14:05 Curragh

Monday 18 March 2024

All13:3514:0514:3515:1015:4016:1016:4017:10

La Celia Wines Handicap

Off time: 14:06 | Winning time: 1m 6.91s

(11)

Big Gossey⁸⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: Robert Whearty⁽⁵⁾| T: C O'Brien| OR: 107| CD

20/1

Five-time course winner, the latest in November. 28/1, creditable fourth of 9 in handicap at Dundalk (7f) 89 days ago. Back down in trip.

Form: 437164-

(12)

Thunderbear²³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: James Ryan⁽⁵⁾| T: J Davison| OR: 107| D

33/1

Latest win at Newbury in September. 18¾ lengths last of 10 to Diligent Harry in listed race (33/1) at Southwell (5f) 23 days ago.

Form: 48517-0

(9)

Laugh A Minute²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 9-9| J: Adam Caffrey⁽⁵⁾| T: A McGuinness| OR: 95| CD

11/2

Three-time C&D winner, the latest in September. Sharper for an outing on AW last month. Not discounted back on turf.

Form: 30105-7

(4)

New Definition¹⁷⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Colin Keane| T: R O'Brien| OR: 93

80/1

Last of 12 in handicap at Chelmsford (7f, 66/1) when last seen in September. Off 179 days. Down in trip. First run for yard after leaving James Tate. Colin Keane up so worth a betting check on return.

Form: 206850-

(7)

Mickey The Steel^p,t¹¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Dylan Browne McMonagle| T: Joseph Murray| OR: 91| CD

9/1

C&D winner in November. Below-par fifth of 7 in handicap (12/1) at Dundalk (6f) next time. Off 110 days.

Form: 085115-

(5)

Stag Night¹³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: W J Lee| T: W McCreery| OR: 90| BF| C

10/3

Course winner. Latest win at Naas in October. 16/5, creditable neck third of 12 to Mickey The Steel in C&D handicap final start. Gone well fresh before. Considered under Billy Lee.

Form: 1/87613-

(10)

Verhoyen¹³⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 9-4| J: C Geerdharry⁽⁷⁾| T: M C Grassick| OR: 90| C

66/1

Six-time course winner. 3/1, 11 lengths fourth of 5 to Big Gossey in minor event at this course (7f, heavy). Off 134 days. Back down in trip.

Form: 185254-

(13)

Never Shout Never¹⁷⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Ronan Whelan| T: A McGuinness| OR: 89| BF| D

18/1

10/3, 11¼ lengths fifteenth of 16 to Laugh A Minute in handicap at this C&D (soft). Off 177 days. First run for yard after leaving Fozzy Stack.

Form: 442120-

(2)

Real Force¹³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: M W Hassett⁽⁷⁾| T: Gerard O'Leary| OR: 89| D

5/1

13/2, 7¼ lengths third of 5 to Big Gossey in minor event at this course (7f, heavy) in November. Off 134 days. Back down in trip. Won on 2023 reappearance and player if ready to roll again.

Form: 00/1893-

(3)

Gustavus Weston¹⁵⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 8-12| J: Gary Carroll| T: J G Murphy| OR: 84| C

12/1

Course winner. Nineteen runs since last win in 2021. 11¾ lengths seventh of 10 to Stag Night in handicap (11/2) at Naas (5.9f, soft) in October. Good second over C&D prior to that. Off 156 days.

Form: 700427-

(8)

Two Stars¹³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: J M Sheridan| T: J A Stack| OR: 82

10/3

Thrice-raced winner. Close fourth of 12 to Mickey The Steel in C&D handicap (heavy) on final 3-y-o start. Returns as an unexposed sprinter who should have more to offer.

Form: 314-

(6)

Polar Bear^p¹³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: S Foley| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 81| D

16/1

Below form eleventh of 19 in handicap (16/1) at this course (5.9f, heavy). Off 139 days. Cheekpieces back on. Others more persuasive.

Form: 302460-

(1)

Loingseoir^t¹³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 8-8| J: D E Sheehy| T: M C Grassick| OR: 80| C

40/1

Course winner. Thirteen runs since last win in 2022. Below form eighth of 22 in handicap (28/1) at this course (7f, heavy), not ideally placed. Off 134 days. Down in trip.

Form: 204668-

Forecasts

Stag Night (10/3), Two Stars (10/3), Real Force (5/1), Laugh A Minute (11/2), Mickey The Steel (9/1), Gustavus Weston (12/1), Polar Bear (16/1), Never Shout Never (18/1), Big Gossey (20/1), Thunderbear (33/1), Loingseoir (40/1), Verhoyen (66/1), New Definition (80/1)

Although his peak fitness has to be taken on trust after 134 days off TWO STARS appeals as a lightly-raced sprinter who should have more to offer in 2024 so he gets the nod. Stag Night was narrowly in front of the selection on his final start last term and is second choice ahead of Real Force, who won off 2 lb higher on his 2023 reappearance, and the Ado McGuinness-trained Laugh A Minute.