Conor Cassidy Car Sales Handicap

Shaped promisingly when a half-length second at Leopardstown off a 4lb lower mark last autumn, and showed a win in him before that, but 255 days off means a fitness question on return. Effective over six to eight furlongs, the current mark is a stiffer ask.

Landed a 12f handicap at this course last time, getting the better by a half-length, and tops our ratings heading into this. He is well suited by sound ground, though stamina at ten furlongs is the slight unknown coming back in trip.

Showed decent form earlier in the season and stays ten furlongs, but his best efforts have come with give in the ground; today's conditions may not be ideal. Well held at Newbury on his most recent start, a change in direction is required.

Third at Ballinrobe on his latest outing and has placed in three of his last four starts; he looks open to further progress and handles today's trip and ground well. This is his first try in a handicap, which brings an element of the unknown.

Second at Gowran Park on his latest outing, beaten twelve lengths but claiming the runner-up spot, and now fitted with first-time cheekpieces in a bid to improve; effective over today's trip and going. The mark looks workable and he could be competitive if that headgear brings the desired sharpening.