16:10 Navan

Saturday 2 June 2018

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4017:10

Royal County Handicap

Off time: 16:10 | Winning time: 2m 8.97s

(4)

The King²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: C O'Donoghue| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 94

9/2

Mastercraftsman colt who cost 140,000gns as a yearling, won a Gowran Park maiden (1m, soft to heavy) on second start in September with plenty up his sleeve. Poor on return at Leopardstown recently, now switches to handicaps.

Form: 51-8

(2)

Downdraft⁴⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Shane Foley| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 88

3/1

Camelot colt has shown plenty promise in four AW outings at Dundalk, including a win over 7f. Makes handicap / turf debut here and worth playing very close attention for in-form trainer.

Form: 54-12

(3)

Overcoming⁴⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons| OR: 87

6/1

Lightly-raced Kodiac colt, won a 7f AW maiden at Dundalk in November. Not beaten far despite finishing last of four in April and very much entitled to improve for that run. Worth considering back on turf.

Form: 71-4

(5)

Aiseolas¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger| OR: 85| BF

6/1

Good winner at Gowran Park last month over this sort of trip in a maiden and since gone well at Killarney having dropped to a mile. Makes handicap debut and should go close if handling the firmer surface.

Form: 7-3213

(7)

Swiss Cottage²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Gary Halpin⁽³⁾| T: J G Murphy| OR: 85

16/1

Lightly-raced maiden ran a respectable fourth of 11 in maiden at Leopardstown (1m, good to soft) 20 days ago, having been denied a clear run. Up in trip now for handicap debut.

Form: 5350-4

(1)

High Street Lady¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Ronan Whelan| T: A J Martin| OR: 84

10/1

Finsceal Fior filly out of a North Light mare, remains a maiden after three starts but has shaped with some potential. Back up in trip. Makes handicap debut.

Form: 215

(9)

Leaderboard¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Declan McDonogh| T: C O'Brien| OR: 79

33/1

Lightly-raced maiden. Ran creditable in a maiden over this C&D (good to firm) 14 days ago. Makes handicap debut and worth a look in the betting.

Form: 408-8

(6)

For Pleasure⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: Rory Cleary| T: J M Barrett| OR: 76| CD

10/3

C&D winner on handicap debut in April, continues to be on the upgrade having scored at Leopardstown (1m4f, good to firm) last week. Raised a further 6lb on strength of that success.

Form: 413241

(8)

Our Legend²¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: N G McCullagh| T: T Mullins| OR: 76

33/1

Thrice-raced maiden, shaped with promise last year and goes up in trip on seasonal reappearance now taking aim at a handicap for the first time. Is a potential improver.

Form: 945-

Forecasts

Downdraft (3/1), For Pleasure (10/3), The King (9/2), Aiseolas (6/1), Overcoming (6/1), High Street Lady (10/1), Swiss Cottage (16/1), Leaderboard (33/1), Our Legend (33/1)

AISEOLAS was an impressive maiden winner at Gowran Park two starts back and may well have found a mile too sharp since at Killarney. Jim Bolger's filly can defy the handicapper by winning first time out in this sphere with the longer trip to suit. Downdraft is also worth a close look on handicap bow while For Pleasure is thriving and cannot be ruled out despite going up the ratings rapidly. Swiss Cottage and Our Legend are further potential improvers.