19:15 Naas

Wednesday 22 July 2020

All16:4517:1517:4518:1518:4519:1519:4520:15

Naas Race

Off time: 19:16 | Winning time: 1m 29.20s

(5)

Geological¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Gavin Ryan⁽⁵⁾| T: D English| OR: 95| D

16/1

Prolific winner over 6f-1m both on turf and AW. 15lb higher than his last turf success at Leopardstown in spring 2019, and that rise is largely due to three AW wins since. Has a tough task the way this race is framed, but not written off.

Form: 7-88753

(1)

Ardhoomey^t⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 9-12| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons| OR: 91

9/1

Multiple sprint winner who hasn't won for over two years or over this far previously. Having said that, he is a Group 2 scorer, so has a touch of class about him, and is not ruled out of the money.

Form: 288-240

(10)

Could Be King¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: Billy Lee| T: K J Condon| OR: 103| D

9/2

Sole win came over this trip in a Limerick maiden (soft) as a juvenile, when with Paddy Prendergast. Was placed in a Leopardstown Listed event for John Oxx last year and again at that level for this trainer on his reappearance. Contender.

Form: 14/34-38

(4)

Jassaar¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: O J Orr| T: D K Weld| OR: 98| D

3/1

Triple winner over 7f-1m last season, his Curragh handicap success last August, when he saw off 24 opponents, being the pick. Held from this mark in handicaps since, but better treated than some here and not ruled out of the money.

Form: 12010-7

(9)

No Needs Never²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: Mikey Sheehy⁽⁷⁾| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 98| D

8/1

Won a Dundalk Listed event (7f, AW) as a juvenile and was third over C&D (good/yld) in last year's Group 3 Gladness Stakes. Hasn't come close to that form otherwise and needs to produce more than of late to get involved on these terms.

Form: 2-23840

(3)

Smash Williams^t¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-12| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger| OR: 103| D

9/2

Won a Group 3 on his second juvenile start in 2015, but has managed just one win (at Listed level in 2018) in 26 further starts. However, has regularly been competitive at Group level and looks a huge contender in this line-up.

Form: 270-346

(7)

Dark Vader¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Dylan Browne McMonagle⁽⁷⁾| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 90| D

33/1

Triple AW winner over 6f-7f, but hasn't yet got his nose in front on turf. Encouraging that his best turf effort was over this C&D last year, but his form this season suggests he'll be found wanting in this field.

Form: 124070

(2)

King Of Athens¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 98| D

5/1

Sole success came in a Lingfield novice event (7f, AW), which he won easily last October. Went very close in a Leopardstown Listed race (7f, good to firm) on his reappearance, decent Group 3 run last time too, and not ruled out each-way.

Form: 51-5204

(12)

Koolasice¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Gary Halpin| T: J P Murtagh| OR: 95

18/1

Went close a couple of times last year and scored on his reappearance (fourth start) in a Fairyhouse maiden (6f, good to firm) last month. Softer ground and Group 3 company put paid to him over C&D last time, so has a bit to prove.

Form: 334-18

(6)

Yulong Warrior^p¹²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Shane Foley| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 93

16/1

Triple winner on dirt in Dubai/US at up to 1m1½f, including in Listed company, and was also placed in a Jebel Ali Group 3 in January. 0-4 on turf, but placed in all four starts, and is worth a market check on his debut for this trainer.

Form: 7/6-8394

(11)

Latin Five¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Alan Persse⁽⁷⁾| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 83

80/1

Improved to win a Curragh handicap on his fourth start last July (6f, good), but has only come close to reproducing that in one of his five subsequent starts. Others preferred.

Form: 803-000

(8)

On Tick^t³⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: M A Gallagher| T: Miss K Brown| OR: 75

150/1

5f AW winner at Dundalk last year, but 0-6 on turf and his form looks way short of what will be required to even get competitive in this field.

Form: 7418-09

Forecasts

Jassaar (3/1), Could Be King (9/2), Smash Williams (9/2), King Of Athens (5/1), No Needs Never (8/1), Ardhoomey (9/1), Geological (16/1), Yulong Warrior (16/1), Koolasice (18/1), Dark Vader (33/1), Latin Five (80/1), On Tick (150/1)

An interesting contest where the suggestion is SMASH WILLIAMS, who has run with credit many times in defeat at Group level since winning one of those a few years ago, and his consistency may again be rewarded here. Could Be A King looks likely to make a race of it, while Aardhoomey, Jassaar and King Of Athens can all get involved. Yulong Warrior is also a very interesting addition to the Jessie Harrington yard and it would be no surprise to see him thereabouts.