Limerick bumper winner. Subsequently ran mid-field in the Champion bumper at Cheltenham and was not disgraced in a Grade 2 bumper at Leopardstown.
Lacks a recent run and hurdling experience. Is worth a market check.
I’ll Sort That
Dual bumper winner. Was second by 12 lengths in a Fairyhouse bumper in April.
Easy ground is fine. Market should reveal expectations, as he has been off since April.
Spotlight Verdict
NIGHT MOON is surely capable of better than he showed when a beaten favourite at Galway and he could improve plenty for that run and softer ground. The consistent Astelia should run her race again and any market support for I Started A Joke should be noted. The two-time bumper winner I’ll Sort That is also considered, but easy ground is a worry for Wholelotofbusiness.
Assessment of Chances
Horse
Strengths
Weaknesses/Concerns
Suitability
I Started A Joke
Strong ability shown in bumpers, including a Limerick win and placing in Grade 2/Champion bumpers.
Lack of a recent run and absence of hurdling experience.
Recommended for a market check, indicating potential if fit.
Exciting prospect who is unbeaten (justified prohibitive odds in a Punchestown bumper and a Galway Festival novice hurdle).
His classy half-brother (Mystical Power) handled soft ground well. The one to beat.
Sonnyboyliston
Very smart Flat performer (Ebor and Irish St Leger winner). Won a maiden hurdle here in May (16.5f).
Has only run three times since 2022. Best form is on good ground, making underfoot conditions a worry.
Spotlight Verdict
Willie Mullins’ DAVY CROCKETT, an unbeaten son of Annie Power, is a very promising prospect and should be able to maintain his unblemished record. The easy ground may not be ideal for his stablemate La Note Verte or Sonnyboyliston so Captain Ryan Matt could give the selection most to think about.
Assessment of Chances
Horse
Strengths
Weaknesses/Concerns
Suitability
Davy Crockett
Unblemished record and highly promising prospect. Bred to handle soft ground, mitigating the yield condition risk.
Will face the softest ground yet.
Considered the strong favorite and the one to beat.
Sonnyboyliston
Proven hurdles winner at this course. High level of Flat ability.
Best form achieved on good ground; soft/easy underfoot conditions are a worry. Has been absent since May.
Conditions may hinder performance.
3.15 Brandon Hotel Handicap Hurdle
Distance: 2m 2f
Master Top Two (TimeWise Total):
Bearami Creek (231 Total)
Dunany Point (228 Total)
Recent Form and Supplied Comments
Horse
Recent Form Summary
Supplied Comments
Bearami Creek
Broke through, leaving previous handicap form behind, when winning easily at Navan four days ago (2m3f, yielding).
The 7lb penalty may not be enough to stop her from following up. Question mark if the quick turnaround comes too soon.
Dunany Point
Won over 20.5f at Bellewstown off a mark of 81 in April (good ground). Ran another fine race back there recently.
Needs the track to dry out.
Spotlight Verdict
The manner of BEARAMI CREEK‘s breakthrough success at Navan suggested there was more to come and she may be able to follow up under a 7lb penalty. Last time out Down Royal scorer Eastmore looks the chief danger off 4lb higher, while Stonecarthy and Alright Darling both hold place claims.
Assessment of Chances
Horse
Strengths
Weaknesses/Concerns
Suitability
Bearami Creek
Current winning form and proven on yielding ground. Handicap rating hike is assessed as possibly insufficient.
Running again quickly (four days since last start).
Highly favoured by the spotlight to repeat her win.
Dunany Point
Reliable form when running on preferred ground.
Prefers quick ground (good) and requires the track to dry out, making yielded ground a challenge.
Conditions are likely unsuitable.
3.50 Devon Inn Dan Sheehan Memorial Handicap Hurdle
Distance: 3m
Master Top Two (TimeWise Total):
Priory Park (295 Total)
Duke Silver (292 Total)
Recent Form and Supplied Comments
Horse
Recent Form Summary
Supplied Comments
Priory Park
Returned to hurdling and scored readily on recent stable debut at Ballinrobe. Won a 3m2f Limerick handicap chase previously.
Can remain competitive off 7lb higher, with the same talented 7lb claimer up. Has been pulled up on previous outings (one time due to coughing).
Duke Silver
Has only one win from 15 hurdle starts. Two most recent outings are encouraging, and he has much the same chance as Bitofajokelike based on their Galway running.
Needs to overcome a poor overall hurdle win ratio.
Spotlight Verdict
Eric McNamara has last year’s winner Donkey Years in the line-up again, but is more likely to hit the target with BITOFAJOKELIKE (nap), who has a slight edge over Duke Silver on running in a Galway race which has worked out well. Wide-margin Wexford winner Tackletommywoowoo has a definite chance despite a big hike in the ratings. Koori Star has run well when fresh and has prospects on last season’s handicap form.
Assessment of Chances
Horse
Strengths
Weaknesses/Concerns
Suitability
Priory Park
Responded well to the return to hurdles and stable change. Claimer significantly offsets the 7lb rise.
History of inconsistent performance, including being pulled up.
Expected to remain competitive at this level.
Duke Silver
Recent form is strong and competitive with the predicted winner (Bitofajokelike).
Overall hurdle record is modest (1 win from 15 starts).
Seems highly suited to the conditions based on recent comparable performance.
4.23 Guinness Kerry National Handicap Chase (Grade 3)
Distance: 2m 7f 180y (3m)
Master Top Two (TimeWise Total):
Shecouldbeanything (368 Total)
You Oughta Know (363 Total)
Recent Form and Supplied Comments
Horse
Recent Form Summary
Supplied Comments
Shecouldbeanything
Four-time chase winner, including a Grade 3 success. Put in a fine effort when third (at 33-1) in the Galway Plate.
Capable of another big run. Expected to uphold form over multiple rivals.
You Oughta Know
Hacked up at Wexford last month. Previously beaten by rival Anyway in June.
Form is hard to evaluate due to the nature of the Wexford win. Riding plans (Paul Townend booked) point to a leading chance.
Spotlight Verdict
An early casualty when one of the main fancies for the Galway Plate, ANYWAY has the potential to land a big pot judged on his second placing in a novice handicap at last season’s Cheltenham Festival. Long-priced Galway Plate third Shecouldbeanything may uphold form with Sea Music, Three Card Brag and Thecompanysergeant. Paul Townend rides You Oughta Know, but stablemate Spanish Harlem arguably has stronger credentials.
Did not perform well in the Irish Grand National (remote 7th) or when distant third at Cheltenham.
Highly capable over this distance and level.
You Oughta Know
Chosen mount of Paul Townend, suggesting high stable confidence. Recent win suggests improved form.
Form is questionable due to the ease of his last win. Stablemate Spanish Harlem is considered by the spotlight to have stronger credentials.
Riding plans indicate leading chance.
4.58 Ballygarry Estate Hotel & Spa Mares Novice Chase
Distance: 2m 3f 100y (2m3½f)
Master Top Two (TimeWise Total):
Mystical Goddess (299 Total)
Cloonainra (296 Total)
Recent Form and Supplied Comments
Horse
Recent Form Summary
Supplied Comments
Mystical Goddess
Point-to-point and maiden hurdle winner. Beaten 30l in the Grade 2 mares’ novice at Cheltenham (last seen in March).
In good hands (H De Bromhead) and bred for chasing. Dangerous to dismiss.
Cloonainra
Point-to-point winner and 120-rated hurdler. Solid effort in a Punchestown handicap hurdle when last seen in April.
Makes chasing debut. Has gone well fresh before.
Spotlight Verdict
This revolves around Zenta. She is undoubtedly the most talented mare in the race but given that she has been pulled up in two of her last three starts, she might be worth taking on. The one that appeals most is ENJOY THE DREAM who gained a confidence-boosting win at Tramore last time. Me Wee Bonnie Lass and Mystical Goddess could prove to be the main dangers.
Assessment of Chances
Horse
Strengths
Weaknesses/Concerns
Suitability
Mystical Goddess
Excellent breeding for the discipline. Noted as a main danger by the spotlight.
Absent since March. Previous Grade 2 attempt resulted in a heavy defeat.
Bred for the chase game.
Cloonainra
High hurdling rating (120) and point-to-point experience suggest talent and stamina. Runs well fresh.
First chase start.
Not dismissed, offering potential on debut.
5.33 Listowel Vintners Association INH Flat Race
Distance: 2m 4f
Master Top Two (TimeWise Total):
Ring Of Kerry (245 Total)
Apache Tribe (239 Total)
Recent Form and Supplied Comments
Horse
Recent Form Summary
Supplied Comments
Ring Of Kerry
Portrush maiden point-to-point winner in March (yielding). Finished ninth on bumper debut at Galway, about 7l behind Apache Tribe.
May improve from his Galway run. Patrick Mullins booked.
Apache Tribe
Oldtown point-to-point winner in February. Finished fifth on bumper debut at Galway.
Can build on a solid bumper debut. Holds a realistic chance of confirming form with Ring Of Kerry and Poetic Glory.
Spotlight Verdict
Poetic Glory… failed to shine and ended up in tenth place but could now pose a serious threat to APACHE TRIBE, fifth in that race, confirming the promise of a point win in February. Debut point winner Ring Of Kerry may improve from his Galway run. Mickey Hulie is another to consider.
Assessment of Chances
Horse
Strengths
Weaknesses/Concerns
Suitability
Ring Of Kerry
Proven point winner on yielding ground. High-profile jockey booking (P Mullins). Expected to improve from a sub-par bumper debut.
Finished behind Apache Tribe on bumper debut.
Suitable for the trip, with potential for improvement.
Apache Tribe
Confirmed point winner. Showed solid form on bumper debut (5th) in a relevant race.
None explicit; chance relies on building slightly on his debut form.
Expected to confirm previous promise and form against rivals.
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