17:40 Down Royal

Saturday 24 June 2023

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:2517:0517:40

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Off time: 17:40 | Winning time: 2m 48.12s

(2)

Barnacullia⁷⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: S P Bird⁽¹⁰⁾| T: M Mulvany

20/1

Useful jumps winner, making GB/IRE Flat debut. 10/1, pulled up in handicap chase at Fairyhouse (16.5f, good to soft) 76 days ago, shaken up before 5 out and never involved. Others appeal more for win purposes.

Form:

(3)

Impero³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: J Cleary⁽⁷⁾| T: Michael G Cleary| OR: 84

15/2

Unreliable sort. Remains a maiden after 9 Flat runs. 80/1, first run since leaving Thomas Cooper when good third of 7 in minor event at Killarney (14.2f, good to soft) 39 days ago. Capable of playing a part if putting it all together.

Form: 34453-3

(4)

Knight Sleeper^t³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Dylan Browne McMonagle| T: K J Condon

15/2

Once-raced gelding. Tongue strap on, third of 9 in maiden (10/1) at Sligo (10.4f, good to soft) on debut 39 days ago. Up in trip and entitled to build on that effort now.

Form: 3

(1)

Merlin Giant^p1²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: Colin Keane| T: E Mullins| OR: 76

8/11

Useful winner at 17f over hurdles. 14/1, thirteenth of 16 in handicap hurdle at Ballinrobe (22.4f, good) 26 days ago. Profile on the Flat is a largely positive one and no surprise to see a better showing here. Cheekpieces on 1st time.

Form: 344/2-

(9)

Wasthatok⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: C D Maxwell| T: G P Cromwell

22/1

Fairly useful winner at 15f over hurdles. Twice-raced gelding on Flat. Fairly useful winner at 15f over hurdles. 6/1, seventh of 12 in maiden at Fairyhouse (12f, good) 8 days ago.

Form: 77

(8)

Dubeyeracingcraic

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Gary Halpin| T: C Byrnes

10/3

Starspangledbanner filly. Half-sister to very smart 1m-1¾m winner Sonnyboyliston and useful 1½m-15f winner Lot of Joy. Dam, 15f/2m winner, also won over hurdles. Makes appeal on paper and interesting what the market makes of her on debut.

Form:

(7)

Lough Alina^h¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: Siobhan Rutledge⁽⁵⁾| T: M Rice

150/1

Once-raced mare. 150/1 and hooded, last of 14 in maiden at Fairyhouse (7f, good to firm) on debut 15 days ago, lost all chance at start. Significantly up in trip.

Form: 0

(5)

Spring Wind

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Rory Cleary| T: Barry J Fitzgerald

20/1

€7,000 3-y-o, Jukebox Jury filly. Half-sister to several winners, including smart 1m/9f winner Tiz The Shot and useful 9.5f-1½m winner Green Fees. Dam 13f-1¾m winner.

Form:

(6)

Valkyrie Gray³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Nathan Crosse| T: Mrs J Harrington

16/1

Once-raced filly. Sixth of 11 in maiden at Killarney (8.1f, good to soft, 16/1) on debut 39 days ago. Significantly up in trip. Stable in good form. May well do better.

Form: 6

Non-Runners

(10)

Moon Over Claddagh⁸

Weight: 9-9| Age: 5

T: H De Bromhead J: G M Ryan

Forecasts

Merlin Giant (8/11), Dubeyeracingcraic (10/3), Impero (15/2), Knight Sleeper (15/2), Moon Over Claddagh (14/1), Valkyrie Gray (16/1), Barnacullia (20/1), Spring Wind (20/1), Wasthatok (22/1), Lough Alina (150/1)

MERLIN GIANT was below his best over hurdles on his most recent start but his profile on the Flat is a solid one and he could well be worth siding with to get back on track under Colin Keane. Impero and Knight Sleeper may emerge as the chief threats.