Racecards
17:10 Sligo (IRE)
Guinness Handicap
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 1m 2f 110y
- Going: Heavy (Soft in places)
- Surface: Turf
- €12,500 added
- Winner: €7,688
- 2nd: €2,375
- 3rd: €1,125
- 4th: €500
- Form 16-6
- Age 3
- Weight 10-1
- Official Rating 85
- Trainer W McCreery
- Jockey Gary Halpin
took keen hold, held up, soon in rear, pushed along under 5f out, under pressure over 3f out, no impression in 6th over 2f out
Niven (IRE)
22- Form 5519-11
- Age 3
- Weight 9-13
- Official Rating 83
- Trainer K J Condon
- Jockey W J Lee
slightly awkward start, took keen hold early, held up, closed from 3f out, pushed along over 2f out in 3rd, raced on outer into straight, no impression
- Form 8452-3
- Age 3
- Weight 9-9
- Official Rating 79
- Trainer A P O'Brien
- Jockey D O'Brien
soon led, joined from over 3f out, headed over 2f out, no impression straight
- Form 308-4
- Age 3
- Weight 9-3
- Official Rating 73
- Trainer M Brassil
- Jockey T P Madden
tracked leaders, under pressure under 3f out, dropped to last over 2f out, no extra
- Form 6980-2
- Age 3
- Weight 9-3
- Official Rating 73
held up, a little keen, pushed along over 3f out, 5th 2f out, soon no impression, no extra and eased inside final furlong
- Form 60-0
- Age 3
- Weight 8-13
- Official Rating 69
- Trainer J J Murphy
- Jockey Colin Keane
dwelt, tracked leaders, pushed along under 4f out, 4th 2f out, soon weakened
- Form 007-6
- Age 3
- Weight 8-12
- Official Rating 68
prominent, on terms from over 3f out, led over 2f out, ridden to assert to straight, edged right to rail over 1f out, soon wandered slightly, stayed on well, easily
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
Niven completed a quick double when carrying a penalty to victory at Gowran but had only half-a-length to spare over BURMA STAR (NAP). Dermot Weld's filly is slightly better off here but it was the fact that she was having her first start since October that suggests she can reverse the form and take this. Bridgets Fable, who was a long way behind in that Gowran event, didn't show her true form and is better judged on last year's opening victory at Tipperary. Dewdrop appeared to find this trip on the short side when third at Navan and may not lose her maiden tag until tackling further.
Formwatch
Bridgets Fable (IRE) 8-1 (9-10) Held up in 5th, headway into 3rd 3f out, soon ridden, weakened under 2f out, eased final furlong, last of 6, dist behind Niven (8-13) at Gowran Park 1m 1f hcp hvy in Apr.
Niven (IRE) 2-1 (8-13) Dwelt and held up in rear, pushed along on outer entering straight, went 4th 2f out, ridden in closer 4th 1 1/2f out, progress to lead under 1f out, stayed on well under pressure close home, won at Gowran Park 1m 1f hcp hvy in Apr beating Burma Star (8-5) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Dewdrop (IRE) 4-1 (9-7) Dwelt, towards rear, ridden and progress to go moderate 3rd 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 6l behind Spader (9-7) at Navan 1m 2f hcp Soft - Heavy in Apr.
Auld Brig (IRE) 25-1 (9-2) Mid-division, pushed along 3f out, went moderate 5th from 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 10, 10 1/4l behind Spader (9-7) at Navan 1m 2f hcp Soft - Heavy in Apr.
Burma Star 12-1 (8-5) Chased leaders, took keen hold early, progress entering straight, disputed lead under 2f out, soon ridden, headed under 1f out, kept on under pressure in 2nd close home, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Niven (8-13) at Gowran Park 1m 1f hcp hvy in Apr.
Paved With Gold (IRE) 100-1 (9-5) Mid-division early, dropped towards rear halfway, soon ridden and no extra, 13th of 16, dist behind Claudio Monteverdi (9-5) at Leopardstown 1m mdn Soft - Heavy in Apr.
Mega Fortune (FR) 20-1 (8-11) Pushed along briefly towards rear early, held up, pushed along again approaching straight, no impression from 3f out, switched right inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 6th of 10, 11 3/4l behind Spader (9-7) at Navan 1m 2f hcp Soft - Heavy in Apr.
Northern Sky (IRE) 66-1 (9-5) Always rear, never a factor, pushed along and no extra from 2f out, last of 6, 11 3/4l behind Maneen (9-5) at Limerick 1m mdn Yielding in Apr.