17:35 Sligo

Wednesday 7 August 2019

All14:0514:3515:0515:3516:0516:3517:0517:35

Diageo Day 8th August Handicap

Off time: 17:36 | Winning time: 2m 17.88s

(9)

Clashaniska^t1⁵⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 10-1| J: Andrew Slattery⁽⁵⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 73

12/1

Useful form at best in maidens at 6f/7f, although bit disappointing the last twice. Speed in pedigree, but dam stayed 1m3f, so possible that he will be suited by this marked step up in trip, and tongue tie may also benefit him. .

Form: 432-269

(15)

Clemencia¹⁰⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-11| J: K J Manning| T: B W Duke| OR: 69

33/1

Showed ability without improving in maidens in the spring, and is bred to do better with time and distance, so may progress belatedly now handicapping back from a break. Market will guide.

Form: 680

(3)

Bar Room Bore⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: Colin Keane| T: F Birrane| OR: 68

16/1

Twice runner-up for Jessica Harrington over 1¼m, most recently in a claimer at Fairyhouse last month. Below form starting out for new yard last time, however, and needs to bounce back.

Form: 0-25029

(13)

Scotts Honor⁴⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: T P Madden⁽³⁾| T: S M Duffy| OR: 64| D

20/1

Didn't need to improve to land a Ballinrobe claimer last time on his final start for John Oxx. Competitive on form here, but back in a more competitive environment for his new yard, and others more appealing.

Form: 6-70731

(14)

Musalsal¹⁰⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Chris Hayes| T: D K Weld| OR: 63

9/2

From family of 1000 Guineas winner Ghanaati. No closer than seventh in a trio of qualifying runs at shorter trips, but he has shown his share of ability, and is bred to do much better now handicapping at a more suitable trip.

Form: 98-7

(12)

Alice Milligan²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Billy Lee| T: W McCreery| OR: 61

12/1

Best recent effort when third in a low-grade 1¼m handicap at Naas on penultimate start with a hood fitted, but she ran well below form without the headgear last time, and it is missing once more. Bit to find on balance.

Form: 9-5838

(10)

Bear Claws^t¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Leigh Roche| T: A Oliver| OR: 61

16/1

Has run well enough in maidens at this trip to give him a chance from his current mark, and possible to make excuses for lesser efforts in handicaps (breathing problem first time, and hampered on latest). Not written off prematurely.

Form: 59387

(7)

Pearl Warrior¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Shane Foley| T: J P Murtagh| OR: 61

9/2

Better than the bare result when fifth of 16 in a 1¾m handicap at Bellewstown last time, and is on a fair mark on the pick of his form. Drop in trip will help, and a player for a yard amongst the winners.

Form: 842254

(5)

Light Of Fire^t³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: S M Crosse⁽⁵⁾| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 60

33/1

Represents powerful connections, but simply looks very limited on racecourse evidence, and tailed off in a 1¾m handicap at Bellewstown last time. Plenty to prove.

Form: 09990

(2)

Millford Sound¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Gavin Ryan⁽⁷⁾| T: A Mullins| OR: 58| D

5/1

In good heart in handicaps of late, building on previous promise when winning narrowly over 1¼m at Naas, and running well when fifth at Killarney last time. Should continue in form.

Form: 067215

(1)

Ellaat¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Killian Leonard| T: D Hogan| OR: 57| BF| D

10/3

Won at Ballinrobe in June, and finished a good second of 15 in a 1m3f handicap at Killarney last time. This is more competitive, but he merits a place on the shortlist.

Form: 00-0412

(11)

Followme Followyou¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Gary Halpin| T: J Davison| OR: 56

20/1

Failed to win for Mark Johnston, which is hardly encouraging, but remains in the same ownership, and ran perfectly well on debut for new yard at Ballinrobe last month. Can't be ignored.

Form: 404535

(4)

Palabres¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Ronan Whelan| T: Peter Fahey| OR: 56

33/1

Essentially regressive for Ger Lyons having shown ability in maidens, and while not disgraced at Ballinrobe for her new yard last time, she is 2lb worse off with Followme Followyou who was in front of her that day. Makes limited appeal.

Form: 6700-76

(6)

Golden Cliffs³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Paddy Harnett⁽¹⁰⁾| T: A Slattery| OR: 54

16/1

Has run to a similar level in three starts in maidens at up to this trip, albeit never landing a blow. Has more realistic claims now handicapping, but still isn't easy to warm to.

Form: 098

Non-Runners

(8)

Bellepower²⁰

Weight: 8-9| Age: 3

T: J Feane J: Reserve 1

(17)

For Everyone³¹

Weight: 8-9| Age: 3

T: M M McNiff J: Reserve 2

(16)

Vita Veritas¹⁹

Weight: 8-8| Age: 3

T: J J Murphy J: Reserve 3

Forecasts

Ellaat (10/3), Pearl Warrior (9/2), Musalsal (9/2), Millford Sound (5/1), Bellepower (10/1), Clashaniska (12/1), Alice Milligan (12/1), Bear Claws (16/1), Bar Room Bore (16/1), Golden Cliffs (16/1), Followme Followyou (20/1), Scotts Honor (20/1), For Everyone (20/1), Palabres (33/1), Clemencia (33/1), Light Of Fire (33/1), Vita Veritas (33/1)

MUSALSAL has plenty of 1¼m winners in his pedigree, some of them very smart, and he has shown enough in maidens at shorter to think he can make a mockery of his opening mark. Ellaat is feared on the form he has been showing in similar events, while Pearl Warrior was better than the result last time, and should be competitive for his in-form stable.