17:35 Naas

Monday 8 June 2020

All14:5515:3016:0016:3017:0517:3518:0518:35

Anglesey Lodge Equine Hospital Woodlands Stakes (Listed)

Off time: 17:36 | Winning time: 1m 3.81s

Settings

Selected odds by:

(5)

Gustavus Weston²⁵⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Gary Carroll| T: J G Murphy| OR: 106| D

25/1

Gradual improvement over last season came to fruition when landing the Group 3 Phoenix Sprint Stakes at the Curragh in August. Ran well in defeat when last seen in the Group 3 Renaissance stakes in September. Entitled to make the shortlist.

Form: 7/82014-

(1)

All The King's Men²²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: G M Ryan| T: L Comer| OR: 102| CD

200/1

Won for the third time in his career when landing a 9k handicap at Navan in October. Boasts a decent record over C&D but will need others to falter to play a role in the finish here on stable debut.

Form: 258431-

(6)

Buffer Zone²⁶¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons| OR: 107| BF| D

4/1

Impressive when winning a valuable handicap at the Curragh over 6f in September on just his fourth start. Well held when last seen in the Ayr Gold Cup, but is clearly better than that effort suggests.

Form: 7/12510-

(8)

Chessman²⁵⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Ronan Whelan| T: R O'Brien| OR: 101

14/1

Sole win in career came on the AW at Dundalk with the Acclamation gelding remaining without success in 18 starts on turf. Running well in defeat towards the end of last season and can give a good account once again.

Form: 530793-

(3)

No Needs Never^t¹⁰¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Declan McDonogh| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 101

18/1

Lightly raced type who clearly has had his fair share of training set backs. Winner of a Listed contest at Dundalk in October 2018 the colt has been running with plenty of credit in defeat at the venue in January/February.

Form: 415/2-23

(4)

Sceptical^t⁹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: J M Sheridan| T: D Hogan| OR: 114| D

3/1

Tough and genuine sort. Landed a hat-trick of wins at Dundalk on the AW between November and March this year. Shapes as though he may have more to offer on turf and is very much respected in this contest.

Form: 31-11

(9)

Sergei Prokofiev³³⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: J A Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 108| BF| CD

6/1

Listed/Group 3 winner as a juvenile and landed a Listed contest in March 2019 at Navan over a similar trip on good ground. Scat Daddy colt has won at this venue and can be expected to run another big race here.

Form: 18/1406-

(2)

Southern Horse³⁰⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger| OR: 100| D

25/1

Group 1 second in Argentina, the son of Roman Ruler is yet to spark in three starts for current connections. Needs a sizable improvement to mix it in this company.

Form: 12/1047-

(7)

Forever In Dreams²³³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: W J Lee| T: A Fogarty| OR: 112| D

3/1

Listed winner who was just 1½L behind Advertise in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot 12 months ago. Beaten but not disgraced since, the Dream Ahead filly looks a good prospect dropping in trip.

Form: 512073-

(10)

Rapid Reaction²³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: A J Slattery| T: J F Grogan| OR: 97| CD

50/1

Two victories in her 23 race career have both come over C&D, though the latest win came in September 2018 in a 27k handicap on good ground. Not a forlorn hope but others still more convincing.

Form: 390200-

(11)

Woody Creek²⁴⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Chris Hayes| T: J A Stack| OR: 102| CD

17/2

Solid and consistent sort, winner of two of her 11 career starts on turf. Last seen finishing fifth of nine in a Grade 2 contest over 6f in Woodbine, US in October. Course winner is worthy of further consideration.

Form: 522255-

Forecasts

Sceptical (3/1), Forever In Dreams (3/1), Buffer Zone (4/1), Sergei Prokofiev (6/1), Woody Creek (17/2), Chessman (14/1), No Needs Never (18/1), Southern Horse (25/1), Gustavus Weston (25/1), Rapid Reaction (50/1), All The King's Men (200/1)

It's difficult to see past a big run for the Denis Hogan-trained SCEPTICAL. The four-year-old landed a hat-trick of wins at Dundalk on the AW between November and March this year. The gelding can continue his fine run of form as he steps up to Listed company for the first time. Both Sceptical and the Aidan Fogarty-trained Forever In Dreams are currently racing 6lb and 4lb higher than next best, the Aidan O'Brien-trained Listed and Group 3 winning colt, Sergei Prokofiev. Buffer Zone for trainer Ger Lyons could take a hand in the finish should any of the main protagonists falter.