17:05 Leopardstown

Saturday 9 September 2023

All13:4514:1514:4515:2015:5516:3017:0517:40

Irish Stallion Farms EBF 'Petingo' Handicap (Premier Handicap)

Off time: 17:06 | Winning time: 2m 41.18s

(9)

Jackfinbar¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: L Dettori| T: W P Mullins| OR: 104

11/2

On second start for current trainer, ran up to best when fourth in handicap at Galway in August. However, below form when twelfth of 22 in Ebor at York (13.8f, good to firm, 8/1) 2 weeks ago. No surprise to see him get back on track with Dettori on board.

Form: 115/340

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(5)

Ceallach²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Ronan Whelan| T: M Halford & T Collins| OR: 93

14/1

Improved performer at Dundalk in second half of 2022 and, after a further 12 weeks off, better than ever when second of 14 in handicap (11/2) at the same course (10.7f) 25 days ago. Still looking for his first win on turf as he goes up in trip.

Form: 1211-82

(11)

Enfranchise¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Gavin Ryan| T: J J Hanlon| OR: 93

25/1

Six wins from 20 Flat runs, with latest success at Down Royal in June. After a win over hurdles, creditable fourth of 9 in handicap (10/1) at Naas (10.5f, good to soft) 13 days ago. Needs to find more upped in distance.

Form: 3312-14

(2)

Dartan^b,t¹⁰^{(ex 7)}

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: O Murphy| T: M J Smith| OR: 85| D

10/1

In first-time blinkers, completed quick-fire double (won on Flat the previous evening) when landing 15-runner handicap hurdle at Bellewstown (20.4f, good, 5/1) 10 days ago. Carries penalty but can go well again in his current form.

Form: 11-7101

(6)

Etna Rosso¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Dylan Browne McMonagle| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 99

10/1

Successful at Limerick on debut and has improved since, having run of race when 4½ lengths fourth of 7 to Harbour Wind in listed race (14/1) at this course (14f, good) 16 days ago. Further step forward required as he makes handicap debut.

Form: 1254

(16)

Golden Twilight^p,t²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: Billy Lee| T: M Halford & T Collins| OR: 91| BF

14/1

Five wins from 19 Flat runs. Without a win this season but again ran well when fourth of 14 in handicap (5/1) at Dundalk (10.7f) 25 days ago. Can give his running once more as he goes back up in trip.

Form: 1-03534

(12)

Nusret^t⁹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Mikey Sheehy| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 91

13/2

Useful hurdler and transferred that improvement back to the level when winning 10-runner handicap at the Curragh (14f, good, 3/1) in June. On a workable mark based on his hurdles form, so he's not one to take lightly.

Form: 32160-1

(8)

Burren Song²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: Andrew Slattery| T: A Slattery| OR: 88| C

25/1

Three wins from 9 runs this year, completing hat-trick with success here (12f) in May. 16/1, soon back to form when sixth of 14 in handicap at Dundalk (10.7f) 25 days ago. Can give another good account back up in distance.

Form: 111306

(3)

Comfort Zone²²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: Declan McDonogh| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 86

4/1

Developed into useful hurdler in 2022/23, winning 7-runner Triumph Hurdle Trial (Finesse) at Cheltenham (16.8f, good to soft, 2/1) by ¾ length from Scriptwriter in January. On a tempting mark back on the Flat and ran well fresh last year. Major player.

Form: 922/413-

(13)

Satin^p1²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Shane Foley| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 93

14/1

Two wins from 5 runs this year, latest victory at Killarney in July. Ran creditably after a rise in the weights when fifth of 10 in handicap at Ascot (12f, good, 9/1) 28 days ago. Cheekpieces on 1st time.

Form: 0-16415

(1)

Merlin Giant^p³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 8-7| J: Chris Hayes| T: E Mullins| OR: 83| D

7/2

Progressed into a useful hurdler last year and won maiden on Flat at Down Royal (12.8f, 8/11) in June. Shaped better than result in Galway Hurdle on his latest outing, making a couple of late errors, and he's an interesting contender making his handicap debut on the level.

Form: 344/2-1

(15)

Nibiru^p,t¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 8-7| J: Siobhan Rutledge⁽³⁾| T: A J Martin| OR: 81

25/1

After a poor effort over hurdles at Galway in August, wasn't disgraced back on the level when sixth of 9 in handicap at Naas (10.5f, good to soft, 12/1) 13 days ago. Others preferred as he goes back up in trip.

Form: 103-206

(7)

Bold Approach^p¹⁰⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 8-7| J: Rory Cleary| T: J S Bolger| OR: 80| C

50/1

Course winner. Seventeen runs since last win in this sphere back in 2019. Run best excused when last of 18 in handicap at the Curragh (14f, good, 100/1) in May, struck into. Back with Jim Bolger.

Form: 9353/0-0

(10)

No Niki No^b²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 8-7| J: Hollie Doyle| T: Eoghan O'Neill| OR: 80| C

18/1

Winner here (9f) in June. 9/1, shaped as if still in good form when sixth of 9 in handicap at the Curragh (12f, good to soft) 3 weeks ago. Faces a tough task in this contest, though.

Form: 515326

Non-Runners

(14)

Imaginarium³⁶

Weight: 9-1| Age: 4

T: G M Lyons J: Colin Keane

(4)

La Hacienda³⁶

Weight: 9-0| Age: 6

T: M J Smith J: Gary Carroll

Forecasts

Merlin Giant (7/2), Comfort Zone (4/1), Jackfinbar (11/2), Nusret (13/2), Dartan (10/1), Etna Rosso (10/1), Satin (14/1), Golden Twilight (14/1), Ceallach (14/1), Imaginarium (16/1), No Niki No (18/1), Burren Song (25/1), Nibiru (25/1), Enfranchise (25/1), La Hacienda (25/1), Bold Approach (50/1)

COMFORT ZONE developed into a useful hurdler last season, winning the Triumph Hurdle Trial at Cheltenham on his latest outing in January, and he's open to further improvement making only his second handicap start on the Flat. The 4-y-o is taken to see off the challenge of stablemate Nusret, while Merlin Giant and Jackfinbar are others who also merit consideration.