16:10 Galway

Saturday 4 August 2018

All14:0014:3015:0515:3516:1016:4517:2017:55

Mcdonogh Capital Investments Handicap (50-80)

Off time: 16:12 | Winning time: 2m 35.60s

(17)

Fiesole⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: Ross Coakley⁽³⁾| T: E Doyle| OR: 79| D

12/1

Four time winner in 2017 showed first signs of life this term when third of seven latest. Handicapper further eases the burden so now 8lb below last winning mark and therefore not one to be written off.

Form: 136-003

(8)

Upgraded^t⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-13| J: Ben Coen⁽⁷⁾| T: A J Martin| OR: 78

11/1

Finished sixth of 20 earlier in the week here over hurdles. Limited evidence in flat handicaps not compelling although returns to this sphere with 7lb lower mark.

Form: 81350-6

(1)

Commander Won^p,t²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: Sean Davis⁽⁷⁾| T: D A McLoughlin| OR: 77| D

25/1

Mostly seen over hurdles or on the AW of late so not the easiest to try and figure out. Last run at Dundalk was a decent third although when last seen on turf he hadn't looked as effective. Others make more appeal.

Form: 51-2330

(10)

Share The Honour^t³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Robbie Colgan| T: A J Martin| OR: 74

16/1

Lone flat win came on debut on the AW at Dundalk. Finished third last twice at the Curragh but soundly beaten on each occasion. Gets a further 1lb back now so again looks likely to be in the hunt for a placed effort at least.

Form: 140-933

(3)

Sennockian Star⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 9-8| J: Shane Foley| T: S Fahey| OR: 73| D

20/1

Won 14 times for Mark Johnston including at Listed level. Gained first success for this stable latest at Down Royal and did it nicely. 8lb higher now and always preferred good ground.

Form: 49-0851

(12)

Camlann²^{(ex 6)}

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: Billy Lee| T: J J Hanlon| OR: 65| CD

5/2

C&D winner here at the start of the week where he narrowly prevailed in a driving finish. Running under the 6lb penalty here makes life tougher but still looks one of the more likely contenders.

Form: 300/27-1

(16)

John Honeyman^t³³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: D E Sheehy⁽⁷⁾| T: A Keatley| OR: 71

40/1

Model of consistency since moved to this yard and won earlier in the season at Ayr. Handicapper does probably however have his measure and soft ground form while limited is concerning.

Form: 212444

(14)

Lady Camelot⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Gavin Ryan⁽⁷⁾| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 80

10/1

Lightly raced filly was beaten 3¾L into third her earlier this week. Handicapper tags on another 2lb to make life tougher but can't be ruled out with her appearing to still be improving.

Form: 17-5543

(13)

Erin⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: D O'Brien| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 79

9/2

Off the mark at the sixth time of asking when fairly hosing in latest in a 17-runner Gowran Park maiden. Hard to gauge on handicap debut but latest effort suggested she has improved and represents all conquering connections.

Form: 07-6621

(6)

Grand Canyon⁶⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: N G McCullagh| T: Miss A Mooney| OR: 69

20/1

Ended a near two-year wait when winning easily on heavy ground first time out over 1m1f at Leopardstown. 7lb higher here and over much farther after a break but will relish conditions.

Form: 0479-19

(18)

Irish Minister^t¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Seamie Heffernan| T: D Hogan| OR: 78

25/1

Lone previous encounter with testing ground saw him gain only previous win. 2lb lower than that success now and upped quite significantly in trip which might just suit. Plenty of reasons for optimism here.

Form: 518544

(7)

Buffalo Blues⁴⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: Gary Carroll| T: P A Fahy| OR: 63

20/1

Dual-purpose performer has never made the frame with cut in the ground so that an obvious concern. Fair fourth of 11 latest at 25/1 and eased again by the handicapper but others have stronger claims.

Form: 5144-04

(4)

Miro¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 8-12| J: Declan McDonogh| T: G Elliott| OR: 63

16/1

Lone career success came two years ago over hurdles. Handicap falling pretty rapidly but that due to his mostly ordinary form on the level of late.

Form: 6/3467-6

(5)

Well Why Not^p⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Chris Hayes| T: Adrian Mcallister| OR: 72

33/1

Won back-to-back races earlier this season and looked to be on the up but latest run saw her beaten 37L when last of 15 over C&D less than a week ago. Couldn't back with any confidence after that.

Form: 961160

(2)

Flindt⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: C P Hoban| T: Mrs D A Love| OR: 69

7/1

Had several of these rivals behind him when second here earlier in the week under aggressive front-running tactics. 2lb rise not enough to temper enthusiasm and if he has recovered from that tough race he will go well.

Form: 615502

(9)

Our Legend¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: Gary Halpin| T: T Mullins| OR: 69

33/1

Maiden has only beaten one rival home in three starts this term. Handicap falls but on all known form he is hard to make a case for.

Form: 945-994

Head Turner¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 8-12| J: Colin Keane| T: P A Fahy| OR: 63| D

10/1

Better known for jumping these days and won over fences as recently as February. May find things happening a little quickly here. First Reserve.

Form: 0/18-262

Non-Runners

(15)

High Street Lady⁶³

Weight: 9-5| Age: 3

T: A J Martin J: Ronan Whelan

(11)

Magic Sea¹

Weight: 8-4| Age: 3

T: Mrs S Dawson J: Alan Persse

Galtymore⁵

Weight: 8-10| Age: 4

T: D Hogan J: Reserve 2

Scealai Aonair⁵⁰

Weight: 8-10| Age: 4

T: G Elliott J: Reserve 3

Forecasts

Camlann (5/2), Erin (9/2), Flindt (7/1), Lady Camelot (10/1), Head Turner (10/1), Upgraded (11/1), Fiesole (12/1), Magic Sea (14/1), Share The Honour (16/1), Miro (16/1), High Street Lady (16/1), Galtymore (16/1), Buffalo Blues (20/1), Sennockian Star (20/1), Grand Canyon (20/1), Scealai Aonair (20/1), Irish Minister (25/1), Commander Won (25/1), Our Legend (33/1), Well Why Not (33/1), John Honeyman (40/1)

IRISH MINISTER has only once encountered cut in the ground and he was successful on that occasion. His handicap has slid since and tackling a much longer trip today could suit with him doing his best effort late on several times over trips around 1m. A chance is taken on him. Calmannand Flindt among others have run well already at this festival and both have claims again here.