15:05 Gowran Park

Monday 3 June 2019

All14:0514:3515:0515:3516:0516:3517:05

GAIN Equine Nutrition Apprentice Handicap (45-65)

Off time: 15:06 | Winning time: 1m 42.01s

(4)

Midnitemudcrabs^p²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: S M Crosse| T: J Feane| OR: 61| C

5/1

Was beaten by just a nose over this C&D last time behind Lady Scathach to suggest she is close to winning again. Has won off a mark of 73. Leading contender.

Form: 00-8252

(18)

Kudbegood^t²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-13| J: Nathan Crosse⁽²⁾| T: J C McConnell| OR: 60

7/1

Has been third over this C&D this season where he was beaten by less than 1L on both of those appearances. Still a maiden but that is likely to change soon. One to consider.

Form: 050-933

(5)

Attack At Dawn¹⁶⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: N J Ryan⁽⁷⁾| T: K Prendergast| OR: 59

16/1

Still a maiden after seven races and this latest attempt is ½m shorter than his last appearance at Dundalk on the AW where she was 10th of 14 runners. A lot more needed at this trip to be competitive.

Form: 955790-

(3)

Wavepoint¹⁹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: J P Shinnick⁽⁷⁾| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 59| BF

14/1

Was fancied to go well at Dundalk (1m2f) on the AW last time where he was a beaten-favourite in a disappointing display which saw him finish 11th of 13 runners. Down in trip and weights again. One to watch.

Form: 102060-

(11)

Wilderness²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: Ms N A Kane⁽⁷⁾| T: J P Murtagh| OR: 59

16/1

Was seventh of 23 runners at the Curragh (7f) last time in what was a respectable display. Lightly raced filly who may just be finding her feet. Can't be discounted.

Form: 4560-07

(15)

Lappet⁵⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: G C O'Neill⁽²⁾| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 58

12/1

Still a maiden after seven races. Came close to her opening success last year but her two outings in 2019 have been well below-par. First run for new yard. Needs to improve.

Form: 4033-00

(10)

Zayriyan^b¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: J M Sheridan⁽⁷⁾| T: D Hogan| OR: 57

14/1

Still looking for his opening success in what will be his 13th career start. Return to Flat after three runs over obstacles. Continues to fall down the weights. One to watch.

Form: 237-675

(1)

Lady Scathach^v²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: D E Sheehy| T: T G McCourt| OR: 56| CD

7/1

Bidding for a hat-trick of C&D successes after two wins last month. Will need to win off a career high mark, however, there could more improvement from the filly. Leading contender.

Form: 9-0P011

(7)

Gatsby Cap^p⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: A J Slattery⁽²⁾| T: J A Stack| OR: 65| D

2/1

Has been in excellent form this year, with his standout performance arguably coming just four days ago at Fairyhouse (7f) when he was second in a 18-runner field. Remains off the same mark as his last run so good chance of going one place better.

Form: 561322

(13)

Smile Ahead⁵⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Ben Coen| T: D K Weld| OR: 54

16/1

Handicap debut for this filly after just three runs on the AW at Dundalk. Was fifth of 10 runners over 7f last time. Market support would be interesting.

Form: 365

(12)

Very Smart^h⁶⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: S M Mooney⁽⁴⁾| T: P Martin| OR: 53

25/1

Broke her maiden at Down Royal (7f) last July and since then her best effort was a third place finish on the AW at Dundalk (7f). Recent runs have not been very eye-catching. Others preferred.

Form: 0-43059

(17)

Aishling's Secret¹⁰⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: A J Farragher⁽⁴⁾| T: K H Clarke| OR: 49

25/1

Still a maiden after 14 races. Recent appearance was respectable on the AW at Dundalk (7f) where he was 7th of 14 runners. Needs to improve to be in the mix here.

Form: 030-007

(14)

Spirit Of Dreams^t¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: S P Bird⁽⁷⁾| T: G J Power| OR: 48

66/1

Back on the Flat after two disappointing runs over obstacles, her latest being at Tipperary (2m) where she was 13th of 18 runners. Has not come close to breaking her maiden so far and is likely to need to wait a little longer to do that.

Form: 855/786-

(6)

Downtown Diva³²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: W T Byrne⁽⁴⁾| T: A Keatley| OR: 47

20/1

Yet to score in 32 starts but now off a joint-low career mark. Was 6th of 11 runners at Musselburgh (7f) on latest start. Is capable of more so is worth considering to make the frame.

Form: 745-956

(2)

Kitchen Duty²¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: G M Ryan⁽⁴⁾| T: J S Bolger| OR: 54

14/1

Shown very little in her three starts but now making her handicap debut. She finished 12th of 16 runners in a two-year-old maiden at Leopardstown (7f). Support in betting would be notable.

Form: 000-

(19)

Blackstone Cliff¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-4| J: A C Persse⁽⁴⁾| T: A Murray| OR: 48

16/1

Put in his best performance to date last time at Sligo (6f) where he was staying on strongly in what was his handicap debut. This step in trip should help and the strong market vibes suggest a big run is expected again.

Form: 609-4

Non-Runners

(8)

Make A Story³⁷

Weight: 9-0| Age: 4

T: P Cluskey J: Reserve 1

(16)

Korbous¹⁷

Weight: 10-3| Age: 10

T: R Brabazon J: Reserve 2

(9)

Neyland¹³

Weight: 9-6| Age: 4

T: A McGuinness J: Reserve 3

Forecasts

Gatsby Cap (2/1), Midnitemudcrabs (5/1), Kudbegood (7/1), Lady Scathach (7/1), Lappet (12/1), Zayriyan (14/1), Kitchen Duty (14/1), Wavepoint (14/1), Blackstone Cliff (16/1), Wilderness (16/1), Attack At Dawn (16/1), Smile Ahead (16/1), Downtown Diva (20/1), Korbous (20/1), Very Smart (25/1), Aishling's Secret (25/1), Make A Story (50/1), Neyland (50/1), Spirit Of Dreams (66/1)

MIDNITEMUDCRABS went so close to scoring over this C&D last time and although she had to settle for second place on that occasion, it was a strong sign that she is back to her best. The six-year-old has won off a much higher mark than this so it is definitely in her reach. Gatsby Cap has been in fantastic form recently and should be in the frame once again, while Kudbegood always runs well at this course and so expected to be in contention at the finish.