15:05 Navan

Sunday 8 October 2017

All14:0014:3515:0515:4016:1016:4517:1517:45

Waterford Testimonial Stakes (Listed)

Off time: 15:09 | Winning time: 1m 15.5s

(12)

Texas Rock^p²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: Fran Berry| T: M C Grassick| OR: 103

16/1

Unraced over a trip as short as this since 2014 and yet to win over it. Will stays 1m and will surely find himself outpaced against some more seasoned sprinters.

Form: 341525

(9)

Ardhoomey^t¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons| OR: 107| CD

7/2

Group 2 winner last year but held in eight Group/Listed races since. Needs a return to his very best form in order to threaten here, though he does handle soft ground.

Form: 203363

(4)

Cougar Mountain^p,t¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: D O'Brien| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 110| D

9/2

Has put in slightly improved efforts since dropping back down to 6f this summer; beaten only half a length by Washington DC in the Phoenix Sprint and a repetition of that level of form should see him go close.

Form: 375254

(10)

G Force^b1⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Gary Carroll| T: A Keatley| OR: 92| D

33/1

Group 1 winner in his prime but nowhere near his best of late and possibly may still be regressing. Others hold far more convincing claims based on recent form.

Form: 44-0000

(11)

Maarek¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 9-5| J: K K Hennessy| T: Miss E McCutcheon| OR: 91| CD

25/1

No win since August 2015 (at Listed level) and though not disgraced since he is generally better over the minimum trip and is passed over once again.

Form: 908404

(1)

Rattling Jewel^p²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: K J Manning| T: Nicole McKenna| OR: 89| D

33/1

Runs at Listed level for the first time having posted some fair efforts in handicaps earlier on this season. Still has plenty to find on official ratings.

Form: 110530

(3)

Son Of Rest²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Chris Hayes| T: J A Stack| OR: 110

3/1

Well-beaten in two attempts at Listed level so far, posted a good effort in the Flying Five behind Caravaggio when last seen but needs to repeat that level of form over a furlong further in order to mount a challenge here.

Form: 4-18153

(2)

Alphabet^t⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 110| D

4/1

Not at his best in the Prix L'Abbaye last time out but was putting in solid efforts in Group company prior to that, including behind Caravaggio in the Flying Five. Leading claims now back down at Listed level.

Form: 699220

(7)

Duchess Of France^t²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: D E Sheehy| T: A Keatley| OR: 90

50/1

Has run well over this trip in the past and not previously disgraced at this level but is generally better over further and wouldn't want the ground to dry out too much.

Form: 133390

(14)

Magic Bear¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: R P Downey| T: E Lynam| OR: 92| BF| C| D

16/1

Useful handicapper and more lightly-raced than most of these but well-beaten on sole attempt at Listed level so far and this looks tougher.

Form: 1-14169

(6)

Peticoatgovernment⁴⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: L F Roche| T: W McCreery| OR: 94| CD

16/1

C&D winner who has been running fair races in Listed company recently but probably looks more of a place prospect than a potential winner of this contest.

Form: 126355

(8)

Snowstar³⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: W J Lee| T: W McCreery| OR: 97

12/1

Consistent performer who went close at this level at Tipperary last time out and goes on all kind of ground. Career-best needed but unexposed and going the right way.

Form: 231312

Non-Runners

(5)

Gordon Lord Byron⁷

Weight: 9-12| Age: 9

T: T Hogan J: Ronan Whelan

(13)

Khukri¹⁴

Weight: 9-8| Age: 3

T: Mrs J Harrington J: S Foley

Forecasts

Son Of Rest (3/1), Ardhoomey (7/2), Alphabet (4/1), Cougar Mountain (9/2), Gordon Lord Byron (10/1), Snowstar (12/1), Khukri (14/1), Texas Rock (16/1), Magic Bear (16/1), Peticoatgovernment (16/1), Maarek (25/1), G Force (33/1), Rattling Jewel (33/1), Duchess Of France (50/1)

Perhaps the consistent SNOWSTAR can get her head back in front here. This three-year-old daughter of Raven's Pass went close at Tipperary last time out without quite getting there but most importantly goes on all kinds of ground and is going the right way. Aidan O Brien's Alphabet has been running running well in better races than this and is feared most, ahead of stablemate Cougar Mountain.