16:50 Curragh

Saturday 25 May 2024

All13:2013:5514:3015:0515:4016:1516:5017:25

Finlay Volvo Handicap

Off time: 16:51 | Winning time: 1m 25.69s

(1)

Democracy²⁵⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-12| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 94| C

16/1

8½ lengths last of 7 to Diego Velazquez in Champions Juvenile Stakes (66/1) at Leopardstown (8f, good to firm). Off 8 months. Stable having good spell. Needs a couple of these to falter.

Form: 167747-

(3)

Follow Me³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-11| J: Billy Lee| T: R O'Sullivan| OR: 93| C

4/1

Made winning start for new connections when taking 14-runner maiden at this course (6f, heavy, 22/1) on IRE debut 34 days ago. Fairly treated on switch to handicapping and must enter calculations.

Form: 22445-1

(6)

Nerano^t⁸⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-11| J: Dylan Browne McMonagle| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 93

8/1

Improved in each start thus far, latest when second of 3 in minor event at Dundalk (8f) 85 days ago. Likely more to come on handicap debut and merits consideration.

Form: 3-12

(13)

Gunzburg¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: Gary Carroll| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 92

18/1

20/1, first run since leaving P. Twomey when bit below form 5¾ lengths fifth of 13 to Cherry Blossom in listed race at Cork (5.5f, good) 15 days ago. Up in trip. Makes handicap debut. Has work to do.

Form: 12657-5

(12)

Ragga Bomb²³²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons| OR: 91

11/2

Thrice-raced winner. 20/1, 5½ lengths seventh of 14 to Mountain Bear in listed race at Dundalk (7f). Off 7 months. May do better on switch to handicapping.

Form: 817-

(7)

Transcending Glory^p⁴³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Ben Coen| T: J P Murtagh| OR: 87

16/1

1 win from 1 run this year. Career best when winning 13-runner maiden (9/4) at Dundalk (6f) 43 days ago, running on. Step back up in trip will suit and merits consideration back in handicap company.

Form: 05052-1

(11)

Grand City Hall¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Ronan Whelan| T: J P Fahey| OR: 83

8/1

Found improvement when taking 10-runner maiden at Cork (6f, good, 11/2) on return 15 days ago. Entitled to build on that and looks feasibly treated on handicap bow.

Form: 335-1

(2)

Monasterboice^b¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Robert Whearty⁽⁵⁾| T: N Meade| OR: 80

16/1

Lightly-raced maiden. 7/2, creditable 1¾ lengths third of 10 to Grand City Hall in maiden at Cork (6f, good) 15 days ago. Warrants respect on handicap bow.

Form: 659-33

(10)

Perfect Judgement¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: C J MacRedmond⁽⁵⁾| T: A McGuinness| OR: 79

33/1

Winner at Dundalk in January. Tenth of 14 in handicap at Naas (5.9f, good, 25/1) 14 days ago. Others more persuasive.

Form: 38-1340

(14)

Tai Tam Bay¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Chris Hayes| T: E & P Harty| OR: 78

8/1

1 win from 2 runs this year. Winner at Naas in April. 6/1, creditable third of 14 in handicap at Naas (5.9f, good) 14 days ago. Each-way claims.

Form: 3344-13

(4)

Uncle Albert³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Declan McDonogh| T: K P Cotter| OR: 77| D

18/1

1 win from 2 runs this year. Winner at Cork in March. Below form ninth of 21 in handicap (11/2) at this C&D (heavy) 34 days ago. Not taken lightly.

Form: 2340-19

(5)

Neo Smart^t1⁶

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

7/1

Winner at Dundalk in November. Creditable sixth of 10 in handicap at Naas (8f, good to firm, 14/1) 6 days ago, not much room. Tongue strap on 1st time. Others more persuasive.

Form: 871-936

(9)

Auburn Avenue^t¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: Wesley Joyce⁽⁵⁾| T: C Timmons| OR: 71

10/1

Thrice-raced maiden. Tongue strap on for 1st time, third of 11 in maiden (20/1) at Naas (8f, good) 14 days ago, never nearer. Makes handicap debut. Likely to improve.

Form: 76-3

Non-Runners

(8)

Matter Of Fact¹⁵

Weight: 9-2| Age: 3

T: Mrs J Harrington J: Shane Foley

Forecasts

Follow Me (4/1), Ragga Bomb (11/2), Neo Smart (7/1), Grand City Hall (8/1), Nerano (8/1), Tai Tam Bay (8/1), Auburn Avenue (10/1), Matter Of Fact (12/1), Transcending Glory (16/1), Monasterboice (16/1), Democracy (16/1), Gunzburg (18/1), Uncle Albert (18/1), Perfect Judgement (33/1)

Plenty with claims here including GRAND CITY HALL, who made a winning return at Cork earlier this month and appeals as the type to make his mark in handicaps. Follow Me and Nerano head the list of dangers.