Irish Injured Jockeys Association Handicap

Off time: 20:17 | Winning time: 1m 30.93s

(2)

Ahlan Bil Zain^b¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: Ben Coen⁽⁵⁾| T: M Halford| OR: 84| D

5/2

Probably needed a couple of runs in May after a break, and back in the groove when beating Fit For Function over 7f at Gowran on penultimate start. Ran at least as well when a close fourth at the Curragh last time, and needs consideration again.

Form: 130914

(5)

Geological¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-8| J: Shane Foley| T: D English| OR: 82| BF| D

2/1

Tough and genuine front runner who is just 2lb higher than when winning at Leopardstown in May. Right back to recent best when beaten in a tight finish at Limerick last time, and a repeat of that effort will give him every chance.

Form: 6U1432

(4)

Katiymann^t⁷²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-8| J: Ronan Whelan| T: M Halford| OR: 82| D

4/1

Hasn't troubled the judge on his last five starts, but better than the bare result on his last two starts, and has been been dropped to a far mark as a result. Not underestimated.

Form: 298-600

(1)

Verhoyen^b⁵⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Robbie Colgan| T: M C Grassick| OR: 80

8/1

Landed a 30-runner 6f handicap at the Curragh in May, and has been running well in defeat since, notably when out of the weights in a high-class 7f event there last time. Off his correct mark now, and should give a good account.

Form: 534134

(3)

War Hero¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Chris Hayes| T: A McGuinness| OR: 73| D

9/2

Put a below-par effort behind him when runner-up in a 6½f claimer at Limerick in June., and not disgraced when 3¾L fourth of 8 to Mokhalad at Bellewstown last time. More required in what appears a stronger race here, though.

Form: 31-2024

Non-Runners

(6)

Time Stands Still¹¹

Weight: 9-2| Age: 5

T: W J Martin J: W T Byrne

Forecasts

Geological (2/1), Ahlan Bil Zain (5/2), Katiymann (4/1), War Hero (9/2), Verhoyen (8/1), Time Stands Still (8/1)

Plenty of pace on for a small-field contest, and several of these arrive at the top of their game, so a decent contest should be in prospect. KATIYMANN is on a lengthy losing run, but hasn't shaped badly against the run of things on his last two starts, and could get this run to suit. Verhoyen and Geological would be dangerous if dominating, but they may well take each other on up front, and could compromise them. Ahlan Bil Zain is likely to track the pace, and could emerge as the biggest danger.