ILLTAKEHIMMYSELF has been knocking on the door and looks the most likely winner in a competitive handicap. Hickeys Hill and Uptaurintop are both weighted to go close, while Diamond Secret could improve up in trip.
Illtakehimmyself
Hickeys Hill
Uptaurintop
Win or Each Way
Each Way terms: 1/4 odds for first 4 places
1. Illtakehimmyself
J: C. M. HoganT: Eric McNamara
F: 60995-223
Price History:
-
Age:
5
Weight:
12-0
Gear:
tongue strap
Official Rating:
100
Days Since Last Run:
14
Verdict
Low-mileage 5-y-o. Went close at Punchestown (3m) on return. Continued his sound start in handicaps with placed efforts at Listowel/Limerick since. May deservedly get his head in front this time.
8. I Feel Fine
J: M. J. KenneallyT: Mark Molloy
F: 88/08U6P-4
Price History:
-
Age:
6
Weight:
11-4
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
90
Days Since Last Run:
46
Verdict
Lightly-raced maiden. Step back in right direction when 7¾ lengths fourth of 13 at Kilbeggan (2m) in late May. Well worth another try over this trip under less testing conditions.
9. Hickeys Hill
J: J. H. WilliamsonT: Andrew McNamara
F: 807015-9
Price History:
-
Age:
7
Weight:
11-2
Gear:
tongue strap
Official Rating:
88
Days Since Last Run:
64
Verdict
Point winner. Much improved when making winning handicap debut at Fairyhouse (2m) in October. Backed that up when finishing fifth at Clonmel (better than result) 12 days on. Should come on for his reappearance in May and looks interesting tackling this sort of trip for first time in a handicap.
4. Diamond Secret
J: Niall MooreT: Philip Fenton
F: 6556-75
Price History:
-
Age:
5
Weight:
11-7
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
93
Days Since Last Run:
46
Verdict
Lightly-raced sort has been brought along steadily. Shaped as if ready for this step up in trip when 9 lengths fifth on handicap debut at Kilbeggan (2m) in late May. Likely improver.
11. Uptaurintop
J: Alan O'SullivanT: Eugene M. O'Sullivan
F: 603P43-05
Price History:
-
Age:
6
Weight:
10-10
Gear:
cheekpieces and tongue strap
Official Rating:
82
Days Since Last Run:
45
Verdict
Close third on 2 of his 4 handicap hurdle starts last season, latterly in first-time cheekpieces at Limerick. No impact in 2 runs over fences since, though reasonable to expect better returning to hurdles with cheekpieces refitted.
2. Clone Cross
J: Kevin HealyT: S. Cavanagh
F: 6P-FP2P3
Price History:
-
Age:
5
Weight:
11-8
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
94
Days Since Last Run:
12
Verdict
Maiden pointer. Blotted his copybook when proving a very tricky ride on handicap debut at Sligo. In a better mood when third at Bellewstown (2½m) subsequently.
16. Youknowme
J: Shane O'CallaghanT: P. J. Rothwell
F: 000608-7
Price History:
-
Age:
5
Weight:
10-0
Gear:
cheekpieces
Official Rating:
72
Days Since Last Run:
31
Verdict
Lightly-raced type. Showed up much better than previously (in refitted cheekpieces) when beaten just under 13 lengths at Kilbeggan (3m) last time. Drop back to 2½m could be in his favour on that evidence.
12. Leo Messy
J: S. R. MarkeyT: T. Gibney
F: 000-8
Price History:
-
Age:
6
Weight:
10-9
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
81
Days Since Last Run:
4
Verdict
Fared no better when well held in first-time tongue strap on handicap bow at Sligo on Sunday. Market position (9/2) suggests that better may have been expected (yard had couple of similar handicap debutants show improvement last week).
5. Ancient Myth
J: Jack GilliganT: Noel Glynn
F: 000
Price History:
-
Age:
5
Weight:
11-6
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
92
Days Since Last Run:
40
Verdict
Fairly useful middle-distance Flat winner for David O'Meara. Well beaten at long odds on 3 hurdles starts around 2m for new yard. Now up in trip and opening mark potentially lenient given what he achieved on the level.
17. Sekifi
J: ReserveT: Matthew J. Smith
F: 086-05P
Price History:
9.00
Age:
8
Weight:
10-0
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
72
Days Since Last Run:
4
Verdict
Inconsistent performer who wasn't on a going day at Sligo on Sunday. RESERVE
13. Jekiki
J: T. E. O'ConnorT: Eoin Christopher McCarthy
F: 0/5607637-
Price History:
-
Age:
8
Weight:
10-4
Gear:
cheekpieces and tongue strap
Official Rating:
76
Days Since Last Run:
284
Verdict
Remains a maiden after 18 starts. Merit to the form of her penultimate third at Listowel. Had been on the go for a while when beaten 12½ lengths at this track on final start of last year. Could go well if ready to roll after 9-month break.
6. Lord De Choisel
J: P. J. CodyT: Eoin Doyle
F: 857-
Price History:
-
Age:
5
Weight:
11-6
Gear:
tongue strap
Official Rating:
92
Days Since Last Run:
105
Verdict
Well held in trio of maidens on soft/heavy, though he was back to something like his debut form on qualifying run at Clonmel in April. Could build on that now handicapping in first-time tongue strap.
7. Penny Jar
J: Patrick Michael O'BrienT: Patrick Downey
F: 0F/06F0P-0
Price History:
-
Age:
10
Weight:
11-5
Gear:
cheekpieces and tongue strap
Official Rating:
91
Days Since Last Run:
41
Verdict
Veteran who hasn't tasted success since late-2022. Showed a bit more than on reappearance at Clonmel last time, but not enough to suggest he's ready to capitalise on falling mark.
14. Glaoinn An Airgead
J: P. T. SmithersT: James M. Barcoe
F: 75505F0-0
Price History:
-
Age:
8
Weight:
10-0
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
72
Days Since Last Run:
46
Verdict
Long-standing maiden. Typically carried little threat on return at Kilbeggan in late May.
3. Cornaroya Rocco
J: H. E. SextonT: John Joseph Hanlon
F: 0P65-4P
Price History:
-
Age:
5
Weight:
11-8
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
94
Days Since Last Run:
51
Verdict
Fourth in a Kilbeggan maiden (2m) before running no sort of race on handicap debut at Ballinrobe over same trip. Back up in distance following a short break, but it's hard to be confident.
10. Listentomewillya
J: C. D. SmithersT: Norman Lee
F: 86P8-00
Price History:
-
Age:
6
Weight:
10-12
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
84
Days Since Last Run:
37
Verdict
Standout effort in heavy-ground maiden at Limerick last winter. Well beaten at long odds both handicap starts.
15. Max Time
J: P. ClearyT: I. Madden
F: P9F60-PP0
Price History:
-
Age:
9
Weight:
10-0
Gear:
tongue strap
Official Rating:
72
Days Since Last Run:
37
Verdict
Sole win gained in September 2024. Looks of little account nowadays.