19:00 Dundalk

Friday 15 December 2017

All17:3018:0018:3019:0019:3020:0020:3021:00

Crowne Plaza Leading Jockey & Trainer Awards 2017 Handicap

Off time: 19:01 | Winning time: 1m 11.73s

(9)

G Force^b³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: Colin Keane| T: A Keatley| OR: 96| D

10/1

Over three years since his unforgettable win in the Group One Haydock Sprint Cup. Not hit the heights in 2017 although highly tried on the most part. Was fourth in last year's Ayr Gold Cup off 6lb higher mark so is appealing here.

Form: 000407

(7)

Naadirr^v⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: P J Smullen| T: K A Ryan| OR: 93| D

11/4

Dual-Listed winner again showed his apparent liking for Doncaster latest with an excellent third of 22 beaten just ½L last time out. Chance here only 1lb higher and as a past AW winner the surface is no concern.

Form: 870083

(1)

Russian Soul¹¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-5| J: C P Hoban| T: M Halford| OR: 91| CD

25/1

Returns to stable where he won 10 times, seven on AW. Went off the boil latterly for Jamie Osborne and been off a good while now but capable if he bounces back.

Form: 416470

(5)

Captain Dion^t1,v¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: P B Beggy| T: F Birrane| OR: 90| D

14/1

Five time 6f winner in Britain who ran well here latest over 5f when third. Handicap still high enough despite 1lb ease so more an each-way prospect at present.

Form: 470153

(6)

Togoville^b²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: C J McGovern⁽⁵⁾| T: A McCann| OR: 86| BF| CD

7/1

Seven-time course winner ran well again here two starts back when a close third on stable debut. Sixth latest behind Alfredo Arcano over 5f gives him a bit to find.

Form: 166036

(4)

Alfredo Arcano^h¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Wayne Lordan| T: D Marnane| OR: 82| BF| CD

7/2

Past C&D winner seems to have found his niche in sprints here with back-to-back good runs last twice. Mark still makes some appeal as he returns to 6f and isn't out of this particularly hot contest.

Form: 503912

(3)

Have A Nice Day^v1⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 8-10| J: D E Sheehy⁽⁵⁾| T: J Feane| OR: 82| BF| C

8/1

Not far behind Confrontational (second) and Togoville (third) when fourth over C&D latest. Visor added in the hope of turning the tables.

Form: 264464

(8)

Geological⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-8| J: Rory Cleary| T: D English| OR: 80| CD

20/1

Having his 32nd starts of 2017 and latterly the burden seems to be taking its toll. Hard to recommend him here.

Form: 006550

(11)

Confrontational^p⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: Shane Foley| T: J J Murphy| OR: 79

7/1

Had five of today's rivals behind when last seen six weeks ago where he was an excellent second. Chance if arriving in same form today although draw a negative.

Form: 550-792

(10)

Rivellino²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 8-5| J: Killian Leonard⁽⁵⁾| T: A McGuinness| OR: 77| CD

9/1

Had four of these rivals ahead when sixth over C&D two starts back. Good seconds since in a claimer and handicap show he's in good order but this a tougher race.

Form: 661622

(2)

Golden Pearl^t²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-4| J: N G McCullagh| T: M Halford| OR: 76| D

25/1

Closely matched with several of these on C&D fifth two starts back but is 6lb out of the handicap so likely up against it.

Form: 605057

Forecasts

Naadirr (11/4), Alfredo Arcano (7/2), Togoville (7/1), Confrontational (7/1), Have A Nice Day (8/1), Rivellino (9/1), G Force (10/1), Captain Dion (14/1), Geological (20/1), Russian Soul (25/1), Golden Pearl (25/1)

Kevin Ryan has done well here in the past and can take the spoils of this valuable contest back across the Irish Sea courtesy of NAADIRR who looked like being back to somewhere near his best in a big field handicap at Doncaster. The home team however have several in-form contenders and the best may prove to be up-and-coming type ALFREDO ARCANO who is in fine form. Six of today's runners ran together behind St Brelades Bay in November (including unlucky sixth Alfredo Arcano and the third that day Togoville is one of the more appealing sorts given his excellent course record.