Island (Q.R.) Race

Off time: 16:20 | Winning time: 3m 42.91s

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Selected odds by:

(1)

Universal Focus^b¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: Ms K Walsh| T: R O'Sullivan| OR: 56

14/1

Winner over 1m4f at Cork last month on soft ground, scoring at the 19th attempt. Since beaten 9L over this trip at Navan and that was more in keeping with previous form.

Form: 076415

(2)

Coquin Mans^h³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins

1/4

Three-times a winning hurdler, on variety of ground from 2m-3m, barely coming out of first gear last time at Cork. Sports a hood for Flat debut, drops dramatically in trip but is very much the one to beat.

Form:

(4)

Loch Luatha^p²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Miss J Young⁽⁷⁾| T: L Young

50/1

A 13-race maiden over jumps, last month's two chase efforts give him plenty to work on if hoping to have any say in this and, in truth, chances appear slim on this Flat bow.

Form:

(3)

Ask Susan⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: Miss L A Hourigan⁽⁵⁾| T: J W Nicholson

7/2

Two wins from nine starts over hurdles, attaining a rating of 118, not disgraced last month at Killarney on the Flat behind Max Dynamite in fourth of six. Drops right back in trip, looks most likely to upset likely favourite.

Form: 4

(5)

Mistress Marinrio¹⁶⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: L Quinlan⁽⁷⁾| T: P Neville| OR: 39

50/1

A 17-race maiden, well beaten and no impression on last two starts when sent off at 50/1 and 25/1 and yet to make the frame. Facing another thankless task seemingly.

Form: 0796-80

Forecasts

Coquin Mans (1/4), Ask Susan (7/2), Universal Focus (14/1), Loch Luatha (50/1), Mistress Marinrio (50/1)

Ordinarily it might be some concern to see an unbeaten hurdler reverting from 3m over sticks to 1m6f on the Flat, but COQUIN MANS looks to have the tools to make the transition. The testing surface will assist and he has looked a very smart prospect in winning all three starts so far. He won over 2m on debut at Limerick in December and looks a better animal now, ensuring this first Flat start looks perfect for him. Ask Susan, with two win herself over flights, is most likely to profit if anything goes awry for the selection with the inconsistent Universal Focus, a winner at Cork over 1m4f last month, next best.