19:15 Curragh

Friday 10 July 2020

All16:1516:4517:1517:4518:1518:4519:1519:45

Sky Bet Midsummer Sprint Stakes (Listed)

Off time: 19:15 | Winning time: 1m 7.22s

(8)

Make A Challenge^p¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: James J Doyle| T: D Hogan| OR: 112| BF| CD

5/2

Remarkable improver. Easy winner of Naas Listed contest on reappearance but blotted copybook when 4L sixth in 6f Group 2 at this track last month. This is easier however and solid contender on previous form.

Form: 115-616

(2)

Buffer Zone¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons| OR: 107| CD

6/4

Dual handicap winner at this track last season and started in respectable form this season. Narrowly beaten into third in 6f Group at this track last time and looks set to go close again now down in grade.

Form: 2510-33

(5)

Flash Gordon^b¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: S Foley| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 98| D

12/1

Yet to win since maiden victory but was third behind Make A Challenge two starts ago before 5L fourth in 7f handicap at this venue last month. Some place claims but trip may be on the sharp side.

Form: 330-0D4

(4)

Urban Beat¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Ben Coen| T: J P Murtagh| OR: 105| CD

7/2

Listed winner last term and consistent enough in handicaps and this company since, including head defeat in C&D Rockingham Handicap last month. Yard are in good form too so should be firmly in the mix.

Form: 3533-43

(7)

Verhoyen¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Robbie Colgan| T: M C Grassick| OR: 91| CD

50/1

Has landed some big pot handicaps in the past but struggled in two starts this term, including 13L 16th in 7f handicap at this track latest. This is a step back in trip and up in grade but has a tough task on his hands.

Form: 2172-70

(9)

Wheels On Fire³²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: S M Crosse| T: A Fogarty| OR: 103| D

18/1

Solid and consistent sort for two trainers as a juvenile, placing in a Group 2 sprint, but looked in need of the run when 4L seventh at Naas (5f, good to firm) in June. Should come on for that but improvement required.

Form: 30253-7

(3)

Woody Creek^b1²³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Wayne Lordan| T: J A Stack| OR: 98| BF| D

16/1

Typically consistent in handicaps and this company last term but failed to trouble the judge in two starts this term, including at Limerick (6f, good) last time. Tended to find this trip too sharp in the past so best watched.

Form: 2255-96

(6)

Piece of Paradise^b,t²⁹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Chris Hayes| T: J A Stack| OR: 96| D

28/1

Twice a winner last season, including when gamely landing 5f Listed sprint at Ayr (good) in September. Not as good in 6f Group 3 at that track a day later however and not seen since. May need this.

Form: 781417-

Non-Runners

(1)

Son Of Rest⁴⁶⁸

Weight: 9-9| Age: 6

T: J A Stack J: C D Maxwell

Forecasts

Buffer Zone (6/4), Make A Challenge (5/2), Urban Beat (7/2), Son Of Rest (5/1), Flash Gordon (12/1), Woody Creek (16/1), Wheels On Fire (18/1), Piece of Paradise (28/1), Verhoyen (50/1)

Some previous rivals mixed together with form and useful handicappers clash in this race, and the improving BUFFER ZONE may be able to land his first blow in Listed company. The five-year-old hasn't really been tested at this trip before, but his half-length defeat behind a good yardstick in a Group 2 at this venue last time sets the form standard and he may have more progression left in him. Make A Challenge was all the rage in that race but disappointed in that and one is concerned his improvement may have plateaued, while the likes of Urban Beat and Son Of Rest are top and consistent handicappers on their day who usually just fall short in this company.