15:40 Curragh

Saturday 1 July 2017

All14:0014:3515:1015:4016:1016:4017:2018:00

Dubai Duty Free Full Of Surprises Handicap (Premier Handicap)

Off time: 15:40 | Winning time: 1m 38.56s

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Selected odds by:

(2)

Geological¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-13| J: D W O'Connor⁽⁵⁾| T: D English| OR: 99| D

16/1

Backed up a solid run at Listowel (third to Orangey Red) with an emphatic 4L success in a 1m handicap at Limerick a fortnight ago. Will find it harder to make all with a 10lb rise (and on softer ground), but clearly in very good shape at present.

Form: 815031

(7)

Mizaah^t⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Chris Hayes| T: K Prendergast| OR: 95| BF| C

11/2

His sole career success came in May 2016 over 6F on soft ground at this track (maiden). He can be excused his latest run (saddle slipped), but had earlier produced some excellent efforts in handicaps, at Naas (6F yielding) and over C&D (fourth to Sea Wolf). Stamina the slight concern.

Form: 33-8249

(3)

Tony The Gent⁶¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons| OR: 93

6/1

Keeping on without troubling the winner when fourth of 15 to Admodum in a 1m Naas handicap in early May. A surprise he's been off for a couple of months since, but seems to handle this ground and therefore comes into the reckoning.

Form: 2028-74

(9)

Aussie Valentine^p,t²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: C O'Donoghue| T: P D Deegan| OR: 89| D

6/1

Likes some give in the ground, and stamina over this trip isn't a concern (a dual 1m1f winner). On good terms with himself this year without winning, but on the premises on each of his last three starts over a variety of trips, including when just under 3L third to Katiymann over this trip at Leopardstown in April.

Form: 06-4233

(6)

Dinkum Diamond¹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-2| J: K J Leonard⁽⁵⁾| T: A Slattery| OR: 88

20/1

Not in the same parish as Canary Row when a runner up to today's rival over 7F at Gowran early last month, and despite being much better off at the weights is unlikely to reverse placings having been comfortably beaten at Naas recently.

Form: 806026

(12)

Katiymann³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: S Foley| T: M Halford| OR: 88| BF| D

4/1

Ran out a comfortable 1¼L winner from Fountain (Aussie Valentine third) at Leopardstown in April (1m good to yielding), but unable to cope with a 9lb rise when only ninth to Sea Wolf (Mizaah fourth) over C&D in late May. Has previous solid form at this track, but from a lower mark.

Form: 9062-19

(1)

Club Wexford⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 8-12| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger| OR: 84

10/1

Very progressive throughout the early part of this campaign (mark has risen from 72 since April). Posted a rare poor effort when well behind Canary Row at Gowran in early June (7F) before bouncing back to see off nine rivals which included Dinkum Diamond at Naas (7F) in mid June. Beaten under a penalty since, but should be okay over this trip based upon his past form.

Form: 313915

(11)

Crafted Jewel¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-6| J: Rory Cleary| T: S Lavery| OR: 78| BF

7/1

A winner of a median auction maiden on yielding ground over an extended mile at Cork in June 2016, this filly is fairly lightly raced after just eight career starts. She didn't appear to get home over 1m2f on her seasonal reappearance at Leopardstown a fortnight ago, and looks sure to benefit by dropping in trip.

Form: 2/2145-4

(4)

The Eyes Have It^t¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 8-6| J: L F Roche| T: A Oliver| OR: 78| BF

7/1

Yet to win beyond 7F in 14 career starts, but shaped as if this trip is in range when fifth of 18 to Not A Whisper over C&D in May. Back to 7F for his most recent outings, which were both solid efforts (2L runner up to Fountain at Fairyhouse most latterly). Edging up the weights, but has claims in an open race.

Form: 105-532

(8)

Snoozing Indian²³

Age: 5| Weight: 8-5| J: Wayne Lordan| T: T J O'Mara| OR: 77| D

12/1

Raised 8lb for dead-heating with Settle For Red over this trip (yielding to soft) at Leopardstown in the early part of June. He was all out to 'hang on' that afternoon, and his previous Naas form suggests The Eyes Have It should have the better of him once more this afternoon.

Form: 3510-61

Non-Runners

(10)

Canary Row²⁶

Weight: 9-4| Age: 7

T: P J Prendergast J: G P Halpin

(5)

Bainne²⁰

Weight: 8-9| Age: 7

T: J F Levins J: Sean Kirrane

Forecasts

Canary Row (3/1), Katiymann (4/1), Mizaah (11/2), Tony The Gent (6/1), Aussie Valentine (6/1), The Eyes Have It (7/1), Crafted Jewel (7/1), Club Wexford (10/1), Snoozing Indian (12/1), Bainne (14/1), Geological (16/1), Dinkum Diamond (20/1)

A devilishly difficult 1m Premier Handicap. Therefore, instead of tying ourselves up with weights and measures in the verdict, we'll home in on a single horse of interest and hope to hit the bulls-eye. CANARY ROW produced a demolition job of his ten rivals (including runner up Dinkum Diamond) when ploughing through the mud at Gowran Park early last month. In truth, the handicapper could have acted more harshly (8lb rise), and with the Prendergast trained seven-year-old likely to be suited by any further easing of the ground, connections must be hopeful of that occurring with showers in the forecast.