The return of the hood may help \CAPPUCINO (nap) whose fifth at Leopardstown over Christmas suggests there's a handicap in him if he does things right. There's every chance that Addragoole can build on his Clonmel maiden success and he's better than he showed on handicap debut. Clarens has won around here and isn't out of it while the decent ground might produce a more lively display from Ballystone who must be approaching a competitive mark. [Mark Nunan]
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Has won back-to-back runnings of valuable Cartmel handicap for the last two summers and this might be the start of his road back to that venue; around 10l off Clarens when last seen at Navan in November and not much better off at the weights when riders' claims are factored in.
Only 9-2 when well beaten in Leopardstown novice handicap at Christmas after a string of seconds in maidens and bumpers; readily landed Clonmel maiden last month and may build on that; should handle the ground.
Landed a valuable contest on handicap debut at Limerick over Christmas and bumped into progressive type over longer trip next time; jumped poorly when well held at Naas and wouldn't want the ground to dry out too much.
Heavy-ground maiden winner just over a year ago but said to prefer a better surface; made no impression in Grade 2 novice next time and beaten a long way on return from lengthy layoff in January; handicap debut.
Good-ground maiden winner for Tom Gibney in 2023; after a year off, shaped with mild promise on stable debut at Leopardstown over Christmas and heavy ground probably did for him since; not ruled out.
Made all to win bumper/maiden hurdle on decent ground in early autumn; ran well in fifth when ridden more patiently in Leopardstown handicap over Christmas; didn't get home when reverting to front-running tactics at same venue last time; return of hood may help him last home.
C&D success was the middle leg of a hat-trick of handicap wins as 4yo; bit high in the ratings subsequently; handicapper gave him a chance which he duly availed of at Navan in November; well held at Leopardstown over Christmas; will like the ground and may bounce back.
Dual hurdles winner in 2022 but more effective as a chaser these days and was progressive over the larger obstacles last summer/autumn; off nearly four months and likely to need the run.
In good heart in 2023 when winning at Cork and running creditably in valuable handicaps at Aintree and Punchestown; well beaten in just two starts last year and no show on recent return from layoff; would prefer further too.
Second runner for Pat Flynn and, like stablemate Walnut Beach, is returning from a layoff; won twice on easy ground in 2023 and ran well on good ground in the autumn; usually runs in lower grade and 7lb wrong.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3
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