19:20 Leopardstown

Thursday 12 July 2018

All17:4018:1518:4519:2019:5020:2520:55

Irish Stallion Farms EBF 'Nasrullah' Handicap (Premier Handicap)

Off time: 19:20 | Winning time: 2m 6.61s

(12)

Massif Central¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: Shane Foley| T: M Halford| OR: 100| BF

7/1

Placed on both starts this term including on good-to-firm ground over 1m at The Curragh last time out. One to note off a 1lb higher mark.

Form: 4421-33

(1)

Tennessee Wildcat¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-10| J: Gary Carroll| T: G M Lyons| OR: 98| C

25/1

Struggled in better contests so far this season including in a Group 3 at The Curragh (1m2f, good-to-firm) earlier this month. Worth a check in the market back in handicaps.

Form: 9-40456

(11)

Surrey Hope²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Seamie Heffernan| T: J Tuite| OR: 95

7/1

Placed in a valuable handicap at Newbury (1m, good-to-firm) in May but well held in two subsequent outings. Worth a check in the market upped in trip.

Form: 1-23300

(7)

Aared^t³³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: Dylan Hogan⁽⁷⁾| T: K Prendergast| OR: 91| BF| C| D

20/1

Victorious over this distance at The Curragh (good-to-firm) on his penultimate outing. Fair fifth subsequently and one to note with a promising apprentice in the saddle once more.

Form: 1644-15

(6)

Lucius Tiberius¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: D O'Brien| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 101| D

7/2

Put a disappointing effort at Royal Ascot (1m4f, good-to-firm) behind him when winning over this trip at The Curragh (good-to-firm) last time out. One for the shortlist despite an 8lb rise in the weights.

Form: 3-21301

(10)

Aussie Valentine^p,t¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: T P Madden⁽⁵⁾| T: A McGuinness| OR: 90| CD

16/1

Bidding to complete a hat-trick following wins at Tipperary (1m1f) and over this C&D prior to that. Races off a mark 3lb lower than for his latest handicap success.

Form: 224811

(5)

Mawaany⁶⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons| OR: 90| D

5/1

Running well since joining this yard and not beaten far when finishing fourth over 1m4f on good ground here in May. Making his seasonal debut that day and is looks likely to run his race once more.

Form: 84223-4

(2)

The King⁴⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: C O'Donoghue| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 99

7/1

Beaten just a neck when making his handicap debut at Navan (1m2f, good) last time out. Raised 5lb for that effort and remains open to improvement.

Form: 51-82

(9)

Espoir D'Soleil¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: Declan McDonogh| T: D K Weld| OR: 85| BF| C

7/1

Finished runner-up to Aaared in a competitive 1m2f contest at The Curragh (good-to-firm) on her penultimate outing. Disappointing next time however but has won here in the past.

Form: 1227-25

(4)

Turbine^t¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-10| J: Killian Leonard⁽³⁾| T: D Hogan| OR: 84

25/1

Beaten 1¼L when finishing fourth over 1m at The Curragh (good-to-firm) earlier this month. Placed over 7f prior to that and stepping up in distance.

Form: 0-63224

(3)

Agent Zigzag¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: N G McCullagh| T: J M Oxx| OR: 82

14/1

Maiden winner on soft ground over 1m at Killarney in May and met trouble in running on handicap debut last time out. Worth a check in the market.

Form: 3216

(8)

Alcatraz²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 8-8| J: Ronan Whelan| T: R O'Brien| OR: 82| D

14/1

Victorious over this trip at Cork on his penultimate outing. Well beaten over 1m4f at the same venue subsequently and this drop in trip should suit.

Form: 392617

Forecasts

Lucius Tiberius (7/2), Mawaany (5/1), The King (7/1), Espoir D'Soleil (7/1), Massif Central (7/1), Surrey Hope (7/1), Alcatraz (14/1), Agent Zigzag (14/1), Aussie Valentine (16/1), Aared (20/1), Turbine (25/1), Tennessee Wildcat (25/1)

A highly competitive handicap that can see MASSIF CENTRAL take the step up in trip in his stride to record a first victory of the season. The selection has run well over 1m the last twice and can get the better of Mawaany who is likely to have improved for his seasonal debut. Lucius Tiberius has won twice this campaign and can finish third following a hefty rise in the weights.