18:30 Dundalk

Friday 22 December 2017

All16:3017:0017:3018:0018:3019:0019:3020:00

Crowne Plaza Leading Jockey & Trainer Awards 2017 Handicap

Off time: 18:31 | Winning time: 1m 23.28s

(1)

Elleval^p¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: P J Smullen| T: D Marnane| OR: 96| CD

11/2

Ahead of Gordon Lord Byron when third of 10 over 1m last time and is 1lb worse off. Drop in trip is a concern, but should go well again with top jockey replacing claimer.

Form: 660883

(11)

Russian Soul⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 8-12| J: C P Hoban| T: M Halford| OR: 91| C| D

20/1

Has returned to current trainer after a spell in the care of Jamie Osborne in England. Ran a sound race over 6f at this venue last time and step up in trip should suit.

Form: 164705

(7)

Togoville^b⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 8-11| J: C J McGovern⁽⁵⁾| T: A McCann| OR: 90| CD

7/1

Back to form over 6f at this track last time. Versatile distance-wise, but 4lb rise in the weights makes life tougher.

Form: 660361

(5)

Cascavelle⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Shane Foley| T: R P McNamara| OR: 89| C| D

13/8

Has won two of his three starts for current stable, including a 1m event at this venue last time. He is now 12 pounds higher than for the first of those successes, but has to be feared given his current mood.

Form: 248-101

(8)

Captain Dion^b,e/s1⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: Killian Leonard⁽⁵⁾| T: F Birrane| OR: 88

20/1

Enjoyed his share of success when trained by Kevin Ryan in England and two runs over 5f and 6f at this track for this stable have been respectable. Eye shields are fitted for the first time, but he has never won beyond 6f which is a worry.

Form: 701538

(10)

Fuwairt⁶³

Age: 5| Weight: 8-6| J: Leigh Roche| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 85| D

6/1

Latest of four runs for current stable, when a close second of 14 over C&D, was much his best. Down 2lb and deserves to go on the short list.

Form: 340892

(9)

Secret Wizard^b1¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-6| J: N G McCullagh| T: S Lavery| OR: 85| C| D

14/1

Showed his liking for this surface when winning over 1m at this venue three starts ago. Not disgraced over same C&D last two starts and first-time blinkers may help over this shorter distance.

Form: 008134

(6)

Beach Bar¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 8-4| J: Wayne Lordan| T: R O'Brien| OR: 83| D

20/1

English import who has made four starts for current connections. Behind Elleval and Gordon Lord Byron last time and looks to have a bit to find.

Form: 500198

(3)

Geological⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-4| J: Rory Cleary| T: D English| OR: 83| CD

9/1

C&D winner who returned to form last time when finishing second of 11 over 6f at this track. Up 1lb, but has to enter calculations.

Form: 065502

(4)

Have A Nice Day^p⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 8-4| J: D E Sheehy⁽⁵⁾| T: J Feane| OR: 83| CD

8/1

Won a 7f handicap at Naas in May, but has drawn a blank since. Behind Geological last time, which leaves him with improvement to make.

Form: 644647

Non-Runners

(2)

Gordon Lord Byron¹⁴

Weight: 10-1| Age: 9

T: T Hogan J: Billy Lee

Forecasts

Cascavelle (13/8), Elleval (11/2), Fuwairt (6/1), Togoville (7/1), Have A Nice Day (8/1), Gordon Lord Byron (8/1), Geological (9/1), Secret Wizard (14/1), Beach Bar (20/1), Russian Soul (20/1), Captain Dion (20/1)

An extremely tricky handicap in which the three at the head of the weights, Gordon Lord Byron, Elleval and Russian Soul, hold each-way claims. However, preference is for CASCAVELLE, who has to cope with a hike in the weights, but is progressing at a fair rate and could be up to the task. Fuwairt, Geological, Secret Wizard and Togoville are also respected.