A competitive staying handicap brings together a mixture of exposed handicappers, dual-purpose performers and a couple attempting to revive their Flat careers. While there is no standout, several arrive with recent form that gives them realistic claims.

Party Dress appeals as the percentage call. Willie McCreery’s mare has been running consistently in stronger handicaps than this and shaped better than the bare result when fourth at Killarney, meeting traffic at a crucial stage before staying on well. Her previous Curragh effort over 1m4f in a higher-grade contest also reads well, and the return to this longer trip looks firmly in her favour. A previous winner over 2m1f, she has the stamina required and remains on a workable mark.

Tatum commands plenty of respect. She has won twice at Leopardstown and returned to form when third over 1m5f here last week. The extra two furlongs are the unknown, but if she settles and sees the trip out she has obvious claims despite edging up the weights.

Trubshaw is capable of making his presence felt if bouncing back from a below-par Curragh effort. His victory there last autumn remains one of the strongest recent pieces of Flat form on offer and he now drops into a less demanding contest. The 7lb claim of Gabriella Hill reduces his burden further and a return to form would make him dangerous.

Jurality has been admirably consistent in lower-grade staying handicaps, winning at Navan before solid placed efforts at Bellewstown and Killarney. However, those performances came from lower handicap marks and he may now be vulnerable to better-treated rivals.

Friary Road is an interesting dual-purpose runner. His recent third in a Leopardstown conditions race came against stronger opposition than he meets here and dropping back into handicap company could help, although his Flat form still leaves him with a little to prove.

Folly Beach won this race in 2023 but that success came on softer ground. She has hinted at retaining ability without quite reproducing her best on recent starts, while Miss Gitana, Jr Mahon and Stone Rulya all need significant improvement based on recent form.

Verdict

This looks likely to develop into a steadily-run staying handicap where tactical positioning could prove important. Party Dress arrives in solid form, has the strongest recent profile for today’s conditions and appeals as the one most likely to produce a winning performance. Tatum rates the principal danger if seeing out the trip, while Trubshaw is respected as the value alternative capable of outrunning his price.

Selection: Party Dress
Main danger: Tatum
Value alternative: Trubshaw