16:15 Navan

Saturday 13 July 2019

All13:2513:5514:3015:0515:4016:1516:5017:25

Emerald Facility Services Event Cleaning Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 16:15 | Winning time: 2m 7.15s

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Selected odds by:

(4)

Nimitz¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: K J Leonard| T: C O'Brien| OR: 81| CD

7/2

Clear on the official ratings has a lot going for him at this level. His latest effort came at a much sterner level of competition and he merits serious consideration despite being on a 9lb higher mark than he was on when he won this race last year.

Form: 243-019

(2)

Maricruz^t⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: R Coakley| T: J C McConnell| OR: 73| D

7/1

Enjoyed a good spell last season and claimed two decent little handicaps during the summer. Probably needed the run when he was fifth of nine on his reappearance but can go well again now the fitness levels are topped up.

Form: 51217-5

(3)

Tomahawk Kid²²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: A J Slattery| T: L Young| OR: 73| D

12/1

Lost his way for his former yard and yet to prove he's been freshened up by switching yards. Others are more convincing.

Form: 5750-P5

(6)

Dance Emperor^h⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: H J Horgan⁽⁷⁾| T: Peter Fahey| OR: 71

9/2

Has form to reverse with Nimitz but better off at the weights and already proved he has the beating of Maricruz, so must be on the shortlist in this company. Down 1lb since last time and 3lb lower than his last winning mark, so well handicapped too.

Form: 060044

(5)

High Street Lady^p⁴⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: O J Orr| T: A J Martin| OR: 71

7/2

Lightly raced in comparison to a most and has scope from her current mark after finishing a good second last time out (the winner hasn't done much for the form since though). Needs to conclusively prove her stamina but not to be dismissed lightly.

Form: 586-662

(7)

Alhajjaj^h⁹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 8-11| J: G M Ryan⁽²⁾| T: A McCann| OR: 66

12/1

0-2 on the Flat but entitled to respect on the pick of his Dundalk form; lost his way a tad when last seen, so interesting to see if the betting market suggests the gelding has been freshened up by a break since April.

Form: 012498

(1)

Ballycaines^t²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: A J Farragher⁽⁴⁾| T: B A Murphy| OR: 65

33/1

Best efforts have been over hurdles so far and needs to step up considerably on last month's return to the Flat.

Form: 735-0

(8)

Mallacoota^v1¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-4| J: Nathan Crosse| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 69

7/2

Tries headgear for the first time no doubt in the hope that the filly can better what have been modest performances this season. She has a likelable pedigree but not yet lived up to the billing.

Form: 03-3677

Forecasts

Nimitz (7/2), Mallacoota (7/2), High Street Lady (7/2), Dance Emperor (9/2), Maricruz (7/1), Tomahawk Kid (12/1), Alhajjaj (12/1), Ballycaines (33/1)

A chance is taken that DANCE EMPEROR can make the most of a turnabout at the weights with last year's winner, Nimitz, and, with a 7lb claimer boosting the probability on a literal level, the Peter Fahey-trained gelding just gets the nod. Maricruz doesn't have much to find with the selection and is also feared. High Street Lady also merits a betting check.