19:30 Curragh

Friday 26 May 2023

All16:5017:2518:0018:3019:0019:3020:0020:30

Novibet Emerald Mile Handicap (Premier Handicap)

Off time: 19:35 | Winning time: 1m 39.64s

(19)

I Am Superman⁶²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Colin Keane| T: M O'Callaghan| OR: 104| D

10/1

Eighteen runs since last win in 2019. 12/1, threatened more for a long way when seventeenth of 27 in handicap at this C&D (heavy) 62 days ago. Eased 2 lb subsequently with Colin Keane booked but others make more appeal.

Form: 22-3490

(15)

Saltonstall^p,t³⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 9-13| J: Adam Caffrey⁽⁷⁾| T: A McGuinness| OR: 103| CD

28/1

C&D winner. 5/1, fifth of 6 in minor event at Tipperary (7.4f, good to soft) 36 days ago, unsuited by way race developed. Return to this big-field scenario rates a plus and he's a live each-way player.

Form: 711-245

(14)

Current Option²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-8| J: Donagh O'Connor| T: A McGuinness| OR: 98

50/1

22/1, 13¾ lengths fifteenth of 19 to Earls in handicap at Cork (7f, soft) 21 days ago, effort over 2f out and folding. Needs to get back on track.

Form: 323-300

(1)

Flame Of Eire⁶²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: A J Slattery| T: A Slattery| OR: 98| D

22/1

Progressed well last term, rattling off quick-fire 4-timer in handicaps at up to 9f at Leopardstown in September before good fourth at Listed level final start. Entitled to be sharper for his return in C&D Group 3 in March.

Form: 11114-8

(6)

Point Gellibrand²⁸⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Dylan Browne McMonagle| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 96

18/1

Low-mileage 4-y-o who confirmed previous promise to open account in a Leopardstown maiden (10f) in July. Not disgraced but never managed to land a telling blow when last of 6 in Group 3 Royal Whip final start but he may yet have more to offer in handicaps this campaign.

Form: 25/3216-

(17)

Dunum³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Wayne Lordan| T: N Lupini| OR: 93| C| D

4/1

Very progressive last term, winning 4 big-field handicaps prior to a good second over 7f here final start. Career best when winning 14-runner handicap at Limerick (1m) on return to action 5 weeks ago and that may not prove his limit on that evidence. Respected.

Form: 11112-1

(8)

Final Voyage²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Shane Kelly| T: J P Murtagh| OR: 93| D

16/1

Off the mark in good style for this yard at Lingfield (1m) in April and backed that up when very good 2¾ lengths fourth of 19 to Earls in Mallow Handicap at Cork (7f, soft) 21 days ago, ridden 2f out and keeping on. Entitled to remain competitive.

Form: 342-214

(9)

Earls^t²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: Gary Carroll| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 92| D

20/1

1 win from 3 runs this year. 28/1, career best when winning 19-runner Mallow handicap at Cork (7f, soft) 21 days ago by ½ length from All Lies Ahead. Deserving of extra credit having come around the whole field then and he's another in the mix.

Form: 110-871

(20)

Howyoulikethat¹⁷⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: M A Enright| T: Miss H McLoughlin| OR: 92| D

66/1

Tenth of 12 in handicap (7/2) at Dundalk (1m) in December, headway over 1f out and not quicken. This rates a tough enough ask returning from 6 months off.

Form: 740310-

(12)

All Lies Ahead²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: W J Lee| T: W McCreery| OR: 91| BF| D

6/1

1 win from 3 runs this year. Latest win at Leopardstown in April. 7/2, good ½-length second of 19 to Earls in handicap at Cork (7f, soft) 21 days ago. Stable in good form. Merits consideration.

Form: 412-122

(11)

Tosen Wish^t²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: C J MacRedmond⁽⁵⁾| T: A McGuinness| OR: 89

15/2

Promising sort. First run since leaving Joseph Patrick O'Brien when good 2¾ lengths fifth of 19 to Earls in handicap at Cork (7f, soft, 20/1) 21 days ago, finishing well. Has to be taken seriously.

Form: 51/15

(18)

Pierre Lapin^p³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 8-12| J: S Foley| T: A McGuinness| OR: 88| D

25/1

11¼ lengths tenth of 14 to Dunum in handicap at Limerick (8f, soft, 18/1) 34 days ago, never a threat. Others make greater appeal.

Form: 7152-60

(16)

Rahmi³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: D E Sheehy⁽³⁾| T: J P Murtagh| OR: 87

18/1

First run since leaving Francis-Henri Graffard when 7¾ lengths eighth of 14 to Dunum in handicap at Limerick (8f, soft, 11/1) on IRE debut 34 days ago. Entitled to be sharper with that under his belt but this another tough enough ask.

Form: 413-8

(13)

San Aer^t²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-10| J: Nathan Crosse| T: T Mullins| OR: 86| C| D

20/1

Course winner. 10 lengths fourteenth of 19 to Earls in handicap at Cork (7f, soft, 9/1) 21 days ago, not clear run. Others more persuasive.

Form: 214-480

(3)

Adelaise^h1²⁴⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: M P Sheehy| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 85

25/1

First run since leaving Freddie & Martyn Meade when below form fourteenth of 22 in handicap at this course (7f, good to soft, 22/1). Off 8 months. Hood on 1st time.

Form: 7/10520-

(7)

No More Porter^p²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: Ronan Whelan| T: A McGuinness| OR: 85| CD

8/1

C&D winner. Twelve runs since last win in 2021. Creditable 3 lengths sixth of 19 to Earls in handicap (7/1) at Cork (7f, soft) 21 days ago, running on. Cheekpieces back on.

Form: 3072-56

(2)

Gambe Veloci³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: Declan McDonogh| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 84| D

13/2

Lightly-raced winner. Career best when winning 16-runner maiden at Limerick (8f, soft, 2/1) 34 days ago, driven clear. Trainer going well and feasible to expect further progress now handicapping.

Form: 223-1

(10)

Loingseoir^t⁵¹

Age: 7| Weight: 8-8| J: Siobhan Rutledge⁽⁵⁾| T: M C Grassick| OR: 84| CD

22/1

C&D winner. 9/2, good neck second of 12 to All Lies Ahead in handicap at Leopardstown (7.1f, heavy) 51 days ago, keeping on well. Can make presence felt.

Form: 61-5732

(5)

Vocal Studies²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: Rory Cleary| T: J S Bolger| OR: 83

14/1

14/1, bit below form 5¼ lengths tenth of 19 to Earls in handicap at Cork (7f, soft) 21 days ago, not clear run final 1f and never better than midfield. Eased 2 lb ahead of this so not ruled out for each-way purposes.

Form: 10-2670

(4)

Coins Cross²¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: Chris Hayes| T: E & P Harty| OR: 82| C

28/1

Career best when winning 18-runner handicap (11/2) at this course (7f, heavy) by 2 lengths from San Aer, kept up to work. Off 7 months and revised mark demands more now.

Form: 396201-

Forecasts

Dunum (4/1), All Lies Ahead (6/1), Gambe Veloci (13/2), Tosen Wish (15/2), No More Porter (8/1), I Am Superman (10/1), Vocal Studies (14/1), Final Voyage (16/1), Rahmi (18/1), Point Gellibrand (18/1), San Aer (20/1), Earls (20/1), Flame Of Eire (22/1), Loingseoir (22/1), Adelaise (25/1), Pierre Lapin (25/1), Saltonstall (28/1), Coins Cross (28/1), Current Option (50/1), Howyoulikethat (66/1)

Unsurprisingly plenty arrive with claims, and it could pay to take a chance on Cork eye-catcher TOSEN WISH. Very much catching the eye in the race won by re-opposing Earls on that occasion, he remains low-mileage on the back of just 4 career starts and can prove his mark lenient. Dunum, All Lies Ahead and aforementioned Earls head up the dangers in an ultra-competitive handicap.