14:20 Curragh

Sunday 1 July 2018

All13:4514:2014:5515:3016:0516:4017:1517:50

Westgrove Hotel Handicap (60-90)

Off time: 14:23 | Winning time: 1m 24.80s

(9)

Beach Bar¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Wayne Lordan| T: R O'Brien| OR: 90| D

9/1

His better recent efforts have come on AW and his better turf form has come with cut in the ground. Faces a tough ask off this sort of mark and top-weight.

Form: 271309

(1)

Not A Bad Oul Day¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Dylan Hogan⁽⁷⁾| T: J Feane| OR: 83| D

8/1

Highly progressive last year, winning no few than seven races. Hasn't quite returned in the same form this time around though and probably more effective on a slower surface.

Form: 120-503

(12)

Georgian Bay⁹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-6| J: T M Sherry⁽⁷⁾| T: A McGuinness| OR: 82| D

20/1

Just won once since 2015 and that came on soft ground. Can give his chance away at the start and entitled to need this run on first start for his new trainer.

Form: 2-64540

(11)

Wexford Opera⁴^{(ex 6)}

Age: 8| Weight: 9-2| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger| OR: 72| CD

5/1

Very inconsistent in recent times but got his head back in front at Naas last time out. No guarantee he will back that up from a higher mark here and drop back in trip on this ground could prove too sharp for him.

Form: 90-7741

(2)

War Hero^b¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Sean Davis⁽⁷⁾| T: P J Prendergast| OR: 83| D

16/1

Yet to win on turf but ran a big race in defeat at Gowran Park earlier in the month on return from a short absence. Couldn't back that up next time but the step back up in trip looks like it's in his favour.

Form: 221525

(7)

Ahlan Bil Zain¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: Ben Coen⁽⁷⁾| T: M Halford| OR: 73

12/1

Won a maiden at Newcastle but he's not won since. Well beaten on first two starts for this yard over hurdles and there's been no improvement for the switch back to the Flat on the last couple of starts. Looks up against it.

Form: 3434-79

(10)

Ice Cold In Alex^p1,t¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: Shane Foley| T: K J Condon| OR: 73| C

5/1

Gained a second career success at this course over 5f last year. Well-handicapped on that form and has been running well in defeat in his more recent runs. Stays this trip fine and should go well if first-time cheekpieces have the desired effect.

Form: 30-0263

(13)

Ducky Mallon^t¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 8-10| J: Ronan Whelan| T: D Kinsella| OR: 72| C| D

16/1

Won back-to-back races in August last year including a course win over 6f but form since has been poor. Shown nothing in two starts this year and he has a bit to prove at present.

Form: 0370-00

(6)

Korbous²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 8-10| J: Y Nonaka⁽⁷⁾| T: R Brabazon| OR: 72| D

9/2

On a losing run since winning at the Laytown meeting in 2016. Better efforts on each of his last couple of starts though including over C&D two starts back and capable of running well.

Form: 270-944

(4)

Kailee²⁵⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: Chris Hayes| T: W T Farrell| OR: 71| CD

14/1

C&D winner in a maiden in August and while disappointing on handicap debut at Fairyhouse, the ground was probably against her that day. Respected on seasonal return provided she's fit and ready to go.

Form: 74217-

(8)

Red Avenger¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 8-7| J: Rory Cleary| T: D English| OR: 69| D

11/1

On a long losing run at present and while on a long losing run at present, it's unlikely he will be suited by this drop in trip.

Form: 644305

(5)

Bay Of Skaill²²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-6| J: N G McCullagh| T: J G Murphy| OR: 68| BF

16/1

Still a maiden after 10 starts. Disappointed when favourite here last time but step back up in trip will suit and he's generally consistent. Not ruled out.

Form: 4252-20

(3)

Delegating^h⁴⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-4| J: Leigh Roche| T: M O'Callaghan| OR: 66

33/1

Still a maiden after 17 starts and she's been poor in her two most recent outings. Has plenty to prove at present.

Form: 256-280

Forecasts

Korbous (9/2), Ice Cold In Alex (5/1), Wexford Opera (5/1), Not A Bad Oul Day (8/1), Beach Bar (9/1), Red Avenger (11/1), Ahlan Bil Zain (12/1), Kailee (14/1), Bay Of Skaill (16/1), Ducky Mallon (16/1), War Hero (16/1), Georgian Bay (20/1), Delegating (33/1)

It may be worth taking a chance on ICE COLD IN ALEX now tried in some first-time headgear and he's well handicapped on the form that saw him win a sprint here last year. Korbous is another feasibly handicapped runner while Kailee isn't ruled out if ready to go on reappearance.