19:15 Curragh

Friday 16 August 2019

All16:4017:1017:4518:1518:4519:1519:5020:20

Launch Of The Irish Derby - 'More Than A Race' On TG4 Handicap

Off time: 19:21 | Winning time: 2m 15.27s

(5)

Vhagar^b¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-12| J: D O'Brien| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 67

20/1

Was in good form on the sand at Dundalk last winter but three starts on turf this season, including in a hurdle last time, have left plenty to be desired. This looks a bit easier but all the same, has a bit to prove at present.

Form: 213-370

(23)

Dragon Roll^p1²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-11| J: T P Madden⁽³⁾| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 66

14/1

No issue with this trip or likely soft ground, but needs to put a below par effort at Ballinrobe last time out behind her. To that end, cheekpieces added today could help the situation, and she's not out of this.

Form: 8-07430

(28)

Four Leaf Clover¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-11| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 66

9/1

Stayed on into midfield at Galway (12f) last time out and drop back to this trip is not likely to pose any problems. Goes handicapping on a fair mark for top yard and has to be considered, with improvement likely.

Form: 8-0087

(3)

Takarengo¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: Gary Carroll| T: T Mullins| OR: 65

16/1

Definite improvement when fifth behind the useful Buildmeupbuttercup at Galway last time, but handicapper gives him a proper boot for it, putting him up 14lb. Looks harsh, and the form may not be that solid. Risky.

Form: 0-0095

(25)

Belle Cora^p¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Shane Foley| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 64

12/1

Only beaten ½l at Ballinrobe in June (9½f) on rain-softened ground, so should stay, and drop back to a mile was probably against her last time out. Chances if bouncing back then.

Form: 0-45270

(12)

Ultra Pride⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Robbie Colgan| T: S Lavery| OR: 63

8/1

Running with some consistency at present but equally, it would be fair to say the handicapper has him about right. Slower ground would probably be no help either, and not hard to look elsewhere.

Form: 77-5546

(1)

Porterinthejungle¹⁰⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Gavin Ryan⁽⁷⁾| T: P J F Murphy| OR: 62

16/1

Handles soft ground well, as she showed at Gowran Park last October (1m), but not seen out since April and likely to need this to put her straight. May have more improvement to come though, so worth keeping an eye on for the future.

Form: 3568-83

(21)

Cliara^h1⁵³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Ross Coakley| T: J C McConnell| OR: 60| BF

40/1

Very well backed to take a claimer at Ballinrobe last time but was well beaten again, and connections now go for a hood to help her settle better. Looks risky at present, and no guarantees this trip is what she wants either.

Form: 85-0844

(15)

Bear Claws^b1,t⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Leigh Roche| T: A Oliver| OR: 57

11/1

Looked hard work at Sligo last time, stayed on late for fourth, and no surprise that connections are giving blinkers a try. Early days so could improve a little if they do the trick, and not totally out of this, with conditions probably fine.

Form: 593874

(29)

High Glory⁶³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: D W O'Connor⁽³⁾| T: J F Levins| OR: 55

20/1

Not beaten far over a mile at Gowran Park in May but that run very much the highlight of his five starts so far. Trip probably fine but needs improvement from somewhere.

Form: 000-70

(19)

Jess's Corner^h1⁴⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Colin Keane| T: T G McCourt| OR: 54

25/1

Caught the eye when finishing midfield at Bellewstown last time and looked one to note when going into handicaps, so of interest here. Hood now added too, and if he finishes his race off better, could have a say.

Form: 607

(10)

Bellepower²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: M A Gallagher| T: J Feane| OR: 53| BF

16/1

No win in 11 starts but almost got off the mark at Naas two starts ago, denied by a nose. Bit below par last time but winner of that has gone in again since, so if handling likely slower conditions here, has chances.

Form: 220024

(2)

Mosh²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Rory Cleary| T: J M Barrett| OR: 53

14/1

Much better when third at Down Royal (12f) last time, possibly unlucky not to get closer but still run all the same. Drop back in trip possibly not ideal but might now be going forward and as such, can't be discounted here.

Form: 00-0503

(8)

Bendzonic^b⁶³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: James J Doyle| T: D Hogan| OR: 52

33/1

Hard to find many positives from her recent starts and although the handicapper is already dropping her chunks, she makes little appeal on what she's achieved so far.

Form: 90-0098

(6)

Ozone²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Wayne Lordan| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 52

5/1

Hadn't shown much before her midfield finish at Killarney last time but she did catch the eye there, and might have done better with a clear run. With top yard and improvement likely again at some stage, so has to be considered.

Form: 00307-6

(9)

Palabres⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Nathan Crosse⁽⁵⁾| T: Peter Fahey| OR: 52

25/1

Not progressing and was well beaten at Sligo last time, the step up in trip there seemingly doing little to help. Others makes much more appeal.

Form: 700-766

(7)

Spelga^h⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Ronan Whelan| T: M Halford| OR: 52

20/1

His effort at Gowran Park two starts ago wasn't dreadful but that run aside, there's little to shout about this year and the handicapper agrees, dropping him another 2lb for his latest Naas effort. Needs to get back on track.

Form: 70-9060

(20)

Vita Veritas²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Seamie Heffernan| T: J J Murphy| OR: 52

25/1

Killarney effort over 11f on his latest start was at least a step in the right direction and hinted at better to come, and as he's only had the five starts, some improvement is possible here.

Form: 09907

(22)

Sensual Scent²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: A J Farragher⁽⁷⁾| T: J J Murphy| OR: 51

33/1

Not much promise to be taken from her first four efforts but it was better at Killarney last time , staying on for fourth in a 1m claimer. Needs more over a new trip today, but at least that was a step forward.

Form: 00604

(24)

Arcland³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Chris Hayes| T: H Rogers| OR: 50

16/1

Best run from his seven starts to date came at Naas in April (1m), finishing third. Probably did too much too soon back there last time so that run best forgiven, and he's worth a second look here.

Form: 00-3706

(26)

Castlegrove⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Alan Persse⁽⁷⁾| T: R Donohoe| OR: 50

50/1

Four starts have seen him sent off big prices every time, and finish well beaten, so hard to take many positives from them. No better on first start in a handicap last time, and hard to fancy.

Form: 0000

(13)

Gold Standard¹⁰⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Killian Leonard| T: J J Murphy| OR: 50

50/1

Was going nowhere quickly when last seen out in the spring, so needs the break to have done him a lot of good. Trip and likely slow ground unknowns too, and it all looks a bit too much to take on trust.

Form: 8007-00

(18)

Manard^p1²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: C P Hoban| T: H Rogers| OR: 47

33/1

No wins or places in eight starts but there was a hint of better to come at Killarney last time and the addition of cheekpieces here is interesting. Gets another bit of help from the handicapper and is worth a glance in the market for any support.

Form: 06-0608

(4)

Queen Mia^b1⁶³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: Andrew Slattery⁽⁵⁾| T: D K Weld| OR: 46

10/1

Some promise to be taken from her four starts to date and this step up to 10f may well bring about a bit of improvement, as might the addition of some headgear. With top yard and too soon to write her off.

Form: 58-09

Non-Runners

(11)

Crimson King⁷⁶

Weight: 9-9| Age: 3

T: C O'Brien J: N G McCullagh

(17)

National Identity¹¹

Weight: 9-7| Age: 3

T: J S Bolger J: K J Manning

(27)

Puddymore²²

Weight: 8-5| Age: 3

T: Mrs P Dobbs J: Reserve 1

(14)

Rhosgobel⁶¹

Weight: 8-5| Age: 3

T: D K Weld J: Reserve 2

(16)

Fescue²¹

Weight: 8-4| Age: 3

T: J C McConnell J: Reserve 3

Forecasts

Ozone (5/1), National Identity (6/1), Ultra Pride (8/1), Four Leaf Clover (9/1), Queen Mia (10/1), Bear Claws (11/1), Belle Cora (12/1), Dragon Roll (14/1), Mosh (14/1), Fescue (14/1), Takarengo (16/1), Bellepower (16/1), Arcland (16/1), Porterinthejungle (16/1), High Glory (20/1), Spelga (20/1), Vhagar (20/1), Crimson King (20/1), Rhosgobel (20/1), Vita Veritas (25/1), Palabres (25/1), Jess's Corner (25/1), Manard (33/1), Bendzonic (33/1), Sensual Scent (33/1), Puddymore (33/1), Cliara (40/1), Gold Standard (50/1), Castlegrove (50/1)

The only one of these to have won on soft ground, if that's what it is, is Porterinthejungle, who was successful on it last year but may need this run after a break. In the hope the cheekpieces liven her up a little, DRAGON ROLL is given a chance to bounce back after a poor effort last time out. Her earlier form is solid enough and she seems to handle some cut. Manard and Queen Mia both need a look in the market as support for either needs to be noted, and it'll be a surprise if we've seen the best of Ozone yet.