14:45 Curragh
Sunday 2 July 2017
All13:4514:1514:4515:1515:4516:2016:5017:25
Tote Rockingham Handicap
- 3YO plus | 5f | Good (Good to Yielding in places) | 19 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 14:50 | Winning time: 58.4s
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Probably sets the standard here on the basis of a 2L defeat by Acapulco in May when holding viable excuses for not getting closer, but predictably has to concede weight all round. Seems to favour some give in the ground, which should prove to be a plus, and doesn't have the worst draw from a pace angle.
Took a listed contest at Cork last time out (5f, good to firm), and ought to be capable of getting competitive in a handicap such as this on that basis, and he has won on yielding ground in the past. Remains to be seen if he can defy a weight this large, though.
Won the 2015 Beverley Bullet but has been on something of a losing streak since then. Has looked held by the handicapper on most occasions and is much more exposed than most of the other runners, though he will enjoy the ground and has a nice draw.
Ran a good race in second at Epsom last time (6f, good), and is versatile as regards the ground, but the step down in trip is a slight question, as is the draw. Still seems well handicapped, though, and no surprise to see him go close.
Went close in a Listed contest at Cork last time (5f, good to firm), with an 8lb rise perhaps a little harsh, for all that she seems progressive. Was running well at Dundalk over the winter as well, and could go close if overcoming the higher handicap mark.
Last year's winner who has run well in some big field handicaps since, though has been slightly disappointing recently, including when beaten favourite over C&D last time. 12lb higher than when taking this 12 months ago but beat some very useful types that day and shouldn't be discounted.
Two only modest performances so far this term, having been restricted to only one run last year, but is lightly raced and could have more to offer in first time blinkers. Unraced over this trip but no reason it shouldn't suit him.
Finished a close seventh in the Epsom Dash two starts ago before not quite running to the same level of form in the Scottish Sprint Cup last time (5f, good to firm). 1lb lower than at Epsom and a repeat of that performance would seem him go very close.
Has run some fair races in defeat in Listed company recently, though it doesn't bode well that she has finished behind some of these rivals in more than one of those races. Probably a little too high in the handicap to be of genuine interest.
Up 6lb for a handicap victory last time at Navan when making his first start for this yard. Has run well in these big-field handicaps in the past, but this mark represents a new challenge for him from the highest draw of all.
Hasn't been managing to run to his best form from last year so far this season, with few obvious excuses in finishing in behind a couple of these recently. Will be interesting to see if a first time hood meaningfully benefits her cause.
Two relatively forgettable efforts at Epsom and Chester the last twice but had been running well prior to that and should still be on a workable mark here, though needs to prove he can be effective in a big field. Trip/ground fine.
Hat-trick seeker who just got the job done over C&D last time out and is raised 5lb as a consequence. This represents a bigger challenge but it's difficult not to be impressed with her recent form. Any further a bonus.
Hasn't managed to hit the frame over the minimum trip since his 3yo campaign and has plenty to prove off what is quickly starting to look a prohibitive handicap mark.
Very impressive for much of last season but hasn't yet been able to replicate that so far this year. Would have an outstanding chance off this mark on her best form, but needs to utilise a low draw and first time blinkers to find it.
Won a fairly low-grade affair at Thirsk two starts ago (5f, soft), his first since 2014, but plenty more needed now up 6lb from that and having run only a fair race at Nottingham last time.
Consistent this term and certainly effective over this trip and in the likely conditions, but will have to improve again to have any sort of say in this.
Ran a fair race in second at Cork last time (5f, good to firm), but this represents a different challenge, and it can't be encouraging that she races from out of the handicap with headgear applied for the first time.
Off the mark in maiden company two starts ago but hasn't been able to land a blow in handicaps up to this point and has plenty to prove in a highly competitive affair.
Non-Runners
4
(12)
Geological1
Weight: 9-7| Age: 5
T: D English J: D W O'Connor
NR
Forecasts
Naggers (11/4), Celebration (6/1), Rattling Jewel (10/1), Hit The Bid (12/1), Desert Law (12/1), Cenotaph (12/1), Geological (12/1), Tithonus (14/1), Patuano (14/1), Ostatnia (14/1), Go Kart (16/1), Elysian Flyer (16/1), Sors (16/1), Maarek (20/1), Spirit Quartz (25/1), Accalia (25/1), Majestic Hero (25/1), Yulong Baobei (25/1), Idyllic Acrylic (33/1), Patrick (50/1)
Prior to a fair run in the Scottish Sprint Cup last time, DESERT LAW ran a fine race in the Epsom Dash, and one that it may be easy to overlook given he finished as low as seventh, though getting to within two lengths of winner Caspian Prince. He's actually 1lb lower in the handicap now which should certainly prove to be a workable mark on ground that, if remaining as forecast, he has won on before. The draw would be the only slight question mark but being in stall 10 of 20 means if Paul Midgley is clever he should be able to use it to his advantage, and in that case he would take plenty of beating. Though much higher in the handicap last year's winner Sors shouldn't be ignored, while Cenotaph should have plenty of improvement in him for some top connections.
- Desert Law
- Sors
- Cenotaph
Prize Money
1st: €59,000.002nd: €19,000.003rd: €9,000.004th: €4,000.005th: €2,000.006th: €1,000.00
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