17:55 Clonmel

Thursday 7 September 2023

All16:2016:5017:2517:5518:2518:5519:25

Nire Valley Handicap (50-85)

Off time: 17:55 | Winning time: 2m 4.29s

(9)

Eclat De Lumiere^b⁶⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Chris Hayes| T: D K Weld| OR: 79

4/1

Fairly low-mileage filly who seemed unsuited by the drop in trip when seventh of 18 in handicap at the Curragh (7f) in June. Form of her Fairyhouse third previously has some substance however, and she's of interest back up in trip.

Form: 4294-37

(11)

Ayrton²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: J A Heffernan| T: T J O'Mara| OR: 75

150/1

125/1, sixteenth of 18 in handicap at the Curragh (8f, good) 26 days ago, racing off the pace and never dangerous. Good bit to prove at present back up in trip.

Form: 12/55-60

(1)

Dark Note³³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: A J Slattery| T: A Slattery| OR: 73| D

10/1

Latest win at Tramore (12f) in July. Tenth of 11 in handicap at Galway (11.8f, soft, 7/1) 33 days ago, joined home turn and weakening. Return to forecast quicker ground here should help.

Form: 0-00410

(5)

Zahee^h,t⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 9-8| J: Mr C McConnell⁽⁷⁾| T: J C McConnell| OR: 73

50/1

Unreliable type. Twelve runs since last win in 2022. 33/1, last of 17 in handicap at Navan (8f, good to soft) 7 days ago. Back up in trip. Engaged 5.15 Gowran Park Wednesday.

Form: 74-9600

(12)

Eloquent Arthur^b¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: J M Sheridan| T: A B Joyce| OR: 72

14/1

Fourteen runs since last win in 2022. 8/1, below form fourth of 11 in handicap at Roscommon (7.4f, good to soft) 16 days ago. Back up in trip.

Form: 860234

(8)

Yokkell²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: L F Roche| T: J P Fahey| OR: 72

13/2

Latest win at Ballinrobe in July. Creditable sixth of 10 in handicap (4/1) at Sligo (10.5f, good to soft) 29 days ago. Looks competitive on form.

Form: 2-32616

(2)

Believe In Science⁵¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Rory Cleary| T: J S Bolger| OR: 70

11/1

Creditable fifth of 10 in maiden (10/3) at Killarney (8.1f, good to soft) 51 days ago, unsuited by drop in trip. However, she has had plenty of chances already.

Form: 530-305

(7)

Slieve Binnian¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Colin Keane| T: M Halford & T Collins| OR: 76| D

10/3

Career best when winning 19-runner handicap (7/1) at the Curragh (10f, good to soft) 19 days ago, all out. No surprise to see him go well again.

Form: 71-7541

(4)

Free Flow²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Luke McAteer| T: J M Barrett| OR: 73

7/1

Lightly-raced maiden. Blinkered for 1st time, not seen to best effect when fifth of 14 in handicap (20/1) at the Curragh (10f, good) 25 days ago, nearest finish. Remains less exposed than most and one of the likelier types here.

Form: 6-0925

(6)

Sea Spray^p¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: S Foley| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 71

16/1

Winner at Gowran (9.5f) in June. 33/1, 6½ lengths thirteenth of 19 to Slieve Binnian in handicap at the Curragh (10f, good to soft) 19 days ago, left poorly placed. Trainer going well.

Form: 47-7190

(3)

Simply Sideways¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: S D Bowen⁽⁷⁾| T: T Doyle| OR: 64

9/2

Latest win at Naas (1m) in July. 13/2, creditable third of 15 in handicap at Killarney (8.1f, good) 14 days ago. Trainer going well. Should go well again for all this looks tougher.

Form: 634133

(10)

North Dorset⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Siobhan Rutledge⁽³⁾| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 66

40/1

Lightly-raced maiden. Twelfth of 13 in handicap (50/1) at Down Royal (12.8f, good to soft) 41 days ago. Down in trip. Yard in good form. Difficult ask.

Form: 0-950

Forecasts

Slieve Binnian (10/3), Eclat De Lumiere (4/1), Simply Sideways (9/2), Yokkell (13/2), Free Flow (7/1), Dark Note (10/1), Believe In Science (11/1), Eloquent Arthur (14/1), Sea Spray (16/1), North Dorset (40/1), Zahee (50/1), Ayrton (150/1)

Competitive fare with the narrow vote in favour of ECLAT DE LUMIERE. Unsuited by the drop in trip when midfield in a Curragh handicap (7f) when last seen in June, her previous Fairyhouse third was a solid enough display and she can be expected to go well from a career-low mark. Free Flow and recent course scorer Slieve Binnian head up the dangers.