17:15 Naas

Sunday 20 May 2018

All14:0514:4015:1515:4516:1516:4517:15

Kildare Post & Kildare Now Handicap

4YO plus | 7f | Good to Firm | 11 Runners | Turf

(8)

Age: 7| Weight: 9-13| J: W J Lee| T: R O'Brien| OR: 93| D

Experienced and talented performer for David O'Meara, no turf win since September 2016 at Ayr (7f, good to soft) and races from 2lb higher mark today. Well beaten on AW at Dundalk in February on debut for this yard. Tongue tie tried now.

Form: 35963-0

(10)

Fuwairt^t¹⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: K J Manning| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 84| D

Losing run out to 16 now and dates back to 2016, tongue strap back on for seasonal bow but others have clearer credentials.

Form: 408927-

(4)

Mr Ormsby^t⁴⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: Gavin Ryan⁽⁷⁾| T: S Lavery| OR: 77| D

Winner over 7f on the AW at Dundalk in March form a 6lb lower mark. Unlikely to repeat the trick from this perch on turf seemingly.

Form: 382-138

(1)

The Phantom Punch⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: S Foley| T: A Oliver| OR: 76| D

Improved effort when running out cosy winner of 7f AW maiden at Dundalk in January on fourth start. A bit free and paid the price on return from short break at Leopardstown (7f, good) last week, bounce back called for.

Form: 3-4310

(7)

Flowerhill Nova^h,t³⁷¹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: Leigh Roche| T: A Slattery| OR: 73

Beaten 4L in sixth of 18 in 1m good-ground handicap at the Curragh 371 days ago, off since. Handicapper has offered a decent chance now, if ready to grasp it.

Form: 2321/06-

(11)

Fashaar⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 8-6| J: A J Slattery⁽⁷⁾| T: A McCann| OR: 72| D

Given a fine ride by this claimer when taking 7f Dundalk handicap on penultimate start, not disgraced back there last month. Has to hold some claims from 1lb lower mark with rider claiming 7lb.

Form: 01-3415

(9)

Ice Cold In Alex^t²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-6| J: N G McCullagh| T: K J Condon| OR: 72

Trailed home in last place over 5½f (yielding to soft) at Navan last month return from winter break. That was a poor effort from start to finish and tackling 7f for the first time now. Watching brief required.

Form: 63230-0

(2)

Gunmaker^t¹²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-5| J: Wayne Lordan| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 71| D

70-rated handicapper in the UK for David Simcock, took advantage of lowly mark to score in Dundalk apprentice contest in January over 7f on first start for this yard, rated 9lb higher and plenty more needed back on turf.

Form: 02544-1

(5)

Markhan^t²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-5| J: Chris Hayes| T: G Elliott| OR: 71| C

80-rated handicapper for trainer David Marnane managing two wins from 11 Flat turf starts. Likely to have found 5½f at Navan too sharp on debut for this trainer. This is more like it and on a good mark relative to old turf form.

Form: 03500-0

(3)

Mcguigan^t²²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 8-4| J: D P Davis⁽¹⁰⁾| T: J S Bolger| OR: 70

Two turf wins at Leopardstown in August 2016 came over 6f/1m1f within the space of five days (latest off 75). Went close on reappearance last year at the Curragh (1m, good) from 5lb higher mark. Betting check needed.

Form: 8/26959-

(6)

Liberatio^t³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-4| J: C P Hoban| T: M Halford| OR: 70

An 11-race maiden, well held in Dundalk claimer over 6f last month, previous turf form suggests he'll do well to land a blow on these terms.

Form: 480-244

Forecasts

Gunmaker (9/2), Fashaar (5/1), Fuwairt (6/1), That Is The Spirit (7/1), Flowerhill Nova (8/1), The Phantom Punch (10/1), Liberatio (10/1), Mcguigan (10/1), Mr Ormsby (10/1), Markhan (12/1), Ice Cold In Alex (14/1)

Gunmaker took advantage of a lowly rating on the AW to make a winning start for Gavin Cromwell at the turn of the year, he should run his race again but is much higher rated back on turf. Flowerhill Nova has been offered a chance by the assessor on return while Markhan is well-handicapped on his old turf form and meets a more suitable trip on second start for this handler. Any traction behind Mcguigan would be notable as he can go well fresh but FASHAAR gets on well with his claiming rider and could be on a lenient mark with 7lb off for his first turf handicap.