Preference is for PORT LOUIS, who returned to winning ways at Cork earlier this month and still looks feasibly treated. Dark Viper, Free Solo and Moyassr make up the shortlist in a tricky-looking finale.
Port Louis
Dark Viper
Free Solo
Win or Each Way
Each Way terms: 1/4 odds for first 4 places
7. Ocean Manifest
J: J. KearneyT: Stephen Thorne, Ireland
F: 203-
Price History:
4.75
Age:
4
Weight:
9-8
Gear:
tongue strap
Official Rating:
74
Days Since Last Run:
223
Verdict
Thrice-raced maiden. 2/1 and tongue strap on for 1st time, third of 12 in maiden at Naas (8f, good to soft). Off 7 months. First run for yard after leaving M. D. O'Callaghan. Open to improvement on handicap debut.
23. Nahori
J: W. M. LordanT: Miss Natalia Lupini, Ireland
F: 5055424-7
Price History:
7.00
Age:
5
Weight:
8-9
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
61
Days Since Last Run:
28
Verdict
Eleven runs since last win in 2023. 5/4, first run since leaving T. Gibney when below form seventh of 12 in handicap at Limerick (8.2f, heavy) 28 days ago. Looks competitive on form.
8. Port Louis
J: C. T. KeaneT: Noel Meade, Ireland
F: 30000-981
Price History:
10.00
Age:
4
Weight:
9-8
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
74
Days Since Last Run:
17
Verdict
Posted personal best when winning 14-runner handicap (9/1) at Cork (8f, good) 17 days ago. 4 lb rise fair and another bold bid looks assured.
14. Showhound
J: J. A. PowellT: Daniel James Murphy, Ireland
F: 8097-1529
Price History:
11.00
Age:
4
Weight:
9-2
Gear:
cheekpieces
Official Rating:
68
Days Since Last Run:
18
Verdict
Latest win at Newcastle in January. Bit below form 7 lengths ninth of 25 to Free Solo in handicap at this course (7f, good, 4/1) 18 days ago. Cheekpieces back on. Enters calculations.
11. Moyassr
J: D. B. McMonagleT: John E. & Thomas Kiely, Ireland
F: 06/0721-44
Price History:
11.00
Age:
4
Weight:
9-4
Gear:
cheekpieces and tongue strap
Official Rating:
70
Days Since Last Run:
17
Verdict
9/2, creditable 1¾ lengths fourth of 14 to Port Louis in handicap at Cork (8f, good) 17 days ago. Cheekpieces back on. One of likelier contenders.
21. Auburn Avenue
J: C. D. HayesT: Christopher David Timmons, Ireland
F: 6/36443-05
Price History:
12.00
Age:
4
Weight:
8-11
Gear:
cheekpieces and tongue strap
Official Rating:
63
Days Since Last Run:
18
Verdict
Cheekpieces on for 1st time, respectable 4¾ lengths fifth of 25 to Free Solo in handicap at this course (7f, good, 20/1) 18 days ago. Each-way claims.
19. Ransom
J: L. T. McAteerT: P. Sweeney, Ireland
F: 0097-5300
Price History:
13.00
Age:
8
Weight:
8-12
Gear:
tongue strap
Official Rating:
64
Days Since Last Run:
11
Verdict
Eleven runs since last win in 2024. Twelfth of 14 in handicap at Roscommon (7.5f, good, 40/1) 11 days ago, not clear run. Makes limited appeal.
4. Pier Pressure
J: Nicola BurnsT: G. M. Lyons, Ireland
F: 467536-74
Price History:
13.00
Age:
5
Weight:
9-9
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
75
Days Since Last Run:
11
Verdict
Respectable fourth of 14 in handicap (9/1) at Roscommon (7.5f, good) 11 days ago, nearest finish. Likely to be in the mix again.
10. Free Solo
J: M. W. HassettT: P. J. F. Murphy, Ireland
F: 22455761
Price History:
13.00
Age:
8
Weight:
9-4
Gear:
cheekpieces and tongue strap
Official Rating:
70
Days Since Last Run:
18
Verdict
Capitalised on a drop in weights when taking 25-runner handicap at this course (7f, good) 18 days ago, suited by way race developed. 8 lb higher now but warrants respect nontheless.
22. Cordouan
J: P. McGettiganT: P. Sweeney, Ireland
F: 555100-65
Price History:
17.00
Age:
7
Weight:
8-9
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
61
Days Since Last Run:
11
Verdict
Creditable fifth of 14 in handicap (33/1) at Roscommon (7.5f, good) 11 days ago, not clear run. Could be a player.
1. Shigar
J: J. A. OrrT: William Durkan, Ireland
F: 3333418-0
Price History:
21.00
Age:
6
Weight:
10-1
Gear:
hood
Official Rating:
81
Days Since Last Run:
17
Verdict
20/1, 7¾ lengths tenth of 14 to Port Louis in handicap at Cork (8f, good) 17 days ago. Others preferred.
13. Buckle And Bolts
J: R. Donaghue-LeahyT: Ms Sheila Lavery, Ireland
F: 7655
Price History:
26.00
Age:
4
Weight:
9-2
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
68
Days Since Last Run:
14
Verdict
Lightly-raced maiden. Blinkered for 1st time, respectable fifth of 11 in maiden at Ballinrobe (9.6f, good, 28/1) 14 days ago, doing too much too soon. May be capable of better on handicap debut.
9. Mags
J: P. A. HarnettT: Kieran Patrick Cotter, Ireland
F: 56562231-
Price History:
17.00
Age:
4
Weight:
9-5
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
71
Days Since Last Run:
198
Verdict
Ended last year with victory in 7-runner handicap at Dundalk (8f). Fairly treated on return and warrants respect.
18. Everylittlestep
J: N. M. CrosseT: Yvonne Latta, Ireland
F: 29/82758-0
Price History:
21.00
Age:
7
Weight:
8-12
Gear:
tongue strap
Official Rating:
64
Days Since Last Run:
28
Verdict
Eleventh of 12 in handicap (10/1) at Limerick (8.2f, heavy) on return 28 days ago. May have needed that outing and figures off a handy mark.
3. Anvika
J: R. P. ClearyT: Ms Sheila Lavery, Ireland
F: 96954-266
Price History:
21.00
Age:
4
Weight:
9-10
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
76
Days Since Last Run:
84
Verdict
Sixth of 9 in handicap (10/1) at Dundalk (7f) 84 days ago. Can give a good account without posing serious threat to principals.
17. Red Hugh Odonnell
J: Seamie HeffernanT: Gillian Scott, Ireland
F: 6/20-59604
Price History:
34.00
Age:
4
Weight:
9-0
Gear:
blinkers and tongue strap
Official Rating:
66
Days Since Last Run:
10
Verdict
Fourth of 6 in maiden (66/1) at Killarney (8.1f, good) 10 days ago. Others more persuasive.
12. Touch The Sound
J: J. M. SheridanT: J. A. Stack, Ireland
F: 725514-0
Price History:
34.00
Age:
4
Weight:
9-3
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
69
Days Since Last Run:
41
Verdict
Winner at Dundalk in November. 7/1, tenth of 13 in handicap at this course (7f, good) 41 days ago. Others more persuasive.
16. Mapa
J: R. C. ColganT: Ms Sheila Lavery, Ireland
F: 7/6744359-
Price History:
67.00
Age:
4
Weight:
9-0
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
66
Days Since Last Run:
260
Verdict
16/1, ninth of 10 in maiden at Clonmel (9.6f, good). Off 8 months. Makes handicap debut. Must find best form.
5. Catena Zapata
J: C. CusackT: Henry de Bromhead, Ireland
F: 23/00
Price History:
-
Age:
7
Weight:
9-8
Gear:
tongue strap
Official Rating:
74
Days Since Last Run:
29
Verdict
Eleventh of 15 in handicap (40/1) at Tipperary (12.4f, good to soft) 29 days ago. Significantly back down in trip. Work to do.
15. Pansy Poe
J: Ben Martin CoenT: E. J. O'Neill, Ireland
F: 8543336-7
Price History:
51.00
Age:
4
Weight:
9-1
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
67
Days Since Last Run:
19
Verdict
First run since leaving J. A. Stack when last of 7 in maiden (50/1) at Sligo (6f, good) 19 days ago, slowly away. Significantly up in trip. Makes limited appeal.
20. Thompson Gunner
J: Wesley JoyceT: Cian Hughes, Ireland
F: 809325-00
Price History:
67.00
Age:
4
Weight:
8-12
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
64
Days Since Last Run:
68
Verdict
33/1, fourteenth of 18 in handicap at this C&D (soft) 68 days ago. Hard to fancy.
Unnamed Favourite
Unnamed 2nd Favourite
Non-Runners
6. Dark Viper
J: Shane FoleyT: Mrs J. Harrington, Ireland
F: 62220-213
Price History:
7.50
Age:
4
Weight:
9-8
Gear:
cheekpieces
Official Rating:
74
Days Since Last Run:
3
Verdict
Career best when winning 17-runner handicap at Leopardstown (8f) in March and ran to similar level when third of 6 at Cork (7f, good) 3 days ago. Cheekpieces back on. Ought to go well again.
2. Bucaneers Spirit
J: J. J. G. RyanT: Jack W. Davison, Ireland
F: 14-900704
Price History:
11.00
Age:
4
Weight:
9-11
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
77
Days Since Last Run:
3
Verdict
Fourth of 6 in handicap (11/4) at Cork (7f, good) 3 days ago. Others more persuasive.