15:45 Galway

Saturday 1 August 2020

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

O'Leary Insurances Handicap

Off time: 15:47 | Winning time: 1m 48.26s

(16)

Allegio^t²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-9| J: J M Sheridan⁽⁵⁾| T: D Hogan| OR: 85| D

28/1

Hasn't won since 2018 when he twice scored on heavy ground at Cork. Hugely below that standard since including finishing down the field on a couple of starts since racing resumed in June.

Form: 7000-00

(1)

Hightimeyouwon³⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: O J Orr| T: D K Weld| OR: 83

5/1

Running well in defeat in a number of starts in his three-year-old season. Solid efforts since comeback including getting off the mark for connections at the fifth time of asking at Naas in June. Another bold effort expected.

Form: 0332-1

(5)

Aussie Valentine^p,t²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 9-6| J: Ronan Whelan| T: A McGuinness| OR: 82| D

20/1

Formerly useful handicapper who has been slipping down the ladder lately, but has posted a number decent efforts this season including only faltering close home at the Curragh on penultimate start.

Form: 0-95930

(19)

Facethepuckout⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Leigh Roche| T: M O'Callaghan| OR: 82

20/1

Two from 25 on turf. No extra when driven 2f out well beaten 9L behind Saltonstall at this meeting on Tuesday. Tough ask.

Form: 218-650

(13)

Ideal Pal^t¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Gary Carroll| T: M Mulvany| OR: 82| D

50/1

Pleasing form on comeback at Gowran Park and Leopardstown have been forgotten in a couple of dismal efforts over 1m2f last month. Others preferred.

Form: 44-1300

(17)

Mary Salome^p,t¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Billy Lee| T: Madeleine Tylicki| OR: 81

16/1

Much better effort when stepped up to a mile for the first time at Bellewstown before another solid effort at Killarney over a similar trip last month. Can be expected to improve.

Form: 30-0942

(6)

Sirjack Thomas²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Gavin Ryan⁽⁵⁾| T: A McGuinness| OR: 81

11/2

Generally in good form since returning to the track in June finishing within a couple of lengths of the winner on three out of four occasions. Place claims once again.

Form: 80-4026

(18)

Stormy Belle^t¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Declan McDonogh| T: P A Fahy| OR: 81

25/1

Has been kept busy over the last couple of seasons but not really in the same form this term. Liable to find a couple of better handicapped sorts lurking.

Form: 584-076

(8)

Eden Gardens²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Chris Hayes| T: D Marnane| OR: 79| D

40/1

Yet to show any improvement for switch to this yard after posting a pair of quiet runs since racing resumed before a better effort at Leopardstown last month. Others hold stronger profiles.

Form: 1/54-808

(4)

Yafordadoe⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Andrew Slattery⁽³⁾| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 78| C

13/2

Won his last two starts on the Flat at the Curragh and Galway (both over 7f on testing ground). Winner over hurdles at Cork eight days ago over 2m. Will look to progress in this contest.

Form: 472011-

(3)

Annexation²³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Wayne Lordan| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 77| BF

7/2

Showed some promise without delivering when with Ed Dunlop, but came good on his debut for this trainer at Gowran Park over 7f in June before another bold bid at Navan last month, second of 18 runners over a similar trip.

Form: 3650-12

(11)

On The Balcony^t⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Rory Cleary| T: Mrs D A Love| OR: 77

40/1

A winner in France, two respectable runs in defeat since joining this yard and clearly better than his effort over 1m4f at this meeting on Monday suggests. Could be worth another chance dropping in trip.

Form: 331-230

(10)

Spruce Meadows^p³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: Gary Halpin| T: J Feane| OR: 77| C| D

25/1

Useful handicapper in the past but has run with credit in two starts this term, including 4L sixth at the Curragh (1m2f) last month. Eased 1lb but looks booked for minor honours once more.

Form: 2070-56

(9)

Well Suited^h²⁴⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: M A Enright| T: T J O'Mara| OR: 75| D

150/1

Lightly-raced gelding who scored on the second start of his career at Chelmsford over 1m on the AW when in the care of trainer Simon Crisford. Not seen since November and best watched on return to action.

Form: 29/0700-

(2)

Ultra Pride²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: Robbie Colgan| T: S Lavery| OR: 72

15/2

Running well in defeat since racing resumed, not beaten far at Fairyhouse and Leopardstown last month. Never the easiest to catch right.

Form: 3256-34

(14)

Queen Amidala⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: Shane Foley| T: J G Murphy| OR: 70| D

25/1

Showed she has the ability in two of her four handicap starts last year before a dismal efforts at Gowran Park and on the AW at Dundalk since racing returned in June.

Form: 0328-00

(12)

Roving Mission²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: Nathan Crosse⁽⁵⁾| T: W McCreery| OR: 69

10/1

Solid and consistent sort running with plenty of credit in a couple of starts since return to action in June. Continuation of development expected here.

Form: 320-532

Non-Runners

(7)

Yuften¹³⁴

Weight: 10-2| Age: 9

T: D Hogan J: James J Doyle

(15)

Emphatic⁴

Weight: 8-6| Age: 5

T: J Larkin J: Reserve 1

Forecasts

Annexation (7/2), Hightimeyouwon (5/1), Sirjack Thomas (11/2), Yafordadoe (13/2), Ultra Pride (15/2), Roving Mission (10/1), Yuften (14/1), Mary Salome (16/1), Facethepuckout (20/1), Aussie Valentine (20/1), Emphatic (20/1), Spruce Meadows (25/1), Stormy Belle (25/1), Queen Amidala (25/1), Allegio (28/1), Eden Gardens (40/1), On The Balcony (40/1), Ideal Pal (50/1), Well Suited (150/1)

The Sheila Lavery-trained ULTRA PRIDE can win for the second time in nine starts on turf. The four-year-old gelding has been running well in defeat since racing resumed, not beaten far at Fairyhouse and Leopardstown last month and can hold off the attentions of the Gavin Cromwell-trained Yafordadoe who won over hurdles at Cork eight days ago, racing at 2m. The consistent Annexation for trainer Henry De Bromhead and Hightimeyouwon, winner at Naas over 6f on latest start in June, can both give a good account.