17:35 Leopardstown

Thursday 17 August 2017

All17:0517:3518:0518:3519:1019:4020:10

idealgraphix.ie Handicap

Off time: 17:36 | Winning time: 1m 17.60s

(10)

Rapid Applause³³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: P J Smullen| T: M O'Callaghan| OR: 88| D

7/1

Winner over this trip at Naas on yielding ground in April and has been consistent without winning since off increased mark. Capable of having a say but might find a couple too strong on these terms.

Form: 851430

(6)

Captain Power²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: R P Downey⁽³⁾| T: E Lynam| OR: 87| CD

4/1

Dropped back to 6f last time at Naas and duly produced the goods, running on strongly between rivals to score. Up 4lb for that win but claims if in the same mood, won this contest a year ago.

Form: 5-50261

(9)

Patuano⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Billy Lee| T: W McCreery| OR: 87| BF

8/1

Filly has been very consistent this season, mostly over 5f including Cork win in May (good to firm). Up in trip here but more concerning will be any ease in the ground.

Form: 122545

(2)

Tribal Path^t¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: D W O'Connor⁽⁵⁾| T: D English| OR: 82| C

7/1

Experienced performer has now gone 17 runs without a win and remains 4lb above previous winning mark. Best efforts of late have come over 1m so this trip not certain to see him at his best.

Form: 077235

(8)

Athas An Bhean^b,t⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: D E Sheehy⁽⁷⁾| T: A Keatley| OR: 80

33/1

Hasn't managed to deliver on promise shown when scoring on debut in April 2015 over 5f at Cork. Has ability but not guaranteed to show it, soft ground likely to suit.

Form: 04-2006

(3)

Little Clarinet⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: O J Orr⁽⁵⁾| T: D Marnane| OR: 82| CD

10/1

Has two wins from nine career starts, most recently over C&D on good to firm in June off a mark of 7 under today's rider. Needs her best stuff but should have no concerns on the ground.

Form: 833147

(1)

Plough Boy¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: Colin Keane| T: G Donnelly| OR: 79

9/2

Running consistently over longer trips this year, is feasibly weighted back on previous winning mark if able to show the requisite pace for this 6f trip.

Form: 664335

(4)

Ducky Mallon^t¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: N G McCullagh| T: D Kinsella| OR: 78| D

7/1

Very strong at the finish when winning over this trip at the Curragh (good to firm) ten days ago. Carries a 6lb penalty for that win but every chance if repeating it and has won on yielding ground before.

Form: 804651

(5)

Dierama^t⁶⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: Wayne Lordan| T: E Lynam| OR: 73| D

11/1

Winner of a Navan maiden on good ground over this trip in May, well beaten sole handicap start since over 5f at the Curragh in May. More needed.

Form: 7416

(7)

Victorious Secret^b²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-4| J: Killian Leonard⁽⁵⁾| T: J A Stack| OR: 68| CD

7/1

Slowly improving in five starts for this yard, 2¼L third of 13 at this track over 7f a month ago. Not ruled out.

Form: 0-00563

Forecasts

Captain Power (4/1), Plough Boy (9/2), Ducky Mallon (7/1), Tribal Path (7/1), Rapid Applause (7/1), Victorious Secret (7/1), Patuano (8/1), Little Clarinet (10/1), Dierama (11/1), Athas An Bhean (33/1)

Last year's winner Captain Power returns on good terms with himself having scored at the Curragh last time out dropped back to this trip. He runs off the same handicap mark as 12 months ago and isn't passed over easily but preference is for DUCKY MALLON, who also comes here on the back of a win. He was striding on powerfully at the winning post last time at the Curragh and despite carrying a penalty, is fancied to go in again with the likely softer surface no concern. Patuano has been running well but might not want this ground while Plough Boy and Victorious Secret are others worth a second look.