17:35 Naas

Sunday 30 September 2018

All13:5014:2014:5515:2516:0016:3517:0517:35

Remembering Nick Columb Handicap

Off time: 17:39 | Winning time: 1m 40.09s

(14)

Johann Bach^v²⁶⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 9-12| J: Gary Halpin| T: P Harney| OR: 90| CD

33/1

Last win came over C&D in May 2016 and still higher in the weights here. Off the track since January.

Form: 39392-0

(4)

Omran²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Gary Carroll| T: G M Lyons| OR: 85

10/1

Best form has come on AW and recent efforts have prompted a big fall in the weights. Hard to see him taking advantage at present and with his yard going through a quiet spell.

Form: 807-580

(12)

Tony The Gent⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: J P Shinnick⁽¹⁰⁾| T: G M Lyons| OR: 85| D

14/1

Usually one of the market leaders and normally thereabouts. Without a win since landing a Premier Handicap in July 2017 and has slipped a long way in the weights. Jockey bookings suggest his stablemates have stronger claims.

Form: 224755

(6)

Turbine^p,t¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: K J Leonard⁽³⁾| T: D Hogan| OR: 82

4/1

Largely consistent sort who has been running well in defeat this campaign but losing run is mounting up. Handicapper has given him a chance here and this less competitive than recent races.

Form: 540335

(9)

Wentwood¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: L F Roche| T: D K Weld| OR: 85| D

12/1

Good ground maiden winner at Listowel in June who is more realistically weighted here. Last run was a step in the right direction and has each-way possibilities.

Form: 71206

(13)

Dance Emperor^p,t⁴⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: C O'Donoghue| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 84| D

10/1

Got his head in front at the 13th time of asking when winning at Leopardstown. Up in class and 10lb higher in the weights so it will be hard to follow up.

Form: 337401

(8)

Spiorad Saoirse¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Ben Coen⁽⁷⁾| T: A Slattery| OR: 84| D

6/1

Goes well for this up and coming rider. Disappointing over 1m2f last time but claims on his Irish Cambridgeshire fourth which matches him closely with Turbine.

Form: 414240

(1)

Check Your Pockets²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Declan McDonogh| T: J E Kiely| OR: 82| D

8/1

Possible to excuse her last two runs on account of ground or grade. Otherwise consistent and suited to a strong pace which she should get here.

Form: 151263

(11)

Scoil Naisiunta^p⁴⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger| OR: 82| CD

14/1

Dual C&D winner who likes to race prominently. Disappointing last time but could bounce back on this track, however others look more attractively weighted.

Form: 412138

(2)

Alcatraz⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: Chris Hayes| T: R O'Brien| OR: 77| D

6/1

Gained an overdue success in June and his record is now 2-36. Drop back to a mile is unlikely to help.

Form: 617767

(7)

Bucky Larson^t⁴⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons| OR: 81| D

7/1

Dual Leopardstown winner earlier in the campaign but hasn't managed to hold his form in three subsequent starts and opposable here.

Form: 511337

(10)

Pandagreen^t¹²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: S Foley| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 74

16/1

Had some solid form in 2017 and now back to last winning mark. Jockey booking looks significant, but off since May and usual headgear absent.

Form: 14340-0

(5)

Red Avenger²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 8-7| J: Rory Cleary| T: D English| OR: 71| D

25/1

Gained his first turf success in nearly three years at the Curragh in June. Has had some stiff tasks since but more realistically weighted here.

Form: 518084

(3)

Swiss Cottage^b²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: Wayne Lordan| T: J G Murphy| OR: 75

20/1

11-race maiden for whom a fifth in a Group 2 last year did nothing for his handicap mark. Appeared to be finding his correct level last time and the extra furlong plus a further 3lb drop give him a chance.

Form: 576804

Forecasts

Turbine (4/1), Alcatraz (6/1), Spiorad Saoirse (6/1), Bucky Larson (7/1), Check Your Pockets (8/1), Omran (10/1), Dance Emperor (10/1), Wentwood (12/1), Tony The Gent (14/1), Scoil Naisiunta (14/1), Pandagreen (16/1), Swiss Cottage (20/1), Red Avenger (25/1), Johann Bach (33/1)

Some of these are difficult to win with , notably Alcatraz and Turbine, and Ger Lyons, who is going through a quiet spell, saddles three. Wentwood and Swiss Cottage are more realistically weighted and are fancied to go close, but Check Your Pockets and SPIORAD SAOIRSE are dropping in class and lurk on attractive marks. The former will appreciate the stronger pace and better ground, but the selection is reunited with Ben Coen who rode her to victory at Limerick and has since run a big race in the Irish Cambridgeshire. She was down the field in an 80K race last time and this is much easier.