16:45 Curragh

Sunday 19 July 2020

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

evoke.ie Handicap (Premier Handicap)

Off time: 16:46 | Winning time: 1m 41.3s

(5)

Fame And Acclaim⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-12| J: Declan McDonogh| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 94| D

7/2

Returned a different prospect in three starts this term, culminating with easy victory in 1m Cork handicap a week ago. Up 7lb which is steep but could still be anything.

Form: 358-321

(9)

Real Appeal⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-12| J: S Foley| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 94

18/1

All three wins have come in France for previous handlers but not showing anything of note since racing in Ireland. Last seen finishing fifth in 5f Listed contest at Naas (5f). Makes marked step up in trip on first start for new handler.

Form: 0745-05

(6)

Celtic High King⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-11| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 93| D

10/1

Yet to add to maiden victory last season, and was never involved at all when last of eight in Leopardstown Group 3 (1m1f) eight days ago. reverts to handicap company with a fair bit to prove.

Form: 618-468

(10)

Dune Of Pilat^t1¹⁷³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-11| J: S M Crosse⁽³⁾| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 93| D

8/1

Very unexposed sort with a good profile, winning two of his three starts. Last seen easily accounting rivals in 1m Southwell novice in January. Opening mark is high but he could be a smart prospect in time. Shortlisted.

Form: 21-1

(12)

San Pedro^b1²⁶⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: K K Hennessy⁽⁷⁾| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 92| BF

16/1

Improved enough last season to win Leopardstown maiden in October, but was a no show in Newmarket Group 3 (7f) subsequently. Not seen since November and makes handicap debut with useful 7lb claimer on board.

Form: 7410-

(4)

So Suave¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: D E Sheehy⁽⁵⁾| T: J P Murtagh| OR: 92| D

8/1

Generally an improving sort, winning two of his first three starts, but got bumped and folded tamely when last of seven in Group 3 (1m) at the start of the month. May be more comfortable in this company so not to be entirely discounted.

Form: 21-17

(1)

Baraniya²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: O J Orr| T: D K Weld| OR: 91

12/1

Once-raced as a juvenile but came forward significantly when game winner of Roscommon maiden (7f) in June. Very unexposed for this level and may be able to offer more in this company. Noted.

Form: 6-1

(2)

Star Of Cashel^p,t⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: J M Sheridan⁽⁷⁾| T: J A Stack| OR: 91| D

5/1

Has really got his act together on his last three starts, winning every one of them. Up 7lb for latest game victory at Killarney (1m) last week but this rapid improver cannot be ignored.

Form: 87-3111

(7)

For The Trees²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: T P Madden| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 87

50/1

Handicap winner over 6f last term but has struggled since, including when 13th in 6f handicap at this track last month. Up to 1m in this but current mark leaves her wanting.

Form: 3319-70

(13)

Mythologic²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: G M Ryan⁽⁵⁾| T: Donnacha O'Brien| OR: 87| D

13/2

Off the mark for connections at Dundalk in March and not disgraced since, including 2L second in Fairyhouse handicap (1m2f) in June. Will be suited better to this trip but up 2lb. Each-way appeal.

Form: 64-3142

(11)

In From The Cold¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Gary Carroll| T: M Mulvany| OR: 85

25/1

Offers some of the most experience in the field and was a handicap winner in March. Put in his place by subsequent Group 3 winner at Navan (1m2f) earlier this month but claims on previous handicap form.

Form: 21-1645

(14)

Frank Arthur²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons| OR: 81

11/1

Behind Celtic High King on his debut last term but has done well since, culminating with victory in Roscommon maiden (7f) in June. Opening mark is very workable for in-form connections. One to consider.

Form: 8-21

(3)

Mccabe²⁵⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger| OR: 77

16/1

Decent second on debut last term but has not gone on since. Last seen finishing down the field in 1m Naas maiden in November and subsequently gelded. Best watched for seasonal return.

Form: 209-

(8)

Sage Advice¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: A J Slattery⁽³⁾| T: J G Murphy| OR: 74

28/1

Thrice-raced maiden. Fared okay on seasonal return at Tipperary but regressed slightly when 5L third at Leopardstown (1m2f) at the start of the month. Likely to find handicap company too tough at this stage.

Form: 0-33

Forecasts

Fame And Acclaim (7/2), Star Of Cashel (5/1), Mythologic (13/2), So Suave (8/1), Dune Of Pilat (8/1), Celtic High King (10/1), Frank Arthur (11/1), Baraniya (12/1), Mccabe (16/1), San Pedro (16/1), Real Appeal (18/1), In From The Cold (25/1), Sage Advice (28/1), For The Trees (50/1)

This handicap has the scope to produce an above-standard handicapper, and that may come in the shape of DUNE OF PILAT. While he hasn't been seen since January, there has been a lot to suggest he has a touch of class about him - which is reflect in his hefty price tag - and while the handicapper's mark is high enough, there may be significantly more improvement to come from him. Fame And Acclaim and Star Of Cashel have already showed that progression with some impressive victories, but a 7lb hike for each suggests no chances are being take, while In From The Cold, who has set a solid benchmark in this company, and the unexposed Frank Arthur have place claims from the bottom of the weights.