18:45 Curragh

Thursday 27 June 2019

All17:4518:1518:4519:1519:4520:1520:45

Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund 'Ragusa' Handicap (Premier Handicap)

Off time: 18:49 | Winning time: 2m 37.33s

(10)

Sea The Lion³⁰⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-4| J: G M Ryan⁽⁷⁾| T: J P Fahey| OR: 104| CD

10/1

Fine overall career record (6-13), including a hat-trick of 1m4f wins in ultra-competitive handicaps in 2018 (Leopardstown and Cork); previous C&D winner is back from 10 months off and worth a market check in bid to win this three years running.

Form: 00/1113-

(9)

Massif Central¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: Ronan Whelan| T: M Halford| OR: 98

10/1

Running good races here and at Cork recently (second to Perfect Tapatino), though just a suspicion the handicapper is still holding firm. Likely to run well again.

Form: 471-032

(2)

Ming³³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: J A Heffernan| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 97

7/1

Won three times last season and respectable sixth of 18 in handicap at this course (1m2f, good to firm) 33 days ago on comeback when things didn't go to plan. Should have improvement in him.

Form: 1655-36

(4)

Inscribe¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons| OR: 90| BF| C

10/1

Navan winner over 1m5f this month on second start back, since been held (3L seventh) behind Perfect Tapatino at Cork. Needs more to get in the mix.

Form: 163-417

(3)

Perfect Tapatino¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: D O'Brien| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 87| C| D

7/1

Career-best when winning 10-runner handicap at Cork (1m4f, good to soft) 13 days ago by a neck from re-opposing Massif Central. Has won around here in the past and on the shortlist.

Form: 204-481

(6)

Persian Lion³²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: S Foley| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 85| BF

5/1

Travelled well at Navan last time over 1m5f but ultimately didn't find as much as might have been expected in a race won by Inscribe. Down in trip, may suit.

Form: 2175-27

(8)

The Last Emperor^t1²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Nathan Crosse⁽⁷⁾| T: E Mullins| OR: 85

8/1

Won once for Roger Varian although looked exposed afterwards in handicaps. Drops back from 2m now and that should be a positive.

Form: 5/4224-4

(7)

Rockabill¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: Wayne Lordan| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 80| BF| CD

12/1

Gelded son of Declaration Of War, not without promise in three runs in maidens and worth a market check now switched to handicapping for the first time.

Form: 10-0833

(5)

War Diary⁷⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: N G McCullagh| T: J J Murphy| OR: 80

6/1

Gelded son of Declaration Of War, not without promise in three runs in maidens and worth a market check now switched to handicapping for the first time.

Form: 32-1

(1)

The Mouse Doctor^t⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-5| J: J F Egan| T: A J Martin| OR: 77

7/2

Ran well when 1L third over this trip in a Leopardstown handicap last month on first Flat outing of 2019. Has to step up on that effort to better placing.

Form: 72124-3

Forecasts

The Mouse Doctor (7/2), Persian Lion (5/1), War Diary (6/1), Ming (7/1), Perfect Tapatino (7/1), The Last Emperor (8/1), Sea The Lion (10/1), Massif Central (10/1), Inscribe (10/1), Rockabill (12/1)

Last year's Ebor runner-up Sea The Lion is respected on seasonal bow, particularly if strong in the betting given he goes well fresh and has won this the last two years, but this won't be easy. Preference instead is for MING, who rather blew the start on return to action recently and faced a tough task thereafter. He shaped well enough, considering, and can improve now. Cork winner Perfect Tapatino and runner-up Massif Central are joined by The Mouse Doctor in the race for places.