16:30 Gowran Park

Thursday 26 September 2019

All13:4014:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:0017:35

Jumps Racing Returns To Gowran Park October 4th Apprentice Handicap (45-65) (Div 1)

Off time: 16:30 | Winning time: 1m 45.22s

(17)

Scorpion Black⁴³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: O J Orr| T: D K Weld| OR: 62| CD

6/1

A C&D winner here two starts back where he broke his maiden. He was unable to follow it up last time at this course over the longer trip of 1m1½f as he had to settle for sixth of 16. One for the shortlist.

Form: 022616

(9)

Avalanche^p,t¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 9-9| J: T P Madden| T: T J O'Mara| OR: 59| D

16/1

Distance winner and successful in three of his 50 Flat starts on turf, though has not won since 2017. Well below-par form looks set to continue.

Form: 545258

(1)

Prime Chief²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Killian Leonard| T: J P Fahey| OR: 55

4/1

Not disgraced in four starts for trainer George Baker two years ago. Gradually getting the hang of things since return from an absence of 608 days in July. Second of 16 over C&D earlier this month and one for any shortlist.

Form: 866/742

(8)

Highway To Heaven²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Andrew Slattery| T: T G McCourt| OR: 54| C

7/1

Winner at the 16th attempt when landing a course handicap over a similar trip last month off a 9lb lower mark. Beaten since but a live contender in this company.

Form: 78-0018

(5)

Jungle Jungle⁶¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Ross Coakley| T: J C McConnell| OR: 58

10/1

12-race maiden for two previous trainer, well beaten over C&D in May but did go close at Limerick over 6½f when last seen in July. Inconsistent profile and starting out for latest yard here.

Form: 865245

(6)

Lady In Lavender³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: J M Sheridan⁽⁴⁾| T: D Hogan| OR: 52

4/1

Maiden, yet to hit the frame in five starts on the Flat. Hurdling of late, needs to improve significantly on return to the level.

Form: 6-0700

(4)

Small Town Boy^t¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Gavin Ryan| T: J C McConnell| OR: 56

25/1

Still looking for breakthrough success in seven starts on turf. Well down the field in three starts in the last month, including finishing last of 18 at Navan on most recent run.

Form: 248000

(11)

The Lady's Bid^p¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Mikey Sheehy⁽⁷⁾| T: P M Rogers| OR: 50

10/1

Off the mark for connections at the ninth time of asking when landing a Navan 1m2f handicap earlier this month off a 4lb lower mark. Drop in trip not guaranteed to suit.

Form: 0-049U1

(3)

Ancient Astronaut^b1²²

Age: 6| Weight: 8-9| J: Ben Coen| T: K Thornton| OR: 45

25/1

Winner of three of his 29 Flat starts on turf, last success coming in an Thirsk handicap two years ago off a 27lb higher mark when in the care of trainer John Quinn. First time blinkers unlikely to bring about the required progress needed.

Form: 000606

(7)

Bye Bye Brussels²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: S M Mooney⁽⁴⁾| T: A J McNamara| OR: 45

50/1

Below-par 14-race maiden yet to hit the frame in 10 starts on turf. Well beaten for three previous trainers and finished well down the field on yet another stable debut at Cork earlier this month. Appears out of her depth.

Form: 8-90000

(16)

Caronda²²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: Emma Louise Doyle⁽⁷⁾| T: T Doyle| OR: 45

33/1

10-race maiden yet to hit the frame in four below-par efforts on turf. Still looking no nearer to breakthrough success here.

Form: 848609

(18)

Delegating^b1⁴³

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: Paddy Harnett⁽⁴⁾| T: K H Clarke| OR: 45

33/1

27-race maiden without success in 18 starts on turf. Well beaten and no impression on latest start at this venue last month over 1m1½f. Drop back to this trip will suit in first-time blinkers but likely to find a couple stronger once again.

Form: 095500

(19)

Harvey Specter⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 8-9| J: Dylan Browne McMonagle⁽⁷⁾| T: R Donohoe| OR: 45| D

7/1

Winner of two of his 24 Flat starts on turf but the gelding is now racing 15lb lower than last winning mark. Needs to show more sparkle before any faith is placed in him once again.

Form: 0090-06

(10)

Loudest Whisper²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: Nathan Crosse| T: E D Delany| OR: 45

8/1

Without success in 13 Flat starts on turf, but the filly is a likable sort who has been running well in defeat in a number of starts since June. No surprise to see a gallant run.

Form: 043644

(12)

Ojinjintka^p⁴³

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: W T Byrne⁽⁴⁾| T: H Rogers| OR: 45| D

33/1

Losing run now dates back over two years and will need to improve on overall form to play a significant role in this contest now running 17lb lower than last winning mark.

Form: 988-7R0

(14)

Bobby Cool^b1²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: Alan Persse⁽⁴⁾| T: A McNamara| OR: 45

50/1

Little to show in the way of ability in five innocuous efforts since debut in May. First time blinkers unlikely to bring about the required amount of improvement needed to play a role here.

Form: 00800

Non-Runners

(15)

Lady Cedar¹⁵¹

Weight: 9-3| Age: 3

T: J M Oxx J: Reserve 1

(13)

Crinkell⁷⁵

Weight: 8-13| Age: 4

T: M A Gunn J: Reserve 2

(2)

Starbella²⁹

Weight: 8-10| Age: 3

T: T Gibney J: Reserve 3

Forecasts

Lady In Lavender (4/1), Prime Chief (4/1), Scorpion Black (6/1), Harvey Specter (7/1), Highway To Heaven (7/1), Loudest Whisper (8/1), The Lady's Bid (10/1), Jungle Jungle (10/1), Avalanche (16/1), Small Town Boy (25/1), Ancient Astronaut (25/1), Caronda (33/1), Ojinjintka (33/1), Delegating (33/1), Bye Bye Brussels (50/1), Bobby Cool (50/1), Crinkell (50/1), Lady Cedar (50/1), Starbella (50/1)

SCORPION BLACK didn't take to the extended 1m1f here last month following a win over C&D in June. The Dermot Weld gelding can get the upper hand in this competitive looking handicap at the expense of recent Navan winner, The Lady's Bid, course winner, Highway To Heaven and the Denis Hogan-trained, Lady In Lavender.