15:45 Curragh

Saturday 6 August 2022

All13:3014:0514:4015:1515:4516:1516:5517:25

Sheehy Motors Volkswagen Handicap

Off time: 15:47 | Winning time: 1m 39.48s

(1)

Akmaam³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: M A Enright| T: G M Lyons| OR: 93

14/1

First run since leaving Brian Meehan when eleventh of 13 in handicap at Leopardstown (10f, good, 13/2) 30 days ago, never landing a blow on back of 9 months off. Entitled to be sharper here.

Form: 15/905-0

(7)

Probe^p⁶⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: Chris Hayes| T: D K Weld| OR: 91| D

12/1

Two wins from 4 starts as a 3-y-o. Best effort of present campaign despite finishing ninth of 12 at Leopardstown (9f) in June, going well when forced wide over 1f out. Eased further in weights and one to consider. Cheekpieces replace visor.

Form: 411-009

(9)

Big Baby Bull^t⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: Gary Carroll| T: M Mulvany| OR: 89| C| D

11/2

Course winner. Latest win at Naas in July. 7/1, good second of 17 in handicap at Galway (8.4f, good to soft) 9 days ago, running on late. Heading back in the right direction recently.

Form: 37-0012

(5)

Plunkett⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Billy Lee| T: P W Flynn| OR: 85| BF| D

11/2

2 wins from 5 runs this year. Latest win at Leopardstown in June. 11/2, creditable seventh of 17 in handicap at Galway (8.4f, good to soft) 9 days ago, forced wide final 1f and keeping on. Should continue in form.

Form: 2-12317

(8)

Ice Cold In Alex^t¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 9-4| J: J M Sheridan⁽³⁾| T: K J Condon| OR: 83| C

12/1

Course winner. Twelve runs since last win in 2021. 12/1, respectable 4 lengths fifth of 13 to Big Baby Bull in handicap at Naas (7f, good) 17 days ago, finishing well.

Form: 573675

(4)

Janoobi⁸⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons| OR: 90| D

11/10

Thrice-raced winner. 1 win from 2 runs this year. Won 7-runner maiden (1/8) at Cork (8f, soft) 80 days ago. Makes handicap debut. Open to progress.

Form: 2-21

(3)

In Ecstasy¹⁵⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Declan McDonogh| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 88| D

10/1

Lightly-raced winner. Respectable 7¼ lengths fourth of 8 to Juncture in listed race (10/3) at Dundalk (8f). Off 155 days. Makes handicap debut.

Form: 011-4

(6)

Tyrconnell^b¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 9-2| J: S M Crosse| T: S Lynam| OR: 81| D

16/1

Fourteen runs since last win in 2021. 28/1, creditable length fourth of 13 to Big Baby Bull in handicap at Naas (7f, good) 17 days ago, never nearer. Needs to back that up now.

Form: 575504

Non-Runners

(2)

Carlton Banks⁷⁶

Weight: 8-11| Age: 4

T: J F Levins J: Mikey Sheehy

Forecasts

Janoobi (11/10), Plunkett (11/2), Big Baby Bull (11/2), In Ecstasy (10/1), Ice Cold In Alex (12/1), Probe (12/1), Carlton Banks (12/1), Akmaam (14/1), Tyrconnell (16/1)

An interesting handicap with a chance taken on PROBE. He signalled a return to form without being seen to best effect at Leopardstown in June, going wel when forced wide 1f out and ultimately left poorly placed. Eased further in the weights, he could well be up to building on that now. 3-y-o Janoobi is going the right way and feared, along with Big Baby Bull.