Royal County Handicap

Handicap debutant; struggled on heavy on debut; beaten a nose over 7f at Dundalk in November; 3l third of 18 in C&D maiden on seasonal return, close up behind 83 rated rival; opening mark doesn't look a gift but very much respected.

Close second in Tipperary maiden (7.5f, yielding) on debut; off the mark on next start in 7f Naas maiden (soft); 2l third in valuable auction series final over same C&D (soft); narrowly denied on seasonal return/handicap debut at Leopardstown latest (10.5f, gd-yld); reliable and in the mix again off 3lb higher.

Built on promising debut run at the Curragh (6f, yld-sft) to win a Dundalk maiden (1m) last November; pleasing run on handicap debut/seasonal return at Naas last month (1m, good) when beaten 0.5l; raised 2lb; should stay this far on breeding; chance.

Handicap debutant; promise in Tipperary maiden last August; proved that was no fluke with a 1l third behind Manton Bay at Dundalk (1m) in November; denied by a short head over the same C&D later that month; should stay this far on breeding and the form of his last run has worked out; chance if ready after break.

Handicap debutant; best effort a 2.75l fifth of 16 on debut at the Curragh (1m, yielding); held by Manton Bay on Dundalk running in November; mildly promising run on return over 1m2f at Naas; potential improver worth a market check.