be slowly arriving at a workable mark but still didn't give enough encouragement for her to be fancied here.
In encouraging form so far this year, having finished in the first three in each of his four races so far. On the same mark as when finishing a good second over shorter here last time and has an excellent chance as long as he stays this trip.
Dual-purpose performer who has shown his best form in softer conditions but shouldn't have any issues handling this ground as long as it doesn't dry out too much. In good form on the Flat and if allowed a soft lead here could prove tough to catch.
Much better on his return to the turf at Gowran last time, running out a comfortable winner (1m2f, yielding). Up 7lb here, and his resultant mark may prove to be a little high, but this is probably his ideal trip.
Seemingly more at home over hurdles than on the Flat since moving from France, and though a third at Dundalk two starts ago was a more encouraging effort, others still hold far more convincing claims here.
Hasn't won since August 2014, and though he has run well over this trip and shorter in the past, his optimum still seems to be staying trips and he looks vulnerable to younger improvers in this contest.
Forecasts
Apparition (2/1), Time For Mabel (7/1), Light That (7/1), Park Row (7/1), Zeftan (8/1), Shes An Art (8/1), Political Policy (10/1), Theophilus (10/1), Kalann (14/1), Archer's Up (25/1), Paddy The Celeb (33/1), Xinbama (50/1)
Versatile C&D winner Zeftan comes here in good form having won over further last time out and still looks to be on a workable handicap mark, while Light That would prefer it to rain but could be dangerous if allowed a soft lead in a race lacking an obvious pace angle. These two can provide the biggest dangers to APPARITION. Joseph O'Brien's gelding has thrived since switching to handicap company, and looks the type to be capable of further improvement. Only narrowly beaten by a good horse in Clongowes last time, he does have stamina to prove over this trip, but is related to a few horses who have stayed this far and is taken to record a second win three races.
- Apparition
- Light That
- Zeftan
Prize Money
1st: €8,624.002nd: €2,673.003rd: €1,274.004th: €574.005th: €223.00
MOST READ RACING
Follow & Track
Your favourite horses, jockeys and trainers with My StableLog in
Discover Sporting Life Plus benefits
