Racecards
15:30 Dundalk (IRE)
Boylesports.com Handicap
- 10 Runners
- Distance: 2m
- Going: Standard
- Surface: Polytrack
- €22,500 added
- Winner: €14,626
- 2nd: €4,274
- 3rd: €2,026
- 4th: €674
- Form 1224-3
- Age 6
- Weight 10-3
- Official Rating 103
- Trainer Mrs J Harrington
- Jockey Fran Berry
waited with well off pace towards rear, closer order and progress from under 4f out, closed up to challenge from 2f out and led 1f out, stretched clear inside final furlong, comfortably
- Form 12573/0
- Age 5
- Weight 9-1
- Official Rating 87
soon well off pace in mid-division best, some headway under 4f out, no impression and kept on same pace from over 2f out
- Form 0014-14
- Age 7
- Weight 9-1
- Official Rating 87
keen hold, held up well off pace in rear, some headway under 4f out, no impression and kept on same pace from over 2f out
- Form 20/690-2
- Age 7
- Weight 8-11
- Official Rating 83
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey P J Smullen
soon well off pace in mid-division, closer order and headway from under 4f out, 3rd over 2f out, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from over 1f out
- Form 231266
- Age 4
- Weight 8-7
- Official Rating 79
waited with well off pace towards rear, closer in 8th under 4f out, no impression in 5th and kept on same pace from 2f out
- Form 230-230
- Age 5
- Weight 8-6
- Official Rating 78
- Trainer R Roberts
- Jockey N G McCullagh
prominent, soon chased clear leader, closed and led from under 4f out, pressed from over 2f out, headed 1f out, soon no impression and kept on same pace
- Form 423
- Age 5
- Weight 8-4
- Official Rating 73
- Trainer T Collins
- Jockey M C Hussey
chased leaders, well off pace, ridden over 5f out, closer order in 4th under 4f out, no extra from over 2f out
- Form 91122-7
- Age 5
- Weight 8-4
- Official Rating 72
- Trainer D Hogan
- Jockey B A Curtis
prominent, soon moderate 3rd, closed from under 4f out, challenged in 2nd from over 2f out, no extra and kept on same pace from over 1f out
- Form 2010/70-
- Age 10
- Weight 8-4
- Official Rating 69
- Trainer C F Swan
- Jockey James J Doyle
soon led, went clear after about 5f, reduced lead and headed from under 4f out, soon weakened
In depth
Verdict
Willie Mullins won this in 2009 with Deutschland and useful hurdler RATTAN has to be of interest after his superb run behind Alhellal in the Ulster Derby at Down Royal. He finished runner-up on his only Polytrack start so looks the one to beat in receipt of 20lb from the classy Steps To Freedom. Jessica Harrington's charge won two Graded races over hurdles at the backend of last year and wasn't beaten far behind Fame And Glory on his return to the Flat at Navan in May. Solo Performer is much more experienced that either of that pair on Polytrack having won five times on this track but his ability to last out the trip isn't certain unlike Discovery Bay, who gained his only all-weather success over the C&D in March. Roe Deer is an obvious danger as Tracey Collins' very lightly-raced five-year-old was only just behind Shop Dj over the C&D in February and has the beating of the selection on his run against Alhellal over 1m4f on a return visit in April but he might just lack the experience on this occasion.
Formwatch
Steps To Freedom (IRE) 13-2 (9-3) Settled behind leaders in 4th, headway into 3rd 3f out, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Fame And Glory (9-10) at Navan 1m 6f Listed stks (1) gd in May.
Knight Eagle (IRE) 20-1 (10-0) Mid-division, ridden and no extra 3f out, weakened, 14th of 15, 33l behind Princeton Plains (8-11) at Curragh 1m 2f hcp 60-90 sft in Jun.
Solo Performer (IRE) 9-4 (9-12) Held up in rear, ridden 2f out, soon no impression and kept on one pace, last of 4, 6l behind Whipless (8-11) at Dundalk 1m 4f 4yo stk pol in Feb.
Rattan (USA) 6-1 (8-5) Settled in rear of mid-division on inner, headway into 3rd over 2f out, went 2nd 1f out and ridden to challenge, kept on under pressure, no impression on winner closing stages, 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Alhellal (8-8) at Down Royal 1m 5f hcp sft in Jun.
Discovery Bay 14-1 (9-1) Waited with, soon rear of mid-division, improved into 7th straight, kept on without threatening under pressure from over 1f out, 6th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Sky Pilot (8-10) at Limerick 2m hcp 60-90 gd in Jun.
Night Glimmer (IRE) 20-1 (8-9) Chased clear leader, 2nd halfway, ridden and no extra entering straight, weakened, 14th of 15, well behind Midnight Soprano (9-1) at Curragh 1m 4f hcp gd in May.
Roe Deer (IRE) 2-1fav (9-8) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, 2nd approaching straight, ridden to lead 2f out, headed under pressure 1f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Alhellal (9-8) at Dundalk 1m 4f mdn stks pol in Apr.
Hayzoom 20-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden and weakened 3f out, tailed off, last of 11, 49l behind One Cool Shabra (10-11) at Bellewstown 1m 6f Amateur Handicap (60-90) (3yo+) sft.
Norah Starr (IRE) 12-1 (10-0) Dwelt, in rear, kept on without threatening straight, 7th of 12, 5l behind The Four Elms (9-6) at Limerick 1m 3f hcp 50-70 gd in Mar.
Cloone Rocket (IRE) 16-1 (9-11) Always towards rear, never a factor, 11th of 13, 12l behind Navy List (9-11) at Dundalk 1m 4f app hcp pol in Sep.