15:40 Naas

Sunday 25 March 2018

All13:5514:3015:0515:4016:1516:5017:25

Woodlands 100 Club Madrid Handicap

Off time: 15:41 | Winning time: 1m 36.37s

(8)

London Icon¹⁷²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: Colin Keane| T: A Keatley| OR: 91| C

5/4

Off the mark at this course last time in impressive style. Drop in trip asks a small question of him but any amount of improvement is possible after that last effort.

Form: 31-

(5)

Band of Outlaws¹⁴⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: D O'Brien| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 89| CD

11/2

C&D winner last time out who has won two of his last three starts. Up a huge 11lb but is clearly progressive and it was impossible not to be impressed with his manner of victory last time out.

Form: 52151-

(13)

Aurora Eclipse¹⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: D M Simmonson⁽⁵⁾| T: M O'Callaghan| OR: 88| C

16/1

Not disgraced twice in Listed races last year and also won her maiden here (over 2f shorter than this). Holds claims off what should be a fair mark on handicap debut.

Form: 2154-

(10)

Crownthorpe¹⁶⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: T Hamilton| T: R A Fahey| OR: 87| D

10/1

Only poor run last campaign came when he was outclassed in a Listed race (but still wasn't disgraced). This isn't the most attractive handicap mark on his return to this sphere, though.

Form: 322120-

(11)

Drombeg Dream¹⁴⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: S Foley| T: A Leahy| OR: 86

18/1

Impressive winner of a Cork nursery back in October when getting the better of Sebastiano Ricci. Not so good at Leopardstown since but still on a 6lb higher mark now.

Form: 745218-

(2)

Solar Wave^e/c¹⁶¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger| OR: 86| D

10/1

This trip on soft ground should be perfect for her and she's drawn well, but the fact she's 5lb higher than her last winning handicap mark is a mild concern.

Form: 213164-

(12)

Bachelor^t³⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: J A Heffernan| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 85

16/1

Took his form to a new level in two starts at British AW courses so far this year. Just 2lb higher than his last run on turf but needs to transfer that good form to this surface.

Form: 5676-12

(4)

Spiorad Saoirse¹⁶¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Ben Coen⁽⁷⁾| T: A Slattery| OR: 82| D

20/1

Made a positive start to his career in handicaps but has regressed since and was well-beaten on last run at two over C&D.

Form: 51480-

(7)

Sebastiano Ricci¹⁴⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: C O'Donoghue| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 79| D

14/1

Best effort in handicaps so far came when second to Drombeg Dream in October, but is better off at the weights now. Trip/ground also fine and is considered.

Form: 410276-

(6)

Verhoyen¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: N G McCullagh| T: M C Grassick| OR: 78

25/1

Off the mark at Dundalk last time when winning by only a head despite being a short-priced favourite. Not certain this step up in trip will suit on handicap debut.

Form: 30360-1

(3)

Palace Guard^b1,t⁵¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Wayne Lordan| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 76| BF| D

16/1

Won over this trip two starts ago off 4lb lower and the return to this distance is a positive, but needs to improve on previous turf form. Blinkers on.

Form: 547-17

(14)

Dianthus¹⁴⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: Chris Hayes| T: R O'Brien| OR: 75

12/1

Mixed form in four maidens and makes her handicap debut now. Can't be ruled out from running well on the pick of her form so far.

Form: 9P26-

(9)

Palariva⁵¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: Sean Davis⁽⁵⁾| T: G M Lyons| OR: 75| D

20/1

Lightly-raced type who took a step in the right direction on handicap debut at Dundalk last time, and should go well on this turf debut.

Form: 716-3

(1)

Groovy Jazz¹⁴⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-4| J: Rory Cleary| T: L Comer| OR: 71

25/1

Showed an improved level of form on his most recent start in a maiden last time. That came at this course but was also when he was dropping down to 6f, so the return to this trip may not be a positive.

Form: 0406-

Forecasts

London Icon (5/4), Band of Outlaws (11/2), Crownthorpe (10/1), Solar Wave (10/1), Dianthus (12/1), Sebastiano Ricci (14/1), Palace Guard (16/1), Aurora Eclipse (16/1), Bachelor (16/1), Drombeg Dream (18/1), Spiorad Saoirse (20/1), Palariva (20/1), Groovy Jazz (25/1), Verhoyen (25/1)

Band of Outlaws won very impressively over C&D last time and is respected despite his hike up the weights, but preference is for AURORA ECLIPSE. She ran well twice in Listed races last year, and this return to handicap company looks like exactly what she wants to return to winning ways having won her maiden here, albeit over a shorter trip. In a race which could be dominated by those towards the top of the weights London Icon is also of interest.