Race Conditions & Pace Setup

• Trip: 2m4f on good ground – stamina and some tactical pace required.
• Likely pace: A few pressers (General Clermont, Regards To Rose, Sharetheknowledge) but no guaranteed tearaway. Expect even to slightly muddling gallop, which may favour those ridden handily but able to conserve energy.
• Draw irrelevant over hurdles, but course tight enough that prominent racers from good positions may have an edge.

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Shortlist by Profile

Strongest Contenders

General Clermont (OR 100, 12st) – Dual-purpose performer, better chaser but 11lb lower over hurdles. Shaped well latest (3rd Tramore, 20.5f, good). Handles conditions, solid recent form, fitness assured. Top-weight but class act in this grade. Proven & fairly treated.

Give Him A Chance (OR 98, 11-12) – Won nicely at Kilbeggan (20f good) two runs back, then found 10lb rise tough. Still lightly raced over hurdles, trip/ground fine. Could bounce back. Progressive type in right grade.

Craic Eile (OR 83, 10-11) – Consistent if frustrating, string of placed efforts at/around this trip on good ground. Career-low mark, well-handicapped, but hasn’t won since 2021. Solid each-way shape.

Sea The Sunset (OR 83, 10-11) – Former Downpatrick winner, ran best for a while latest (4th, Wexford 20.5f, good to yielding). Stays this trip, better ground helps. Handicap mark workable, lightly raced in context.

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Main Dangers / Interesting Outsiders

Kilkee Bay (OR 97, 11-11) – Shaped with promise in maidens, not firing fully in handicaps but better ground + return to mid-trip could suit. Unexposed at this level, danger if settling.

Gekkota (OR 93, 11-7) – Veteran, running well this summer (close 4th latest Tramore 16f). Stays further, so 2m4f no problem. Won’t mind good ground. Could be finishing strongly.

Regards To Rose (OR 98, 11-12) – Consistent in maidens, not disgraced, bred to stay well. Opening mark stiff enough, but lightly raced and may improve switched to handicaps.

She’s On Line (OR 85, 10-13) – Has some fair form (twice placed last autumn). Needs a revival but has run well at this track before.

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On the Downside

• Mattie’s Mountain – 10yo, regressive, not convincing at present.
• Fireworks – Tumbling in the weights but pulled up latest, risky.
• Jekiki / Somerset Hill / Hero In The Sky – Limited, need big step forward.
• Music Of Life / Georginas Jet – Potential improvers, but still early days and may lack experience for a rough handicap.

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Suitability Ratings (out of 10)

• General Clermont – 8/10 (class edge, hurdles mark exploitable, needs strong ride under big weight)
• Give Him A Chance – 7.5/10 (winner in June, can bounce back from last run)
• Craic Eile – 7.5/10 (reliable placer, each-way appeal, but hard to win)
• Sea The Sunset – 7/10 (signs of revival, strong stayer, ground suits)
• Kilkee Bay – 6.5/10 (unexposed, but needs to put it together)
• Gekkota – 6.5/10 (veteran, but still competitive)
• Regards To Rose – 6/10 (maiden promise, but opening mark a question)
• She’s On Line – 5.5/10 (possible revival angle, needs to jump better)
• Others – 4/10 or below

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Private Tissue Odds (my view)

• General Clermont – 4/1
• Give Him A Chance – 5/1
• Craic Eile – 6/1
• Sea The Sunset – 7/1
• Kilkee Bay – 8/1
• Gekkota – 10/1
• Regards To Rose – 12/1
• She’s On Line – 14/1
• The rest – 20/1+

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Summary & Smart Play

This looks a winnable low-grade handicap where class droppers and consistent types stand out.

• General Clermont is well-handicapped back over hurdles and brings solid recent form.
• Give Him A Chance is the younger improver who can bounce back from last time.
• Craic Eile and Sea The Sunset are the reliable each-way angles at bigger prices.

Smart Play:

• Win bet – General Clermont (class act, hurdling mark exploitable).
• Each-way saver – Craic Eile (solid placer, ground/trip perfect, due a win).
• Watch Sea The Sunset in the market – if supported, could go close.