19:40 Galway

Monday 31 July 2017

All17:2017:5518:2519:0519:4020:1020:40

Connacht Hotel (Q.R.) Handicap (70-100)

Off time: 19:40 | Winning time: 3m 52.77s

(13)

Zafayan^v³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr D Sinnott⁽⁷⁾| T: D K Weld| OR: 95| D

33/1

First time he's raced away from The Curragh this season but has gone well at this track in the past, so nothing to fear from the tight turn and stiff finish. Topweight does make life tough for the gelding, however, and personal best is now required.

Form: 621-027

(2)

Benkei³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Mr D G Lavery⁽³⁾| T: H Rogers| OR: 92| C

10/1

Quick reappearance after a sound effort in defeat at Down Patrick last week. Third in this last year and also as a bit to find with Zafayan from a previous encounter; so needs to up his game significnatly.

Form: 80-5304

(9)

Digeanta^t¹⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-9| J: Katie Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 90| D

25/1

Returned after a long absence to run as well as could be expected when finishing sixth of eight at The Curragh. Trainer knows the time of day with a horse like this and this fellow, who won the Irish Cesarewitch in 2015, should not be underestimated now his fitness has been topped up - despite his advancing years and lightly raced recent profile.

Form: 71010/6

(17)

Ezanak^b1¹⁰²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-8| J: Mr F Maguire⁽³⁾| T: D K Weld| OR: 89

33/1

Won on over an extended 9f on his belated racecourse bow last year. Two starts since have been moderate but he represents highly respected connections and is another that would be dangerous to dismiss without checking the betting. Sports blinkers for this first try over 2m+.

Form: 1-55

(8)

Hidden Cyclone^p⁶¹

Age: 12| Weight: 11-8| J: Mr B O'Neill| T: J J Hanlon| OR: 89

16/1

Fit from the Jumps and has no questions to answer as regards his stamina. Has won two of his three previous starts on the level but has a bit to prove in this first crack at a handicap.

Form: 1/12-

(15)

Lagostovegas¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 89| D

6/1

Vastly improved second start for Willie Mullins saw this game mare romp to victory at Killarney earlier this month. However, the handicapper has hit her hard for that performance and she now needs to post another personal best. the trip and ground are in her favour, so she has to make the shortlist despite the reservations about the hike in the ratings.

Form: 21/173-1

(5)

Wonder Laish⁵¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr D O'Connor| T: C Byrnes| OR: 88

8/1

Made good progress when with William Haggas but obviously suffered a training set-back and endured a time on the sidelines. Respectable effort on his return for a new yard latest, but more now required in a competitive event like this.

Form: 32118/0

(16)

Powersbomb^h²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr E Mahon⁽⁷⁾| T: B McMahon| OR: 87| C

12/1

Plenty of experience over hurdles but open to a bit more improvement on the Flat after just three previous outings under this code. has shown plenty of ability on each of those occasions and is another that would be dangerous to eliminate from the final shortlist.

Form: 331

(6)

Rashaan¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: R Deegan⁽⁷⁾| T: C Kidd| OR: 87| D

10/1

Been in good heart this year, winning under both codes of racing. Now 6lb higher than for his win at Clonmel back in May, but his rider's claim more than compensates. Interesting contender but wouldn't be suited by a deluge of rain.

Form: 0/169-11

(7)

Swamp Fox^b¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr J C Barry⁽⁵⁾| T: J G Murphy| OR: 87| CD

5/1

Been in great heart and has won his last two starts over Jumps in good style. Also noteable that he won this last year but has a much stiffer test under a 20lb higher mark. Respected but faced with a big ask.

Form: 231130-

(11)

Argus^h⁷⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Miss K Harrington⁽³⁾| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 86

33/1

First start on the Flat since being gelded but has been in good form over hurdles and has dropped to a handy mark. Does have a bit to prove but is worth noting in the betting nonetheless.

Form: 61/6350-

(19)

Miles To Memphis^t¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Ms L O'Neill⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs D Foster| OR: 85

16/1

Switch to the Flat has proved to be effortless so far - won both starts under this code in good style. The hat-trick bid is much tougher as he is upped in trip against a stiffer level of competition and is set to carry 3lb more under his revised mark. Not without a chance of coping but faces no easy task.

Form: 11

(14)

Shinghari^p1¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: P J Cawley⁽⁷⁾| T: D Hogan| OR: 85

22/1

Runner up behind Lagostovegas latest reads well but work to do to reverse the form. First-time cheekpieces and assistance of a capable 7lb claimer useful aids but but another with a tough assignment ahead.

Form: 02-6102

(4)

Sir Ector²⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: Mr N McParlan⁽³⁾| T: Nicole McKenna| OR: 85

33/1

Second over an extended 3m over hurdles latest was his best effort for a while over jumps. And also merits an interest after a sound performance when third at The Curragh on the Flat in June (just under 3L behind Zafayan). Very well handicapped but worth noting he hasn't won on the Flat for going on four years.

Form: 5770-03

(1)

St Lawrence Gap³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Mr D L Queally⁽³⁾| T: E Doyle| OR: 85| D

20/1

Second victory of the season when up in trip win smoothly over an extended 2m at Limerick latest. Now 8lb higher as a result and stiffer test ahead. Needs to pull out all the stops to land the hat trick on these terms.

Form: 82-9211

(18)

Winter Lion^b,t⁵⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Mr R P Quinlan⁽³⁾| T: M J Smith| OR: 85| C| D

50/1

Wins in his turn but has paid the price by creeping up the handicap. 6lb higher then last win and hard to see him fending off all comers on these terms.

Form: 916-150

(3)

Whiskey Sour⁵⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-3| J: Mr A McMahon⁽⁷⁾| T: W P Mullins| OR: 84| C

16/1

Won a maiden hurdle on first start for his new yard, so should cope with tonight's trip. The betting will be helpful in determining where he stands with his stalemates, though.

Form: 100078-

(20)

Automated^p⁵³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Mr J J Codd| T: G Elliott| OR: 83

8/1

Up in trip after winning over 1m5f at Leopardstown latest - cheekpieces aided on that occasion and are applied again in this follow up bid. Cut in the ground will be a plus for this fellow and he is another that can go very close if not anchored by his 8lb higher mark.

Form: 1/6320-1

(10)

Elishpour^t¹⁷¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Mr T Hamilton⁽⁵⁾| T: A Fleming| OR: 83

33/1

Second behind Rashaan when last seen out at Dundalk in February needs to be improved upon and others make a touch more appeal.

Form: 33/009-2

Sweet Company^h1,t³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Mr S Clements⁽³⁾| T: A J Martin| OR: 82| C

6/1

1st reserve: Sole win came over 1m4f here last year, so has something to prove regarding the trip. Lesser hope of the stable's named runners.

Form: 0/41-040

Non-Runners

(12)

The Graduate³⁵

Weight: 11-9| Age: 4

T: A J Martin J: Mr S Clements

Mountain Rock¹⁸

Weight: 11-1| Age: 5

T: A Keatley J: Reserve 2

Alton Bay²⁴

Weight: 11-0| Age: 9

T: Peter Fahey J: Reserve 3

Forecasts

Swamp Fox (5/1), Lagostovegas (6/1), Sweet Company (6/1), Mountain Rock (6/1), Automated (8/1), Wonder Laish (8/1), Benkei (10/1), Rashaan (10/1), Alton Bay (10/1), Powersbomb (12/1), The Graduate (14/1), Whiskey Sour (16/1), Miles To Memphis (16/1), Hidden Cyclone (16/1), St Lawrence Gap (20/1), Shinghari (22/1), Digeanta (25/1), Sir Ector (33/1), Elishpour (33/1), Ezanak (33/1), Argus (33/1), Zafayan (33/1), Winter Lion (50/1)

Top-rated on the official figures, ZAFAYAN already holds a few of these and doesn't have too much to find to cope with his burden at the weights. Automated and Lagostovegas are also in with sizeable chances, while Ezanak would be dangerous to dismiss if the betting shows him in a good light.