16:45 Down Royal

Saturday 22 June 2019

All13:4514:1514:5015:2516:0516:4517:20

Sean Graham Bookmakers Handicap (45-70)

Off time: 16:47 | Winning time: 2m 23.37s

(11)

Ballycaines^t²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Declan McDonogh| T: B A Murphy| OR: 67

25/1

It's a concern that the geldings form over hurdles outshines his efforts on the level. That said, any market move on first start since leaving the Nicky Henderson yard would require a check.

Form: 735-

(8)

Khafaaq¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Andrew Slattery⁽⁵⁾| T: A Slattery| OR: 67

7/1

Off the mark for connections at the fifth attempt, landing a Gowran Park handicap off a 4lb lower mark over 1m last month. Would not have appreciated the drop in trip on latest start and worthy of consideration back over this distance.

Form: 00-2210

(3)

Lopito⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Ross Coakley| T: C A McBratney| OR: 67

25/1

68-rated handicapper on the Flat for trainer Andrew Balding without success in six starts for the Hampshire handler. Well held in a couple of starts for new connections over hurdles and looks one to pass over here.

Form: 444248-

(12)

Royal Admiral^v²³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: T P Madden⁽³⁾| T: A McGuinness| OR: 65| D

7/1

Solid and consistent son of Royal Applause won landed a Cork 1m2f handicap on his ninth start for connections last month. Second of 12 not beaten far off his new mark but still a leading contender in this company.

Form: 4-32012

(4)

Cork Harbour¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Billy Lee| T: K J Condon| OR: 59| BF| D

5/1

Failed to land a hat-trick of wins when going down by 16L at Tipperary earlier this month. Appeared overwhelmed off her new mark and upped in trip. Has conditions more in her favour in this contest.

Form: 0/6-2119

(16)

Duquesa Beach^b1⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Robbie Colgan| T: L Smyth| OR: 59

33/1

Sent off at big prices on her last four starts since April running accordingly on each occasion. First time blinkers unlikely to bring about the required amount of progression needed to land a blow here.

Form: 06-0850

(5)

Every Breath⁷⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: C D Maxwell⁽³⁾| T: S Wilson| OR: 58

20/1

Won over this trip on the AW at Dundalk but is yet to show any signs of ability or promise in five starts on turf. Will need to improve on overall turf form to play a significant role in this contest.

Form: 5125-47

(1)

Zalzar^p⁸⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Ben Coen⁽⁵⁾| T: D A McLoughlin| OR: 58

20/1

One from seven Flat starts on turf, winning a Gowran Park claimer over 1m in September. Struggling in recent efforts and tough to see where improvement is coming from to play a major part in this contest.

Form: 210-000

(2)

Misty Millie^b,t¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: D W O'Connor⁽³⁾| T: G Donnelly| OR: 55| C

5/1

Solid and consistent mare who deserves a change of luck after running well in defeat in a number of starts since March. May have to settle for a minor role again but a second win in 18 would not be out of turn.

Form: 00/0-273

(15)

Aneczka^b1¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: O J Orr| T: C Cannon| OR: 66

33/1

Sending out mixed messages in a number of seasonal appearance since April. Won over this trip last month on the AW at Dundalk before tailing off in a Curragh 1m4f handicap earlier this month. First time blinkers unlikely to make the difference.

Form: 06-0016

(13)

Dragon Roll^b1¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Shane Foley| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 66

6/1

Daughter of Dragon Pulse has improved on each of her three starts this term including a promising career best at Roscommon earlier this month. First time blinkers likely to assist.

Form: 388-074

(17)

Finding Nero^h¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Colin Keane| T: J P Murtagh| OR: 66

4/1

Off the mark on his fifth Flat start on turf when landing a 17-runner 1m1½f at Gowran Park earlier this month off a 4lb lower mark impressively coming between horses to lead close home. More than capable of another bold show.

Form: 50355-1

(9)

Cuban Surfer¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Rory Cleary| T: J S Bolger| OR: 63

6/1

Busy 10-race two-year-old campaign culminated with a win on her final start of the season at Galway in October. Has produced a couple of below par efforts this term but it may be too early to be writing the daughter of Teofilo off just yet.

Form: 5431-06

(10)

Early Voice⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: W T Byrne⁽⁷⁾| T: B W Duke| OR: 59

25/1

First start for this yard when finishing down the field over 7f at Leopardstown on seasonal debut before another dour performance at Limerick earlier this month. Still looking no nearer to breakthrough success.

Form: 5788-00

Non-Runners

(7)

Bobby Jean⁸

Weight: 9-2| Age: 8

T: Miss T L Cogan J: Reserve 1

(14)

British Art¹

Weight: 9-1| Age: 7

T: R K Watson J: Reserve 2

(6)

Steelyeyed¹⁸

Weight: 9-0| Age: 5

T: P Martin J: Reserve 3

Forecasts

Finding Nero (4/1), Cork Harbour (5/1), Misty Millie (5/1), Cuban Surfer (6/1), Dragon Roll (6/1), Khafaaq (7/1), Royal Admiral (7/1), British Art (10/1), Bobby Jean (12/1), Every Breath (20/1), Zalzar (20/1), Early Voice (25/1), Lopito (25/1), Ballycaines (25/1), Duquesa Beach (33/1), Aneczka (33/1), Steelyeyed (150/1)

Off the mark at the fifth time of asking in a Gowran Park 1m1½f handicap earlier in the month, FINDING NERO can progress again with the step up in trip expected to suit. The Ado McGuinness-trained, Royal Admiral produced a couple of solid and consistent displays last month can be the main danger, while, Misty Mille and Cork Harbour look the best of the rest.