18:50 Leopardstown

Thursday 6 June 2019

All17:4518:2018:5019:2519:5520:3021:00

Holden Plant Rentals Glencairn Stakes (Listed)

Off time: 18:50 | Winning time: 1m 41.08s

(5)

Flight Risk¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 9-9| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger| OR: 110| C| D

11/4

Not seen until October last year, but ran creditably in a trio of black-type races at the back-end, and looked as good as ever when ½L second of 14 to Jassaar on handicap debut at the Curragh (7f) on last month's return. Big chance with a repeat.

Form: 45/324-2

(8)

Quizical³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: O J Orr| T: S Lavery| OR: 90

22/1

Lightly raced since juvenile days, and well beaten in three runs this season, which suggests he won't be getting involved here.

Form: 26/5-070

(9)

Settle For Bay^t¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: W J Lee| T: D Marnane| OR: 105| C| D

12/1

Improved to land the Royal Hunt Cup at Ascot last summer, but absent for the rest of the year, and he's not come close to that form in three starts this year, reportedly having a breathing op prior to latest effort.

Form: 141-088

(6)

Texas Rock^p¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 9-9| J: Robbie Colgan| T: M C Grassick| OR: 94| D

20/1

A useful handicapper, he's had his limitations exposed at this sort of level, although not disgraced in similar event at Naas last month. Minor role the best he can hope for unless others underperform.

Form: 036643

(4)

Surrounding^t¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Ronan Whelan| T: M Halford| OR: 100| D

7/2

Bit disappointing on her AW return, but this consistent mare has quickly bounced back, and looked as good as ever when winning a listed race at Naas last month, with three of these rivals behind. One to bear in mind again.

Form: 311-231

(2)

Yulong Gold Fairy^p1¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: S Foley| T: D K Weld| OR: 103

11/2

Not quite at her best this season, but would hold strong claims if finding the form which saw her win a Group 3 over 7½f at Tipperary last season. Cheekpieces tried now, and can't be taken lightly.

Form: 5141-36

(1)

Annie Fior³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: A J Farragher| T: B A Murphy| OR: 87| C| D

16/1

Been kept very busy this year, with a dozen runs producing handicap wins over 7f here and at Gowran and over 1m at latter track. Well held on her only try at this level behind Surrounding at Naas, however.

Form: 121655

(3)

Hand On Heart³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Chris Hayes| T: J A Stack| OR: 99| D

7/2

Dual winner in 2018, and has progressed again this year, finishing second in a 1m Group 3 event at Naas in March and fourth in similar event at the Curragh last month. Best on testing ground to date, though, and forecast conditions here a worry.

Form: 1107-24

(7)

Shekiba^p1¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Gary Carroll| T: J G Murphy| OR: 93

16/1

Been found wanting at this level before, so probably flattered by latest 5½L last of 7 to Beshaayir in Lanwades Stud Stakes at the Curragh last time. Blinkers she wore there replaced by cheekpieces now.

Form: 040-047

Forecasts

Flight Risk (11/4), Hand On Heart (7/2), Surrounding (7/2), Yulong Gold Fairy (11/2), Settle For Bay (12/1), Shekiba (16/1), Annie Fior (16/1), Texas Rock (20/1), Quizical (22/1)

FLIGHT RISK ran into a smart sort when runner-up on his belated handicap debut at the Curragh last month, and that form is more than good enough to win at this level, so the eight-year-old has a favourite's chance assuming he's in the same mood now. The admirable Surrounding won well at this level at Naas last month, and will take advantage if the selection bounces, while cheekpieces may encourage Yulong Gold Fairy to put her best foot forward, and she would have a big chance on the form of last year's Concorde Stakes success.