Analysis and trainer quotes as Lethal Power aims to strike in top handicap
Mongey Communications Handicap | 1m2f | 4yo+ | RTV
Stepping up in trip looks likely to suit Bashiyr and he's the obvious starting point in what looks a wide-open handicap.
Bashiyr was the winner of a Galway maiden last summer for Dermot Weld and has been lightly raced since, but has plenty of potential and is likely to be involved.
Susan Finn may not be a trainer many are aware of but that could change if she is able to secure victory with Lethal Power.
Finn is the sister of jockey Billy Lee, who is required to ride the Ken Condon-trained Kasperenko, and the trainer has carved out a reputation for being able to provide success when given the opportunity to do so. Lethal Power could be the ammunition Finn has been crying out for.
The five-year-old is the likely pace angle in the race. His debut for the stable has worked out well with his Gowran conqueror Mirann running well in defeat at this track recently and, if Lethal Power was handed an easy lead, he could be a tricky horse to peg back.
Rayounpour landed a big pot at Cork on his handicap debut earlier this month and is open to further improvement. Kasperenko and Winner Takes Itall are worthy of consideration, although the latter will need to be as good as he looked when winning his maiden to score off an opening Flat mark of 88.
What they say
Ken Condon, trainer of Kasperenko
His run at the Curragh first time out this season was very good and it looks like coming back a couple of furlongs will suit, but we wouldn't want any rain. He's in good form and if the ground is good I'd be hopeful he can run well. He was a little bit unlucky in a messy race at Leopardstown but a reproduction of his first run would give him a chance.
Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Winner Takes Itall
He got a strong enough mark after winning his maiden at Gowran but he's in good enough form and we're hopeful of a good run.
Susan Finn, trainer of Lethal Power
We'd be delighted if he finished in the first three. He ran into a good one last time but he seems well and Billy [Lee] suggested we put a visor on him after that. That should help keep him concentrated as we'll be making the running. Ideally, he needs a mile and a half but we'll give it a good go.
Michael Halford, trainer of Rayounpour
He's in good form. We're dropping him back two furlongs but I'm happy enough to do that. Adam [Farragher, jockey] got a good tune out of him at Cork and we're happy to leave him on board. He's come forward since that Cork run.
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