14:00 Gowran Park

Wednesday 12 August 2020

All13:0013:3014:0014:3015:0015:3016:0016:30

MansionBet Supporting Irish Racing McEnery Cup Handicap

Off time: 14:01 | Winning time: 2m 32.24s

(6)

King's Vow^b,t¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Declan McDonogh| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 93| D

28/1

Distance winner on the AW at Dundalk, finished a long way behind Dalton Highway at the Curragh before a couple of encouraging efforts in defeat last month. Tough ask racing 14lb higher than last winning mark.

Form: 119070

(17)

Presto^t1⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: Chris Hayes| T: O McKiernan| OR: 89| C

16/1

Bumper winner and maiden winner on first two starts. Better than last effort at the Curragh in June suggests and could be worth another chance.

Form: 17-49

(11)

War Diary¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Ronan Whelan| T: M Halford| OR: 87| D

4/1

Lightly-raced distance winner. Encouraging couple of efforts since returning to action last month. Tough ak last time at the Galway festival, this is easier.

Form: 2/114-28

(15)

Centroid¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Dylan Browne McMonagle⁽⁷⁾| T: D K Weld| OR: 86| D

10/1

Won for the second time in his career, landing a soft ground handicap at the Galway festival last month off a 6lb lower mark. Another bold bid likely.

Form: 14/041

(3)

Lethal Power^v¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Billy Lee| T: Miss S A Finn| OR: 86| C

33/1

On a bit of a barren losing streak, but returned on first start for this yard with solid second of 15 in 1m1f handicap at this venue in June. Back on last winning mark.

Form: 3060-20

(16)

Numen^b²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Seamie Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 96

3/1

Behind smart sort on debut effort and markedly improved when easy winner of 1m2f maiden at Leopardstown in June before another decent effort at the same track last month in Listed company. Big player on handicap debut.

Form: 712

(8)

Baltic Song¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: S M Crosse| T: L Comer| OR: 85| D

80/1

81-rated handicapper in five starts for trainer John Gosden. Last but one on stable debut at the Galway festival earlier this month when aimed a little too high.

Form: 8/1342-0

(13)

Roibeard^t¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: Wayne Lordan| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 83| C

33/1

Has had a career hampered by injuries but returned in good shape in a couple of starts at this venue and the Curragh in June. One for the shortlist.

Form: 70/1-358

(7)

Marchons Ensemble¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Gary Carroll| T: G M Lyons| OR: 91

22/1

Mixed messages in a number of starts as a juvenile but stepped up to the mark on his third handicap start to finish within a ½L of Moll on seasonal reappearance at Leopardstown before disappointing at Down Royal last month. Not to be taken lightly.

Form: 1360-28

(10)

Muzbid^b¹⁴⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: C P Hoban| T: R Sweeney| OR: 81| C| D

80/1

Course winner that has also won over a similar trip. Running with plenty of credit in a number of starts between December/March on the AW at Dundalk. Worth a check in the market nearing last winning mark.

Form: 23-165V

(14)

Galeola³⁷⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Robbie Colgan| T: S Lavery| OR: 80| D

20/1

Not seen since winning her third race in four starts in a Leopardstown 1m7f handicap off a 7lb lower mark 12 months ago. Market likely to be the best guide as the mare returns to action.

Form: 851121-

(12)

Aesop^p1¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Shane Foley| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 87

7/2

Won at the fourth attempt, winning a Leopardstown 1m2f maiden on good ground before running well in defeat at Down Royal last month. Interesting in first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 597-14

(5)

Simply True⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: Mikey Sheehy⁽⁷⁾| T: A Oliver| OR: 83| C

10/1

Won for the third time in his career landing a Naas 1m2f handicap off a 10lb lower mark earlier this month beating 15 rivals 1¼L. This looks a lot tougher.

Form: 17-6561

(9)

Springbank^b1¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: Gary Halpin| T: J P Murtagh| OR: 83

8/1

Produced a chunk of improvement to land the spoils in a Fairyhouse 1m2f contest on second handicap start before a 5L defeat behind Red Kelly at Down Royal last month. Place claims in first-time blinkers.

Form: 396-016

(2)

Lariat¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: Leigh Roche| T: A McGuinness| OR: 75

80/1

First Reserve: Sole win came in a novice event for Andrew Balding back in 2018. Well beaten in four starts since joining this yard. Others look more convincing.

Form: 64-0000

Non-Runners

(4)

Mother Vincent¹⁸

Weight: 9-13| Age: 4

T: J S Bolger J: W T Byrne

(1)

Drakensberg³²

Weight: 8-9| Age: 6

T: A J Martin J: Reserve 2

Forecasts

Numen (3/1), Aesop (7/2), War Diary (4/1), Springbank (8/1), Simply True (10/1), Centroid (10/1), Mother Vincent (12/1), Presto (16/1), Galeola (20/1), Marchons Ensemble (22/1), Drakensberg (25/1), King's Vow (28/1), Roibeard (33/1), Lethal Power (33/1), Baltic Song (80/1), Lariat (80/1), Muzbid (80/1)

The Aidan O'Brien-trained, NUMEN can land the spoils on the fourth start of his career. The Galileo colt ran well in defeat when last seen in Listed company at Leopardstown last month and would not have to improve too much on handicap debut. The Dermot Weld-trained, Centroid, won for the second time in his career, landing a soft ground handicap at the Galway festival last month off a 6lb lower mark can emerge as the biggest danger with War Diary, Kings Vow and Presto all likely to give a good account.