16:25 Curragh

Tuesday 22 October 2019

All13:0013:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:2516:55

Thank You For Your Support In 2019 Curragh Handicap (45-65) (Div 1)

Off time: 16:29 | Winning time: 1m 32.01s

(19)

Scorpion Black^v⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: D A McCormack⁽⁵⁾| T: D K Weld| OR: 65| D

5/1

Winner of two of his last four starts including a win over a similar trip in a Gowran Park heavy ground handicap earlier this month off a 3lb lower mark. Rise in the weights far from certain to stop a big effort in this contest.

Form: 261691

(5)

Eacharn¹⁵⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Andrew Slattery⁽⁵⁾| T: A Slattery| OR: 59| D

9/1

Has solid form on the all-weather over the winter but he has yet to reproduce those outings on turf so far in his career. Not seen since May, this run may lead to a winter campaign on the AW at Dundalk.

Form: 305706

(7)

Yafordadoe¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Gary Carroll| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 61

14/1

No impression and eased final furlong on a dismal effort at Limerick earlier this month following a number of solid displays when running well in defeat over the summer. Any market support would be worth noting.

Form: 084720

(22)

Lily Lily Rose⁴³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Chris Hayes| T: A A Howard| OR: 58

8/1

Mixed messages of late in a number of starts since returning to action in June. Well held at Listowel over 6½ last month and needs to show more consistency before any faith is placed in her.

Form: 9-08480

(13)

Rudisha^p⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: James J Doyle| T: D Hogan| OR: 58

8/1

Seven-race maiden, produced a career best effort on heavy ground on his latest start in a Gowran Park 7f handicap earlier this month finishing second of 16 beaten 3½L. No surprise to see a big run once again.

Form: 540902

(12)

Undeniable Fact¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: K J Manning| T: R O'Brien| OR: 56

20/1

Five-race maiden well held on all starts though best effort did come last time out at Limerick, beaten 7L on heavy ground earlier this month. Others hold stronger profiles.

Form: 09907

(21)

Everyhouronthehour⁴⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Seamie Heffernan| T: W Ross| OR: 55

16/1

Readily opposed after failing to show much in three career starts to date. Sent off at big prices on each start so far, running accordingly on each occasion. Hard to fancy.

Form: 089

(20)

Miracles In May²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Mikey Sheehy⁽⁷⁾| T: M A Cahill| OR: 53

3/1

Off the mark for connections in a Naas 1m handicap in April off a 2lb lower mark. Beaten since but ran well in defeat at this venue on return to action over 1m last month finishing fourth of 24 beaten 5L on soft ground. Not to be taken lightly.

Form: 8-21054

(16)

Procurator^t,v²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: T P Madden⁽³⁾| T: T J O'Mara| OR: 53| D

20/1

Won a career third win at Roscommon over 7f in July beating Piper Bomb off a 1lb higher mark. Not ruled out but needs to put a couple of recent below-par efforts behind him.

Form: 180008

(17)

Sharg^p⁵³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: J M Sheridan⁽⁷⁾| T: D Hogan| OR: 52

20/1

16-race maiden who has failed to score on six starts on turf. Recently seen struggling in a number of starts over hurdles in a fruitless summer jumping campaign. Handicapper relents but still plenty of work to be done.

Form: 5-07000

(1)

Sahreej^p,t⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-11| J: D E Sheehy⁽⁵⁾| T: P W Flynn| OR: 48

25/1

Two career victories came over four years ago when in the care of trainer Charles Hills. Well held in six starts for current connections and hard to make a case for the Zebedee gelding now racing 35lb lower than last winning mark.

Form: 090968

(2)

Caronda²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: Emma Louise Doyle⁽¹⁰⁾| T: T Doyle| OR: 45

33/1

11-race maiden yet to hit the frame in five starts on turf. Manner of defeats in a number of starts since April make the Aussie Rules filly hard to make a case for in this company.

Form: 486090

(3)

Crafty Hugo¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: Leigh Roche| T: D A McLoughlin| OR: 45

9/1

Yet to hit the frame in any of his 14 starts, including in 11 starts on turf when in the care of trainer Fozzy Stack. Progress 3f on stable debut staying on well in the closing stages at Navan earlier this month over 1m2f. Significant drop in trip.

Form: 777586

(18)

Harry Speed^t⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 8-8| J: N G McCullagh| T: G Donnelly| OR: 45| D

28/1

Last win came over two years ago in an Ayr handicap. Not discredited in a number of starts over the summer and hard to rule out racing 10lb lower than last winning mark.

Form: 632690

(11)

Mimic's Memory^v⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-8| J: Karen Kenny⁽⁷⁾| T: T G McCourt| OR: 45| D

33/1

Sole win in 33 starts came on Fibresand at Southwell in 2017 for trainer Ann Duffield. Running well in defeat in a number of starts over the summer and one for the shortlist if forgiving last two starts at Ballinrobe and Laytown.

Form: 004509

(6)

Mr Whoppit^p,t⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: Killian Leonard| T: P J F Murphy| OR: 45

20/1

13-race maiden. Goes well with give in the ground not beaten far in 16 and 15-runner handicaps over a similar trip. Can give a good account without posing serious threat to principals.

Form: 699668

(15)

Paddytheirishman¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 8-8| J: Rory Cleary| T: G T Lynch| OR: 45

66/1

44-race maiden still looking for a breakthrough success in 18 Flat starts on turf. Finishing third of 16 at Cork in October last year off a 5lb higher looks to be one of geldings better efforts. Tough ask and others preferred.

Form: 0409U0

(14)

Raise The Tempo⁵⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: C G O'Dwyer⁽¹⁰⁾| T: C O'Dwyer| OR: 45

33/1

16-race maiden still looking for a breakthrough success in 10 starts on turf. Hints of improvement on her most recent starts in August but not enough to be taken seriously here.

Form: 0-00008

(4)

Talk Now⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: Alan Persse⁽⁷⁾| T: T Cleary| OR: 45| D

25/1

Well held in a number of starts since July but goes well in similar conditions. Last five defeats over a variety of trips have brought the filly back down to her last winning mark. Worth a market check.

Form: 190900

(8)

Countess Matilda⁵¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: C P Hoban| T: M J Smith| OR: 45

12/1

Hints of improvement in a number of starts over a variety of trips since August including finishing fifth of 25 beaten 7L at Cork last month but overall profile suggests the filly is worth taking on again.

Form: 608006

(10)

One For Della⁵⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: M A Gallagher| T: T Doyle| OR: 45

40/1

Five-race maiden with all efforts since her debut in a Gowran Park maiden 12 months ago have been below-par and has not shown enough overall to be of interest here.

Form: 09-00S

Non-Runners

(9)

Comhghairdeas⁴

Weight: 8-12| Age: 5

T: A Slattery J: Paddy Harnett

Forecasts

Miracles In May (3/1), Scorpion Black (5/1), Lily Lily Rose (8/1), Rudisha (8/1), Crafty Hugo (9/1), Eacharn (9/1), Countess Matilda (12/1), Comhghairdeas (12/1), Yafordadoe (14/1), Everyhouronthehour (16/1), Sharg (20/1), Undeniable Fact (20/1), Procurator (20/1), Mr Whoppit (20/1), Talk Now (25/1), Sahreej (25/1), Harry Speed (28/1), Raise The Tempo (33/1), Mimic's Memory (33/1), Caronda (33/1), One For Della (40/1), Paddytheirishman (66/1)

The Dermot Weld-trained SCORPION BLACK is in a good run of form right now winning two of his last four starts. The Shamardal has shown a liking for the current conditions and can defy a 3lb rise in the weights to see of the attentions of his closest rivals Miracles In May who finished fourth of 24 beaten 5L on soft ground at this venue last month and the Denis Hogan-trained, Rudisha, second of 16 over a similar trip at Gowran Park on heavy ground earlier this month. Improved efforts from Procurator and Talk Now would not surprise.