20:30 Dundalk

Friday 12 January 2018

All17:0017:3018:0018:3019:0019:3020:0020:30

Esther McGahon, McGuinness & Co. Solicitors Handicap

Off time: 20:30 | Winning time: 1m 26.56s

(11)

War Hero^t,v²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 10-4| J: A J Slattery⁽¹⁰⁾| T: P J Prendergast| OR: 78| C

5/1

Course winner who has produced a number of solid performances here recently including a 3L defeat last time out over C&D. Big chance under adept 10lb claimer.

Form: 587212-

(3)

Palace Guard^t⁷⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-12| J: D O'Brien| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 72

7/2

Has flattered to deceive in three career starts starts on turf in late summer. Given time off and market likely to reveal expectations on AW debut.

Form: 547-

(4)

Lucky Red^b²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: S Foley| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 67

11/2

Best race to date latest when a running on second here in a 1m handicap before disappointing again over this trip last month. Looks opposable here.

Form: 087520-

(7)

Matter Of Time⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: N G McCullagh| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 66

25/1

Fourth of 14 beaten 7¼L over C&D last time out earlier this month on AW debut following a couple of below-par efforts on turf for Joseph O'Brien. Worth a market check on second start for current yard.

Form: 06-4

(5)

Paparazzi^b,t³⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: S Corby⁽³⁾| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 66| C

5/2

Course winner and finally off the mark here at the third attempt winning a two-year-old handicap by ½L. Only raised 1lb for that effort and another bold show looks likely dropping back in trip.

Form: 58971-

(10)

Itschessnotchekers^b²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Rory Cleary| T: N Lawlor| OR: 61

12/1

Has had plenty of chances and has reached the frame only twice in 11 starts. Well beaten over 10L over C&D last month and may find this tough.

Form: 036635-

(8)

Patrick Joseph¹²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: P J Smullen| T: D Marnane| OR: 61

12/1

Not much to shout about in three career starts on turf over the summer. Back from a break and worth a market check with top jockey booked for return.

Form: 700-

(9)

Dragon Girl⁸²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: T P Madden⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 56| BF

9/1

Disappointing beaten favourite last time out when well beaten over 7L in a Leopardstown two-year-old handicap in October. Yard among the winners again and capable of having her say.

Form: 05344-

(2)

High Susie⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: S M Crosse⁽¹⁰⁾| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 56

33/1

Over-whelmed in three career starts here over the last couple of months including a 11½L defeat last time out earlier this month. Plenty to work on based on what she has shown so far.

Form: 76-0

(1)

Pak Army^b,t1⁹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Ben Coen⁽⁷⁾| T: J R Barry| OR: 55

33/1

Gelding of fairly modest ability on evidence to date, well beaten on handicap bow at Galway in August before finishing last of six on his second start on the AW in October.

Form: 308986-

(6)

Taylor Velvet²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-4| J: Sean Davis⁽⁵⁾| T: T Cleary| OR: 50

25/1

Well beaten, no impression and one paced on AW debut here last month when finishing seventh of 13 over 7f. Vast improvement needed and other preferred.

Form: 445887-

(12)

Rockafilly¹¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-4| J: K J Leonard⁽³⁾| T: J Nash| OR: 50

50/1

Disappointing in two career starts both at the Curragh before much of the same at Naas last time out in September. Plenty to find in this company.

Form: 900-

Forecasts

Paparazzi (5/2), Palace Guard (7/2), War Hero (5/1), Lucky Red (11/2), Dragon Girl (9/1), Patrick Joseph (12/1), Itschessnotchekers (12/1), Taylor Velvet (25/1), Matter Of Time (25/1), Pak Army (33/1), High Susie (33/1), Rockafilly (50/1)

Dragon Girl could be the one to grab the lead in the early stages here with possibly Matter Of Time and Taylor Velvet for company. Palace Guard is of major interest on his handicap debut following a break and three moderate maiden runs, along with the solid and consistent War Hero can both hit the frame behind PAPPARAZZI who has been raised 1lb for his ½L win last time out and another bold show looks likely here dropping back in trip.