15:25 Naas

Sunday 28 March 2021

All13:1513:4514:1514:5015:2516:0016:3517:10

Plusvital Devoy Stakes (Listed)

Off time: 15:25 | Winning time: 2m 18.75s

(5)

Helvic Dream¹⁵⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: Colin Keane| T: N Meade| OR: 110| BF| D

10/1

Smart gelding. Latest win at the Curragh in October. 12l eighth of 12 to Amma Grace in listed race at Leopardstown (10f, soft, 5/4), having hopeless task from position. Off 155 days but not dismissed.

Form: 383318-

(1)

Saltonstall^p,t³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-10| J: G M Ryan| T: A McGuinness| OR: 111| C

18/1

Smart gelding. Four wins from 10 runs last year. Respectable fourth of 12 in minor event (8/1) at King Abdulaziz (10.4f, good to firm) 36 days ago, running on. Course winner so needs considering.

Form: 37111-4

(7)

Brogue³⁷⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: O J Orr| T: D K Weld| D

40/1

Debut Cork 1m2f maiden winner before improved 6½l fifth of 7 to Numerian in listed race at this C&D (heavy) 12 months ago. Has work to do on his comeback.

Form: 1/5-

(12)

Broome¹⁶²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: J A Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 112| D

7/2

Smart horse. 12/1, tailed-off last of 13 to Trueshan in Long Distance Cup at Ascot (16f, soft). Off 162 days but no forlorn hope if back on song after his break.

Form: 1146/40-

(4)

Flight Risk¹⁴¹

Age: 10| Weight: 9-7| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger| OR: 100

100/1

Useful gelding. Sixth of 7 in minor event (14/1) at this course (7f, heavy), slowly away. Off 141 days and faces a difficult ask.

Form: 15/5506-

(3)

In From The Cold⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Gary Carroll| T: M Mulvany| OR: 97| CD

28/1

Useful gelding. C&D winner in November and very good fifth of 24 in handicap at the Curragh (8f, soft, 28/1) 7 days ago. Needs to find more in this grade, however.

Form: 92641-5

(10)

King Of Comedy²⁴⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: T P Madden| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 112

14/1

Unreliable sort for John Gosden, off since last of 7 to Aspetar in York Stakes at York (10.2f, good to firm) 8 months ago. Needs to hit the ground running for his new handler.

Form: 2420/27-

(9)

Njord^t¹⁶²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: S Foley| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 109| D

6/1

Smart gelding. 15/2, career best when winning 18-runner handicap at Ascot (8f, soft) 162 days ago. Back up in trip and has to be taken seriously.

Form: 122541-

(2)

Numerian¹⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Declan McDonogh| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 111| CD

5/1

Smart gelding. Respectable 4½l fourth of 12 to Barrington Court in listed race at this course (11.8f, heavy). Off 141 days but landed this contest 12 months ago so much respected.

Form: 332824-

(6)

Sonnyboyliston¹⁶⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Ben Coen| T: J P Murtagh| OR: 110| D

11/1

Smart gelding. Three wins from 5 runs last year but below-form fourth of 9 to Helvic Dream in International Stakes (5/2) at the Curragh (10f, soft). Off 168 days but still not taken lightly.

Form: 0/13114-

(8)

Sunchart¹⁹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: A J Slattery| T: A Slattery| OR: 106

18/1

Useful gelding. 80/1, 10l eighth of 11 to Galileo Chrome in St Leger at Doncaster (14.5f, good to firm). Significantly back down in trip after 6 months off and others appeal more.

Form: 1/58228-

(11)

Up Helly Aa¹⁶⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: W J Lee| T: W McCreery| OR: 105| BF

10/3

Smart horse. 2/1, below-form second of 9 to Helvic Dream in International Stakes at the Curragh (10f, soft), no match for winner. Off 168 days and needs to bounce back.

Form: 121/232-

Forecasts

Up Helly Aa (10/3), Broome (7/2), Numerian (5/1), Njord (6/1), Helvic Dream (10/1), Sonnyboyliston (11/1), King Of Comedy (14/1), Sunchart (18/1), Saltonstall (18/1), In From The Cold (28/1), Brogue (40/1), Flight Risk (100/1)

A few with chances in this listed contest but NJORD ended last term on the up with a smart performance to land a big-field Ascot handicap and is fancied to hit the ground running here. Last year's winner Numerian appeals as the one to give Jessica Harrington's progressive 5-y-o most to do, although Broome is another who has the form to play a big part.