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2.20 WTW Willis Irish EBF Maiden

Distance: 7f 15y
Going: Heavy

Rank	Horse (TimeWise Master Rating)	Running Style	Trainer (W-R)
1	Perisher (255 Total)	P (Pressed leaders)	J P O’Brien (51%)
2	Spectical (253 Total)	P (Pressed leaders)	Mrs J Harrington (56%)

Recent Form and Supplied Comments

Perisher
He put in a fine debut effort to be runner-up at Galway over 1m (7l ahead of Spectical). However, he produced a lesser effort at the Curragh since, during which he hung. He has cheekpieces reached for today and looks to be the yard’s first-string.

Spectical
He cost 450,000euros as a yearling. He ran well on his debut at Galway over 1m before fading in the final furlong. This shorter trip (7f) should suit better, provided he handles the heavy ground.

Spotlight Verdict

Perisher sets the standard on his Galway debut effort but questions are raised by his lesser Curragh run. Preference is for the well-bred Ballydoyle runner STRAIGHT UP who is from the family of several classy juveniles. His stablemate King Of Sparta can improve on his debut run while Spectical can do likewise.

Assessment of Chances

Horse	Strengths	Weaknesses	Suitability/Chances
Perisher	Holds the leading form claims based on his promising debut. He is the yard’s first-string. Cheekpieces may help refocus him after hanging last time.	His subsequent run at the Curragh was a lesser effort.	Has a big chance if he returns to his initial form.
Spectical	Bred to be useful (expensive yearling). The drop back to 7f should suit him better after fading late over 1m.	His chance relies on handling the heavy ground.	Can run well if handling the ground and is expected to improve on his debut run.

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2.50 Rose Hotel Handicap

Distance: 7f 15y
Going: Heavy

Rank	Horse (TimeWise Master Rating)	Running Style	Trainer (W-R)
1	Yaxchilan (228 Total)	P (Pressed leaders)	G O’Leary (67%)
2	Liamo (227 Total)	P (Pressed leaders)	B M Walsh (0%)

Recent Form and Supplied Comments

Yaxchilan
He won off 2lb lower at Fairyhouse in May (6f, good). He was not beaten that far on his latest run at Cork.

Liamo
He is in fine form this season, having won here on his seasonal return in June (1m, good). He has placed off a revised mark at Killarney (1m, soft) and Leopardstown (7f, good). He benefits from a 2lb drop for his last run.

Spotlight Verdict

The consistent C&D winner Liamo has to be considered, as do Linger For Longer and Micasso. However, ALEX BELARDO gets the nod. He hit form at around this time last year, he’s 3lb below his last winning mark and he showed signs of life at Roscommon last time out.

Assessment of Chances

Horse	Strengths	Weaknesses	Suitability/Chances
Yaxchilan	Recent winner (May).	His best efforts have come on good or quicker ground, meaning he has a bit to prove on today’s heavy surface.	Ground suitability is a significant weakness, making him less appealing despite his rating.
Liamo	Highly consistent recent form (3rd in last two starts). Proven over similar distances/conditions (won at the course, placed on soft). Benefits from a slight drop in the weights.	None explicit based on comments, but not the primary selection by Spotlight.	Has to be considered and should be in the mix again.

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3.20 Kelleher Feeds & Agri Suppliers Ballymullen, Tralee Handicap

Distance: 7f 15y
Going: Heavy

Rank	Horse (TimeWise Master Rating)	Running Style	Trainer (W-R)
1	Earls (285 Total)	P (Pressed leaders)	G Cromwell (40%)
2	Highbury See See (273 Total)	L (Led)	A Slattery (24%)

Recent Form and Supplied Comments

Earls
He is a 1m course winner who looked to be regressing this season but got back on track in fine style at Roscommon (7.5f, soft) three weeks ago. Testing conditions are fine for him.

Highbury See See
He won off a mark of 65 at Gowran (7f, soft) in June. He has since posted solid efforts in defeat off his revised mark over 7f (yielding) and 8.5f (soft) at the Galway Festival. He has been freshened up.

Spotlight Verdict

A few of these are regulars in this race… RAMIRO is narrowly preferred. The booking of Oisin Murphy is a big plus for the latter horse and he’s 1lb lower than when scoring last year. Earls, Mathan, Zabriskie Point and Highbury See See also have live chances in an ultra-competitive heat.

Assessment of Chances

Horse	Strengths	Weaknesses	Suitability/Chances
Earls	Proven course winner. Recent win suggests a return to form. Conditions are highly suitable (testing ground fine).	Must run off a 6lb higher mark than his latest win.	Has a live chance and should go well again.
Highbury See See	Proven winner on soft ground. Has shown consistently solid form in defeat subsequently. Comes in fresh.	None explicit.	Has a live chance and should be thereabouts again.

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3.50 Edmund & Josie Whelan Memorial Listowel Stakes (Listed)

Distance: 1m
Going: Heavy

Rank	Horse (TimeWise Master Rating)	Running Style	Trainer (W-R)
1	Soft Winds (338 Total)	P (Pressed leaders)	J P O’Brien (51%)
2	Mataariki (318 Total)	L (Led)	J P O’Brien (51%)

Recent Form and Supplied Comments

Soft Winds
Rated 94. She shaped nicely when finishing a 3.25l third of nine in a listed race at Killarney (1m, good) last month. She has won on soft ground in France and is preferred by jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle.

Mataariki
Rated 94. She won a heavy ground Gowran handicap off 84 on seasonal return (7f, heavy). She has run solid races in stakes company since, including a listed 2l third at Naas and a listed 1l fourth at Galway.

Spotlight Verdict

Preference is for NORWALK HAVOC, who relishes testing conditions, and may be able to give weight away to his rivals now returned to his favoured ground. Dylan Browne McMonagle prefers Soft Winds of Joseph O’Brien’s trio so she is respected, as is her stablemate Mataariki who is proven on heavy ground and at this level. This ground is an unknown for Noli Timere, she could go well if she acts on it.

Assessment of Chances

Horse	Strengths	Weaknesses	Suitability/Chances
Soft Winds	Demonstrated form at Listed level (recent 3rd). Proven winner on soft ground, indicating suitability for heavy going. Favoured by the stable’s jockey.	None explicit, but needs to prove she can win at this level.	Highly respected and considered a strong contender based on form and jockey choice.
Mataariki	Proven on heavy ground (winning seasonal debut). Consistent performer in stakes company (recent listed placings).	Stable jockey preferred Soft Winds.	Has place claims at least due to heavy ground form and experience at this level.

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4.20 MAC Hardware & Farm Supplies Irish EBF Rated Race

Distance: 1m
Going: Heavy

Rank	Horse (TimeWise Master Rating)	Running Style	Trainer (W-R)
1	Extravagant (315 Total)	P (Pressed leaders)	A P O’Brien (70%)
2	Bellamano (286 Total)	L (Led)	J Murtagh (54%)

Recent Form and Supplied Comments

Extravagant
He had solid maiden runs initially. He improved for the step-up to 1m when winning a Killarney nursery off a rating of 80. He was subsequently raised 7lb but “can still be competitive”.

Bellamano
He ran solid in defeat in three maidens up to this trip. He was runner-up to Extravagant in a 1m Killarney nursery. He is 7lb better off for that 1.5l defeat and handles soft ground. He has cheekpieces added for this race.

Spotlight Verdict

Given a handicap rating of 90 after two maiden starts, LIMESTONE (nap) faces lesser opposition today and can get off the mark even giving weight to all. The form of Redemption Road’s Tipperary maiden win has been franked and he could pose the biggest danger if handling this ground.

Assessment of Chances

Horse	Strengths	Weaknesses	Suitability/Chances
Extravagant	Recent winner over this trip. Comes from a successful yard.	Must compete off a 7lb higher mark.	Expected to be competitive despite the rise in weight.
Bellamano	Handles soft ground. Holds a 7lb swing in the weights versus Extravagant based on their last meeting. Cheekpieces applied.	Maiden status.	Should be highly competitive and potentially reverse form with Extravagant based on favourable weights.

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4.50 Listowel Arms Hotel Handicap

Distance: 1m
Going: Heavy

Rank	Horse (TimeWise Master Rating)	Running Style	Trainer (W-R)
1	On A Session (292 Total)	P (Pressed leaders)	K Cotter (60%)
2	Vega’s Muse (290 Total)	P (Pressed leaders)	Mrs J Harrington (56%)

Recent Form and Supplied Comments

On A Session
He won his seventh race when scoring over 7f at Galway last time.

Vega’s Muse
She showed improved form to comfortably win a Killarney handicap over this trip last time. She seems to handle soft ground.

Spotlight Verdict

A chance is taken on SUNRISEONTHEBOYNE who ran better than it appears at Punchestown last time when close to a strong pace. The return to a left-handed track suits. Top-weight Midnight Strike is a danger but recent winners Vega’s Muse and On A Session have tougher tasks off higher marks.

Assessment of Chances

Horse	Strengths	Weaknesses	Suitability/Chances
On A Session	Recent winning form.	Received a harsh 9lb rise for his latest win. He has never won over this trip (1m).	Has a tougher task off a higher mark.
Vega’s Muse	Recent comfortable winner over this trip. Appears to handle soft ground.	Faces a tougher task off a higher mark (8lb rise).	Has a tougher task off a higher mark.

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5.22 Jet, Peggy & Eamonn O’Carroll Memorial Handicap

Distance: 1m 6f 55y
Going: Heavy

Rank	Horse (TimeWise Master Rating)	Running Style	Trainer (W-R)
1	Delta (327 Total)	P (Pressed leaders)	J P O’Brien (51%)
2	Mister Adam (251 Total)	H (Held up)	G O’Leary (67%)

Recent Form and Supplied Comments

Delta
He got off the mark in a 1m4f Fairyhouse maiden in June. The form is strong, as he had been third to the classy Carmers in a Navan Listed race (1m5f) previously.

Mister Adam
He won a Leopardstown handicap over 1m4f in May. He was poor back at that track subsequently and has since been gelded. He handles soft ground.

Spotlight Verdict

Though he is coming off a three month break, DELTA boasts the strongest form in the race and gets the nod to defy top-weight with Oisin Murphy getting aboard. The handicap debutant Saratoga is one that could have significant improvement under these conditions while Bryant is another that looks dangerous.

Assessment of Chances

Horse	Strengths	Weaknesses	Suitability/Chances
Delta	Boasts the strongest form in the race (listed placing). Expected to stay the trip. Jockey booking of Oisin Murphy is notable.	He is coming off a three-month break (102 days). Must handle the heavy ground and carry top-weight.	Selected as the winner who can defy top-weight.
Mister Adam	Previous handicap winner. Handles soft ground. The subsequent gelding operation might spark improvement after a poor run.	Needs a return to his best form.	Requires improvement following a break and gelding operation to feature prominently.