18:00 Sligo

Wednesday 8 August 2018

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

www.countysligoraces.com Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 18:08 | Winning time: 2m 21.86s

(7)

Sharjah^b²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: Andrew Slattery⁽²⁾| T: A Slattery| OR: 74| D

11/2

Up 3lb for winning a modest race at Fairyhouse last month but not much to find to get involved in the shake-up once more. Has won over this trip but is arguably better over slightly further.

Form: 359331

(5)

Ace Of Diamonds^h⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: D W O'Connor| T: D K Weld| OR: 68| D

5/1

Out of form in both starts this season and although likely to strip fitter, the gelding still has a bit to prove. Does represent a top yard, so a betting move could still be significant for those willing to take a punt on improvement.

Form: 0-83677

(4)

Havelock^b1²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: T P Madden| T: Peter Fahey| OR: 65

14/1

Good record of making the frame but has so far proved to be unreliable in a finish. Possible the fitting of blinkers will help him concentrate but his ability to cope over this trip is also open to debate. Others make more appeal.

Form: 278804-

(8)

Storm Ranger²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: Ben Coen⁽²⁾| T: P J Flynn| OR: 64| D

11/4

Posted a reasonable effort over an inadequate trip at Leopardstown last month but is likely to be better suited by this sterner test. Also suited by the predicted conditions, so merits a place in the shortlist.

Form: 7-07635

(6)

Singing'n'dancing^p1¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Gavin Ryan⁽²⁾| T: J S Bolger| OR: 69

14/1

Not made much impact in three maidens but noteworthy that his highly respected trainer has opted to try the colt in cheekpieces for this debut run in a handicap. One to seriously consider if the market vibes are positive.

Form: 438

(11)

Lady Boomerang⁶⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: Dylan Hogan| T: J Geoghegan| OR: 63

6/1

Fair effort to make late gains and reach the frame at Gowran Park in June, but has been off since then and is set to race on very different ground this time around. Also off-putting that the filly can also spoil her chances with a slow start.

Form: 60-393

(10)

Maricruz^t1³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: S M Crosse⁽²⁾| T: J C McConnell| OR: 61

8/1

Shown promise on a couple of occasions and very possible this trip is her optimum distance. Worth a betting check now that the filly is tried in a tongue tie for the first time. (Has raced with a hood on in her last 3 runs.)

Form: 64-345

(2)

Greanta¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 8-4| J: D E Sheehy| T: T Cleary| OR: 50

25/1

On a long losing run, out of the weights and out of form - has also never won over this trip. Too many negatives to merit consideration this time around.

Form: 30009-9

(9)

Torthai An Ghra^b¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 8-4| J: Alan Persse⁽⁴⁾| T: A McGuinness| OR: 50

16/1

5lb wrong at the weights and faces no easy task on these terms. However, the drop in trip will suit and the mare does have C&D experience, so she's no forlorn hope of making the frame when judged on the pick of her efforts. Worth a betting check.

Form: 886444

Rule 4

Rule 4 applies to all bets - deduction 10p in the pound

Non-Runners

(3)

Greenpanda¹⁶

Weight: 9-0| Age: 4

T: G P Cromwell J: Sean Davis

(1)

Mistiness⁹²

Weight: 8-10| Age: 7

T: K H Clarke J: D P Linehan

Forecasts

Storm Ranger (11/4), Ace Of Diamonds (5/1), Sharjah (11/2), Lady Boomerang (6/1), Greenpanda (7/1), Maricruz (8/1), Singing'n'dancing (14/1), Havelock (14/1), Torthai An Ghra (16/1), Greanta (25/1), Mistiness (33/1)

This could go to GREENPANDA, who looks one of the more likely contenders to set the early tempo and the filly may well be hard to peg back if allowed to dominate. Storm Ranger is back over a more adequate trip and merits consideration as a viable alternative, while Maricruz and Torthai An Ghra are others with sound place claims on the pick of their efforts. The latter does race from out of the handicap, though. A move for Ace Of Diamonds would also be dangerous to ignore.