Gra Chocolates Irish EBF Nursery Handicap

Off time: 16:15 | Winning time: 1m 33.45s

(4)

Portland³¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-10| J: Seamie Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 90

15/8

Twice-raced maiden. Fourth of 5 in minor event (6/5) at Tipperary (7.4f, good) 31 days ago. This well-bred colt is open to improvement now handicapping.

Form: 34

(2)

Jakajaro¹⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 9-6| J: Luke McAteer| T: D Marnane| OR: 86

10/11

Lightly-raced winner. Career best when winning 9-runner nursery (15/2) at the Curragh (6f, soft) 14 days ago, easily. Up 12 lb for that, but should stay this trip and he's a big player.

Form: 6031

(3)

Lia Fail⁴³

Age: 2| Weight: 8-7| J: Chris Hayes| T: M Mulvany| OR: 72| D

6/1

Lightly-raced winner. Career best when winning 14-runner maiden at Down Royal (7f, good, 25/1) 43 days ago. More on her plate now pitched into a handicap.

Form: 4571

(1)

Nika Pika^t¹⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 8-7| J: Leigh Roche| T: P Magee| OR: 69

17/2

Lightly-raced maiden. 50/1 and tongue strap on for 1st time, good 4¾ lengths third of 9 to Jakajaro in nursery at the Curragh (6f, soft) 14 days ago. Clearly has work to do.

Form: 5083

Forecasts

Jakajaro (10/11), Portland (15/8), Lia Fail (6/1), Nika Pika (17/2)

PORTLAND failed to improve on his promising debut at the Curragh when fourth at Tipperary, but he still looked green on that occasion and it's not hard to envisage him taking a considerable step forward now pitched into a handicap. Jakajaro did the job well at the Curragh a fortnight ago and is an obvious threat, despite being hit with a 12 lb rise. Lia Fail raised her game when scoring at Down Royal, but more will be needed again if she's to follow up here.