15:20 Galway

Sunday 4 August 2019

All14:1514:4515:2015:5516:3017:0017:3018:00

Foran Equine Irish EBF Auction Maiden (Plus 10)

Off time: 15:20 | Winning time: 1m 29.60s

(1)

At War^p1¹⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 9-7| J: Ben Coen⁽⁵⁾| T: T Cooper| OR: 76

20/1

€70,000 yearling, War Command colt. Half-brother to three winners, including 7f winner Aimez La Vie. Moderate improvement in three starts to date but that level of form would need significantly improving upon in this company. Others preferred.

Form: 764

(13)

Mensen Ernst²⁶

Age: 2| Weight: 9-7| J: B A Curtis| T: R Hannon

5/1

Son of Intello whose debut run offered plenty of promise despite a slow start and then only failed by a nose over this trip at Brighton. A win shouldn't be far away and a dangerous British raider with more improvement likely.

Form: 32

(2)

Jm Barrie²⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: O J Orr| T: D Marnane

14/1

Sir Percy colt, cost 32,000 gns as a foal and 30,000 gns as a yearling. Always towards rear on debut but left that behind with a solid fifth at Limerick. Extra trip should suit and place possibilities if showing further progress.

Form: 05

(9)

Potala Palace²⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: D O'Brien| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 84| BF

11/4

Dansili colt caught the eye with an encouraging run on his second start at Leopardstown finishing second and matched that with a Roscommon second in a fast run race. That's up with the best form on offer and likely to go close.

Form: 622

(6)

Troop Commander¹⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: Gary Halpin| T: K Prendergast

33/1

Son of War Command bought for €26,000 as a yearling in September last year. Half-brother to a couple of winners. Sent off 25/1 and well beaten on debut and big improvement needed.

Form: 0

(14)

Raven's Cry³²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-0| J: Billy Lee| T: P Twomey

7/2

Raven's Pass filly bought for €58,000 as a yearling was second of nine on debut at Bellewstown beaten 4L behind a smart looking winner. Pulled clear of the remainder despite showing inexperience and the form sets the standard. Rates a leading hope.

Form: 2

(10)

Borelli³⁰

Age: 2| Weight: 8-13| J: N G McCullagh| T: J P Murtagh

17/2

Alhebayeb half-brother to 1m winner Financial Crime out of a 2-y-o 5f winner. Has raced to a similar standard when showing promise in both maidens to date. Stable a bit quiet at present but a similar effort should see him at least competitive.

Form: 52

(5)

Gunmetal Jack¹¹

Age: 2| Weight: 8-13| J: Leigh Roche| T: M O'Callaghan| OR: 70

50/1

Outstrip gelding purchased for €23,000 at the sales last autumn. Minor promise on his second start but well beaten either side and this looks a stiff task. Best watched in this company.

Form: 070

(3)

Natural Power¹⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 8-13| J: Robbie Colgan| T: Mrs D A Love

10/1

Son of Slade Power purchased for 14,000 gns last October. Stable are not noted for juvenile winners. Solid enough third on debut that suggested this extra furlong would suit. Can't be dismissed with progress likely.

Form: 3

(8)

Bigz Belief¹⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 8-11| J: Chris Hayes| T: M J Smith

16/1

€8,000 yearling by Make Believe has shown some promise and raced to a similar standard in all three maidens so far. Significant improvement needed against these rivals and others likely more progressive.

Form: 475

(7)

Helvic Dream⁴³

Age: 2| Weight: 8-11| J: Colin Keane| T: N Meade

16/1

Gelding by Power out of a Danehill Dancer mare. Dam unraced. Plenty of promise on debut when slowly away and later impeded when making late headway under hands and heels. Bare level of form would need greatly improving upon but likely to progress.

Form: 3

(11)

Majeski Man

Age: 2| Weight: 8-11| J: Rory Cleary| T: Mrs D Foster

50/1

Son of Dandy Man and a fifth foal; brother to Listed-placed 6f and juvenile turf winner Julia's Magic and a half-brother to winner Lilys Rainbow. Faces a tough ask on debut and market likely best guide.

Form:

(4)

Spiritual Son

Age: 2| Weight: 8-11| J: Ronan Whelan| T: J P Fahey

25/1

Pour Moi colt and a 7th foal; brother to French juvenile winner Elusive Million and a half-brother to winner Spiritual Star. Likely to need a bit further in time and best watched on debut.

Form:

(12)

The Truant¹⁵

Age: 2| Weight: 8-11| J: Shane Foley| T: Mrs J Harrington

7/1

Mastercraftsmen colt made an encouraging debut effort when fifth in a decent maiden at Leopardstown and matched that level in another good maiden at the Curragh. That level of form would entitle him to be involved again.

Form: 59

Forecasts

Potala Palace (11/4), Raven's Cry (7/2), Mensen Ernst (5/1), The Truant (7/1), Borelli (17/2), Natural Power (10/1), Jm Barrie (14/1), Helvic Dream (16/1), Bigz Belief (16/1), At War (20/1), Spiritual Son (25/1), Troop Commander (33/1), Gunmetal Jack (50/1), Majeski Man (50/1)

The Truant and Borelli didn't really improve first to second start but both have put in two solid efforts that would entitle them to be under serious consideration. The debut of Natural Power isn't far off that level while UK raider Mensen Ernst is of obvious interest for his powerful stable. The form of the second start of Potala Palace was backed up by a fast time and is a serious danger, however preference is for RAVEN'S CRY who was green on debut in a very strong looking contest and their was a lot to like about the way she pulled clear of the third.