15:05 Leopardstown

Saturday 27 October 2018

All13:2513:5514:3015:0515:4016:1516:5017:20

thetote.com Knockaire Stakes (Listed)

Off time: 15:06 | Winning time: 1m 30.93s

(11)

Imaging²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Declan McDonogh| T: D K Weld| OR: 105| BF| D

11/4

Second to Gustav Klimt in the Leopardstown 2000 Guineas trial before landing a Listed contest at Naas (7f, yielding) in May. Could manage only fifth (favourite) on return at Tipperary in Group 3 contest this month. Not beaten far, competitive here.

Form: 21-1215

(8)

Fas^t¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Chris Hayes| T: E Lynam| OR: 104

12/1

With the exception of a creditable third at 40/1 in a Group 2 at The Curragh in July he has been mostly disappointing since coming over from France at the start of the year. Better last time, though best form is over shorter trips.

Form: 683665

(6)

Flight Risk⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: Rory Cleary| T: J S Bolger| OR: 106| CD

10/3

Beat a few of these rivals when close third in Tipperary Group 3 (7½f, soft) early this month (½L behind Smash Williams), and since run well here over 1m2f in Listed grade (second). Consistent sort, in the mix again.

Form: 7845-32

(7)

Smash Williams^t¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger| OR: 105

5/2

Did best of these when runner-up in Tipperary Group 3 (7½f, soft) early this month, has again gone down narrowly in 5½f Listed race Navan since and certainly wouldn't be winning out of turn after consistent year.

Form: 444223

(4)

King's Field⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Gary Halpin| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 92| D

7/1

Improving Kodiac colt has won a maiden at Cork over 7f and an AW handicap at Dundalk over same trip in four starts. This is by some distance his toughest test to date.

Form: 5311

(5)

Excelling Spirit⁸²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: S Foley| T: W McCreery| OR: 83

25/1

Lightly-raced Cork maiden winner over 6½f in June, held since in a Curragh handicap in August off a mark of 87 and plenty to find with best of these.

Form: 2219

(1)

Julia's Magic¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Gary Carroll| T: Mrs D Foster| OR: 93

25/1

Dandy Man filly was a winner at Navan in May over the minimum trip on good to firm and has run well over 6f at Naas in this grade. Longer trip poses a question and two most recent outings have been well below par.

Form: 1-14400

(2)

True To Herself^h⁵²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: L F Roche| T: W McCreery| OR: 88| D

16/1

Lightly-raced filly, gained second win of her career when taking Gowran Park handicap over this trip last month, narrowly. Seemingly needs another chunk of improvement.

Form: 712201

Non-Runners

(9)

Psychedelic Funk²⁰

Weight: 9-12| Age: 4

T: G M Lyons J: Colin Keane

(10)

North Face⁷

Weight: 9-5| Age: 3

T: A P O'Brien J: N G McCullagh

(3)

Damselfly¹

Weight: 9-0| Age: 3

T: J P O'Brien J: S M Crosse

Forecasts

Smash Williams (5/2), Imaging (11/4), Flight Risk (10/3), Psychedelic Funk (6/1), King's Field (7/1), North Face (7/1), Fas (12/1), Damselfly (12/1), True To Herself (16/1), Julia's Magic (25/1), Excelling Spirit (25/1)

Dual Group 3 winner Psychedelic Funk had a few of these in front last time at Tipperary but surely that run is best forgotten about, and he isn't overlooked hastily. Imaging, Flight Risk and SMASH WILLIAMS all ran well in that Group 3 event and the selection may finally get some reward for a consistent season by landing this pot.