16:20 Leopardstown

Sunday 11 April 2021

All13:4014:1014:4015:1515:4516:2016:5017:20

Leopardstown Handicap

Off time: 16:20 | Winning time: 2m 10.73s

(3)

Zozimus^b⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 10-5| J: Paddy Harnett⁽⁷⁾| T: Donnacha O'Brien| OR: 97

14/1

Winner at Dundalk in November. 10/1, good third of 14 in handicap at Cork (10.1f, good to soft) 8 days ago.

Form: 2231-73

(9)

Ides Of August¹⁹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 10-2| J: Sam Ewing⁽⁵⁾| T: G M Lyons| OR: 94| C

20/1

Failed to kick on from a winning debut last season and reappears in a tough handicap.

Form: 1597-

(6)

Brazil¹⁹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-12| J: Seamie Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 90

8/1

Lightly-raced winner who seemed beaten on merit in Beresford Stakes (11/1) at the Curragh (8f, soft) when last seen, though is bred to do better as a 3-y-o this year.

Form: 4318-

(10)

San Martino¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-12| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 90

25/1

Useful juvenile who ran below form after 5 months off when sixth of 11 in minor event (7/2) at Dundalk (8f) 16 days ago. Up in trip.

Form: 81237-6

(12)

Los Andes^p1¹⁶⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Shane Foley| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 87

40/1

Lightly-raced winner who was possibly amiss when running no sort of race in Eyrefield Stakes at this course (9f, soft) in October. Subsequently gelded. Cheekpieces on for handicap debut.

Form: 5139-

(2)

Irwin⁸⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: S M Crosse| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 85

6/1

Confirmed debut promise when winning 14-runner maiden at Dundalk (8f, 4/9) 86 days ago, just holding on. Up in trip for handicap debut and open to further improvement.

Form: 3-1

(7)

Sir Lamorak¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 85

9/4

Didn't need to improve to justify good support in 14-runner maiden at Dundalk (10.7f, 4/6) 16 days ago, always holding on. Into handicaps now and capable of better still.

Form: 54-1

(4)

Bear Story¹²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Ronan Whelan| T: M Halford| OR: 83

11/1

Improved again when winning 14-runner maiden at Dundalk (8f), keeping on well. Off 121 days. Up in trip. Makes handicap debut. Remains capable of better.

Form: 821-

(8)

Chicago Bear¹³⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Shane Kelly⁽³⁾| T: J P Murtagh| OR: 83

3/1

Showed improved form to get off the mark in 14-runner maiden at Dundalk (7f). Off 139 days. Significantly up in trip for handicap debut and open to further progress.

Form: 81-

(1)

Verbal Fencing²⁰⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger| OR: 82

33/1

Found some improvement towards the end of last season in winning back-to-back nurseries. Bred to stay 1¼m and may do better still.

Form: 666311-

(13)

Moon Daisy²¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Gavin Ryan| T: Donnacha O'Brien| OR: 75

16/1

Signs of ability in maidens last season and can do better now handicapping up in trip.

Form: 655-

(11)

Britzka¹⁷⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: M A Gallagher| T: E P Harty| OR: 72

40/1

Lightly-raced maiden who posted a good third in 16-runner nursery at this course in October. Up in trip.

Form: 05973-

(5)

Cursory Exam²³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: Chris Hayes| T: G O'Leary| OR: 72

25/1

8/1, respectable fifth of 14 in handicap at Dundalk (8f) 23 days ago, never nearer. Up in trip.

Form: 6525-65

Forecasts

Sir Lamorak (9/4), Chicago Bear (3/1), Irwin (6/1), Brazil (8/1), Bear Story (11/1), Zozimus (14/1), Moon Daisy (16/1), Ides Of August (20/1), San Martino (25/1), Cursory Exam (25/1), Verbal Fencing (33/1), Britzka (40/1), Los Andes (40/1)

SIR LAMORAK looks to have been let in lightly on his handicap debut so he's the most persuasive option. Bear Story and Irwin are a couple of others to view positively in what is likely to prove an informative 3-y-o handicap.