20:05 Down Royal

Friday 27 July 2018

All17:3018:0518:3519:0519:3520:0520:35

Magners Original Apprentice Handicap (45-70)

Off time: 20:06 | Winning time: 2m 50.02s

(3)

The Plan Man^t¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: Nathan Crosse⁽²⁾| T: A J Martin| OR: 68

5/1

Remains a 12-race maiden on the Flat but not beaten far over 1m2f at Dundalk on the AW in April. Market likely to reveal expectations here.

Form: 588-277

(4)

Sennockian Star⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-11| J: Dylan Hogan| T: S Fahey| OR: 65

11/1

Popular veteran formerly a 106-rated handicapper for Mark Johnston in his pomp. Well held on three starts for new connections and possibly likely to struggle once again here.

Form: 749-085

(10)

Teomaria^p1⁶⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: D M Redmond| T: L Smyth| OR: 65

25/1

Won a Nottingham handicap for the Karl Burke yard last term off a 2lb higher mark. Well held on a couple of starts for new yard and first time cheekpieces doubtful to bring about the required amount of progress needed to play a role here.

Form: 0818-70

(5)

Percy B Shelley^t,v1²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Sean Kirrane⁽⁴⁾| T: J F Levins| OR: 61

8/1

Best performance was possibly when beaten a neck in a Sligo claimer last month when second of 10 over an extended 1m2f. Largely well held since and first-time visor fitted here but may find one or two too quick here.

Form: 40-6727

(7)

Sleepy Head^h²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Ben Coen⁽²⁾| T: P J Flynn| OR: 61| BF

3/1

Beaten favourite last time out in a Tipperary handicap last month when backed from 13/2 in to 4/1. Worth a market check here.

Form: 115-504

(11)

Easy Boy^t,v¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: Sean Davis| T: P Martin| OR: 58

5/1

Solid and consistent in a number of starts on the AW at Dundalk and on turf. Chances if recapturing the form of last month at Tipperary when second of over this trip.

Form: 225024

(8)

Mr Boss Man^b1⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 9-1| J: K K Hennessy| T: N Slevin| OR: 55

12/1

Modest chaser who is without a win on seven Flat turf starts. Last seen on the Flat when beating two home in an 18-runner handicap at Fairyhouse in October. First-time blinkers unlikely to improve performance.

Form: 49/7580-

(2)

Xinbama^b,t²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 8-13| J: Mike O'Connor⁽⁴⁾| T: D P Dunne| OR: 53

5/1

Modest 91-rated handicapper for Charles Hills and has failed to fire in nine dismal displays for current connections both over hurdles and on the Flat. Likely to struggle here.

Form: 50000-6

(6)

Lady Magdala^p²²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: Gavin Brouder⁽²⁾| T: P McCreery| OR: 49

10/1

Eye-catching third of 15 when staying on in a Limerick handicap on good to firm over 1m3½f last month before disappointing, once again, at Bellewstown earlier this month. Others look more convincing at this level.

Form: 70-0938

(9)

Torthai An Ghra¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-5| J: S M Crosse⁽²⁾| T: A McGuinness| OR: 45

12/1

Appears to be improving slightly in a couple of starts since June but will need to raise overall performance to play a role here.

Form: 088644

Rule 4

Rule 4 applies to board prices only - deduction 10p in the pound

Non-Runners

(1)

Match My Fire²²

Weight: 9-5| Age: 5

T: J C McConnell J: S M Mooney

Forecasts

Sleepy Head (3/1), The Plan Man (5/1), Xinbama (5/1), Easy Boy (5/1), Percy B Shelley (8/1), Lady Magdala (10/1), Match My Fire (10/1), Sennockian Star (11/1), Mr Boss Man (12/1), Torthai An Ghra (12/1), Teomaria (25/1)

The genuine consistency of EASY BOY should see the six-year-old land the spoils here for connections adding to his sole win on turf at Bellewstown in July 2015. The six-year-old has conditions to suit here and can lead home the likes of Sleepy Head and the Tony Martin-trained The Plan Man who could out-run his odds in this event.