19:35 Leopardstown

Friday 17 May 2019

All17:2518:0018:3019:0519:3520:1020:40

Microsoft Cup Lady Riders Handicap

Off time: 19:37 | Winning time: 2m 40.18s

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Selected odds by:

(3)

Arthurian Fame³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: Hayley Turner| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 94| D

10/3

Opened the new term with clear-cut Naas win (1m2f, yielding to soft; 5-1). Hit with a 10lb hike for his troubles, which makes things tough with some re-opposing rivals now. Good jockey on board.

Form: 40295-1

(7)

Torcello^v1²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-5| J: Miss A B O'Connor⁽⁷⁾| T: A McNamara| OR: 89| D

25/1

Three-time Flat winner in Britain and rated 91 before leaving Andrew Balding. Hasn't worked out over hurdles and while he ran well back on the level at Naas (1m4f, good to yielding) last month, failed to back up at Limerick. Visor added.

Form: 619/0-30

(10)

Kerosin¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-4| J: Mickaelle Michel| T: D Hogan| OR: 88

14/1

In excellent heart on the AW at Dundalk over the winter and when second there (1m4f) this month but had previously been well held in a Limerick handicap (1m3½f, soft; 14-1) and is 0-14 in this sphere.

Form: 4-35282

(6)

Miss Snossyboots¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-3| J: Katie O'Farrell⁽⁷⁾| T: M Halford| OR: 87| D

8/1

Rip Van Winkle mare has won 3-4 on the AW at Dundalk since returning from more than a year on sidelines, progressing nicely in doing so. Must defy the assessor once more back on turf but goes on the shortlist.

Form: 52/3111

(8)

Le Vagabond¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-13| J: Miss L A Hourigan⁽⁷⁾| T: E J O'Grady| OR: 83

14/1

Showed up well on seasonal bow over 1m4f on AW at Dundalk when narrow second, form that gives him sound claims in this field. Punchestown hurdles run since is best forgotten.

Form: 72009-2

(12)

Ciao^b³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: Megan Nicholls⁽⁵⁾| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 82

9/2

Two wins from 13 starts and while they have both come on AW, she's effective on turf, as was evidenced at Naas (1m4f, good to yielding; 7-1) last month when runner-up. Low-mileage over this trip and entitled to her claims.

Form: 3-14192

(1)

Bit Of Banter^p¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Miss S Ahern⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 80| D

16/1

Distance winner at Naas last year, though has some catching up to with re-opposing Ciao based on their meeting at that track last month. Yard in form now, though didn't go well in first-time cheekpieces (retained) at Dundalk latest.

Form: 220-677

(11)

Agent Zigzag⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Miss J Walton⁽⁷⁾| T: J M Oxx| OR: 79

8/1

Maiden winner returned with a promising run when staying on late over a mile at Navan in March and build on that when runner-up since at Cork (1m2f, good; 14-1). Can harbour place claims in this field.

Form: 1600-44

(9)

The Mouse Doctor^t²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: Miss H Mooney⁽⁷⁾| T: A J Martin| OR: 78| C

8/1

3-24 on the Flat, including course success (1m5f, good to firm) last summer from 4lb lower mark. Warmed up over timber last month at Fairyhouse and should be ready to do himself justice.

Form: 572124-

(5)

Forest View³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Miss J M Cook⁽⁷⁾| T: J E Kiely| OR: 77

16/1

Improved from debut to place in a trio of novice events for Saeed Bin Suroor. Behind a few of these on stable debut at Naas (1m4f, good to yielding) last month but could improve for that outing and worth a betting check.

Form: 4232-9

(2)

Ashqar^t¹²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Karen Kenny⁽⁷⁾| T: G T Lynch| OR: 74

40/1

12-race unplaced maiden not getting any nearer towards the end of last season or at Dundalk in lone 2019 start. Hard to find the positives in this competitive field.

Form: 07560-6

(4)

Take A Turn¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: Paula Muir⁽⁵⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 68| BF

5/1

Remains 6lb higher than his most recent Flat success in Britain in 2017 but comes here having recorded back-to-back hurdles wins at Downpatrick and Sligo and cannot be dismissed in that light.

Form: 45/2357-

Forecasts

Arthurian Fame (10/3), Ciao (9/2), Take A Turn (5/1), The Mouse Doctor (8/1), Agent Zigzag (8/1), Miss Snossyboots (8/1), Kerosin (14/1), Le Vagabond (14/1), Bit Of Banter (16/1), Forest View (16/1), Torcello (25/1), Ashqar (40/1)

Arthurian Fame scored at Naas on reappearance with something in hand, but a hefty 10lb hike does ask a tough question now re-opposing some of the beaten horses. He's respected but the runner-up CIAO ran into trouble that day and, better off now, can give Megan Nicholls a memorable first trip to Ireland by reversing the placings. This is an open heat for the Lady Riders and Miss Snossyboots, Le Vagabond, Take A Turn and The Mouse Doctor can all be entertained as players.