18:05 Leopardstown

Thursday 17 August 2017

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

Happy Mondays Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 18:05 | Winning time: 2m 11.09s

(6)

The Tulip^h1⁴⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: O J Orr| T: E Lynam| OR: 82| BF

4/1

Only a Dundalk AW maiden to her name from eight starts but runner-up the last twice on turf, beaten only ½L over 1m1f last time at Tipperary on good ground. First-time hood on now and holds decent claims.

Form: 25-7422

(10)

On The Go Again^t¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: R P Downey| T: M Mulvany| OR: 79

4/1

Just six starts on the Flat, winning at Bellewstown off this mark last month over a mile (good), well beaten in valuable Galway handicap since but this is much more realistic target.

Form: 55-2216

(5)

Crafted Jewel⁴⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Gary Halpin| T: S Lavery| OR: 77

9/2

This trip appears to be borderline stretching her stamina but she has run credibly over it nonetheless and is feasibly weighted if getting home. Sole win came on yielding ground over extended-mile at Cork in June last year.

Form: 2145-49

(1)

Coffee⁷⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 9-6| J: T P Madden| T: N Madden| OR: 76

8/1

Now a 10yo and making just fourth start on the Flat, won a maiden at Navan (1m, good) in June last year but has raced only once since when well held over 1m5f at this track 70 days ago. Others make more appeal.

Form: 51-9

(3)

Mainicin²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: D M Redmond⁽²⁾| T: J S Bolger| OR: 75| CD

8/1

Mare has three wins this year (two on AW) from nine starts. Good as ever when landing apprentice contest at Navan (1m2f, good to firm) last month but since flopped at Gowran Park. Tough to assess but has her merits on a going day.

Form: 968519

(11)

Settle For Red^t³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: Nathan Crosse⁽⁴⁾| T: D Marnane| OR: 71| C| D

5/1

Winner over a mile here in June but struggled in two outings since off increased mark and yet to prove as effective over this sort of trip in any case.

Form: 229124

(8)

Nelson Road²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: D W O'Connor| T: J J Murphy| OR: 67

20/1

Lightly raced having had just the six starts. Finished sixth of nine over 1m5f in a handicap here (good to yielding) last time out. Not given a hard time on that occasion and an interesting runner in this field. Market check called for.

Form: 5/5243-6

(2)

Hague Convention⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Ross Coakley| T: J P Murtagh| OR: 72

14/1

Lawman gelding has been well beaten in maidens at Navan, Curragh and last day at Bellewstown over longer trips. Handicap debut now and could have something to say if building on most recent effort.

Form: 085

(4)

Misty Mountain^p²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-4| J: Sean Davis⁽⁴⁾| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 63

14/1

Eight-race maiden, the filly appeared to find 1m2f at Navan and Down Royal recently too far. Not written off entirely but would prefer to see something positive over this trip before taking an interest and getting no favours at these weights.

Form: 48627D

(9)

Sliver Thisle^b1²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-4| J: D E Sheehy⁽⁴⁾| T: S Nolan| OR: 52

33/1

Unplaced in seven starts, comfortably beaten over 7f here on stable debut / return from 330 days off last time out. First-time blinkers on now for this longer trip but all to do from 8lb out of the handicap.

Form: 96080-0

Non-Runners

(7)

Piccadilly Jim¹³²

Weight: 8-7| Age: 6

T: D English J: Killian Leonard

Forecasts

On The Go Again (4/1), The Tulip (4/1), Crafted Jewel (9/2), Settle For Red (5/1), Mainicin (8/1), Coffee (8/1), Misty Mountain (14/1), Hague Convention (14/1), Nelson Road (20/1), Piccadilly Jim (20/1), Sliver Thisle (33/1)

The Tulip has just one AW victory on the board but has been threatening on turf lately, finishing second the last twice. She should be on the board sooner rather than later and represents a trainer with a 29% strike rate of late. ON THE GO AGAIN scored at Bellewstown last month over a mile and is forgiven a tame effort in a hot Galway handicap since. With no doubts regarding stamina, he can get back on track in these calmer waters. Mainicin would have claims on a good day while Crafted Jewel, Nelson Road and handicap debutant Hague Convention are others of note.