This could come down to who copes best with the testing ground and last time out Bellewstown winner Tam Lin may not be as effective in these conditions. The top weight ANNIE'S ANGEL won her maiden on heavy for this rider at this track and his 5lb claim eases her burden. She is a tentative selection ahead of Bishopton, who ran well on soft ground last season for his former yard. Scott Key could be a big danger if handling the ground and Ribee is another one to consider on handicap debut. [Dave Stephens]
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Confirmed promise of Thurles debut effort when winning an 8.5f maiden here by a neck on heavy ground second time up in October; similar conditions here and she is respected on handicap debut.
1-7 in his 2yo campaign; won 7f nursery on good ground at Down Royal in September off 63 and is now 17lb higher after getting a big hike for a fine effort in a rated race at Listowel; has been gelded; unproven on very testing ground but is the choice of McMonagle; can't discount.
Promise on soft and heavy ground in maidens at 6f-7.5f for Olly Murphy last year; went close in first two runs for this yard in 1m maidens at Dundalk in December and off since; conditions fine and could go well on handicap debut.
Second runner for yard; 0-6 as a 2yo but ran well in defeat; best effort a 0.5l second of 16 at the Curragh (7f, good) off 72 in September; not as good upped to 1m on soft off 6lb higher at Leopardstown next time and well beaten back there on return on good; may need better ground.
Best effort last season a 3.5l fourth in a 1m Leopardstown maiden (soft); finished well beaten on soft to heavy at Naas on her return last month; opening mark doesn't look a gift; best watched on handicap debut unless the market speaks; cheekpieces.
Mild promise in first three maidens at 5f-7.5f; stepped forward on handicap debut in a 6f Navan nursery (good to yielding) in October, beaten 1.75l off 67; 8lb higher now and steps up to 1m on testing ground; pedigree suggests this trip may stretch his stamina.
Showed little in three maidens at big prices last year; blinkers go on after underwhelming effort on handicap debut on seasonal return at Cork (7f, good); dam won on soft so could improve for this ground but needs to.
Didn't show a lot in three maidens last year; much better on return at Cork on handicap debut off 73, beaten 3.75l into third (7f, good) and winner has gone in again since; 1m will suit on the evidence of that Cork run and yard is in form but heavy ground an unknown; chance if he handles it.
Standout maiden effort came second time out over 7f on yielding at Galway in July; not as good at the Curragh (7f, good) when last seen in October; could improve on handicap debut and worth a market check.
Second runner for yard; best effort in maidens a 2l third at Beverley (7.5f, good to firm) last year for Ollie Sangster; never involved dropped back to 5f on testing ground on handicap debut at Naas last month; upped markedly in trip and tongue-tie goes on; others appeal more.
0-5 but produced his best effort yet on latest in his second handicap start at Bellewstown (1m, good) early this month, staying on well; struggled all three previous starts on soft-heavy; may need better ground.
2-11 overall and 1-4 on turf; that turf win came last time out at Bellewstown (1m, good); 5lb rise for that fair but he's untried on ground this testing; booking of Keane is a plus but pedigree suggests conditions may not suit.
Best effort in three maidens a staying-on fifth of 16 on soft to heavy at Naas (7f) on seasonal return last month; midfield in a 1m maiden on yielding here latest; worth a market check on handicap debut.
Only mild promise in maidens at 7f-7.5f on good and soft ground; well-bred filly could do better in handicaps, though there are mixed messages in her pedigree regarding the suitability of testing ground; check the market.
Glimmers of ability in trio of maidens last year at 6f on yielding and good to firm; well beaten on seasonal reappearance and handicap debut at Dundalk (10.5f) twelve days ago in a first-time hood (discarded); heavy ground an unknown; best watched down in trip.
0-10 but has run well in defeat; is 12lb better off with Tam Lin than when beaten 0.75l by that rival over 7f at Dundalk in February; visor worn last twice left off; ran poorly sole start on heavy so conditions have to be a big worry.
First reserve; French recruit's best run came on the AW (8.5f) on his final start for Nicolas Le Roch; sole turf run not as good on very soft ground; best watched on handicap debut for new yard.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3,4,5
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
