14:15 Curragh

Saturday 25 March 2023

All13:4014:1514:5015:2515:5716:3217:0717:37

DMG Media Handicap

Off time: 14:15 | Winning time: 1m 4.99s

(1)

The Highway Rat¹⁵⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: Billy Lee| T: A Oliver| OR: 98| D

10/1

Below form 6¼ lengths fifth of 9 to Manaccan in Mercury Stakes at Dundalk (5f), though that run can be excused as he was hampered at the start. Off 155 days. Can give a good account back in a handicap.

Form: 21/6015-

(12)

Saliteh²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: K Stott| T: A Murray| OR: 92| D

7/1

50/1, fourth of 7 in handicap at Dundalk (5f) 29 days ago. Isn't obviously well treated.

Form: 00804-4

(11)

Earls^t1¹³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: Gary Carroll| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 88| BF| D

15/2

Four wins from 10 runs last year. Latest win at Naas in October. 3/1, twelfth of 17 in handicap at Naas (5f, heavy). Off 139 days. Tongue strap on first time and he's shot up in the weights due to that excellent campaign.

Form: 711110-

(5)

Laugh A Minute²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-4| J: Ronan Whelan| T: A McGuinness| OR: 88| CD

4/1

C&D winner. Twelve runs since last win in 2022. Last of 7 in handicap at Dundalk (5f, 22/1) 29 days ago. Yard in good form and he should strip fitter with that under his belt.

Form: 34388-7

(7)

Only Spoofing^h¹⁷¹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-3| J: M Mjoka⁽³⁾| T: Kevin Coleman| OR: 87| D

66/1

Three wins from 14 runs last year. 50/1, twelfth of 13 in handicap at Navan (5.8f, soft). Off 171 days. Hood back on.

Form: 714600-

(10)

Verhoyen¹⁵³

Age: 8| Weight: 9-3| J: James Ryan⁽⁷⁾| T: M C Grassick| OR: 87| C

18/1

Four-time course winner. Below form seventh of 18 in handicap (28/1) at this course (7f, heavy), ridden too aggressively. Off 153 days. Back down in trip.

Form: 727997-

(9)

Aljady^p,t1¹⁰⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 8-12| J: S D Bowen⁽⁷⁾| T: D Hogan| OR: 82| D

20/1

Twelve runs since last win in 2020. Last of 12 in claimer (12/1) at Dundalk (7f). Off 108 days. Back down in trip. Tongue strap on for first time.

Form: 69/7090-

(6)

Jon Riggens^t¹³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-10| J: Chris Hayes| T: E Lynam| OR: 80| CD

7/2

C&D winner. Good second of 17 in handicap (7/2) at Naas (5f, heavy), nearest finish. Off 139 days and big player from the same mark if he's ready to roll.

Form: 3/09522-

(8)

Downforce¹³⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 8-7| J: Nathan Crosse| T: W McCreery| OR: 77| CD

9/1

C&D winner. Latest win here in October. Fifteenth of 17 in handicap at Naas (5f, heavy, 22/1). Off 139 days and this vceteran may need this.

Form: 000410-

(2)

Swift Flight^t¹²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: N G McCullagh| T: K J Condon| OR: 76| D

11/2

Respectable seventh of 14 in minor event at Fontainebleau (5.5f, soft, 22/1). Off 120 days and back in a handicap.

Form: 544207-

(3)

Harry's Hill¹⁵⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: Wayne Hassett⁽¹⁰⁾| T: M Hassett| OR: 75| CD

9/1

C&D winner. Three wins from 9 runs last year. Latest win at Bellewstown in September. 13/2, creditable third of 12 in handicap at Navan (5f, heavy). Off 157 days.

Form: 091113-

Non-Runners

(4)

Hurricane Ivor¹⁴⁹

Weight: 9-12| Age: 6

T: Mrs J Harrington J: Shane Foley

Forecasts

Jon Riggens (7/2), Laugh A Minute (4/1), Swift Flight (11/2), Saliteh (7/1), Earls (15/2), Downforce (9/1), Harry's Hill (9/1), The Highway Rat (10/1), Hurricane Ivor (10/1), Verhoyen (18/1), Aljady (20/1), Only Spoofing (66/1)

The market will assess the readiness of most of these back from a break but JON RIGGENS ended 2022 with a brace of excellent runner-up efforts so he gets the vote. This is a drop in class for The Highway Rat and he's a threat, along with Earls, who was prolific for this yard during the second half of last year.