16:05 Curragh

Saturday 29 June 2019

All13:4514:2014:5515:3016:0516:4017:2018:00

Dubai Duty Free The Irish Village Handicap (Premier Handicap)

Off time: 16:05 | Winning time: 1m 38.69s

(5)

King's Field^p1,t1¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: D O'Brien| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 100| D

11/1

Won three times last year and ran okay at Naas on return in Listed company. Well beaten at Royal Ascot last week but this is sure to be easier and the handicapper has shown leniency. Wears first-time cheekpieces and tongue-tie.

Form: 621-930

(10)

Marshall Jennings⁷⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Shane Foley| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 100| D

14/1

Well beaten on his first two starts of the season but narrowly prevailed at Cork in April in an 18-runner handicap. 4lb higher here though and conditions probably against him.

Form: 078-061

(6)

Jassaar³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Chris Hayes| T: D K Weld| OR: 91| C| D

5/2

Off the mark at the fourth attempt in a Limerick maiden and he was a course winner at the Curragh in May (7f). Step back up in trip looks in his favour and a 6lb rise looks fair; interesting contender.

Form: 82-411

(9)

Aussie Valentine^p,t³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 9-3| J: T P Madden⁽³⁾| T: A McGuinness| OR: 89| CD

16/1

Admirable performer and while he's not quite as consistent as he used to be, he showed he's worthy of respect from this sort of mark in these races when winning over C&D last time out. Each-way claims again.

Form: 058031

(1)

Saltonstall^p,t³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Ronan Whelan| T: A McGuinness| OR: 89| CD

9/1

C&D winner here last season in handicap company but hasn't been the same since, tailed off in three runs towards the end of last year and well beaten in four runs this time around. Very well handicapped if he can bounce back but others preferred.

Form: 00-0000

(2)

Tony The Gent^b¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: Gary Carroll| T: G M Lyons| OR: 87| CD

16/1

C&D winner who got his head back in front at Gowran last month. Didn't back that up at that venue earlier this month. Needs to bounce back from that but feasibly handicapped and goes well at this venue.

Form: 266415

(4)

Port Lions⁴¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Billy Lee| T: Madeleine Tylicki| OR: 86| D

7/1

Maiden winner on final start for Mick Halford and bounced back from a below par C&D effort with a Naas win last month. 3lb rise looks fair and may have more to give for this yard.

Form: 14-2301

(13)

Dream Ascot^p1³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: Andrew Slattery⁽⁵⁾| T: J A Stack| OR: 84| D

20/1

Won her maiden on debut but has failed to build on that in three runs since, though fairly highly tried. Only eighth of 11 behind Aussie Valentine over C&D last time though on handicap debut and needs more; wears first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 155-8

(3)

Master Speaker¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 8-11| J: Gavin Ryan⁽⁷⁾| T: A McGuinness| OR: 83| C

14/1

Struggling for form so far this campaign and only has one win (a course win) in 56 turf starts. Has run well in defeat here from higher handicap marks in the past but looks vulnerable in a race of this depth.

Form: 03-9366

(8)

Basic Law⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons| OR: 91| BF| D

6/1

Not beaten far on debut and won each of his next three starts. Not seen to best effect when given plenty to do at Tipperary last time but less exposed than most and likely capable of better.

Form: 21114

(7)

Turnberry Isle⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 89| D

7/1

Maiden winner at Naas in November and while that's his only success in eight starts, his handicap mark is on the slide as a result. May do better back on quicker ground here.

Form: 1-65635

(11)

Atlas^b²³

Age: 6| Weight: 8-4| J: Killian Leonard| T: D Hogan| OR: 76| BF| D

12/1

Improved from his seasonal debut to win at Leopardstown next time out. Running well in defeat since and a 1lb drop from the handicapper for his latest effort perhaps a little lenient.

Form: 614244

(12)

Copia Verborum³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-4| J: Rory Cleary| T: J S Bolger| OR: 83| C

33/1

Hasn't won since his maiden success on debut and out of the handicap here; others preferred.

Form: 78-6607

Forecasts

Jassaar (5/2), Basic Law (6/1), Turnberry Isle (7/1), Port Lions (7/1), Saltonstall (9/1), King's Field (11/1), Atlas (12/1), Marshall Jennings (14/1), Master Speaker (14/1), Tony The Gent (16/1), Aussie Valentine (16/1), Dream Ascot (20/1), Copia Verborum (33/1)

JASSAAR and Basic Law are both lightly raced and narrow preference is for the former with the step back up in trip likely to suit. Atlas can go well again after some solid efforts of late while King's Field could be the main danger in a new headgear combination.