20:15 Dundalk

Wednesday 6 March 2019

All17:1017:4518:1518:4519:1519:4520:15

Over 1000 Games At BetVictor Casino Handicap

Off time: 20:16 | Winning time: 2m 33.29s

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Selected odds by:

(9)

Tooreen Legend^p,t¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-6| J: G P Brouder⁽⁷⁾| T: E J O'Grady| OR: 81| CD

14/1

Winner of three of his eight starts here over C&D. Solid run on return to the track last month and no surprise to see the Rakti gelding hit the frame.

Form: 1/8072-7

(2)

With A Start¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: K K Hennessy⁽⁷⁾| T: D Hogan| OR: 76

9/1

Possibly best effort for William Haggas when second of 14 to Piece of History in a 1m novice at Chelmsford in July but has certainly caught the in a couple of starts for current connections including a second of nine over C&D in January.

Form: 624-24

(5)

Mcguigan^t⁴⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-13| J: W T Byrne⁽⁷⁾| T: J S Bolger| OR: 74| C

5/1

Course winner in a rich vein of form following solid runs - two from three - here since December. Up in trip but one of the most likely types.

Form: 8851-21

(6)

California Lad^t,v¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: S M Mooney⁽⁷⁾| T: F Birrane| OR: 71| C

14/1

Has hit the frame on a couple of occasions in six starts over C&D. Inconsistent form since November including finishing last of 10 here last month. Plenty to prove at present.

Form: 9260-20

(4)

Alcander^t⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: R Coakley⁽³⁾| T: F J Flood| OR: 69| CD

4/1

Winner of one of his five starts over C&D hitting the frame on a further two occasions. Well held here on return to action over 1m2½f in January but is likely to be suited by the return to this trip.

Form: 12/724-5

(3)

Bibliotheca^p¹⁰³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: K W De Oliveira⁽¹⁰⁾| T: W P Browne| OR: 68

14/1

Without a win in a couple of starts here. Finished third of 14 beaten a little over 4L at this venue when last seen in November. Could be suited by step up in trip and entitled to make the shortlist.

Form: 146083-

(7)

Elusive Exclusive¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: G M Ryan⁽⁷⁾| T: P J F Murphy| OR: 67

18/1

Poor hurdler has shown little in the way of encouragement in a couple of Flat starts including on AW debut here last month. Others have more scope for improvement.

Form: 58-8

(8)

Machiavelli¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: A M Glynn⁽¹⁰⁾| T: D Hogan| OR: 67

25/1

10 race maiden on the Flat and will have disappointed a number of connections with a number of below par starts since the turn of the year. Hard to make a case for him on recent form.

Form: 4422-97

(10)

Drakensberg^t²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: R C Colgan| T: A J Martin| OR: 63| CD

7/4

C&D winner when not un-backed in a handicap last month off a 14lb higher mark beaten 12 rivals 6L staying on strongly in the final furlong. Should be a leading contender in this company.

Form: 0/850-91

(1)

Sharjah^p¹²

Age: 9| Weight: 8-12| J: A J Slattery⁽⁷⁾| T: A Slattery| OR: 59| CD

8/1

Winner of three of his 32 starts over C&D but has appeared to be struggling in some of his most recent engagements including a 12½L defeat last month. Liable to find a couple stronger.

Form: 98-5945

Forecasts

Drakensberg (7/4), Alcander (4/1), Mcguigan (5/1), Sharjah (8/1), With A Start (9/1), Tooreen Legend (14/1), California Lad (14/1), Bibliotheca (14/1), Elusive Exclusive (18/1), Machiavelli (25/1)

The Jim Bolger-trained MCGUIGAN has a 50% strike rate at this track in the last 12 months and can land the spoils here stepping up in trip following a good run of form since December. The 14lb rise for Drakensberg may not be enough to halt a bold run and the five-year-old can battle for the minor honours with C&D winner Alcander and the Denis Hogan-trained With A Start. Elusive Exclusive could go well at a price on handicap debut.