A competitive three-year-old apprentice handicap with a €6,000 prize on offer over a mile, featuring a full field of 15 runners. The going is good, with good-to-firm patches, and the pace is forecast to be even, which typically puts hold-up types at a disadvantage around here unless the tempo unexpectedly lifts.

Contenders

JAMES THE SECOND (T. Casey, 9st 4lb)
Has the highest adjusted Timeform rating (70) in the field and shaped well last time out when second to Dance For Chester over this C&D. His pace profile shows he can race prominently, which will be a tactical positive given the course bias. Timeform notes that he traded at less than 25% of Betfair SP in-running last time when beaten, which suggests he ran well above market expectations. With conditions to suit and a good draw in 10, he looks a strong contender.

LETTERS OF LOVE (M. W. Hassett, 9st 4lb)
Joseph O’Brien’s filly is another of interest, holding a Timeform rating of 68. She shaped better than the result when fifth at Tipperary last time and looks open to improvement now making just her third handicap start. The trainer is in good recent form, and with no fitness doubts and a mid-to-prominent run style, she has a sound profile. This trainer hasn’t won this race in recent renewals but has a solid record with 3yo handicappers at this level.

CALA BONITA (R. Whearty, 9st 9lb)
Lightly raced and ran a career-best on handicap debut when runner-up at Tipperary 13 days ago. Her Timeform rating of 68 puts her joint-second highest on adjusted figures, but her deep closing style isn’t ideal for this setup. Still, she’s unexposed and has shown progress, so remains a threat if they go harder than expected up front. Worth monitoring in the market for signs of sustained support.

Main Dangers

WEEGEEBEAR (S. Coen, 9st 12lb)
Course winner and has been running well in similar company, including a close third over this C&D last time. The pace map shows he’s often up with the pace or just behind it, which gives him a tactical edge here. Headgear continues to work well, and he’s one of the few with winning form under these conditions. Adjusted Timeform rating of 63 suggests he’s just below the leading trio but he’s very much in form and holds each-way claims in a big field.

ELVETHAM (J. J. G. Ryan, 9st 12lb)
Comes from the Dermot Weld yard, which is notable in this context given Weld’s historic strength with improving three-year-olds in mid-tier handicaps. Elvetham was gelded prior to a decent run at Navan, and first-time visor now added could help. Timeform rating of 60 leaves him work to do, but he’s a likely improver and worth keeping an eye on for market strength. Weld has yet to win this race specifically in the past five years.

DANCING BAY (R. M. Mulligan, 9st 10lb)
Rated 64 by Timeform, this New Bay gelding has some solid form lines but has been a little one-paced. Has shaped as if 1m is about his limit, so might be tapped for toe if it becomes tactical. Still, he’s another that can go well if he gets a more even gallop and is drawn ideally in stall 5.

Interesting Outsiders

ENDLESS DAWN (J. Pietropaolo, 9st 4lb)
Has a rating of 69 which places her just behind the top-rated pair, and was second to Tam Lin in a Dundalk handicap earlier this year. Her last run was respectable enough, and while she has something to prove back on turf, she’s not without a chance if reproducing her best polytrack form. The yard isn’t well known for turf winners, but she’s capable of making the frame if bouncing back.

ELVETHAM and BREATH OF YOU both return after short layoffs of 29 and 14 days respectively, so fitness isn’t a concern. However, ACADEME, AINM BENTLEY, and GOLD DUBLOOMS are harder to assess and haven’t shown much so far. Keep an eye on the market for GOLD DUBLOOMS, who has been off 18 days but could improve for better ground or a tactical change.

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Trends and Trainer Notes

• Past winners have typically carried 9st 11lb or more, and most had a run within 30 days.
• Trainer Leonard Paul Flynn (won 2024 edition) is absent this year, but Mrs J. Harrington (2023 winner) runs ACADEME, though the filly is still a maiden and hard to weigh up.
• Three of the last five winners were drawn in double-figure stalls, suggesting no major draw bias at this trip in these conditions.

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Summary

This looks a wide-open 0–60 contest, but JAMES THE SECOND sets the standard on adjusted ratings and has the right pace profile for conditions. LETTERS OF LOVE appeals as the most likely improver, and WEEGEEBEAR is a solid each-way shout with track form and tactical speed. CALA BONITA could run on into a place but needs a stronger-than-expected pace to be seen to best effect. Monitor the betting for any strength behind lightly raced types like ELVETHAM or ENDLESS DAWN, both of whom offer value if backed.