18:20 Gowran Park

Wednesday 14 August 2019

All16:4517:2017:5018:2018:5019:2019:5020:20

McEnery Cup Handicap

Off time: 18:21 | Winning time: 2m 42.1s

(7)

Morga¹²

Age: 9| Weight: 9-4| J: Declan McDonogh| T: D McDonogh| OR: 92| D

33/1

Didn't look very dangerous when fifth of seven at Galway (1m6f; good) upon seasonal return to action on the level. Out of form over hurdles throughout the winter, and she is a lot more exposed compared to quite a few of these. Best watched.

Form: 90/233-5

(9)

Inscribe^b1¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons| OR: 89| C

8/1

Desperately struggling for form in three runs since justifying market favouritism at Navan (1m5f; good to yielding) in early-June. This isn't much easier than his latest assignment where he could only beat one rival in a 12-runner affair at Galway.

Form: 3-41770

(6)

Magnetic North¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Robbie Colgan| T: S Lavery| OR: 88

8/1

Unable to get the hat-trick up at the Galway Festival, where he ran twice in one week. Wasn't disgraced on either of those starts and he has been in largely consistent form throughout 2019. Step up to 1m4f could unlock more improvement.

Form: 551173

(5)

Perfect Tapatino²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: D O'Brien| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 88| D

5/1

Did very well to come from where he did when patiently ridden and still managing to finish a neck second at the Curragh (1m4f; good) last time. Only 1lb higher than for that effort, and he could resume winning ways if ridden a bit more prominently.

Form: 4-48192

(11)

Trossachs^t²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger| OR: 98| D

9/2

Progressive sort who was inconvenienced by the step up to 2m when beaten a long way into third at the Curragh (2m; good to firm) when last seen. Scored a hat-trick prior to that and drop back to 1m4f is firmly in his favour.

Form: 441113

(4)

Formula One^h²³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: S Foley| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 82| D

11/2

Still unexposed and produced a clear best since arriving on these shores when defeating Melburnian at Ballinrobe (1m5f; good) over slightly further. Up in the weights though, and now worse off with that rival. Place claims at best.

Form: 159-061

(2)

Contrapposto¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: A C Persse⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs A M O'Shea| OR: 81

25/1

Steps up in trip and in class after a pair of lesser efforts in slightly weaker company of late. Not disgraced when fourth at this track over 1m1f last time, but that form is not good enough in today's context.

Form: 353594

(3)

Utah^v1¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: Nathan Crosse⁽⁵⁾| T: J J Lambe| OR: 81

20/1

Out of form of late and is hard to get excited about. Finished last on two of his previous three starts, but this represents a drop in grade after he tackled 'Listed' company recently. Still has a bit to prove.

Form: 60/0747

(8)

De Name Escapes Me^t¹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 8-6| J: Chris Hayes| T: N Meade| OR: 80

11/4

Made a very promising start to life on the level. Below-par effort over hurdles recently, but return to this code may spark a revival. Work to do to reverse the form with the upwardly mobile Trossachs who he reopposes with now.

Form: 12

(10)

Melburnian²³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-4| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A J Martin| OR: 76| D

10/1

Yard going well and was just under two-length behind Formula One at Ballinrobe (1m5f; good) last time out. That was arguably a career best. Better off with that rival now and every possibility she may reverse the form. On the shortlist.

Form: 191-453

Non-Runners

(1)

Stivers²¹⁴

Weight: 10-3| Age: 6

T: D K Weld J: O J Orr

Forecasts

De Name Escapes Me (11/4), Trossachs (9/2), Perfect Tapatino (5/1), Formula One (11/2), Stivers (15/2), Inscribe (8/1), Magnetic North (8/1), Melburnian (10/1), Utah (20/1), Contrapposto (25/1), Morga (33/1)

A good-quality middle-distance handicap in which Melburnian and Formula One are closely matched on the form of their Ballinrobe meeting recently. The former is fancied to reverse the form as she is now 2lbs better off with the latter. The Joseph O'Brien-trained Perfect Tapatino bounced back with a fine effort when a narrow second at the Curragh when he was held-up for most of the race, and it is unlikely his progress is going to stop anytime soon. However, he may have to play the bridesmaid once more, this time to TROSSACHS. The selection was bidding for the four-timer prior to being stretched by the trip last time out and can resume his progress returned to 1m4f.