15:35 Naas

Saturday 4 July 2020

All14:0014:3015:0515:3516:0516:4017:1517:45

Support Naas Local Businesses Handicap (50-80)

Off time: 15:36 | Winning time: 1m 31.49s

(10)

Darkest^b¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 10-0| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 78| BF

11/1

Five-race maiden but getting the hang of things of late, culminating with solid 1L third in 7f Fairyhouse maiden last month. No respite given for handicap debut though but entitled to claims.

Form: 0082-3

(5)

Kokura²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 10-0| J: Ben Coen⁽³⁾| T: J P Murtagh| OR: 78| D

8/1

Winner on final start last term at Dundalk and subsequently gelded since. Looked in need of the effort when 9L seventh at Leopardstown (7f, good) last month but has the scope still to progress once more. Not without hope for in-form trainer.

Form: 06-217

(2)

But You Said³⁵⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-12| J: Shane Foley| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 76

16/1

Thrice-raced maiden. Best effort came when second to subsequent Listed winner at Navan last year but last seen finishing 15L eighth at Fairyhouse (6f) in July 2019. Has tough task on comeback effort.

Form: 728-

(9)

Miss Molly T^h⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-12| J: Colin Keane| T: G Keane| OR: 76

9/1

Showed plenty of promise in 2019 but not really hit the same heights yet this term. Showed glimpses when beaten 6L at the Curragh (1m) and given workable mark for handicap debut. On the shortlist.

Form: 643-00

(1)

Wild Cherry^t1⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-11| J: Mikey Sheehy⁽⁷⁾| T: J Feane| OR: 75

5/1

Five-race maiden who has some promise in the form book. Unfancied and ran accordingly on handicap bow however when 6L ninth at the Curragh (1m) and needs to show more to be competitive in this.

Form: 504-69

(4)

Funny Little Ways¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: S M Crosse⁽³⁾| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 72| BF| D

5/1

Off the mark for connections at Dundalk last term and hit back into form when 1L second at Limerick (6f, good) in mid-June. Up 3lb since however but looks to be getting the hang of things now.

Form: 8-65102

(6)

Joven¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: J M Sheridan⁽⁷⁾| T: T Mullins| OR: 72

8/1

Generally runs well in defeat as of present and bounced back from poor effort when 4L sixth in 6f maiden at this venue last month. Needs more to win but may just run on for a place.

Form: 3265-06

(7)

Madaket Mystery²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Gary Halpin| T: J Davison| OR: 72

13/2

Placed third in first three career starts and took the eye when staying on fifth (beaten 7L) on handicap debut at Leopardstown (7f) on latest start. Goes off the same mark in this and may have some more progression to come.

Form: 333-5

(12)

Celtic Crown⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Killian Leonard| T: J J Murphy| OR: 70

40/1

Outsider in all four starts to date (including two for this yard) and looked set for handicaps when eighth of 13 at the Curragh (1m2f) eight days ago. Drastic drop back in trip for handicap bow and faces tough task on paper.

Form: 75-78

(3)

Harbanaker^t¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Ronan Whelan| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 69

14/1

Ran two efforts of promise at Dundalk during the winter but not fared well since, including 14L fifth at Gowran (1m, yielding) last month. Doesn't look to be well treated once more so best watched until in lesser company.

Form: 8-3365

(11)

Star Of Cashel^p1,t1²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Chris Hayes| T: J A Stack| OR: 66

4/1

Four-race maiden who wasn't really showing signs of progress until good effort on handicap bow when 7L third at Leopardstown (7f, good to firm) in early June. Off the same mark in this and looks dangerous from basement weight.

Form: 987-3

Non-Runners

(8)

On Tick²¹

Weight: 9-11| Age: 3

T: Miss K Brown J: K K Hennessy

Forecasts

Star Of Cashel (4/1), Funny Little Ways (5/1), Wild Cherry (5/1), Madaket Mystery (13/2), Kokura (8/1), Joven (8/1), Miss Molly T (9/1), Darkest (11/1), Harbanaker (14/1), But You Said (16/1), On Tick (20/1), Celtic Crown (40/1)

It may prove well to look towards the bottom of the weights in this open-looking handicap and MADAKET MYSTERY still remains unexposed for this level. She blew the start last time out but hit the finishing line fast and hasn't been penalised for that and could be thereabouts if breaking cleanly. Her form is matched with Star Of Cashel who looked better placed in handicap company last time out, while Miss Molly T drops to an ideal trip off an ideal mark for her handicap bow and may have more to come at this level. Of course, Darkest cannot be ignored with her trainer rarely throwing sorts into handicaps, but with her opening mark, the handicapper looks to be taking no chances.