17:45 Galway

Friday 2 August 2019

All17:1017:4518:1518:5019:2519:5520:25

James's Gate Irish EBF Median Auction Maiden (Plus 10)

Off time: 17:45 | Winning time: 1m 27.16s

(8)

Agent Zero¹³

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons

13/2

Son of Outstrip. Has already been gelded. Cost £65,000 as a yearling. Can be expected to improve on debut run at the Curragh over 7f last month for yard among the winners here this week.

Form: 5

(5)

Ahaziah

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: Robbie Colgan| T: Mrs D Foster

66/1

Already gelded son of Alhebayeb out of a Owington mare. Closely related to multiple winner between 6f and 1m on the AW/turf. Possible best watched for Co Meath yard having a quiet time of things at the moment.

Form:

(4)

Convincer⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: Gary Carroll| T: G M Lyons

33/1

£58,000 yearling. Related to moderate winners from 5f to 7f Darkest Light and Teepee Time. Driven and no impression 2f out on debut at Down Royal last week and appears to be the yards second string.

Form: 9

(2)

Craic Eile

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: Seamie Heffernan| T: D Budds

25/1

Son of Palavicini out of a Invincible Spirit mare. Closely related to winner on the Flat for Ger Lyons and over hurdles for Gordon Elliott, Elysian Plains. Market likely to be the best guide making his first start.

Form:

(1)

Longclaw¹³

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: Billy Lee| T: G Elliott

4/1

By Kitten's Joy. Expensive recruit to top Jumps stable. Sales price went up from $110,000 as a yearling, to €160,000 as a two-year-old. Never on terms in a rough debut run at the Curragh last month. Worth a market check.

Form: 8

(6)

Santiago¹⁵

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: D O'Brien| T: A P O'Brien

9/4

Son of Authorized and out of a mare who won over 7f and 1m1f in France. Promising second of 14 beaten ½L behind Howling Wolf in a Leopardstown 7f maiden last month. Leading claims given pedigree.

Form: 2

(10)

The Hard Harry¹⁶

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: C D Maxwell⁽³⁾| T: G P Cromwell

66/1

Gelding by Dragon Pulse out of a Invincible Spirit mare. Last of nine on a disappointing debut at Fairyhouse over 6f last month. Hard to fancy.

Form: 9

(12)

Alpine Star²²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-0| J: Shane Foley| T: Mrs J Harrington

7/4

Daughter of Sea The Moon out of a Rahy mare. Half-sister to four winners including Group 1 winner Alpha Centauri. Likely to improve on debut run at Leopardstown over this trip last month and one for the shortlist.

Form: 3

(7)

Baby Bear

Age: 2| Weight: 9-0| J: Ben Coen⁽⁵⁾| T: A Slattery

14/1

Filly by Power out of a Choisir mare. Dam well beaten in three career starts between 1m and 1m4f. Best watched on debut unless market vibes suggest otherwise.

Form:

(11)

Chrysalism⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 9-0| J: Gary Halpin| T: J P O'Brien

20/1

Daughter of Starspangledbanner who has been generally well held in a couple of career starts so far. Not one to underestimate with experience on her side.

Form: 45

(3)

Nudge The Judge²⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-0| J: Ronan Whelan| T: R P Cody

66/1

Stoutly-bred related to plenty of winners around this distance and beyond. Needs a chunk of improvement from debut run at Tipperary last month to play a part in this contest.

Form: 4

Non-Runners

(9)

Kassaba¹⁵

Weight: 9-0| Age: 2

T: D K Weld J: Chris Hayes

Forecasts

Alpine Star (7/4), Santiago (9/4), Longclaw (4/1), Kassaba (4/1), Agent Zero (13/2), Baby Bear (14/1), Chrysalism (20/1), Craic Eile (25/1), Convincer (33/1), Nudge The Judge (66/1), Ahaziah (66/1), The Hard Harry (66/1)

The Dermot Weld yard have a solid record in this race in the last eight years and their KASSABA can land the spoils here. The stable boast a 50% strike rate in this contest in the last eight years winning with three youngsters from six runners and can see off the challenges in the shape of the Jessica Harrington improver, Alpine Star and the Aiden O'Brien-trained Santiago. Progressive runs from Agent Zero, Longclaw and Chrysalism would not come as a surprise.