15:10 Leopardstown

Saturday 11 July 2020

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:1516:4517:1517:45

Leopardstown Handicap (50-75)

Off time: 15:10 | Winning time: 1m 29.97s

(1)

Khafaaq^b1¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: Andrew Slattery⁽³⁾| T: A Slattery| OR: 75| D

4/1

Maintained consistent run of form when runner-up to a solid yardstick at the Curragh (1m; good) on what was his first run in seven months. First-time blinkers may bring out more improvement, and he is unexposed at this trip.

Form: 74271-2

(10)

No Speed Limit^t²⁰⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: S M Crosse⁽³⁾| T: A Fogarty| OR: 75| D

66/1

Failed to build on first success for this yard three starts ago at Dundalk (7f; standard). Makes return to action after 206-day break. Too many questions to answer to recommend as a solid proposition so look elsewhere.

Form: 009150-

(21)

Fit For Function⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-1| J: Amy Jo Hayes⁽¹⁰⁾| T: J G Murphy| OR: 74| BF| C| D

25/1

Returned to 7f after not being beaten far into fifth at Fairyhouse (6f; good to yielding). 7lb higher on turf than the AW which tempers enthusiasm somewhat but if he ran to the form he showed when second on seasonal reappearance he has claims.

Form: 931285

(5)

Never Back Down¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: Leigh Roche| T: A McGuinness| OR: 73| D

33/1

On a long losing run and is subsequently 27lb below his last winning mark. Never in contention when behind the likes of Oneiroi and Highly Approved last time, and the form of the yard would have to be a concern also.

Form: 069-509

(6)

Bellakris^p³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-13| J: Shane Foley| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 72

14/1

Yet to fire in handicaps (sole career victory came in a maiden). Will need to come on quite considerably from what was a pretty quiet reappearance effort at Navan (1m; good to firm). Watching brief advised given the form he is currently in.

Form: 22108-0

(20)

Oneiroi¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: Ronan Whelan| T: D Buckley| OR: 71

8/1

Half-length behind Highly Approved when posting a much improved performance to finish third over C&D on second start of the year. Encouraging to see him kept at this trip and claims if able to build on most recent run.

Form: 6018-83

(14)

Shawaf¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: Chris Hayes| T: D English| OR: 71

25/1

0-10. Failed to build upon the promise he offered in defeat when runner-up on two separate occasions at Dundalk (1m; standard) at the start of the year when well-beaten at the Curragh (1m; good) most recently. Vastly more needed.

Form: 007-220

(13)

Reverberation¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: Gavin Ryan⁽⁵⁾| T: J J Lambe| OR: 70| C| D

4/1

7lb higher than for commanding victory over 1m at this track to complete hat-trick last time out. Drops back in trip to 7f, and although he has a career-high mark to defy, he is in the form of his life so a bold bid is expected.

Form: 735111

(4)

Tanseeq¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: Rory Cleary| T: J C McConnell| OR: 70| D

10/1

Been running over 5f/6f recently without winning. Unexposed at this trip so the step back up to 7f should suit him much more. If he reproduces the form he showed two starts ago he is well handicapped off this mark.

Form: 1/68747

(7)

Atlas^b²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-10| J: J M Sheridan⁽⁷⁾| T: D Hogan| OR: 69| CD

6/1

4lb below the mark he last won off over C&D in April 2019. Hinted at a return to form in both starts this season, both of which have came at this track. Wasn't beaten far most recently, and has to feature on the shortlist.

Form: 05-6056

(18)

Qaabil¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: O J Orr| T: Peter Fahey| OR: 69

40/1

Posted a pair of low-key efforts for this yard since moving from William Haggas whom he displayed evident promise for. 10-race maiden is difficult to enthuse over given form he is in at present and others look more persuasive.

Form: 624-308

(12)

Highly Approved¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Colin Keane| T: A McGuinness| OR: 68| D

13/2

Only won one of her 21 starts on the turf, but she posted a much improved effort when beaten a head into second at Leopardstown (7f; yielding) on her first run in five months. 2lb higher mark not insurmountable and definitely considered.

Form: 0-00802

(8)

Poet's Pride²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Gary Carroll| T: D Marnane| OR: 68| D

25/1

Never won in 12 starts on the turf and was described as being "slightly lame" when down the field at Naas (7f; good to yielding) last month. Others look better treated and he is subsequently opposed.

Form: 041369

(3)

Sharp Focus²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Killian Leonard| T: J J Murphy| OR: 66

33/1

Got off to a fine start to life in handicaps but not progressed from breakthrough victory in July. Still 6lb above last winning mark, but failed to show much enthusiasm on seasonal reappearance and the yard could be in better form.

Form: 13669-9

(2)

Beleaguerment^t⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Robbie Colgan| T: J C McConnell| OR: 65| D

22/1

Made an encouraging start to the year with a pair of fine efforts on the AW at Dundalk (7f; standard) over this trip. However, he has been well below that form since returning to action and is now 0-16 on turf.

Form: 37-1299

(19)

Dance Emperor²²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Mikey Sheehy⁽⁷⁾| T: Peter Fahey| OR: 63| C

33/1

Third reserve. Unlikely to pose too much of a threat if getting in given the manner of recent performances. Best watched.

Form: 209080-

Non-Runners

(17)

Castletownshend¹

Weight: 10-2| Age: 5

T: T M Walsh J: Rachael Blackmore

(9)

The Mpex Kid²³

Weight: 10-2| Age: 4

T: Mrs D A Love J: Mikey Sheehy

(16)

Calonne²

Weight: 9-10| Age: 4

T: J F Levins J: D W O'Connor

(11)

Rattling Jewel⁶

Weight: 9-6| Age: 8

T: M Hassett J: Reserve 1

(15)

Tuamhain⁸

Weight: 9-5| Age: 5

T: N C Kelly J: Reserve 2

Forecasts

Reverberation (4/1), Khafaaq (4/1), The Mpex Kid (5/1), Atlas (6/1), Highly Approved (13/2), Oneiroi (8/1), Tanseeq (10/1), Castletownshend (10/1), Bellakris (14/1), Calonne (16/1), Rattling Jewel (20/1), Beleaguerment (22/1), Poet's Pride (25/1), Shawaf (25/1), Fit For Function (25/1), Sharp Focus (33/1), Dance Emperor (33/1), Never Back Down (33/1), Qaabil (40/1), Tuamhain (50/1), No Speed Limit (66/1)

A typically competitive Leopardstown handicap with plenty holding chances. After she returned to form with a close second Highly Approved is on the shortlist & it is encouraging that Colin Keane retains the ride. Oneiroi was only a half-length behind her & is 1lb better off now so has a chance of reversing the form. Despite the 11lb rise, The Mpex Kid is a player after posting a career-best to shed his maiden tag and he is still lightly raced. Khafaaq posted a solid seasonal reappearance effort and is interesting in first-time blinkers but the vote goes to REVERBERATION who can defy this career high mark and complete the four-timer.