16:45 Leopardstown

Saturday 11 July 2020

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

Holden Plant Rentals (Q.R.) Race

Off time: 16:45 | Winning time: 2m 42.98s

(13)

Grand D'espagne²⁴⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr C J Gorman⁽⁷⁾| T: L Comer

150/1

Changed hands to be bought by this yard at the Arqana sales in November for €95,000. Holds more of a jumping pedigree, but did win a bumper on his final start in France. Market check required.

Form: 3-

(2)

Millford Sound^b¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-12| J: Miss Amy Corrado⁽⁷⁾| T: J M Barrett| OR: 50

200/1

Is on a basement mark at present. Although he hasn't been disgraced on either of his two starts this season, they were both extremely low-grade affairs. This is miles tougher, and so he can only be watched.

Form: 907-035

(14)

Powerful Ted²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr M J O'Hare| T: N Meade| D

11/2

Posted a much improved performance when a comfortable four-length winner of a Fairyhouse (1m4f; good to firm) maiden on first start on the level. This is a step up, but he has potential so enters calculations.

Form: 1

(5)

Kasperenko^b²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Mr B O'Neill| T: K J Condon| OR: 91| D

13/2

Finished thereabouts on each of his three starts for this yard since the beginning of the year, including on his most recent start when third in a typically competitive handicap at the Curragh (1m4f; good to firm). Ticks plenty of boxes.

Form: 71/0-323

(7)

Persian Lion^t¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Ms M J Horsman⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss K Brown| OR: 70| C

100/1

Very hard to fancy given he seems to be quite regressive. Never involved on second run of the season at the Curragh (1m4f; good) and this isn't much easier. Best watched until offering more signs of encouragement.

Form: 600-770

(4)

Rekindling^t1⁹⁷⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Mr T Hamilton| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 113| C

2/1

Evidently been very difficult to train recently as shown by the fact he has had just one outing in three years since his famous 2017 Melbourne Cup victory. 9lb clear of his nearest rival and if anywhere near his best he should win.

Form: 401241/

(9)

Sea The Lion³⁶⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: Miss A Fahey⁽⁷⁾| T: J P Fahey| OR: 106| CD

12/1

In terrific form last year, before not running as well when pitched into a Group 3 at York (1m6f; good to firm). Not seen since then, so there may be an explanation as to why he only finished seventh of eight. Goes well fresh.

Form: 1113/27-

(8)

Tandem⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 11-5| J: Mr F Maguire⁽³⁾| T: D K Weld| OR: 89| C| D

9/2

Getting on but showing no signs of deteriorating ability-wise. Posted two solid efforts in defeat since returning to action on the level, including when third at Cork (1m4f; yielding) in competitive renewal of the Cork Derby. Could run into a place.

Form: 00/97-43

(3)

Tiger Tap Tap¹²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 90

5/1

Talented hurdler, and these connections have done very well when switching their jumpers over to the flat (Max Dynamite, Thomas Hobson and Renetti to name just three previous examples). Leading contender if fit enough after 120-day break.

Form: 1/

(10)

Turnpike Trip¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Mr P Byrnes⁽⁷⁾| T: C Byrnes| OR: 79

13/2

Quite a decent hurdler (rated 142) and was placed in a Grade One/top handicap in that sphere at the end of 2019. Probably needed the run when well-beaten in the Grade Three Grimes Hurdle recently. Place claims if stripping fitter.

Form: 155333/

(12)

Feel Des Mottes³¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: R Deegan⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss E Doyle

100/1

Makes seasonal return after last seen 310 days ago finishing third in a modest novice hurdle at Clonmel (2m; good). Lowly rating to his name over jumps and subsequently has masses to find. Watching brief advised.

Form:

(11)

Happy Lad^p,t¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Mr J Archdeacon⁽⁷⁾| T: H P Finegan

150/1

Far from disgraced for one at such a big price (50-1) when fourth at Roscommon (2m5f; good) recently. Should strip fitter, but first run on the level prior to that was disappointing when he finished down the field at Dundalk (1m4f; standard).

Form: 9-

(6)

Rocket Lad¹²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Miss R Dudfield⁽⁷⁾| T: E Mullins

22/1

Rated 137 over hurdles, but form was starting to tail off in that sphere when he was last seen. Smart in bumpers (2-4) prior to going over hurdles. Makes return from 121-day break but there are more tempting alternatives on offer.

Form:

(1)

Tempting Tara^t¹⁹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: Mr D Cleere⁽⁷⁾| T: E Mullins

150/1

Shown very little in four bumpers and a pair of maiden hurdle races towards the end of last year. This is probably a pipe opener for a future assignment. Best watched with plenty others having far less to prove.

Form:

Forecasts

Rekindling (2/1), Tandem (9/2), Tiger Tap Tap (5/1), Powerful Ted (11/2), Kasperenko (13/2), Turnpike Trip (13/2), Sea The Lion (12/1), Rocket Lad (22/1), Persian Lion (100/1), Feel Des Mottes (100/1), Grand D'espagne (150/1), Happy Lad (150/1), Tempting Tara (150/1), Millford Sound (200/1)

A fascinating contest in store with 2017 Melbourne Cup winner Rekindling having just his second start on a racecourse since he gave his trainer that memorable victory in Australia. It is difficult to know how much ability he retains given he finished last on his only start last year. He could win but is likely to be well found in the market, and so preference is for the one closest to him on ratings in the shape of SEA THE LION. He only made it to the track on two occasions last year. However, he goes well fresh, and his profile is one of gradual improvement. Tiger Tap Tap is respected given his powerful connections but he may need this first outing for 120-days.