18:30 Bellewstown

Wednesday 4 July 2018

All17:3018:0018:3019:0019:3020:0020:30

D Hotel Handicap (60-90)

Off time: 18:31 | Winning time: 1m 38.49s

(6)

Captain Joy⁹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: Ronan Whelan| T: T Collins| OR: 90| D

9/1

Ten times a winner on the all-weather but yet to win in 21 starts on turf, and that's reflected in his lower mark here. Not seen since March but has won after a break, and both trip and ground fine, so holds a chance of breaking his turf duck.

Form: 0/336-16

(1)

Artistic Melody¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons| OR: 79| D

7/4

Has come back off a break in great form, narrowly denied at Roscommon (7f) but made amends for that at Limerick over this trip last time. Reliable and jockey rides track well. Every chance of following up from 4lb higher, with ground no issue.

Form: 17-3021

(5)

Koybig¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: Chris Hayes| T: P J F Murphy| OR: 79| BF| D

9/2

Has been going well this summer, trip and ground both ideal and although he can take a hold in his races, should have every chance from this mark if getting a pace to aim at. Expect to see him late on the scene.

Form: 19-5224

(7)

Ishebayorgrey⁵²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: K J Leonard⁽³⁾| T: P Martin| OR: 77

7/2

Model of consistency, rarely runs a bad one either on the all-weather or turf and no issue with trip or ground but does find winning hard and it's possible the handicapper has him where he wants him at present. Place chances again though.

Form: 2-41342

(4)

Nothing To Lose^h1¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: R P Downey| T: J C McConnell| OR: 75

20/1

Back off his last winning mark here but not really going anywhere at present and now connections try a hood to turn his fortunes around. May find this ground a bit lively as well and not hard to look elsewhere.

Form: 318-480

(3)

Arbourfield^v¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 8-10| J: S Foley| T: Mrs P Dobbs| OR: 72| D

14/1

Tends to race mainly at 7f these days but has won over a mile, winner over 7f at Gowran Park in May (gamely) but two efforts since then not so good. May still be a couple of pounds too high in the handicap, and others preferred.

Form: 530104

(2)

Dance Alone¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: Rory Cleary| T: D English| OR: 69| D

8/1

Trip and ground both ideal if his Leopardstown win in June is anything to go by, and this mark probably not beyond him. Will appreciate step back up to a mile after finishing well beaten at Naas and a bounce back to form not ruled out.

Form: 021225

(8)

Flowerhill Nova¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: Ben Coen⁽⁷⁾| T: A Slattery| OR: 69

16/1

Better on the sand than turf, just the one win in 17 starts and that came over 6f, so has questions to answer regarding this trip as well. Tempting handicap mark but only a moderate effort again last time, and makes only minimal appeal.

Form: 21/06-08

Forecasts

Artistic Melody (7/4), Ishebayorgrey (7/2), Koybig (9/2), Dance Alone (8/1), Captain Joy (9/1), Arbourfield (14/1), Flowerhill Nova (16/1), Nothing To Lose (20/1)

Not easy to solve. Arbourfield might get an easy time of it on the front end but he may be vulnerable late and KOYBIG is taken to pick him off late. As long as he settles then he should run his race and can take this late in the day. Captain Joy would be a big threat if he can translate his all-weather form to the turf, and Artistic Melody is another that has to be considered a major threat.