Racing, Sports & Games At Tote.ie Apprentice Handicap

Tassarolo has been busy without a win in his last six starts, the form reading 3rd, 8th, 5th, 5th, 3rd and 9th. Race-fit just five days after his latest outing, he has experience over today's trip and ground, and is rated 58 with us.

Preparations boasts a smart speed figure of 77 and experience over today's trip and ground, rating second of eleven at 65. She was unplaced when last seen ten days ago, though, and remains without a win in her last five starts despite a fourth three starts back.

Fourth last time out, Desert Friend can point to a win four starts back, sandwiched by finishes of ninth, ninth and third. He has run over today's trip and ground before and returns fit despite 18 days off, rated 56 with us.

Giselles Defence has struggled for form, without a win in his last six starts and only a ninth and a fifth to show among four unplaced efforts. He has experience over today's trip and ground, but a 38-day break and a 56 rating leave him needing more.

Kings Gesture has raced over today's trip before and rates a strong fourth of eleven at 59, well above his official mark of 52. The concern is fitness, though, after 129 days off and a five-start sequence without a win that included an eighth and two fifths.