16:35 Naas

Sunday 24 August 2025

All13:4014:1514:5015:2516:0016:3517:10

Hartes Group Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 16:35 | Winning time: 2m 14.11s

(14)

Complete Fiction^p¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Neve Bennett⁽⁴⁾| T: J P Fahey| OR: 72| CD

12/1

Cosy winner of this race (under this rider) from a 2 lb lower mark last year, for all he was seen to good effect on the favoured stand side that day. Not in the same form on the Flat since but hasn't been disgraced over jumps of late and could go well with cheekpieces refitted for return to Flat.

Form: 13600-7

(5)

Church Mountain^p,t⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-1| J: Hugh Horgan| T: D Hogan| OR: 71| D

12/1

Had been struggling before returning to form to win 14-runner handicap at Dundalk (9/1) over 10.7f on AW 9 days ago. Turned out quickly and remains to be seen if he can back it up from an 11 lb higher mark returning to turf.

Form: 098801

(7)

Crooked Path¹⁰⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Alan Casey⁽⁷⁾| T: D Hogan| OR: 73

33/1

Has shown promise when fourth in maidens before disappointing when eighth of 9 at Ballinrobe over 13f in first-time cheekpieces 107 days ago (28/1). Makes handicap debut with cheekpieces removed following a break and market may prove informative (yard also saddle Church Mountain).

Form: 0448

(16)

Lady Plimsoll⁶²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Nicola Burns⁽²⁾| T: M O'Callaghan| OR: 70| D

5/1

Had been in good heart prior to winning an 8-runner claimer at Ballinrobe (9/4) 62 days ago when finding required improvement. Makes handicap debut on first run for new trainer and should remain competitive back up in trip.

Form: 6-20641

(13)

Tartaraghan⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Keithen Kennedy| T: J C McConnell| OR: 62| BF| D

15/2

Won a handicap at Navan in July and has run creditably in two subsequent starts on turf. Eighth of 14 in handicap at Dundalk (4/1) 9 days ago, with good form coming to a halt on AW. Should appreciate return to turf today and is one for the shortlist.

Form: 051328

(6)

Candidly^b¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Paddy Harnett| T: Donnacha O'Brien| OR: 69

16/1

Plenty of quality in pedigree but hasn't lived up to it on the track, seventh of 13 in maiden at Leopardstown (50/1) 17 days ago, one-paced after making headway. Blinkers back on and could yet have more to offer now handicapping.

Form: 757

(4)

The Virginian²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 9-4| J: R P Fagan⁽⁷⁾| T: P Roche| OR: 60

100/1

Tailed off in jump races, last of 16 in flat handicap at Naas (66/1) 20 days ago, first flat run in 3 years. Without a win in 17 races.

Form: 40009/0

(19)

Paddydaddy^t³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Julian Pietropaolo⁽⁷⁾| T: A Oliver| OR: 67

11/2

Showed promise when runner-up in 10f handicap at Down Royal in June, beaten half a length after being bumped and back on track when fourth in a maiden at Ballinrobe 34 days ago. Draw could have been kinder but will be well suited by this return to handicap company and merits consideration.

Form: 743284

(3)

Elusive Duke²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Patrick McGettigan⁽⁴⁾| T: M A Molloy| OR: 66

7/2

Won a 9f handicap at Leopardstown in June. Fifth of 16 in 8f handicap at Galway (12/1) 23 days ago, showing encouragement on first run since stable change but not getting the breaks having been held up. Back up in trip having won over 9f and run creditably over 10f previously. Solid claims.

Form: 054145

(11)

Great Mover^v²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Megan Telford-Kelly⁽⁷⁾| T: W McCreery| OR: 66

22/1

Ran well in handicaps earlier in summer but 14th of 16 in handicap at Naas (12/1) 20 days ago. Visor refitted and steps up significantly from 7f to 11f. Bit to prove.

Form: 0-63490

(8)

Navajo River⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Adam Browne-Souza⁽⁷⁾| T: A Mullins| OR: 57

50/1

Finished last of 9 in handicap at Tramore (25/1) 8 days ago on stable debut after long absence and it's probably best to look elsewhere on this occasion.

Form: 5/0046-9

(12)

Al What⁶⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: J Cleary| T: N Meade| OR: 64

22/1

Modest maiden/median auction form before finishing eighth of 12 in handicap at Down Royal (12/1), beaten 16¾ lengths, 64 days ago. Needs improvement at this level.

Form: 9058

(18)

Four White Fury¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: D S O'Sullivan⁽⁴⁾| T: D Marnane| OR: 63

17/2

Lightly-raced gelding showing gradual improvement in maiden and median auction races. Sixth of 21 in handicap at Leopardstown (50/1) 17 days ago, shaped better than the beaten distance suggests under a hands-and-heels ride. Open to improvement stepping up to 11f which should suit based on pedigree.

Form: 0866

(1)

Areana^b1²⁶⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 8-12| J: Jessica O'Gorman⁽⁷⁾| T: E & P Harty| OR: 54

11/2

Some creditable all-weather efforts last year but hasn't been seen since finishing 19th of 25 in maiden hurdle at Navan (200/1) 260 days ago, 0-15 overall, and wears first-time blinkers on first run for new trainer. Others arrive with a more solid profile.

Form: 5/24367-

(17)

Sosperi¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: Conor Cusack⁽⁷⁾| T: Daniel McLoughlin| OR: 54

40/1

Fared poorly in three maiden starts, most recently finishing 8th of 13 in a 10f maiden at Cork (400/1) 10 days ago when never threatening. Makes handicap debut today but hard to fancy on what she's shown so far.

Form: 008

(2)

Picpoul^p,t¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 8-11| J: Rory Mulligan⁽²⁾| T: M Rice| OR: 53| D

12/1

No win in 23 runs since December 2023, seventh of 12 in claimer at Sligo (40/1) 18 days ago, ran as well as could be expected given the weights. Better on the AW than turf and others preferred.

Form: 500737

Non-Runners

(10)

Sayfa Fad⁶⁶

Weight: 8-7| Age: 4

T: P W Flynn J: Reserve 1

(9)

Nancee Spain⁷²

Weight: 8-7| Age: 3

T: Daniel McLoughlin J: Reserve 2

(15)

Harseva⁹

Weight: 8-7| Age: 5

T: P Magee J: Reserve 3

Forecasts

Elusive Duke (7/2), Harseva (9/2), Lady Plimsoll (5/1), Areana (11/2), Paddydaddy (11/2), Tartaraghan (15/2), Four White Fury (17/2), Church Mountain (12/1), Complete Fiction (12/1), Picpoul (12/1), Candidly (16/1), Great Mover (22/1), Al What (22/1), Crooked Path (33/1), Sosperi (40/1), Navajo River (50/1), Nancee Spain (50/1), Sayfa Fad (66/1), The Virginian (100/1)

COMPLETE FICTION was a cosy winner of this race last year off a 2 lb lower mark and arrives on the back of some creditable efforts over hurdles. He's narrowly preferred to Paddydaddy who has strong claims on the best of his form but has the widest stall to overcome, while Tartaraghan had been consistent on turf prior to a below-part effort on the all-weather. Of the rest, Four White Fury should appreciate stepping up to 11f, with well-bred Candidly another potential improver on her handicap bow.