16:25 Leopardstown

Saturday 6 April 2019

All13:4014:1014:4515:1515:5016:2516:55

Leopardstown Ladies Evening Handicap

Off time: 16:27 | Winning time: 2m 16.95s

(11)

South Pacific¹⁸¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: D O'Brien| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 85| BF

9/2

Similar level of form when runner up last three starts as a juvenile (favourite last twice). Up another furlong which should suit and makes handicap debut today.

Form: 4222-

(6)

Motashakel²²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Gary Halpin| T: K Prendergast| OR: 84| C

16/1

Won his maiden here over 7f. Gelded since subsequent defeat and now steps up in trip while encountering soft ground for the first time.

Form: 6214-

(1)

Third World¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Ben Coen⁽⁵⁾| T: D K Weld| OR: 84

5/1

Broke his maiden over 1m last season and found the drop down to 7f against him on comeback run. Capable of better though has to prove himself on this longest trip he has faced.

Form: 461-5

(7)

Jupiter Road^t¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Alan Persse⁽⁷⁾| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 82

14/1

All starts on the AW at Dundalk. Probably bettered his maiden win when third stepping up to 1m last time.. Now tries turf and another rise in trip so a bit to prove.

Form: 8-13

(10)

Cuban Hope⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger| OR: 80| D

4/1

Made the most of his fitness when romping home at Navan a week ago. 10lb rise is fully deserved though this a much stronger contest on the softest ground he has faced.

Form: 779-711

(3)

Eminence¹⁷⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 77

7/1

Showed a little ability in three maidens last term but the type to do much better now stepping up in trip handicaps and worth monitoring him in market.

Form: 486-

(9)

Blenheim Palace^b1¹⁸⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Seamie Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 76

11/1

Shaped as though this longer trip will certainly suit judged on his third run at two at Naas. That form has worked out really well and should leave that well behind now handicapping.

Form: 074-

(8)

King's Vow^b,t¹²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Wayne Lordan| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 76

14/1

Hugely improved when switched to AW last autumn and impressive when winning by 3L when last seen in November. Step up in trip not a problem but 12lb higher and returns to turf.

Form: 70021-

(5)

Pepperoni Pete¹⁹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons| OR: 75

20/1

Didn't show much up to 1m at two but gelded since last seen and type to do better now handicapping. Worth noting in betting.

Form: 550-

(2)

Crimson King¹⁵³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Declan McDonogh| T: C O'Brien| OR: 71

14/1

Found drop down to 7f against when third on nursery debut last autumn. Was backed that day and likely to have more to come but needs it.

Form: 9463-

(4)

Elite Trooper Grey^v¹⁸¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Shane Foley| T: W McCreery| OR: 71

6/1

Good efforts last two runs on similar ground and stamina not a problem. Visor retained and no reason why he shouldn't play a leading role.

Form: 023-

(12)

Laura Bullion¹⁶¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: Leigh Roche| T: N Meade| OR: 66

20/1

Best run was third in a big field over 6f last September but others have more scope to progress and now taking a dramatic step up in trip today. Others preferred.

Form: 643876-

Forecasts

Cuban Hope (4/1), South Pacific (9/2), Third World (5/1), Elite Trooper Grey (6/1), Eminence (7/1), Blenheim Palace (11/1), King's Vow (14/1), Crimson King (14/1), Jupiter Road (14/1), Motashakel (16/1), Laura Bullion (20/1), Pepperoni Pete (20/1)

Fitness is an unknown for so many of these but if he is ready to go ELITE TROOPER GREY could be very competitive in a race that may be worth following. Blenheim Palace is narrowly preferred of the O'Brien pair while Cuban Hope has fitness on his side but this is much tougher than his win a week ago.