Caragh Nurseries Handicap

Off time: 20:30 | Winning time: 1m 42.84s

(1)

Texas Rock^p⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-4| J: Billy Lee| T: M C Grassick| OR: 94| C| D

7/2

Popular and consistent sort ran well again latest when fourth in the valuable 6½f Scurry handicap at the Curragh. Quick turnaround nothing new to him but 1-13 record over 1m shows that this is his absolute maximum.

Form: 664395

(3)

Katiymann^t⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-11| J: Ronan Whelan| T: M Halford| OR: 87| D

3/1

Upped 5lb by the handicapper for beating Verhoyen (won since) at Fairyhouse over 7f last time out but he has won off this mark in the past and is highly respected here even taking into account the three less exposed runners.

Form: 98-6001

(5)

Major Reward¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons| OR: 80| BF

9/2

Won a maiden on debut at Dundalk last year and showed improvement in first start for this yard (as is often the case) when running on for third over 7f at Limerick. Will surely prefer 1m now and has very real claims here.

Form: 1-62093

(2)

Leagan Gaeilge^p⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger| OR: 79| D

3/1

Third to a handicap debutant at Roscommon (1m2f) and to the prolific Waitingfortheday (1m) at the Curragh latest both read well here and looks sure to make a bold bid today.

Form: 4-03433

(4)

Excelcius^t¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: Wayne Lordan| T: G M Lyons| OR: 77

4/1

Best effort since his Dundalk two-year-old maiden latest when only beaten ½L into fourth off this mark in a blanket finish at Ayr. That effort gives him claims here although stable jockey Keane aboard Major Reward.

Form: 231-574

Forecasts

Leagan Gaeilge (3/1), Katiymann (3/1), Texas Rock (7/2), Excelcius (4/1), Major Reward (9/2)

Ger Lyons ability to revitalise and/or improve new recruits is infamous and in MAJOR REWARD we look to have another fine case in point after the three-year-old kept on really well over an insufficient looking 7f at Limerick. With an extra 1f here to suit he can go one better. Katiymann's win at Fairyhouse latest is working out well so he may provide the sternest opposition although Leagan Gaeilge too must be respected.