17:55 Bellewstown

Thursday 4 July 2019

All17:2517:5518:3019:0519:3520:1020:40

Indaver Ireland Handicap

Off time: 17:56 | Winning time: 1m 0.94s

(5)

True Blue Moon^t⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Declan McDonogh| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 87| D

5/1

One win from nine Flat starts on turf. Tried to mix it with El Astronaute at the Curragh last month, finishing 4¾L adrift of the winner. Possibly best watched unless market dictates otherwise.

Form: 6860-50

(8)

Lincoln¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-8| J: Rory Cleary| T: D Hogan| OR: 81| D

4/1

Solid winner of six of his turf starts from 55 career starts, hitting the frame on a further 16 occasions. Promising efforts recently and merits plenty of respect.

Form: 797124

(6)

Stanhope¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Colin Keane| T: D English| OR: 80| D

7/2

Miserly return of one win from 21 starts on turf but the Equiano gelding regularly hits the frame. Running well in defeat in a number of starts since May and holds place claims once again.

Form: 330064

(7)

Plough Boy³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 9-5| J: D W O'Connor⁽³⁾| T: G Donnelly| OR: 78| CD

10/1

C&D winner of this contest 12 months ago off a 2lb higher mark. Dropped to a mark of 76 before winning a Naas 5f handicap in May and is a live contender in this group.

Form: 375610

(4)

Abstraction³⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 9-4| J: A J Slattery⁽⁵⁾| T: N Lupini| OR: 77| D

4/1

Still an entire and winner of one of his 22 starts on turf. Ran as well as could be expected on return to action following a 243 day break at Down Royal in May. One of the more intriguing contenders.

Form: 32848-5

(2)

Dandyman Port^b⁶⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Paddy Harnett⁽¹⁰⁾| T: D Donovan| OR: 73| D

16/1

Winner of two of her 23 career starts but must be approached with caution having refused to race in a couple of racecourse visits this term.

Form: 0180-RR

(1)

African Friend³⁷⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: Gary Halpin| T: R O'Brien| OR: 72| D

14/1

Distance winner last seen finishing second of six beaten 2¼L on final start for trainer Marjorie Fife at Ripon 12 months ago. Market likely to be the best guide on stable debut.

Form: 920/972-

(3)

Snow Patch³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-4| J: Nathan Crosse⁽⁷⁾| T: D Bunyan & G O'Leary| OR: 63| D

13/2

Has hit the frame on three occasions from her six starts on turf. Needs to step up on previous efforts to get involved at the business end of proceedings.

Form: 32-2098

Forecasts

Stanhope (7/2), Lincoln (4/1), Abstraction (4/1), True Blue Moon (5/1), Snow Patch (13/2), Plough Boy (10/1), African Friend (14/1), Dandyman Port (16/1)

The booking of Colin Keane is a positive for the chances of STANHOPE who can improve on his fourth of eight at Down Royal last month. The Equiano gelding can add to his sole win on turf at the expense of the Denis Hogan-trained, Lincoln who has been solid and consistent all season and C&D winner, Plough Boy who landed this contest 12-months ago. Abstraction who ran well in defeat on seasonal reappearance at Down Royal in May is another one to consider.