Racecards
17:20 Curragh (IRE)
Free To Speak Apprentice Handicap (50-85)
- 8 Runners
- Distance: 1m 2f
- Going: Good to Firm
- Surface: Turf
- €10,500 added
- Winner: €7,246
- 2nd: €1,785
- 3rd: €840
- 4th: €525
- Form 523504
- Age 4
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 82
- Trainer D K Weld
- Jockey G J Galligan
held up in touch, 6th into straight, 5th 2f out, progress into moderate 3rd insde final furlong, kept on
- Form 760546-
- Age 8
- Weight 9-10
- Official Rating 78
- Trainer P A Fahy
- Jockey B R Dalton
chased leaders in 5th, dropped to 7th halfway, weakened before straight, tailed off
- Form 8550-55
- Age 6
- Weight 9-8
- Official Rating 76
- Trainer J Leavy
- Jockey Gina Mangan
tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden and weakened entering straight
- Form 711113
- Age 3
- Weight 9-6
- Official Rating 82
held up in touch, 6th halfway, 4th and smooth headway entering straight, quickened to lead 1 1/2f out, soon clear, stayed on well, eased close home
- Form 30-8324
- Age 3
- Weight 9-1
- Official Rating 77
- Trainer G M Lyons
- Jockey Mr D J Benson
soon tracked leaders in 4th, 3rd and effort early straight, kept on same pace from under 2f out
- Form 06-4502
- Age 4
- Weight 8-9
- Official Rating 63
- Trainer T Gibney
- Jockey Robbie Walsh
close up in 2nd, ridden entering straight, kept on same pace from 2f out, no chance with winner
- Form 045446
- Age 7
- Weight 8-5
- Official Rating 59
- Trainer E P Harty
- Jockey J P Killahena
led, ridden and strongly pressed early straight, headed 1 1/2f out, soon no extra
- Form 0-56800
- Age 3
- Weight 8-4
- Official Rating 56
- Trainer A Mullins
- Jockey Victoria Howell
slowly in stride and held up in rear, kept on one pace straight
In depth
Verdict
LA CHASSOTTE has been a credit to the skills of Gerard O'Leary this season and wasn't far off completing a five-timer when just behind Aladdin's Cave and Bright Horizon at Gowran Park. That was probably her best run to date despite her defeat and she can return to winning ways from the same mark in this lower grade event. Shahrafi ran very well in a ladies' race behind Champion Boy over 1m4f here last time and has no problems with the shorter trip though he's still a maiden after 16 starts. Carefree Smile hasn't quite been at her best on her most recent starts in early summer but she defied an absence to score at Ballinrobe last September and this could be her time of year. Imply has dropped to a fair mark after a long losing run and wasn't beaten far behind Sublime Talent in a similar race over course and distance last month.
Formwatch
Carefree Smile (IRE) 7-2 (8-13) Led, ridden and challenged 1 1/2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra and kept on one pace, 4th of 6, 6l behind Maybe Grace (8-5) at Fairyhouse 1m 2f hcp 60-100 gf in Jun.
Lesoto Diamond (IRE) 15-2 (9-7) Chased leaders, effort on inside 2f out, soon ridden, weakened final furlong, 6th of 8, 13l behind Brett Vale (9-0) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Imply 12-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 7th 2f out, kept on final furlong, 5th of 18, 1 1/4l behind Sublime Talent (9-6) at Curragh 1m 2f hcp 50-85 gd in Jul.
La Chassotte (FR) 9-2 (8-8) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, headway into 2nd 2f out, ridden 1 1/2f out, 3rd 1f out, kept on into 2nd inside final furlong, no impression leader, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Aladdins Cave (9-10) at Gowran Park 1m 4f hcap gf.
Boxer Beat (IRE) 11-2 (9-5) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden 2f out, no impression in 5th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 13, 12l behind Lastofthemohicans (9-0) at Dundalk 1m 3f 3yo mdn stks pol.
Shahrafi (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Soon led and clear, reduced lead approaching straight, strongly pressed and joined from 2f out, headed and kept on without matching winner from under 1f out, 2nd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Champion Boy (10-5) at Curragh 1m 4f ladies hcap.
Holly Hill (IRE) 7-2fav (8-1) In touch towards rear, 5th approaching straight, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from under 1f out, 6th of 7, 3l behind Few Are Chosen (10-0) at Sligo 1m 2f fll hcp 60-90.
The Gave (IRE) 25-1 (8-7) Always towards rear, 14th of 16, 38l behind Walter De La Mare (9-8) at Sligo 1m 2f 3yo app hcp 0-70.