16:50 Leopardstown

Saturday 27 October 2018

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

Tote October Handicap

Off time: 16:51 | Winning time: 2m 38.35s

(7)

Tandem⁴¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: O J Orr⁽³⁾| T: D K Weld| OR: 97| C| D

12/1

Looked progressive last year, most recent win came at Leopardstown in July 2017. Best of his efforts this year came over this trip at Cork in June. Back up in trip, ground to suit and mark dropping. Given a chance under riders' claim.

Form: 19-4300

(2)

Insignia Of Rank⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Andrew Slattery⁽⁷⁾| T: J G Murphy| OR: 97

10/1

Best form on soft ground over shorter trips. Held here a week ago when upped to 1m2f for the first time from career-high mark, out again in trip now and still with something to prove off new rating.

Form: 632115

(10)

Mawaany⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons| OR: 90

5/1

Twice gone close here this year, over C&D in May and again in €59k handicap over 1m2f in July, both on quick ground. Below that form in two runs since but not one to dismiss back here.

Form: 23-4256

(1)

Ancient Sands¹³

Age: 10| Weight: 9-6| J: T P Madden⁽³⁾| T: J E Kiely| OR: 89| D

10/1

Admirable veteran but last of his Flat wins on turf was gained five years ago and seems to be more of a force on the AW these days. Not disgraced last time in Irish Cesarewitch over 2m however. Down in trip.

Form: 2-84916

(11)

Perfect Tapatino⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: S M Crosse⁽⁷⁾| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 82| CD

3/1

Improved since joining this trainer, winning three of five starts including the last two. Defied a 7lb hike to score over C&D a week ago, has to do same again now but no certainty it will halt him.

Form: 5-31211

(5)

Nibiru^t⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Leigh Roche| T: A J Martin| OR: 84

20/1

No match for Perfect Tapatino over C&D last week (5L eighth of 19), gets a 10lb pull at the weights in bid to turn things around with that rival and remains unexposed over this trip.

Form: 16-58

(3)

Share The Honour^t⁸⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: Ben Coen⁽⁷⁾| T: A J Martin| OR: 78| D

8/1

Raced a bit lazily but came good in the end to win over the trip at Galway on soft ground in August. 4lb higher now, though Ben Coen's claim is a significant help.

Form: 40-9331

(9)

Causey Arch¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: Shane Foley| T: W P Mullins| OR: 76| BF

3/1

First run on the Flat for two years when neck-second at Gowran Park (1m6f, soft to heavy) 12 days ago, just losing out in ding-dong battle. 4lb higher now and down in trip, respected.

Form: 14798/2

(8)

Moonmeister^t²²

Age: 7| Weight: 8-7| J: Chris Hayes| T: A J Martin| OR: 76| D

14/1

Just 2-26 on turf, latest success at Cork over this trip in June 2017. Well below best in two early summer runs, had a pipe-opener at Dundalk last week. One of two for trainer and market should reveal more.

Form: 006-984

(4)

Hurricane Sky^b⁴⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 8-4| J: Killian Leonard⁽³⁾| T: C O'Brien| OR: 73| C

20/1

Bounced back to form when staying on strongly for a close second at Killarney (1m6f, yielding) in August. Testing ground at Listowel next time likely against him, has won over 1m5f here this season on good to firm and could bounce back.

Form: 955528

(12)

Ashqar¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-4| J: Nathan Crosse⁽⁷⁾| T: G T Lynch| OR: 79

66/1

Eight-race maiden on the Flat, has shown glimpses of ability during that sequence however. Up against it on these terms seemingly, having run poorly over hurdles at Punchestown this month.

Form: 974007

Non-Runners

(6)

Emperor Waltz⁴⁴

Weight: 8-12| Age: 5

T: J J Murphy J: N G McCullagh

Forecasts

Perfect Tapatino (3/1), Causey Arch (3/1), Mawaany (5/1), Share The Honour (8/1), Insignia Of Rank (10/1), Ancient Sands (10/1), Tandem (12/1), Moonmeister (14/1), Hurricane Sky (20/1), Nibiru (20/1), Emperor Waltz (20/1), Ashqar (66/1)

Causey Arch returned to the Flat with a near miss at Gowran Park over further and should again go well here for the champion jumps trainer. Perfect Tapatino is thriving for his new yard and will make another bold attempt to defy the assessor while Galway winner Share The Honour is respected under a handy claim. HURRICANE SKY likes this venue (three wins) and can be forgiven a poor run last time on bottomless ground. He could bounce back at this venue and go well at a price.