17:40 Gowran Park

Wednesday 15 August 2018

All16:3517:1017:4018:1018:4019:1019:4020:10

McEnery Cup Handicap

Off time: 17:40 | Winning time: 2m 32.87s

(8)

Mary Sun⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 92

33/1

Has shown very little over hurdles since joining this yard but she's an interesting runner on the pick of her French form. Tailed off on the Flat at the Curragh early last month. Plenty to prove despite connections.

Form: 55338/0

(11)

Drapers Guild²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: D O'Brien| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 98

8/1

Not discredited since stepped up in trip/class, finishing sixth in the Queen's Vase and fifth in the Curragh Cup, both Group 2 events. Closer still in Listed Leopardstown event over 1m6f latest, could have plenty to say this evening.

Form: 212656

(12)

Law Girl¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Colin Keane| T: W P Mullins| OR: 87

9/1

Listowel winner in June over 1m7f, has since contested strong handicaps at the Curragh and the Galway Festival. Potentially will enjoy calmer waters here and respected.

Form: 14/3100

(2)

Abjar³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Ben Coen⁽⁷⁾| T: M Halford| OR: 84| D

12/1

Broke his maiden over 1m4f at Wolverhampton last August. Finished well beaten on debut for this yard at the Curragh (1m4f, good to firm) after 293-day layoff, improved on that since at Leopardstown and could have designs on getting in the finish.

Form: 6212-54

(3)

Near Kettering^p1⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Shane Foley| T: J P Murtagh| OR: 82| BF

4/1

Improved since being gelded after joining his current yard, winning over 1m3f at Limerick in June in an apprentice race. May have found trip on the sharp side at Sligo recently.

Form: 46-9213

(1)

Night Of Power^h,t1²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: N G McCullagh| T: J M Oxx| OR: 92| D

6/1

Was wearing a first-time hood when winning handicap at Naas (1m2f) in July, and suited by slower tempo when following up in 1m4f minor event at Fairyhouse. Not disgraced since in Listed Leopardstown heat and claims again now.

Form: 1-25117

(10)

Powersbomb¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 9-1| J: Seamie Heffernan| T: B McMahon| OR: 81| D

28/1

Both runs so far in 2018 have been over hurdles, caught the eye first-up at Down Royal in June, though well-held since at Galway Festival. Needs career-best on the Flat to be taking this.

Form: 33100-

(4)

Fiesole¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-11| J: Wayne Lordan| T: E Doyle| OR: 77| CD

8/1

Four time winner in 2017 showed first signs of life this term when third of seven at Leopardstown in June. Fair effort since in competitive Galway event and is a previous C&D winner.

Form: 36-0030

(5)

Arthurian Fame²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: S M Crosse⁽⁷⁾| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 86

7/2

Runner-up first two starts before winning three-runner maiden at Navan (1m2f, good to firm) in June. Fair effort since dropped to a mile at Killarney, this further stamina test likely going to suit

Form: 2213

(7)

Dawn Hoofer²³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger| OR: 84| BF| D

6/1

Three-time winner this season, latest in a Killarney handicap over 1m3f last month. Well held next time at Ballinrobe from career-high rating and may be in handicapper's clutches for now.

Form: 321213

(6)

Magic Sea¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-4| J: C P Hoban| T: Mrs S Dawson| OR: 80| BF

50/1

Beaten favourite on most recent start in a 1m½f handicap on soft ground, the second of two starts at the Galway festival when beaten 7½L by Dani's Boy. Back up in trip, looks sure to suit but out of the weights here.

Form: 030030

Non-Runners

(9)

Whirling Dervish⁸⁸

Weight: 9-3| Age: 3

T: Mrs J Harrington J: C O'Donoghue

Forecasts

Arthurian Fame (7/2), Whirling Dervish (7/2), Near Kettering (4/1), Dawn Hoofer (6/1), Night Of Power (6/1), Fiesole (8/1), Drapers Guild (8/1), Law Girl (9/1), Abjar (12/1), Powersbomb (28/1), Mary Sun (33/1), Magic Sea (50/1)

There was enough to like about the effort of WHIRLING DERVISH in Listed company at Navan in May to warrant the suggest he can get off to a winning start in handicaps. The Harrington team are in super form and his current mark of 93 shouldn't be the ceiling for him. This trip looks more likely to suit Near Kettering after being one-paced at Sligo last time while Night Of Power and Arthurian Fame are others worth considering.