14:25 Down Royal

Saturday 23 June 2018

All13:5514:2515:0015:3516:1516:5517:30

Louis Roederer Handicap

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 58.86s

(6)

Abstraction³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: K J Leonard⁽⁵⁾| T: N Lupini| OR: 82| D

5/1

In a poor run of form and losing streak goes all the way back to 2013. Slight glimmers of promise on seasonal debut at Navan last month but generally hard to fancy based on overall form.

Form: 33609-7

(4)

Nigg Bay^v¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-13| J: Colin Keane| T: J F Levins| OR: 79| D

9/4

Distance winner of a Navan handicap earlier this month before losing the race in the stalls at the Curragh recently finishing fourth of nine eventually beaten 1¼L. Clearly in good heart with himself and a major player here.

Form: 420214

(8)

Brave Display^b⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Chris Hayes| T: P J Prendergast| OR: 73| D

8/1

Won a Curragh 5f handicap off a 6lb lower mark last month but has been beaten on four subsequent starts since. Ground a major concern here.

Form: 517039

(3)

Soffia¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: R P Downey| T: E Lynam| OR: 79| D

3/1

Kyllachy filly who got off the mark at the third time of asking to win a Curragh maiden over this trip earlier this month on good to firm ground. Plenty in her favour with yard two from two here in the last fours years at this meeting.

Form: 43-1

(7)

The Phantom Punch^p⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: W J Lee| T: A Oliver| OR: 66

5/1

A winner on the AW at Dundalk in January but has looked to be in the handicapper's grip ever since. Hard to fancy on latest evidence at Limerick earlier this month.

Form: 310900

(1)

Blue Suede²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-4| J: Rory Cleary| T: R K Watson| OR: 56| D

10/1

Winner when in Britain for Richard Hannon and runner-up for Richard Fahey. Well beaten on all five starts for current yard before a slightly encouraging run at Navan earlier this month when finishing fourth of 18 beaten 4L on good to firm.

Form: 5-09R04

(5)

Elegant Emmeline²³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-4| J: L F Roche| T: J G Coogan| OR: 56

33/1

Will have to recreate the run at the Curragh in August when beaten just over 3L finishing fifth of 20 to play a role here following some inadequate starts last year.

Form: 205800-

(2)

Catwilldo^b¹⁶²

Age: 8| Weight: 8-4| J: A C Persse⁽¹⁰⁾| T: G Donnelly| OR: 56| CD

25/1

Last C&D win came in April 2014 and races 18lb lower than her last winning mark and last summers turf form is largely disappointing.

Form: 06009-0

Forecasts

Nigg Bay (9/4), Soffia (3/1), Abstraction (5/1), The Phantom Punch (5/1), Brave Display (8/1), Blue Suede (10/1), Catwilldo (25/1), Elegant Emmeline (33/1)

NIGG BAY can get back to winning ways here following a close defeat in a bunch finish at the Curragh earlier this month. The Colin Keane-ridden gelding can step up here and wouldn't have to improve much to be clear of this field at this level. The Edward Lynam yard have a terrific record at this meeting and Soffia can build on her win at the Curragh earlier this month.