18:00 Killarney

Thursday 23 August 2018

All16:2517:0017:3018:0018:3019:0019:3020:00

Monex Financial Services Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 18:00 | Winning time: 2m 29.26s

(2)

Marlborough Sounds^p³

Age: 3| Weight: 10-1| J: D M Redmond| T: J J Murphy| OR: 76| BF

6/4

Improved to win narrowly at Sligo two weeks ago and went very close to following up at Roscommon just three days ago. This slightly longer trip should suit and a leading player once more.

Form: 36-312

(7)

Rockabill³⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 10-0| J: S M Crosse⁽⁴⁾| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 75

11/2

Shaped with promise on three runs in maidens and improved to finish a close second on handicap debut at Killarney last month. more needed here but still has potential to improve.

Form: 4472

(4)

For Pleasure³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-13| J: Gavin Ryan⁽⁴⁾| T: J M Barrett| OR: 74| BF

11/1

Won at Leopardstown over 1m4f back in May but has struggled in a couple of similar contests since despite being well backed. Rider takes off a handy 4lb here and will be dangerous if bouncing back to his best.

Form: 324138

(1)

Wishing Star^h⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-13| J: Mike O'Connor⁽⁷⁾| T: J A Stack| OR: 74| D

6/1

Won a maiden at Dundalk (1m2½f, AW) two starts back. Couldn't follow-up over the same C&D in a handicap next time but still relatively early days so has potential to do better back on turf.

Form: 444314

(9)

Shemara¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Sean Davis⁽²⁾| T: G M Lyons| OR: 69

12/1

Has shown steady improvement on all three starts so far in maidens. Starts life in handicaps off what looks a fair mark and is very much respected now going up in trip.

Form: 352

(8)

Cache Queen^b²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Ben Coen⁽⁴⁾| T: A McGuinness| OR: 67| CD

10/1

Been in terrific form of late winning twice and just failing in hat-trick bid in big-field handicap at Galway. Nudged up another 5lb but very much on an upward curve and should be right in the mix once more.

Form: 443112

(6)

Divine Approach¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Gary Halpin| T: M O'Callaghan| OR: 63

5/1

not really fired on any cylinders so far this year and becoming a bit frustrating. Drops back in trip here but hard to fancy given recent efforts.

Form: 0-4866

(5)

Summer's Dream⁶⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: O J Orr| T: T Doyle| OR: 58

66/1

Largely well held in three starts this term when finishing down the field on each occasion. Likely to be better handicapped sorts lurking.

Form: 858-440

Non-Runners

(3)

Comeragh Haze¹⁵

Weight: 9-7| Age: 3

T: J M Oxx J: Ross Coakley

Forecasts

Marlborough Sounds (6/4), Divine Approach (5/1), Rockabill (11/2), Wishing Star (6/1), Comeragh Haze (8/1), Cache Queen (10/1), For Pleasure (11/1), Shemara (12/1), Summer's Dream (66/1)

Shemara is a handicap debutante to note. This step up in trip should suit her and any market confidence would boost her chance. Marlborough Sands has been in great form and is sure to be in the thick of the action once again. Ready preference is for CACHE QUEEN who has a very progressive profile and can get back to winning ways after going so close at Galway last time.