17:50 Down Royal

Friday 7 September 2018

All16:1516:5017:2017:5018:2018:5019:20

JC Halliday & Sons Nursery Handicap (Plus 10)

Off time: 17:52 | Winning time: 1m 28.75s

(7)

Joza^p1⁷⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 9-10| J: Ben Coen⁽⁷⁾| T: A Keatley| OR: 75| D

9/1

Morpheus colt who cost €22,000 as a yearling. Got off the mark at the fourth time of asking when winning a Limerick maiden in June. Beaten since but gelded and now wears first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 48314

(6)

Only The Brave¹³

Age: 2| Weight: 9-9| J: D E Sheehy⁽⁵⁾| T: S Lynam| OR: 74

11/2

Never nearer fourth at Fairyhouse over 6f encouraged a step up in trip at the Galway festival but having led inside the final furlong she faded into fourth. Liable to find a couple stronger.

Form: 0444

(1)

Pulsing Dragon^b⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-9| J: L F Roche| T: M O'Callaghan| OR: 74

9/2

Not beaten far in his last four starts including a career best when beaten a nose over this trip at Limerick in June. Deserves a change of luck.

Form: 05254

(2)

Colfer Me¹³

Age: 2| Weight: 9-4| J: D O'Brien| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 69

4/1

Well down the field in three career starts and well below par form looks set to continue here.

Form: 650

(11)

Cruella Dovil³²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: N G McCullagh| T: J P Murtagh| OR: 66

11/1

Never seriously involved in three starts in maidens before an improved performance in a Curragh 7f contest on handicap debut last month. Step up in trip looks the right decision and worth a market check here.

Form: 6054

(8)

Palabres⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons| OR: 66

12/1

Palavicini filly, cost €2,500 as a yearling. Half-sister to two winners and dam a juvenile sprint winner. Three-race maiden disappointed over a mile last time out but more expected dropping in trip.

Form: 670

(9)

Scarlet Skis^t²¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: Chris Hayes| T: K Prendergast| OR: 66

16/1

Third of 10 beaten 3¾ in first-time tongue-tie at Dundalk on the AW last month. Looks a progressive type and shortlisted here.

Form: 003

(4)

Dandy Belle¹³

Age: 2| Weight: 9-0| J: Sean Davis⁽⁷⁾| T: R O'Brien| OR: 65

11/2

Unplaced in three starts for Johnny Murtagh but ran really well in a couple of handicap for new connections last month. Likable type who should be in the mix.

Form: 85522

(5)

Dingle Bay¹³

Age: 2| Weight: 9-0| J: T P Madden⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 65

14/1

Didn't perform for the step up to 1m last month in a Curragh maiden on good ground. Drop to 7f sure to suit.

Form: 640

(10)

Rathmoylan Cove²¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-0| J: Ronan Whelan| T: M Halford| OR: 65| BF

14/1

Beaten favourite on her third career start in a Dundalk maiden last month finishing a disappointing seventh of 10 beaten 5¼. Place claims at best.

Form: 687

(3)

Hidden Spark^t1⁴¹

Age: 2| Weight: 8-13| J: W J Lee| T: Mrs D A Love| OR: 64

14/1

First-time tongue-tie is reached for following a couple of promising runs for the three-race maiden who may well continue progression here.

Form: 556

Forecasts

Colfer Me (4/1), Pulsing Dragon (9/2), Only The Brave (11/2), Dandy Belle (11/2), Joza (9/1), Cruella Dovil (11/1), Palabres (12/1), Rathmoylan Cove (14/1), Hidden Spark (14/1), Dingle Bay (14/1), Scarlet Skis (16/1)

The solid and consistent Michael O'Callaghan-trained PULSING DRAGON can get off the mark for connections at the sixth time of asking. Only The Brave wasn't far behind Dandy Belle in a 6f Curragh handicap on good ground last month and can compete for the minor honours in this contest. The pair Scarlet Skis and Cruella Dovil were not beaten far on their most recent starts last month and are deserving of closer inspection.