18:15 Fairyhouse

Friday 13 June 2025

All17:0517:4018:1518:5019:2520:0020:30

Maher Tractor Sales Handicap

Off time: 18:15 | Winning time: 1m 13.97s

(6)

Betsen^p⁴⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: James Ryan⁽³⁾| T: J Davison| OR: 90

16/1

Ran well when second of 12 at Curragh (16/1) in March and found listed company too competitive when sixth of 7 at Naas (25/1) 46 days ago. Returns to handicaps with cheekpieces and could benefit from step back up in trip.

Form: 04-7276

(9)

Daamberdiplomat²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: Rory Mulligan⁽⁷⁾| T: J P Murtagh| OR: 87| D

6/1

Useful performer on all-weather with a win at Dundalk 6 months ago but finished 10th of 15 in a handicap on Good going at Curragh (7/1) 21 days ago, never dangerous after being held up in rear. Likely to be more effective back on the all-weather.

Form: 131-480

(7)

Laugh A Minute⁴⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 9-8| J: Robert Whearty⁽³⁾| T: Stephen Thorne| OR: 84| D

11/2

Won a 6f handicap at Curragh in March and ran well when third of 15 in handicap at Naas (7/1) 46 days ago, making good headway 2f out before being carried left late on. Should be competitive in this grade.

Form: 033-413

(10)

Mehman²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: M W Hassett⁽⁵⁾| T: Gerard O'Leary| OR: 80| D

6/1

Successful on All Weather with a win and two close seconds at Dundalk earlier this year. Finished 12th of 15 in handicap at Curragh (20/1) 21 days ago, running one of lesser races after 10-week break. Remains to be seen if he can be as effective on turf.

Form: 322-150

(5)

Sounds Like A Plan²¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Gary Carroll| T: A Oliver| OR: 87| BF| D

9/2

Won maiden on debut at Navan in May 2024, quickening to lead inside final furlong. Second of 11 in conditions race at Dundalk (evens) 210 days ago, travelled well and kept on when driven. Makes handicap debut and remains open to improvement.

Form: 12-

(2)

Unique Journey^p²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: J A Powell⁽³⁾| T: Daniel Murphy| OR: 87| D

6/1

Won impressively in a handicap at Naas in April and had previously shown good form in handicaps. Finished last of 9 in a listed race at Naas (11/2) 26 days ago, found out in much better company. Back down to 6f with cheekpieces restored, looks capable of bouncing back in a handicap.

Form: 032-319

(4)

Plastic Paddy^h1⁴⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: J Cleary⁽⁵⁾| T: Tom McGuinness| OR: 77

125/1

Won 10-runner 9f handicap at Wolverhampton (18/1) 440 days ago for Michael Appleby after showing mixed form. Wears first-time hood for drop back to sprinting and has a significant absence to overcome on first start for new trainer.

Form: 201461-

(1)

Mickey The Steel^p,t²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: W Joyce⁽³⁾| T: Joseph Murray| OR: 76| D

33/1

Five-time winner who hasn't won in 5 starts, finished 14th of 15 in a handicap at Curragh (66/1) 21 days ago. Struggling for form at present.

Form: 10-9090

(3)

I Bid You Ajou⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Dylan Browne McMonagle| T: M Fahey| OR: 75| CD

7/2

Found form since dropping to 6f, winning a claimer at this course in May. Won comfortably in an 18-runner handicap over C&D (6/1) 7 days ago, making good progress over 1f out to lead entering the final furlong. Thriving at present and warrants respect.

Form: 20-4011

(8)

Gordon Bennett⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 8-8| J: N G McCullagh| T: R Brabazon| OR: 70| BF| D

8/1

Inconsistent recent form including a 3rd place at Curragh 62 days ago. Finished 4th of 23 in 6f handicap at Curragh (4/1) 9 days ago, flying home after meeting trouble in running. Looks well handicapped on the best of his form now.

Form: 67-3804

Forecasts

I Bid You Ajou (7/2), Sounds Like A Plan (9/2), Laugh A Minute (11/2), Daamberdiplomat (6/1), Mehman (6/1), Unique Journey (6/1), Gordon Bennett (8/1), Betsen (16/1), Mickey The Steel (33/1), Plastic Paddy (125/1)

UNIQUE JOURNEY can bounce back dropped into handicap company with cheekpieces restored, having won impressively at Naas in April. Laugh A Minute has been running consistently well and should go close, while Gordon Bennett shaped eye-catchingly when finishing with a flourish at the Curragh recently and is well treated on the best of his form. I Bid You Ajou is thriving at present having won comfortably over C&D 7 days ago and is worthy of an honourable mention.