17:45 Curragh

Sunday 26 July 2020

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

Old Vic Gallop Handicap (70-100)

Off time: 17:45 | Winning time: 1m 2.06s

(9)

Primo Uomo^h1,t¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: D N Curran⁽¹⁰⁾| T: G O'Leary| OR: 93| CD

14/1

Have to go back until April 2018 for his last success and has started to go backward this term, including when last of nine at Navan (5f) last time. Up against it now.

Form: 96-8269

(7)

Nordic Passage^t⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: D W O'Connor⁽³⁾| T: J F Levins| OR: 91| C

5/1

Narrow winner of competitive handicap over 6f here earlier in the month but found wanting in much deeper race at this track eight days ago. Eased 1lb and this is easier.

Form: 801510

(10)

Stanhope¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: Rory Cleary| T: J C McConnell| OR: 85| D

20/1

Multiple sprint winner already in his career, with the latest coming at Navan (5f) in June. Not beaten far off higher mark there last time but doesn't get much respite in the ratings.

Form: 100-718

(11)

Inflection Point^b²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: M A Gallagher| T: K P Cotter| OR: 84| D

15/2

Didn't get much luck previously but finally rewarded for some promising efforts when easy winner of Bellewstown maiden (5f) earlier this month. Back into handicap company and may still have more to come.

Form: 346-441

(1)

Tide Of Time¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: O J Orr| T: E Lynam| OR: 84| D

11/2

Multiple winner of these type of races already in his career, and improved once more to land Navan handicap (5f) at the start of the month. Penalised here but interesting to see if he can defy career-high mark.

Form: 2041-51

(4)

Master Matt^b1,p⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Leigh Roche| T: M J Smith| OR: 83| CD

9/2

C&D winner last term but isn't the most consistent sort. Better effort last time when 2L fourth in 6f handicap here and drop to minimum tip could being out the best in him.

Form: 37-2504

(3)

Boughtinthedark⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: J M Sheridan⁽⁵⁾| T: D Hogan| OR: 76

7/2

Already a dual handicap winner this term and put up even better effort when narrowly denied in C&D handicap last weekend. Further 5lb hike suggests the handicapper isn't willing to take risks.

Form: 40-1152

(5)

Powersville⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-10| J: Shane Foley| T: T Mullins| OR: 73| D

10/1

Impressive winner of Sligo handicap (5f) two starts ago but found wanting off inflated mark in C&D handicap a week ago. Current mark demands more.

Form: 99-3219

(8)

Dash D'Or²³

Age: 7| Weight: 8-8| J: Nathan Crosse⁽⁵⁾| T: K P Cotter| OR: 71| D

7/1

A very creditable mare usually runs to her mark. Took another step forward when 2L fourth in Navan handicap (5f) last time and 1lb ease in the weights suggests she is being given more of a chance now.

Form: 38-4454

Non-Runners

(6)

Goodnight Girl¹⁶

Weight: 9-10| Age: 5

T: S Lynam J: Declan McDonogh

(2)

My Laureate³⁶

Weight: 9-8| Age: 4

T: G M Lyons J: Colin Keane

Forecasts

Boughtinthedark (7/2), Master Matt (9/2), Nordic Passage (5/1), Tide Of Time (11/2), Dash D'Or (7/1), Inflection Point (15/2), Goodnight Girl (8/1), Powersville (10/1), My Laureate (10/1), Primo Uomo (14/1), Stanhope (20/1)

Plenty of promising form is brought to the table in the finale, but a chance can be taken with GOODNIGHT GIRL, who remains unexposed on these shores. Her run after a long lay-off was very taking over 6f behind Nordic Passage, and the drop to this trip may help her case even more given she's weighted to go better than that rival again, who has place claims in himself. Boughtinthedark and Tide Of Time have been in flying form this season and it will be interesting if they can escape the vice of the handicapper in this, while the likes of Dash D'or, Master Matt and Infection Point are on the opposite and being given a chance in the weights for some encouraging efforts last time out.