16:15 Leopardstown

Saturday 11 July 2020

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

Leopardstown Handicap (45-75) (Div 2)

Off time: 16:16 | Winning time: 2m 39.17s

(5)

Drakensberg^t³¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Dylan Browne McMonagle⁽⁷⁾| T: A J Martin| OR: 74| C| D

20/1

CV suggests he wouldn't want rain (three victories on the turf have came on ground with good in the description). Never won off a mark this high but return to this track offers some hope he may be able to spark back into form.

Form: 117717-

(14)

Pepperoni Pete^t1¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: S Foley| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 74

13/2

Only won once from 16 starts on the level. Not disgraced the last twice (over hurdles/on the flat), including when fourth at Gowran Park (1m1f; good). Has place claims in what appears to be a race lacking depth at least on paper.

Form: 8340-04

(2)

Utah²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: G M Ryan⁽⁵⁾| T: J J Lambe| OR: 74

9/1

Took a step back in the right direction when an encouraging fifth at Fairyhouse (1m4f; good to firm) after a nine-month break. That was his best effort for some time and if strips fitter he should be able to build upon that run.

Form: 47990-5

(6)

Romantically^p¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Declan McDonogh| T: W McCreery| OR: 72| D

7/1

This is a slight ease in grade compared to his most recent assignment when she could never get involved. Scored for the first time on turf on return to action prior to that. Form looks rock solid.

Form: 641-010

(13)

Tirmizi^h¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-12| J: Ronan Whelan| T: M Halford| OR: 70| C

6/1

Short of room at a crucial stage of the race when fifth on comeback at Limerick (1m4f; good). Kept on in eye-catching fashion under hands and heels. Place claims at least if in the same form. Market check advised as he could be well-handicapped.

Form: 80887-5

(9)

Sbraase²⁸¹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-11| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: N C Kelly| OR: 69| D

80/1

Doesn't have a great record when fresh and while he was competitive off this sort of mark at Galway (1m6f; soft), his form tailed off towards the backend of the season. Jockey booking is at least one positive.

Form: 123080-

(1)

Circling Moon^p,t¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: Darragh O'Keeffe⁽³⁾| T: O McKiernan| OR: 67| C| D

80/1

Hasn't looked like winning for some time and made a lifeless return to action when 13th of 16 at Navan (1m5f; soft). Not obviously well treated just 1lb below last winning mark so best watched until showing more enthusiasm.

Form: 3607/0-0

(16)

Liars Corner^t²⁷¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Mr C McConnell⁽¹⁰⁾| T: J C McConnell| OR: 67| D

20/1

Improving all the timer but is profile would suggest he prefers ground with juice in it. Drops back marginally in trip on seasonal debut, but has to feature high on the shortlist given the form he was in when last seen.

Form: 213252-

(8)

Muhaafiz¹¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-9| J: M A Enright| T: V T O'Brien| OR: 67

66/1

Done okay over hurdles for this yard but not seen on the level since well-beaten at Gowran Park (1m6f; soft to heavy) in October 2018. Mark has been steadily falling in this sphere for a while now, but needs to raise game significantly.

Form: 180080/

(10)

Tara Dylan^p²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 9-7| J: Ben Coen⁽³⁾| T: T Mullins| OR: 65| C| D

33/1

12lb below the mark she last won off on the level at Roscommon (1m2f; yielding to soft) in August 2016. Mixed bag since, but masses required on the evidence of recent performances including when detached at Roscommon (1m2f; good to firm).

Form: 0/000-00

(7)

Storm Steps²⁰⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: O J Orr| T: T Doyle| OR: 64

12/1

Not seen since end of last year but in good form on the AW at Dundalk (1m4f; standard) finishing third in three seperate handicaps. Unchanged mark and place claims if fit enough after 206-day break.

Form: 057333-

(15)

Sasta^p¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger| OR: 66

6/1

Produced three solid efforts when switched to handicaps at the backend of last season. Flopped on seasonal debut but is worth another chance with the step up in trip to 1m4f likely to suit. Definite player.

Form: 08233-0

(11)

Elizabethofaragon²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 64

5/1

Has to be respected for powerful connections but on the face of it she has not shown an awful lot in three maiden starts. Step up to 1m4f and switch to handicaps may bring about the required improvement. Market check needed.

Form: 0-00

(4)

Final Endeavour¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-6| J: Chris Hayes| T: H Rogers| OR: 50

4/1

Ran better than the finishing position would suggest when sixth at Naas (1m; good to yielding) on first run for eight months. Steps back up to 1m4f which he has only ever ran over once but that was on heavy ground which may explain the poor run.

Form: 04098-6

Non-Runners

(12)

Cerberus¹²⁰

Weight: 10-2| Age: 4

T: J P O'Brien J: S M Crosse

(3)

No Say Ever²⁸⁹

Weight: 10-0| Age: 4

T: Miss A Mooney J: J P Shinnick

Forecasts

Cerberus (2/1), Final Endeavour (4/1), Elizabethofaragon (5/1), Tirmizi (6/1), Sasta (6/1), Pepperoni Pete (13/2), Romantically (7/1), Utah (9/1), Storm Steps (12/1), No Say Ever (16/1), Drakensberg (20/1), Liars Corner (20/1), Tara Dylan (33/1), Muhaafiz (66/1), Sbraase (80/1), Circling Moon (80/1)

A fiendishly difficult puzzle to solve with Cerberus having improved bundles since being sent over hurdles. He could subsequently be thrown in off this mark if he can transfer that ability back on the level. Elizabethofaragon didn't cut much ice in maidens but it would be a surprise if connections weren't capable of yielding some improvement out of her as she enters handicaps/steps up in distance. Sasta should be forgiven her reappearance effort given the promise she showed towards the end of last season. However, LIARS CORNER is the selection after he went from strength to strength as a four-year-old last year, and any rain would only heighten his chances.