19:30 Naas

Wednesday 26 June 2019

All18:0018:3019:0019:3020:0020:3021:00

Denis Byrne Memorial Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 19:30 | Winning time: 1m 39.62s

(7)

Raphael²⁹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: N J Ryan⁽⁷⁾| T: K Prendergast| OR: 80| CD

9/1

Took his time to get going in handicaps last season but eventually got the hang of things. Makes seasonal debut today off an 8lb higher mark after ending his 2018 campaign in style. Still has scope for further progress and he could defy top-weight.

Form: 4/54221-

(6)

Star Quality³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: Nathan Crosse⁽²⁾| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 77

7/2

Shaped with plenty of encouragement when third on seasonal/stable debut over C&D in May. Has been dropped 2lb since that run and holds a strong chance if able to build upon that promising run.

Form: 49540-3

(8)

Spruce Meadows^p¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: S M Crosse| T: J Feane| OR: 72| D

8/1

Most exposed runner in the line-up and has been out of form for a while now. Ran in the Cork Derby (1m4f; good to yielding) last time and couldn't get involved. Subsequently 6lb below last winning mark on turf which came back in 2016.

Form: 6-80789

(2)

Angels^p²³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Ben Coen| T: J P Murtagh| OR: 71

11/2

Didn't make an immediate impact at the start of this season when starting out for this yard, but has strung together two solid efforts together recently. Back up to 1m now and is foolish to dismiss off a 2lb lower mark.

Form: 57-7433

(5)

Stormy Air^p,t¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: J M Sheridan⁽⁴⁾| T: D Hogan| OR: 68| D

15/2

Ended last season in terrific style and hinted at a return to form when third at Limerick (1m; yielding) recently. Now just 1lb above last winning mark and he is an intriguing contender who could be ready to bounce back to form.

Form: 12-8093

(1)

Nam²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: A J Farragher⁽⁴⁾| T: T Mullins| OR: 63| CD

5/1

Dual-purpose performer who has struggled for form since claiming a Naas handicap in October. Still 4lb above that mark and he failed to offer much encouragement when 10th of 18 at Leopardstown (1m; good) at the start of the month.

Form: 26618-0

(4)

Laethanta Saoire²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Gavin Ryan⁽²⁾| T: J S Bolger| OR: 72| D

9/1

Unexposed but made a rather disappointing start to life in handicaps when making seasonal return at Down Royal (1m2f; good to yielding). Still early days so she should be given another chance now off a 4lb lower mark.

Form: 7-19

(9)

Frosty Beach²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: Andrew Slattery⁽²⁾| T: D K Weld| OR: 67

14/1

Mark has been falling steadily ever since she started life in this sphere. Steps back up to 1m for the first time since she finished third on debut over it. Handicapper given her a real chance now but she must step up a fair bit on previous efforts.

Form: 3526-66

(3)

Pillmakers Hill^t²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 8-4| J: Alan Persse⁽⁴⁾| T: C W J Farrell| OR: 56

12/1

Ran a career-best last time when third at Leopardstown (1m; good) over this trip. Definite chance now to gain first career victory if able to reproduce that form off the same mark.

Form: 40000/3

(10)

Footsteps At Dawn^t¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-4| J: D N Curran⁽⁷⁾| T: S Nolan| OR: 56| D

25/1

Best form achieved on AW. Unable to get involved on both turf starts this year. Dropped a further 2lb for most recent run when seventh at Roscommon (7f; soft). Best to look elsewhere.

Form: 3-52207

Forecasts

Star Quality (7/2), Nam (5/1), Angels (11/2), Stormy Air (15/2), Spruce Meadows (8/1), Laethanta Saoire (9/1), Raphael (9/1), Pillmakers Hill (12/1), Frosty Beach (14/1), Footsteps At Dawn (25/1)

Many in this contest are threatening to post a career best, but RAPHAEL left the impression there was plenty more to come after scoring comfortably on his final start of 2018 and provided he is fit enough to himself justice on his seasonal return, he can pick up where he left off last season.Star Quality does have race fitness on her side and showed definite improvement for the switch to her new yard when third on seasonal/stable debut over C&D. Another sizeable chunk of progression would entitle her to put it up to the selection, while Pillmakers Hill produced a career-best last time when belying 50-1 odds to come third at Leopardstown and he holds solid place claims.