18:55 Leopardstown

Friday 25 May 2018

All17:2017:5518:2518:5519:2519:5520:2520:55

Microsoft Ireland Handicap (50-70)

Off time: 18:58 | Winning time: 1m 44.01s

(10)

Makamamia²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: S Foley| T: A Oliver| OR: 70

25/1

Makfi filly, cost €20,000 as a yearling, showed plenty promise in C&D maiden a year ago and likely unsuited by underfoot conditions on reappearance at Cork. Should improve on handicap debut.

Form: 2/3-0

(5)

Red Avenger⁴⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: Rory Cleary| T: D English| OR: 70| D

11/2

Racked up a hat-trick on the AW at Dundalk after joining this yard in late 2016/early 2017. Winless in 18 starts since, most on the AW, is race-fit and potentially well treated back on turf.

Form: 0-23644

(2)

Bien Chase^p¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-13| J: W J Lee| T: Adrian Mcallister| OR: 69

10/1

Better effort when dropped to this trip on the AW at Dundalk earlier in the month, can be given some claims from 1lb lower mark reverting to turf if building on that.

Form: 7-25655

(18)

Khabaray²¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-13| J: Gary Halpin⁽³⁾| T: R O'Brien| OR: 69| CD

11/2

Career record reads just 2-23, though sole turf success came in this contest a year ago. Rated 1lb lower now but the lack of a recent run may be a worry, market should reveal more and yard in fine form.

Form: 738000-

(14)

Dinkum Diamond³⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 9-12| J: A J Slattery⁽⁷⁾| T: A Slattery| OR: 68

14/1

Losing sequence is a long one now, dating back to 2015, appears to have regressed though wasn't beaten all that far on heavy ground over 7f here last month. Not certain to build on that run.

Form: 789-506

(4)

High Altitude¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: N G McCullagh| T: J J Murphy| OR: 68

12/1

Maiden, but case certainly not hard to make on the pick of 2017 form. Three recent efforts, including here, have been poor, so a mini leap of faith needed today despite the promise that better ground should help.

Form: 266-090

(17)

Ocean Air^t¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: E J McNamara| T: J C McConnell| OR: 68

40/1

Won back to back races on first two starts at Leicester either side of last winter but shown very little on the Flat since he's been trained in Ireland and trailed home last of 12 at the Curragh this month on reappearance.

Form: 000-600

(7)

Storm Ranger⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-11| J: Chris Hayes| T: P J Flynn| OR: 67

12/1

Winning efforts have come over further, ended last year in poor form and tailed off last month reappearance at Cork (1m2f, heavy). Potentially well-handicapped if able to bounce back.

Form: 57807-0

(13)

Bay of St Malo¹⁶¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: Robbie Colgan| T: L Comer| OR: 66| D

33/1

Doesn't really have the form to go with the best of these and was poor in two December AW outings for this yard having spent over a year on the sidelines. Back from another break with plenty to prove.

Form: 4755/06-

(8)

Waterboy¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: J A Heffernan| T: R Brabazon| OR: 66

11/2

Produced a much better effort last time on the AW at Dundalk over 1m4f, drop back in trip here should be offset by getting a decent surface to race on.

Form: 409-03

(19)

Masterofdiscovery¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: T P Madden⁽⁵⁾| T: M J Smith| OR: 65| D

40/1

Henrythenavigator gelding formerly trained by Clive Cox, very laboured in three starts for this trainer so far and needs better ground to initiate a dramatic turnaround.

Form: 350-000

(12)

Bonnie Baugh^h1¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Colin Keane| T: Mrs P Dobbs| OR: 68

25/1

Nine-race maiden and cannot boast any great level of consistency in form. Soundly beaten over 7f (soft to heavy) this month having returned to this trainer from Jessica Harrington, a visor is tried now.

Form: 9-53250

(20)

Feisty Katerina^p,t1¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: K J Manning| T: B W Duke| OR: 68

33/1

Vocalised filly didn't offer much on recent handicap debut over 7f at Gowran Park (soft to heavy), a tongue tie is added now and perhaps can take a step forward on this better surface.

Form: 386-580

(3)

Greengage^t¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Gary Carroll| T: J J Murphy| OR: 68

25/1

Choisir filly, went close a couple of times in Dundalk maidens over 7f (including at 100/1), poor handicap debut over 7f at Gowran Park (soft to heavy) this month. More required.

Form: 00246-0

(15)

Magic Sea⁴⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: C P Hoban| T: Mrs S Dawson| OR: 68

25/1

Heavy-ground nursery winner at Down Royal over 7f in September and subsequent run over C&D (heavy) showed this mark isn't out of reach. Poor return over 1m2f at Navan, questions to answer for now.

Form: 71642-0

(6)

Clueless Hill^t1¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: S P Mooney⁽⁷⁾| T: L Comer| OR: 67

10/1

Showed some promise in maidens last year, well fended off in Listed Naas contest over 7f latest, now meets a decent surface for the first time with tongue-tie added. Possible improver.

Form: 9277-38

(11)

So Enjoy²¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: L F Roche| T: J Nash| OR: 67

20/1

So You Think filly produced a career best latest on handicap debut at Dundalk. Returns from a break with mile trip no concern on her pedigree and needs a market check.

Form: 87352-

(16)

Quite Subunctious²³⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Wayne Lordan| T: K H Clarke| OR: 65

25/1

Big three prices all three starts last year, including when hopelessly outclassed in Curragh Group 3. Handicap debut on return and hasn't been given the toughest mark.

Form: 777-

(9)

Ragtime Red²³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: G M Ryan⁽⁷⁾| T: A McCann| OR: 65

20/1

First run since for this trainer when respectable eighth of 14 in handicap at Dundalk over a mile on the AW this month. Up in trip and has useful 7lb claim to assist.

Form: 00-4328

Total Demolition¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: R Coakley⁽³⁾| T: J Larkin| OR: 65| CD

10/1

Gained sixth career win at Killarney on return this month (1m, soft), wouldn't be out of this from new mark if getting in (First Reserve).

Form: 66990-1

Non-Runners

(1)

Masalai¹⁹

Weight: 9-10| Age: 4

T: E Lynam J: R P Downey

Swing Till Dawn⁴⁰

Weight: 8-11| Age: 3

T: J S Bolger J: Reserve 2

Settle For Red¹⁶

Weight: 9-8| Age: 8

T: D Marnane J: Reserve 3

Forecasts

Waterboy (11/2), Red Avenger (11/2), Khabaray (11/2), Masalai (6/1), Bien Chase (10/1), Clueless Hill (10/1), Total Demolition (10/1), Settle For Red (11/1), Storm Ranger (12/1), High Altitude (12/1), Dinkum Diamond (14/1), Swing Till Dawn (14/1), So Enjoy (20/1), Ragtime Red (20/1), Greengage (25/1), Bonnie Baugh (25/1), Magic Sea (25/1), Quite Subunctious (25/1), Makamamia (25/1), Feisty Katerina (33/1), Bay of St Malo (33/1), Masterofdiscovery (40/1), Ocean Air (40/1)

Last year's winner Khabaray is rated 1lb lower now but the lack of a recent run must be something of a concern for him. The likes of Makamamia and High Altitude are potentially going to be seen to better effect on this ground, while Quite Subunctious and Clueless Hill rank as potential improvers. So Enjoy should have possibilities of winning races soon, though may want further, and she also cedes fitness here to MASALAI who continues to shape well on the AW and should be capable of snaring a race like this from current his current mark.