16:45 Curragh

Sunday 12 August 2018

All13:5514:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:15

Derek O'Sullivan Memorial Apprentice Handicap (50-80)

Off time: 16:46 | Winning time: 59.63s

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(14)

Caesar's Comet¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: A M Glynn⁽⁴⁾| T: D Hogan| OR: 68| BF

7/1

Improved to make a winning debut for Peter Fahey at Fairyhouse last month, and ran at least as well when second of 13 to Very Smart at Down Royal last time. Starts out for another new yard now, and very much respected.

Form: 348-512

(8)

Ducky Mallon^t⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: S P Davis| T: D Kinsella| OR: 67| C

15/2

Hasn't fired on all cylinders this season, although didn't get much luck in running when fifth of 10 to St Brelades Bay over 6f here last time. Not dismissed.

Form: 0-00855

(11)

Danz Gift^t¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: G M Ryan⁽²⁾| T: S Lavery| OR: 66| D

10/1

All five wins have come on AW, scoring twice over 5f at Dundalk in April. Below form back on turf last time, however, and passed over again.

Form: 633116

(13)

Haqeeba¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: D M Redmond| T: L Lennon| OR: 66| D

9/1

Second in a big field at Naas in June, and back to winning ways when rallying gamely at Down Royal last time. All out to win there, but should give her running from 3lb higher mark.

Form: 802651

(3)

Little Clarinet^p,t³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: D W O'Connor| T: D Marnane| OR: 63

10/1

Sole handicap success came over 6f at Leopardstown last June. Very well handicapped on that form, but she's essentially been regressive since, and no sign of an end to the drought at Naas last time.

Form: 80-6645

(2)

Mo Henry^v¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: Ms N A Kane⁽⁷⁾| T: A Keatley| OR: 61| D

20/1

Placed in fast-ground handicaps over 6f at Ayr and Fairyhouse this summer, and is a tough sort, but he ran poorly under this rider at Gowran Park last time, and needs to bounce back.

Form: 902730

(4)

Sweetest Taboo^h²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: C J MacRedmond⁽²⁾| T: W McCreery| OR: 61| CD

12/1

Had dropped to a workable mark and took advantage to score over 5f (good to firm) at Bellewstown on penultimate start. Not in same form at Navan last time, and handicapper back in charge for the time being.

Form: 580416

(15)

Gopsies Daughter^p⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 8-13| J: K K Hennessy| T: D Hogan| OR: 60| CD

11/2

Twice a winner over 5f at Navan this year, and ran with credit when fifth of 30 to A Likely Story over 6f here last time. Remains on the same mark, and should be in the picture again.

Form: 100515

(9)

Snow Patch²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: D E Sheehy| T: D Bunyan & G O'Leary| OR: 63| D

12/1

Made all to win at Dundalk in December, and good fourth of 16 at Navan after a break in May. Not backed that up in three starts since, although not disgraced, and handicapper has given her a chance.

Form: 51-4837

(6)

Wadood^t,v1⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: D P Linehan| T: D Broad| OR: 60| D

33/1

Fairly useful handicapper for Robert Cowell for whom he won a Yarmouth handicap last June, but he's been soundly beaten in six starts since, moving yards twice in the interim. Visor tried now, but make no appeal currently.

Form: 40-6000

(7)

Tush⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: Ben Coen⁽²⁾| T: W T Farrell| OR: 59| BF

9/1

Standout effort when third in similar race at Naas in July, but subsequent efforts suggest she is flatterd by that effort, and others stronger again.

Form: 8-90300

(10)

Polly Douglas⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 8-10| J: Dylan Hogan| T: K P Cotter| OR: 57| D

5/1

Losing run stretched to 13 when ninth of 30 to A Likely Story here last time, but plenty of fair efforts in the interim, and she has slipped 4lb below her last winning mark. No surprise to see her get involved.

Form: 447539

(12)

Straffan³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: Nathan Crosse⁽²⁾| T: Francis Casey| OR: 56

25/1

Showed a modicum of ability on debut for David O'Meara last year, but not progressed, and looks badly treated starting out in handicaps after a poor effort for new yard at Fairyhouse.

Form: 755-0

(5)

Tookiedoo³²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-6| J: S M Crosse⁽²⁾| T: J C Hayden| OR: 53

25/1

Lost her way badly in the autumn having shown a fair level of ability last year, and while she's not easy to fancy on return from an absence, she is on a potentially lenient mark.

Form: 789000-

Non-Runners

(1)

Enter The Red⁷⁰

Weight: 9-12| Age: 9

T: A A Howard J: T P Madden

Forecasts

Polly Douglas (5/1), Gopsies Daughter (11/2), Caesar's Comet (7/1), Ducky Mallon (15/2), Tush (9/1), Haqeeba (9/1), Little Clarinet (10/1), Danz Gift (10/1), Enter The Red (10/1), Snow Patch (12/1), Sweetest Taboo (12/1), Mo Henry (20/1), Straffan (25/1), Tookiedoo (25/1), Wadood (33/1)

Denis Hogan has a strong hand here, having taken over CAESAR'S COMET from Peter Fahey, and the 4-y-o gelding looks an improved performer this year, so should go well. Stablemate Gopsies Daughter was a close fifth in a huge field here last time, and is arguably better at this trip, so looks one to be interested in as well, with Polly Douglas also considered from her reduced mark.