14:00 Leopardstown

Thursday 13 August 2020

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

Leopardstown Handicap (45-65)

Off time: 14:02 | Winning time: 1m 30.08s

(7)

Daayeb^t²²

Age: 3| Weight: 10-2| J: Chris Hayes| T: K Prendergast| OR: 65

7/2

Expensive yearling has offered some promise in maidens. Looks sure to improve now he has his sights lowered a bit on handicap debut as he tackles 7f for the first time. Form of the yard a slight concern.

Form: 9-77

(3)

Pixel Power^p1²²

Age: 3| Weight: 10-2| J: Shane Foley| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 65

9/1

Shown glimpses of promise on a couple of occasions without building on it. Handicap debut was encouraging but failed to back it up when down the field at Naas (6f; good) last month. Unexposed at 7f but must raise her game in first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 27-759

(6)

Deadwood^h¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 10-1| J: Gary Carroll| T: J C McConnell| OR: 64

80/1

Made a very low-key debut in this sphere when down the field at Galway (7f; soft) last month. May improve for better ground but his profile would suggest he has enough to prove until he is recommended.

Form: 06-700

(10)

Lady Alcazar⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 10-1| J: Rory Cleary| T: T Cleary| OR: 64

12/1

Refused to race when due to run over C&D last week. That had never happened before so it may have been a one off. On the balance of her form this year she is entitled to feature prominently.

Form: 43246R

(8)

Sweet Justice^p¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-12| J: D E Sheehy⁽⁵⁾| T: T G McCourt| OR: 61

9/2

Thereabouts once again the last twice. Barring one mishap she has been in really consistent form throughout 2020. Return to this track looks a positive and she rates as a major player off this mark.

Form: 0-22024

(14)

Cap D'Antibes³¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-11| J: Robbie Colgan| T: J J Murphy| OR: 60

20/1

Posted a string of low-key efforts in defeat since switching to handicaps. Mark continues to fall but he is not one to invest any faith in currently given poor run of form and can subsequently be opposed with ease.

Form: 0-07079

(13)

Dolce Sicily^b²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: L Smyth| OR: 59

33/1

Threatened to take advantage of dwindling handicap mark when she finished third at Sligo (5f; good) just over a month ago. Nowhere near that form since though and has finished last on each of her two starts over 7f.

Form: 00-0389

(16)

Kitten On The Keys^h²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: Nathan Crosse⁽⁵⁾| T: S Lynam| OR: 59

50/1

Sole promising career effort was when she was second on handicap debut at Dundalk (5f; standard) in October. Hasn't produced the same form in two subsequent starts so has something to prove now off just a 3lb lower mark.

Form: 60027-0

(4)

Kerry Blue⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: S M Crosse| T: L Comer| OR: 57

11/1

Took a step back in the right direction when fourth over C&D one week ago. That was his best effort since entering handicaps. Competes off an unchanged mark and is highly respected if able to run to the same level.

Form: 76-5094

(15)

Briseuse De Coeur^t⁵⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Luke McAteer⁽⁷⁾| T: A Kinirons| OR: 56

25/1

Yet to win in eight starts. Not shown a great deal so far & her better form has came on the AW. Wasn't entirely disgraced when last seen at Roscommon (7f; good to firm) but plenty more needed.

Form: 593608

(9)

Adams Barbour¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: M A Enright| T: L Smyth| OR: 53

66/1

Offered very little, if any, promise in a trio of runs in maidens. Makes handicap debut on first try at 7f & major improvement required. Watching brief looks the best option.

Form: 800

(2)

Valquinto^h,t⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: James J Doyle| T: Joseph Murray| OR: 50

16/1

Took form to a new level since entering handicap company and was placed at Sligo (5f; good) last week. 2lb lower now and could take another step forward if the step up in trip to 7f suits. In the mix.

Form: 80053

(12)

Buachaill Or³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Ronan Whelan| T: P W Flynn| OR: 48

25/1

Unable to reproduce the form of her nose defeat at Limerick (1m; good) two starts ago when down the field at Gowran Park (1m; soft to heavy) last month. Ground conditions may have been to blame but does need to bounce back.

Form: 750820

(11)

Divine Celt¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Colin Keane| T: J J Murphy| OR: 48| BF

6/1

Fluffed her lines when sent off favourite (7-4f) at Gowran Park (1m1f; yielding) when expected to build on solid efforts in first three handicaps. May be worth another chance and the jockey booking catches the eye.

Form: 00-3438

(5)

Philly's Hope²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Leigh Roche| T: A McGuinness| OR: 45

5/1

More encouraging signs the last twice in defeat at this track. Been dropped 1lb after finishing fifth most recently. Solid place claims once again if in the same form but winless record leaves her vulnerable for win purposes.

Form: 689535

(1)

Stellify^v1²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A McGuinness| OR: 45

50/1

Made low-key reappearance over C&D last month. Dropped 8lb since then & has ultimately been quite disappointing since entering handicap company. Stable going well at the moment but the first-time visor would need to spark a major revival.

Form: 000-900

Forecasts

Daayeb (7/2), Sweet Justice (9/2), Philly's Hope (5/1), Divine Celt (6/1), Pixel Power (9/1), Kerry Blue (11/1), Lady Alcazar (12/1), Valquinto (16/1), Cap D'Antibes (20/1), Buachaill Or (25/1), Briseuse De Coeur (25/1), Dolce Sicily (33/1), Stellify (50/1), Kitten On The Keys (50/1), Adams Barbour (66/1), Deadwood (80/1)

Quite a few of these can be ruled out straight away, but not VALQUINTO who is less exposed than his main rivals and has improved since being sent handicapping. He took another step forward when third at Sligo & the step up to 7f for the first time could see him in an even better light. The consistent pairing of Sweet Justice & Lady Alcazar should be firmly on the scene again, though the latter has a small bit to prove after refusing to race on her first visit to this track last week. Another one who features on the shortlist is Daayeb who hasn't threatened in maiden company but should improve for the switch to handicaps given his attractive pedigree.