19:05 Killarney

Wednesday 18 July 2018

All17:2518:0018:3019:0519:3520:1020:40

Killarney Park Hotel Handicap

Off time: 19:07 | Winning time: 3m 53.70s

(1)

Emperor Waltz^p,t⁶⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: D M Redmond⁽⁷⁾| T: J J Murphy| OR: 77| CD

9/1

Improved from a run at Roscommon over 1m4f when winning a C&D handicap in April (Nelson Road second). Acts on the ground and one for the shortlist off a 5lb higher mark.

Form: 1700-01

(12)

Fern Owl^b⁷⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: S M Crosse⁽⁷⁾| T: E Doyle| OR: 75| BF

20/1

Has had some tough tasks over hurdles since last run on the Flat, entitled to be in the mix with best of form in this sphere and one to note in the betting as such.

Form: 5651/13-

(6)

Nelson Road^p²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: Dylan Hogan⁽⁷⁾| T: J J Murphy| OR: 71

20/1

Finished 1L down on stablemate Emperor Waltz over C&D in May, not as good in three runs since however.

Form: 7-92960

(8)

Venezia^t⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: Billy Lee| T: E J O'Grady| OR: 68

7/1

Winner of a novice chase at Clonmel (2m, good) last month, no win on the Flat since 2015 but will relish some quick ground and potentially on a decent mark.

Form: 3/29384-

(4)

Dasmyhoss²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: C P McNamara⁽¹⁰⁾| T: R P McNamara| OR: 67

8/1

Lightly-raced maiden on the Flat, has won a bumper however and second of 15 in handicap at Limerick (1m3½f, good) last time on the level, with the winner going and winning again since.

Form: 8573-2

(10)

Townshend⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: W P Mullins| OR: 67| D

6/4

Has been rated in the mid-140s over fences, though not quite top-notch for these connections. Dangerously low handicap mark reverting to this discipline.

Form: 744168/

(7)

Whatsforuwontgobyu^t1⁵⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 9-5| J: O J Orr⁽⁵⁾| T: A J Martin| OR: 66

12/1

Sported first-time cheekpieces (discarded) when below form seventh of 14 in handicap at Sligo (1m4½f, good to soft) in May. Tongue strap tried now.

Form: 10/604-7

(11)

Prince Charmin'^p,t²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Ronan Whelan| T: A J Martin| OR: 61

10/1

Sightings of promise last spring in two Flat starts over 1m5f, ran well enough over C&D in May, not as good since at Limerick and needs to find something extra back here.

Form: 8524-57

(13)

Micras^b¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 8-12| J: Killian Leonard⁽³⁾| T: P A Fahy| OR: 59| D

33/1

Just the three wins in 46 starts under all codes and has been out of form lately, did run marginally better when well-held fourth over this trip at Bellewstown latest, but has work to do.

Form: 790-804

(3)

Massini's Trap³¹

Age: 9| Weight: 8-9| J: Sean Davis⁽⁷⁾| T: J Nash| OR: 56| CD

25/1

Former C&D winner but hasn't got head in front since 2014, poor in most of his recent outings including raids to Britain over jumps and pulled up last time at Downpatrick, looks unlikely winner back on the Flat.

Form: 9004/70-

(5)

Pivot Bridge³⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 8-5| J: N G McCullagh| T: A McGuinness| OR: 52| CD

20/1

Winner of a 2m handicap at Dundalk in March, but not the most reliable of performers, and well held in three starts since and currently races 14lb lower than his last winning mark.

Form: 0-01070

(2)

Dixie Highway²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 8-4| J: Leigh Roche| T: P J Flynn| OR: 51| D

8/1

Good second of 16 in handicap hurdle at Gowran (2m, good) 25 days ago, but has a modest enough record on the Flat and others preferred here.

Form: 8-32513

Non-Runners

(9)

Runyon Rattler⁶⁵

Weight: 8-7| Age: 8

T: P J Rothwell J: Alan Persse

Forecasts

Townshend (6/4), Runyon Rattler (6/1), Venezia (7/1), Dasmyhoss (8/1), Dixie Highway (8/1), Emperor Waltz (9/1), Prince Charmin' (10/1), Whatsforuwontgobyu (12/1), Pivot Bridge (20/1), Nelson Road (20/1), Fern Owl (20/1), Massini's Trap (25/1), Micras (33/1)

It could prove folly to overlook TOWNSHEND from a mark of just 67 back on the Flat and there's enough emphasis on stamina for this to suit him. Similarly, Venezia can go well here on quick ground while Emperor Waltz is proven around this venue and is feared alongside Fern Owl, who is also reverting to the Flat having been jumping.