13:35 Gowran Park

Wednesday 17 June 2020

All13:0013:3514:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:05

MansionBet Proud To Support Irish Racing Handicap

Off time: 13:35 | Winning time: 1m 40.25s

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(4)

Celtic High King²³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 10-0| J: J A Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 92| D

12/1

Out of his depth when pitched into the Group 1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud on final start last season. Top weight to shoulder on handicap debut but Ballydoyle are in form at present and surprise if he wasn't thereabouts.

Form: 618-

(5)

So Suave²²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: D E Sheehy⁽⁵⁾| T: J P Murtagh| OR: 87

13/2

Justified odds-on favouritism (sent off 10-11f) when picking up well inside the final furlong to win at Dundalk (7f; standard). Gave strong impression the step up in trip would suit. Subsequently feared on first foray into handicap company.

Form: 21-

(8)

In From The Cold⁸⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Gary Carroll| T: M Mulvany| OR: 86

14/1

More exposed than his rivals but can't knock his consistency. Delivered again when landing a competitive handicap on his return to action at Naas (7f; soft to heavy) back in March. 6lb rise demands more but should put experience to good use.

Form: 42421-1

(7)

Psyche²⁰⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: S Foley| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 85| D

9/2

Runner-up effort behind Vatican City now looks impressive given that colt finished second behind Siskin in the Irish 2000 Guineas. Benefitted for the step up to 1m when off the mark at the third attempt. Stable having winners so he is considered.

Form: 721-

(6)

Thames River²³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: S M Crosse⁽³⁾| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 85| D

2/1

Made no mistake at the second time of asking when building on promise of debut effort to go one better at Dundalk (1m; standard). Makes turf/seasonal/handicap debut off a fair enough opening mark and he should go extremely close.

Form: 21-

(1)

Azila^p²³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: O J Orr| T: D K Weld| OR: 83| BF

16/1

Behind Feminista when third at Leopardstown (7f; soft to heavy) when last seen in October. Holds some eye-catching pieces of form to her name, and it would be surprising were she not able to make her mark in this sphere sooner rather than later.

Form: 55523-

(2)

Estepona Sun¹⁹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons| OR: 82

13/2

Got off the mark at the fifth attempt when successful in 'nursery' company at Dundalk (7f; standard) in December. Only been raised 2lb and the step up to 1m offers room for further improvement. Return to turf should pose no problems either.

Form: 73451-

(3)

Fame And Acclaim²²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Declan McDonogh| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 82| BF

20/1

Well-fancied the last twice but failed to deliver on each occasion. Now makes handicap/seasonal debut as he steps up to 1m for the first time. That offers hope for an improved showing and a market check is advised with this one.

Form: 358-

(9)

Feminista^b⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Rory Cleary| T: J S Bolger| OR: 77

8/1

Desperately unlucky not to make a winning reappearance when beaten a head in a three-way photo-finish at this track last week. Has a fitness edge on some of her rivals so major claims off just a 1lb higher mark.

Form: 80614-2

Forecasts

Thames River (2/1), Psyche (9/2), So Suave (13/2), Estepona Sun (13/2), Feminista (8/1), Celtic High King (12/1), In From The Cold (14/1), Azila (16/1), Fame And Acclaim (20/1)

It is difficult to rule any of these out with confidence given their attractive profiles. The likes of both Estepona Sun and Feminista should have productive campaigns in this sphere. The same applies to Azila whose debut form behind 1000 Guineas heroine Love is noteworthy. There is every chance we may see Group class horses here though. Thus, the two to focus on look to be SO SUAVE and Thames River. The latter has a pedigree to die for and will likely make up into a talented performer as the season progresses, but preference is for the former given he looked in desperate need for 1m when last seen. Celtic High King can finish best of the rest.