14:35 Curragh

Saturday 28 September 2019

All13:2514:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:5517:30

Manguard Plus Joe McGrath Handicap (Premier Handicap)

Off time: 14:37 | Winning time: 1m 2.10s

(3)

Urban Beat^p1³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-1| J: Ben Coen⁽⁵⁾| T: J P Murtagh| OR: 101| BF| C| D

13/2

Course winner that has also won over the trip. Beaten on latest start beaten into third behind Nitro Boost in a Listed contest at Tipperary last month. First-time cheekpieces likely to assist.

Form: 0-41743

(9)

Rapid Reaction³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: Paddy Harnett⁽⁷⁾| T: J F Grogan| OR: 97| D

25/1

Winner of this contest 12 months ago when run a Naas off a 22lb lower mark. Ran well over this trip in a Tipperary Listed contest last month when second of 12 beaten a nose by Nitro Boost on good ground. Market check.

Form: 653902

(17)

Ardhoomey^t¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-8| J: Gary Carroll| T: G M Lyons| OR: 94| CD

12/1

Duel C&D winner who is not quite as consistent as he once was, but has shown flashes of his old self this year. Eighth of 24 beaten 5½L at this venue over 6f earlier this month and capable of a bold bid here.

Form: 430788

(16)

Make A Challenge^p¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: James J Doyle| T: D Hogan| OR: 94| C

5/1

Won a 6f handicap on soft ground here last month off a 6lb lower mark when landing a fourth career win on the Flat. Capable of another bold bid with conditions to suit.

Form: 151112

(13)

Cityman^b²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Andrew Slattery⁽⁵⁾| T: A Slattery| OR: 93| D

11/1

Solid and consistent type of late winning two of his last four starts, running between 5f and 6f. Winner of a Navan handicap over a similar trip earlier this month off an 8lb lower mark and very much in the mix here.

Form: 221771

(20)

Verhoyen^b⁷⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Billy Lee| T: M C Grassick| OR: 91| C

9/1

Now 22lb higher than when landing a 30-runner handicap in May at this venue over 6f. Raised another 9lb for latest win here in July and one to check in the betting as post time approaches.

Form: 413421

(18)

Angelic Light^t⁵⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Leigh Roche| T: M O'Callaghan| OR: 91| C

40/1

Highly tried in three starts this term. Well down the field in the Group 3 Phoenix Sprint Stakes here over 6f last month and could be of interest on first start over this trip.

Form: 471-508

(19)

Only Spoofing²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Gavin Ryan⁽⁵⁾| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 89| BF| D

14/1

British raider. Solid handicapper, winner of seven of his 26 Flat starts on turf. Landed a hat-trick of wins over the summer and has continued to run with credit in defeat since. Should be a leading contender if getting the run of the race.

Form: 111392

(6)

Shatharaat^t¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Ronan Whelan| T: A Oliver| OR: 87

14/1

Sole win in eight starts came in a Listowel maiden over 7f, 12 months ago. Not disgraced in a number of starts over 7f and 1m this term and capable of a big run dropping in trip.

Form: 20-0375

(2)

Master Matt^p¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: K J Manning| T: M J Smith| OR: 83| CD

8/1

Winner over C&D on his only start over the combination when landing a soft ground handicap last month off a 9lb lower mark. Beaten since but could be a danger if things fall right.

Form: 051260

(5)

Scorching Heat¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 8-10| J: Declan McDonogh| T: A McGuinness| OR: 82

14/1

Off for a long time before return/stable debut behind Sirjack Thomas at Sligo last month before a couple of promising efforts here over 6f in the last month. 2lb lower than last winning mark and one to note in the betting.

Form: 21/4-570

(15)

Aurora Eclipse^v1⁴³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: Gary Halpin| T: M O'Callaghan| OR: 80| D

12/1

Hasn't won since her maiden success back in 2017. Not disgraced when running with credit in a number of starts this term. Intermittent visits to the track may not be helping but worth a market check in first-time visor.

Form: 80-4083

(7)

Emadee¹⁷⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: Rory Cleary| T: A Slattery| OR: 80| D

33/1

Lightly-raced daughter of Zebedee, winner of one of her four Flat starts on turf, back in July 2017. Plenty to prove on first run since April.

Form: 15/363-4

(8)

Castletownshend¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-6| J: Mikey Sheehy⁽¹⁰⁾| T: T M Walsh| OR: 78

12/1

15-race maiden but far from discredited in a number of starts over the summer. Beaten 1L in a 14-runner contest over C&D last month and worth a check in the market as post time looms.

Form: 423666

(21)

Fridtjof Nansen^b⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-6| J: Chris Hayes| T: K P Cotter| OR: 78| BF| C

7/1

Off the mark for connections at the 18th time of asking when landing a 6½f handicap on yielding ground last month off a 12lb lower mark. Beaten since from his revised mark and liable to find a couple stronger here.

Form: 644142

(11)

Aspen Belle^t²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-5| J: Killian Leonard| T: P Martin| OR: 77| D

20/1

Has continued to run well in defeat since winning a Cork handicap over a similar trip on good to yielding ground in June off a 10lb lower mark. Capable of another bold show.

Form: 415227

(4)

Maarek¹³

Age: 12| Weight: 8-4| J: M A Gallagher| T: Miss E McCutcheon| OR: 76| CD

33/1

Highly popular veteran who was top-class in his prime, but is on the decline nowadays. 23lb lower than last winning mark and difficult to see him making a significant impact here.

Form: 756400

(14)

Aleef^t¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 8-4| J: N G McCullagh| T: K J Condon| OR: 76| D

33/1

Has continued to run well in defeat since landing a fourth career Flat win on turf in a Naas 5f contest in July. One to consider on recent displays.

Form: 361483

(12)

Tide Of Time⁴⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-4| J: C P Hoban| T: E Lynam| OR: 76| BF| D

16/1

Front runner scored career win number three at Down Royal in June and has continued to run well in defeat in a couple of starts since. No surprise to see a big run once again.

Form: 5-00132

(1)

Zathura¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-4| J: C G O'Dwyer⁽¹⁰⁾| T: G T Lynch| OR: 77

66/1

Eight-race maiden running well in defeat in a busy period of starts within the last six weeks. Improvement needed if he is to take this contest.

Form: 820600

Non-Runners

(10)

Primo Uomo¹

Weight: 9-13| Age: 7

T: G O'Leary J: J M Sheridan

Forecasts

Make A Challenge (5/1), Urban Beat (13/2), Fridtjof Nansen (7/1), Master Matt (8/1), Verhoyen (9/1), Cityman (11/1), Ardhoomey (12/1), Aurora Eclipse (12/1), Castletownshend (12/1), Only Spoofing (14/1), Scorching Heat (14/1), Shatharaat (14/1), Tide Of Time (16/1), Aspen Belle (20/1), Rapid Reaction (25/1), Primo Uomo (25/1), Aleef (33/1), Maarek (33/1), Emadee (33/1), Angelic Light (40/1), Zathura (66/1)

Wide-open looking contest where most of the pace appears to be from stall 12 and higher. The initial pace of Time Of Time may give a handy pull into the race for stalking and closing types the likes of Aurora Eclipse in a first-time visor, the solid and consistent, Aspen Belle and the Denis Hogan-trained, MAKE A CHALLENGE a winner at this track over 6f last month. Cityman, Verhoyen, Angelic Light, British raider Only Spoofing and Aleef with all be around the pace and should not be underestimated.