15:30 Curragh

Sunday 26 July 2020

All13:4514:2014:5515:3016:0516:4017:1517:45

Mongey Communications Handicap

Off time: 15:30 | Winning time: 2m 13.21s

(7)

Halimi^p²³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger| OR: 98| C| D

6/1

Naas handicap winner in October and running well off higher marks this term, including when beaten 4L by the smart Patrick Sarsfield at Navan (1m2f) last time. No respite in the weights but the place value once again.

Form: 3123-35

(13)

Charcor^p²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-13| J: Shane Foley| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 97

16/1

Had a likeable profile, finishing second to rapid improver at Leopardstown (1m1f) on penultimate start. Not as good in Cork Derby (1m4f) latest but claims if replicating best form.

Form: 3141-28

(12)

Bashiyr⁴⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: O J Orr| T: D K Weld| OR: 91| D

11/1

Dual winner of minor events at Gowran and Galway last summer but not as good since. Hampered badly when last of 17 in 1m handicap here last month so can be forgiven for that. Needs slightly more.

Form: 2116-0

(5)

Bucky Larson¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons| OR: 91| BF

9/1

Landed the spils twice at Dundalk and Gowran (7f-1m) previouslym and didn't run bad off inflated mark when fourth in 1m Cork handicap last time. Appeal if he can go on further.

Form: 3/7-3114

(8)

Kasperenko^b¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Billy Lee| T: K J Condon| OR: 91| D

14/1

Has some promising efforts since switching to this yard, including when 4L fifth in amateur riders' handicap at Leopardstown (1m4f) last time. Trip may suit better and ought to be competitive.

Form: 1/0-3235

(10)

Winner Takes Itall³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: S M Crosse⁽³⁾| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 88

9/4

Is very lightly raced given his age, and belatedly off the mark when easy winner of Gowran maiden (1m1f) in June. Opening mark is workable enough and severely unexposed. Dark horse.

Form: 34/1

(11)

Lethal Power^v1³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Killian Leonard| T: Miss S A Finn| OR: 86| D

25/1

On a bit of a barren losing streak, but returned on first start for this yard with solid second of 15 in 1m1f Gowran Park handicap last month. Up 4lb for that so handicapper isn't taking a chance.

Form: 9/3060-2

(9)

Rayounpour²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: A J Farragher⁽⁷⁾| T: M Halford| OR: 86

5/1

Plenty to like about this prospect, and shedded maiden tag in fine style when landing 1m4f Cork Derby earlier this month. 8lb worse off today but still well-weighted. Shortlisted.

Form: 4432-31

(6)

Major Reward⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: J M Sheridan⁽⁵⁾| T: D Hogan| OR: 84

22/1

Both wins have come on the AW and not likely to land one on turf soon. Latest 7l defeat in 1m4f handicap here requires plenty more. Limited appeal.

Form: 40-7404

(4)

Raphael¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: S M Mooney⁽⁷⁾| T: A McGuinness| OR: 83

50/1

Had looked regressive in first starts for this yard, but turned form around markedly with narrow victory at Killarney (1m) 11 days ago. Only up 3lb, may be on a revival.

Form: 4-88001

(3)

Roibeard^t²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 8-13| J: Wayne Lordan| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 83| D

18/1

Has had a career hampered by injuries but returned creditably, including latest fifth in competitive handicap over C&D. Weighted for each-way claims once more.

Form: 470/1-35

(14)

Akhlaaq^h,t¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 8-10| J: Robbie Colgan| T: A J Martin| OR: 80

28/1

Still remains relatively unexposed for his age but struggled to land a telling blow in two starts for this yard, including 5L seventh at Leopardstown (1m2f) latest. Looks best watched at present.

Form: 4448/67

(2)

Future Proof^b¹⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: Chris Hayes| T: N Meade| OR: 79

10/1

Very encouraging handicapper and hurdler. Last seen finishing third in hot Leopardstown handicap (1m4f) in October before successful spell over hurdles. Obvious claims on flat return.

Form: 537/423-

Non-Runners

(1)

Freescape¹⁰

Weight: 9-11| Age: 5

T: D Marnane J: D W O'Connor

(15)

Hamley²

Weight: 8-9| Age: 7

T: Peter Fahey J: Ronan Whelan

Forecasts

Winner Takes Itall (9/4), Rayounpour (5/1), Halimi (6/1), Bucky Larson (9/1), Future Proof (10/1), Freescape (10/1), Bashiyr (11/1), Kasperenko (14/1), Charcor (16/1), Hamley (16/1), Roibeard (18/1), Major Reward (22/1), Lethal Power (25/1), Akhlaaq (28/1), Raphael (50/1)

This handicap has some depth to it, but it may be worth taking a chance with one towards the bottom of the weights in FUTURE PROOF. He kept on well when last seen in a Premier Handicap at Leopardstown in October and given his tendency to go well fresh, he looks very well-weighted and capable in this. Plenty stake place appeal, including the likes of Halimi and Roibeard, who set obvious standards with respectable efforts at this level. While the Cork Derby winner Rayounpour could be on a run of high progression, but the handicapper isn't willing to take many more chances with him.