15:15 Bellewstown

Wednesday 2 October 2024

All13:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:0017:30

Barney Curley Apprentice Series Final Apprentice Handicap (47-75)

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 1m 43.2s

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Selected odds by:

(3)

Copie Conforme³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 10-0| J: J Cleary| T: K Prendergast| OR: 74| CD

2/1

Resumed progress to land a second course victory in 15-runner handicap here (8f, good to soft, 10/3) just over 5 weeks ago, leading under 2f out. 7 lb rise to contend with but has to be considered at this venue (2-2 currently).

Form: 371261

(5)

Proleek Prince¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: S Coen⁽⁴⁾| T: M Rice| OR: 72| D

10/3

Steadily progressed with each run since the switch to handicaps and finally got off the mark in 14-runner handicap at Punchestown (8.1f, good, 8/1) just over 2 weeks ago, having run of race. May yet have more to offer so expected to be bang there.

Form: 67-8631

(6)

Lust^t¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-13| J: S P Bird⁽²⁾| T: M Mulvany| OR: 71| D

17/2

Continues to fall in the weights without showing any sign of taking advantage, better placed than most when 5 lengths seventh of 14 to Proleek Prince in handicap (40/1) at Punchestown (8.1f, good) just over 2 weeks ago. Dropped another 3 lb.

Form: 7-05007

(7)

Mile End^b⁶⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: D S O'Sullivan⁽²⁾| T: Ciaran Murphy| OR: 70

18/1

Fared little better when tenth of 14 in handicap at Galway (7f, soft, 33/1) a couple of months ago. Not easy to make a case for.

Form: 56-6000

(8)

Polar Bear^v¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: K G Kennedy| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 68| C

13/2

Course winner. Fourteen runs since last win in 2023. 11/1, below form on his first start away from the turf when ninth of 10 in handicap at Laytown (6f) 16 days ago, slowly away. Significantly back up in trip. Can make presence felt back in headgear.

Form: 746749

(1)

The Bog Bank^p,t³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-9| J: Alyse Jane Clarke⁽⁴⁾| T: T G McCourt| OR: 67| CD

9/2

4-time C&D winner. 4/1, career best when winning 15-runner handicap at this course (8f, good to soft) just over 5 weeks ago, staying on to lead well inside final 1f. 7 lb higher but folly to ignore given her track record.

Form: 741351

(4)

Givemehoperosa⁴³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: R M Mulligan⁽²⁾| T: J Davison| OR: 66

11/1

15/2, shaped as if amiss after 13 weeks off when tailed-off last of 14 in handicap at Roscommon (7.5f, heavy) just over 6 weeks ago (reportedly coughing and distressed post race). Must bounce back.

Form: 31-4000

Non-Runners

(2)

Rhythm King¹⁴⁹

Weight: 9-10| Age: 4

T: M Fahey J: J Pietropaolo

Forecasts

Copie Conforme (2/1), Proleek Prince (10/3), The Bog Bank (9/2), Polar Bear (13/2), Lust (17/2), Givemehoperosa (11/1), Mile End (18/1), Rhythm King (25/1)

PROLEEK PRINCE has been steadily progressive since being switched to handicaps and he's fancied to follow up his breakthrough success at Punchestown last month at the chief expense of Copie Conforme, who is 2-2 at this course but may have to settle for silver this time. The Bog Bank, who boasts 4 C&D wins and was successful here again just over 5 weeks ago, completes the shortlist.