16:30 Naas

Sunday 19 May 2024

All13:5014:2014:5015:2015:5516:3017:0017:30

Royal Ascot Trials At Naas Handicap

Off time: 16:31 | Winning time: 1m 38.59s

(1)

Lo Rider^h²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-12| J: Ronan Whelan| T: M Halford & T Collins| OR: 93| D

7/2

Off 7 months/gelded and much improved in a first-time hood when landing 18-runner maiden at Cork (8f, good to soft) 23 days ago. Much respected on his handicap debut.

Form: 6-1

(3)

Air Commander²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 91

3/1

Winner at Dundalk in April. Went keenly but still posted a solid sixth of 9 in handicap at this C&D (soft) 20 days ago. Remains with potential so very much one to consider.

Form: 26-16

(9)

Bid For Chester^t²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: W Joyce⁽⁵⁾| T: M Mulvany| OR: 91

25/1

1 win from 3 runs this year. 9¼ lengths tenth of 13 to Givemethebeatboys in listed race at Navan (5.8f, good to soft, 18/1) 22 days ago. Significantly back up in trip. Something to find on form.

Form: 623-210

(7)

Chicago Critic⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Ben Coen| T: J P Murtagh| OR: 90| CD

7/1

Lightly-raced winner. 16/1, 13¼ lengths sixth of 8 to Battle Cry in Leopardstown 2000 Guineas Trial at Leopardstown (7.1f, heavy) 42 days ago. Yard in good form. Makes handicap debut. Considered.

Form: 31-36

(4)

Soldier's Empire²⁰⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons| OR: 90| D

7/2

Thrice-raced winner. Won 13-runner maiden (11/10) at Dundalk (8f), driven out. Off 6 months. Makes handicap debut. Should progress.

Form: 351-

(11)

Profit Refused²⁸¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Chris Hayes| T: K Prendergast| OR: 85

22/1

Thrice-raced winner. 20/1, sixth of 11 in minor event at the Curragh (7f, good). Off 9 months. Makes handicap debut with more needed.

Form: 316-

(10)

Starliner²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: G M Ryan| T: Donnacha O'Brien| OR: 84

8/1

12/1, creditable fifth of 9 in handicap at this C&D (soft) 20 days ago. Yard having good spell. Solid each-way chance.

Form: 32176-5

(8)

Barnso¹⁵¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Wayne Lordan| T: N Lupini| OR: 79

14/1

Lightly-raced winner. 4/1, good second of 13 in minor event at Dundalk (8f), suited by increase in trip. Off 151 days. Makes handicap debut. Ought to be in the shake-up.

Form: 8212-

(12)

Going Remote^p²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: S Foley| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 77

28/1

Lightly-raced maiden. 10/1 and cheekpieces on for 1st time, eighth of 9 in handicap at this C&D (soft) 20 days ago. Can give a good account if shrugging off latest effort.

Form: 745-8

(6)

Neo Smart¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Rory Cleary| T: J S Bolger| OR: 76

14/1

Winner at Dundalk in November. Creditable third of 10 in handicap at the Curragh (7f, soft, 8/1) 13 days ago. Enters calculations.

Form: 4871-93

Non-Runners

(2)

Raknah²¹

Weight: 9-1| Age: 3

T: Mrs J Harrington J: S Foley

(5)

Uncle Albert²⁸

Weight: 8-10| Age: 3

T: K P Cotter J: Declan McDonogh

Forecasts

Air Commander (3/1), Lo Rider (7/2), Soldier's Empire (7/2), Chicago Critic (7/1), Starliner (8/1), Raknah (10/1), Neo Smart (14/1), Barnso (14/1), Uncle Albert (14/1), Profit Refused (22/1), Bid For Chester (25/1), Going Remote (28/1)

Lots with chances. AIR COMMANDER remains with better days ahead of him having gone freely when sixth over C&D last time so is fancied to quickly resume winning ways. Handicap-debutants Sharinay and Soldier's Empire both bring a fair bit of potential too and can chase home Aidan O'Brien's Kingman colt in that order. The handily weighted Uncle Albert completes the shortlist.