17:05 Cork

Saturday 31 March 2018

All14:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:0517:40

Follow Us On Twitter Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 17:06 | Winning time: 2m 4.02s

(6)

Nanabad^p¹⁶⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: Dylan Hogan⁽²⁾| T: J P Fahey| OR: 79

11/2

Generally disappointed last season but did finish second of 18 beaten ½L on seasonal debut last season. Finished second of 18 in this contest last season and worth a market check.

Form: 966407-

(12)

Keep Believing¹⁶⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Luke McAteer⁽⁷⁾| T: B Nolan| OR: 76| BF| D

7/2

Distance winner who was beaten favourite last time out when last seen in October finishing fourth of 13 in a Cork handicap. Not easily dismissed no just 2lb higher than last winning mark.

Form: 072314-

(9)

Decision Time³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: Sean Davis⁽²⁾| T: J E Kiely| OR: 75

5/1

Won on her last run on the level but was pulled up before two out in a Clonmel maiden hurdle last month. Ground not a problem here and market likely to reveal chances.

Form: 4541

(10)

Sweet Company^t⁷⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: O J Orr| T: A J Martin| OR: 74

8/1

Game third of 14 in a Leopardstown novice hurdle in December before not disgraced over 2m at Dundalk on the AW the following month. 12th of 18 in this contest last term and unlikely to play a part in the finish here.

Form: 04077-6

(2)

Youceeyouceecee^p¹⁷⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: Killian Leonard| T: Miss S A Finn| OR: 73| BF

10/1

Beaten favourite when last seen finishing last of five beaten 6¾L behind Not A Bad Oul Day at Limerick over 1m. Ticks going and class boxes and just 1lb higher than last winning mark but finished 15th of 18 in this race last term.

Form: 011435-

(5)

Ecoeye^p1¹⁵⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 8-12| J: Ross Coakley| T: A Leahy| OR: 67

9/2

Not a lot to shout about last season and was sent off favourite for this contest last term at 9/2 only to finish ninth of 18 beaten 15L. May struggle once again despite first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 7/90268-

(3)

Cosmic Symbol^p¹⁶⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 8-11| J: T P Madden| T: G Webb| OR: 66| D

25/1

Distance winner in a Galway handicap last season in September off a 2lb lower mark. Well beaten in three starts before the end of the season and may need more time.

Form: 101740-

(7)

An Saighdiur¹⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 8-10| J: Andrew Slattery⁽⁴⁾| T: A Slattery| OR: 65| C

12/1

Weakened over 7f when leading 2f out at Dundalk on the AW earlier in the month eventually finishing ninth of 14. Looks a tall order on form shown.

Form: 59900-9

(8)

Short Stacked^p1⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: Mike O'Connor⁽⁷⁾| T: J A Stack| OR: 62

16/1

Not disgraced despite finishing positions in two starts at Dundalk on the AW earlier this month. Six-race maiden on turf and possibly best watched in first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 4880/09

(11)

Spiritual Law⁵²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: D E Sheehy⁽²⁾| T: P W Flynn| OR: 62

33/1

Ger Lyons cast-off who hasn't done too much racing in a light career thus far. Very little to be positive about for this contest.

Form: 63-9

(4)

Our Anniversary¹⁵⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-5| J: Ben Coen⁽⁴⁾| T: Mrs D A Love| OR: 60

14/1

Has generally disappointed connections in a series of dismal displays last season including in this class and on the surface. Likely to struggle again.

Form: 044736-

(1)

Ask Katie^h,t¹⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 8-4| J: Nathan Crosse⁽⁴⁾| T: G Webb| OR: 59| CD

16/1

C&D winner back in October 2016 off a 9lb lower mark and won on heavy ground at Fairyhouse in the same month last year but may find this a tough assignment.

Form: 660410-

Forecasts

Keep Believing (7/2), Ecoeye (9/2), Decision Time (5/1), Nanabad (11/2), Sweet Company (8/1), Youceeyouceecee (10/1), An Saighdiur (12/1), Our Anniversary (14/1), Ask Katie (16/1), Short Stacked (16/1), Cosmic Symbol (25/1), Spiritual Law (33/1)

With An Saighdiur the lone leader here with possibly Ecoeye and Keep Believing in behind, though the latter may have to settle for a mid-division position coming from the widest draw. The early speed in the conditions could be beneficial for Nanabad and DECISION TIME who, despite the drop in trip, can come off the pace to land the spoils under Sean Davis.