19:35 Leopardstown

Friday 26 May 2017

All18:0018:3519:0519:3520:0520:3521:05

Spirit Motor Group Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 19:40 | Winning time: 2m 52.35s

Settings

Selected odds by:

(12)

Grand Partner²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-1| J: G P Halpin| T: T Mullins| OR: 81| C

12/1

Four time hurdle winner who broke his maiden on the Flat at the first attempt over 1m7f here in July last year. Has won over hurdles at that here since and interesting conceding weight to his rivals today. Completely unexposed in this sphere.

Form: 1-

(11)

Edge Of Reason^h²⁹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: D W O'Connor| T: G Donnelly| OR: 75

33/1

Not seen since the end of last season and often miss the kick from the start. She's a keen going sort and that has to be off-putting when bearing in mind she hasn't been seen since August.

Form: 648185-

(7)

Ligeti^b1,t²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Anastasia O'Brien| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 75

6/1

Back-to-back winner on the AW over the winter and very effective on an AW surface but he has shown very little in four career turf starts including last time out at Clonmel. No obvious reason why he won't struggle again.

Form: 112225

(5)

All Body And Soul²⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: S P Davis⁽⁴⁾| T: T Collins| OR: 74| BF

7/2

Dual winner at Dundalk last year and a more consistent sort than some in this line up. Handicapper has been lenient with a drop in his mark and he should go well.

Form: 07/1134-

(6)

St Lawrence Gap²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: R Coakley| T: E Doyle| OR: 73

7/1

Still a maiden after 14 starts on the Flat but went close to shedding that tag at Clonmel last time out when putting up a good fight to a very well-handicapped sort. Every chance he will build on that now and may be able to get off the mark here.

Form: 55/82-92

(10)

Prince Charmin'^t²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: O J Orr| T: A J Martin| OR: 69

9/2

Goes in search of a hat-trick after hurdle wins at Limerick and Cork. Looks well-handicapped returned to this sphere now but faster ground is a question mark.

Form: 76514-8

(1)

Alcander^t²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: R P Downey| T: F J Flood| OR: 66

10/3

Looked well-handicapped judged on his NH form returned to the Flat and went close to proving so at Cork last time. Up 4lb for that but that's unlikely to anchor him and he should go well again from an ideal draw.

Form: 849-2

(4)

Bottleofsmoke¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: K K Hennessy⁽²⁾| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 66

14/1

Struggled under a penalty for a win at Roscommon earlier in the month when trying to follow up at Dundalk. Another 2lb higher now and looks back within the handicapper's grip.

Form: 712616

(8)

Ormskirk¹²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: C Heavey⁽⁷⁾| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 66

20/1

Former Richard Fahey horse who looked like a very promising prospect early in his career. Has a break to overcome but looks feasibly handicapped if ready to go on comeback.

Form: 604903-

(3)

Sang Tiger²⁶⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 9-0| J: D P Linehan⁽²⁾| T: Nicole McKenna| OR: 66| C

16/1

Not seen since September and well beaten on all starts in 2016. Well handicapped on old form and may do better this year but he's likely to need his comeback run.

Form: 06/5400-

(9)

Universal Focus^b³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-4| J: A J Breslin⁽⁴⁾| T: R O'Sullivan| OR: 52

16/1

Still a maiden after 14 starts, 13 of which have come on turf. Finished second of 26 off a 1lb higher mark than this last season so he's not ruled out if he returns to form.

Form: 6062-00

(2)

Shukhov^t¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 8-4| J: K J Leonard| T: G O'Leary| OR: 51

25/1

Not won on 15 starts for this yard and while he ran a little better at Dundalk last time, he's set to struggle from out of the weights.

Form: 448673

Forecasts

Alcander (10/3), All Body And Soul (7/2), Prince Charmin' (9/2), Ligeti (6/1), St Lawrence Gap (7/1), Grand Partner (12/1), Bottleofsmoke (14/1), Sang Tiger (16/1), Universal Focus (16/1), Ormskirk (20/1), Shukhov (25/1), Edge Of Reason (33/1)

ST LAWRENCE GAP may still be a maiden but he went close last time behind a well-handicapped Rashaan and he should give another good account here. Alcander should do well returned to this sphere off a fair looking mark while All Body And Soul and Ormskirk complete the shortlist.