March 16 / 14.40 Curragh

14.40

Soft

Nua Healthcare Handicap

  • Prize money: £17066.12
  • 0m 6f 0y
  • 12 runners
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Nua Healthcare Handicap

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.20
  • Place: £1.90

Form: 0033-4 C

Last run: 23 days

W: 8st 10lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Eight-time winner on turf and, given that he's never won on the AW, it was an encouraging run at Dundalk 23 days ago (not far behind Big Gossey on similar terms); trip/ground fine.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

5

(3)

21st Oct 2025

Soft

0m 6f 0y

14:42 Curragh

Laugh A Minute

9st 9lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Stephen Thorne

Nine-time winner, most recently over C&D (soft) off 82 in March; best effort for some time when today's headgear tried in finishing never nearer fourth over C&D 17 days ago in testing conditions; 2lb lower now and Keane takes over; has to be respected.

8/1

4th

6

(8)

4th Oct 2025

Soft

0m 6f 0y

14:52 Curragh

Laugh A Minute

9st 7lb

J: Chris Hayes

T: Stephen Thorne

Nine-time winner, most recently over C&D (soft) off 6lb higher in March; well behind Gerrit's Gem at Cork on latest; new headgear combination needs to spark a revival, well-treated if it does.

16/1

11th

1

(8)

10th Sep 2025

Yielding

0m 6f 0y

17:10 Cork

Laugh A Minute

10st 0lb

J: Jack Kearney

T: Stephen Thorne

Winner of nine races; latest success was four starts ago over this trip on soft at the Curragh in March; has to bounce back from a below-par display at Naas last month.

16/1

20/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 93236-

Last run: 165 days

W: 8st 12lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Only 2-16 for Richard Hannon but ran a number of good races last year, though was kept mostly to 7f; may need that longer trip now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(1)

12th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

18:45 Fairyhouse

Love Billy Boy

9st 11lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: Gerard O’Leary

Four wins up to 7.5f and in varying ground conditions; was beaten a long way on return over 6f at the Curragh in March; can do a lot better today but others preferred.

12/1

9th

2

(4)

15th Mar 2026

Heavy

0m 6f 0y

15:10 Curragh

Love Billy Boy

9st 9lb

J: Ben Coen

T: Gerard O’Leary

Fine campaign last season included wins at Naas (6f, gd-yld) and Leopardstown (7.5f, good); excellent run off this mark in 1m premier handicap here (good) in June; below best when last seen at Galway in August; handles softer ground and could go well if he's fit.

12/1

8

(13)

3rd Aug 2025

Yielding

0m 7f 0y

16:00 Galway

Love Billy Boy

9st 7lb

J: Nicola Burns

T: Gerard O’Leary

Has done really well since joining current trainer this year, winning at Naas and Leopardstown (beating Fort Vega) and good second in Curragh premier handicap; fast ground may not have suited last time; cheekpieces now tried and rider's claim a positive.

12/1

OUR TIP

8/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 31-322 CD

Last run: 9 days

W: 10st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Grand servant who loves it here and returns on the back of competitive shows on the AW (5f-1m); it's never going to be easy off this mark back in a handicap but can never discount.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

(14)

29th Aug 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

16:15 Curragh

Big Gossey

10st 2lb

J: Sam Coen

T: Charles O’Brien

Course legend has won 10 of his 12 races at this track and amassed 575,000GBP in prizemoney; has won twice at Listed level this season and second in a Group 2; however, wasn't himself when eased and well beaten last time; has run well in defeat in this race for the last two years but the trip stretches him and is vulnerable again.

14/1

5th

1

(2)

9th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

15:25 Curragh

Big Gossey

9st 7lb

J: W J Lee

T: Charles O’Brien

Course specialist made it ten wins here with a Listed race success over this trip in June; also won the Gladness Stakes over 7f here in March; second to subsequent Group 1 winner Comanche Brave in the Greenlands in May, with James Delight in third; holding his form admirably on the evidence of Group 2 second over 7f here three weeks ago.

7/2

Form: 3711-3 C

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
6f/7f wins on the AW before finishing third of four upped to 1m at Dundalk where he was close up behind Big Gossey off level weights; should be well handicapped off this lower turf mark but soft ground could be troublesome.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(12)

1st Aug 2026

Yielding To Soft

0m 7f 0y

17:35 Galway

Apache Outlaw

10st 0lb

J: Adam Caffrey

T: Adrian McGuinness

Had been running well before a below par effort at the Curragh last time over an inadequate 5f; runner up over C&D last year off 8lb higher; could bounce back.

15/2

11th

8

(15)

18th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

17:45 Curragh

Apache Outlaw

9st 5lb

J: Adam Caffrey

T: Adrian McGuinness

Solid form in four runs on turf since an unproductive spell on AW; needs to find extra on the evidence of last Saturday's third at Limerick; previous third at this venue was over 7f.

16/1

5th

6

(1)

11th Jul 2026

Firm

0m 6f 150y

17:25 Limerick

Apache Outlaw

9st 7lb

J: Shay Wallace

T: Adrian McGuinness

Solid form in three runs on turf since an unproductive spell on AW; 7lb claimer in the saddle here, with a senior rider on stablemate Clonmacash.

8/1

Form: 12018- D

Last run: 155 days

W: 8st 11lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Bolted up in a Cork handicap (6f, good to yielding) last October but was then seemingly anchored by an 8lb rise at Naas 11 days later; might be on a tough mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

(11)

27th Apr 2026

Yielding

0m 5f 205y

18:15 Naas

Staysound Susie

9st 4lb

J: Jimmy Dalton

T: Andrew Slattery

Career-best on latest to land a nice pot at the Curragh (6f, sft-hvy) under this rider, her fourth win; ground-versatile but she'll need to improve again to follow up off a career-high mark of 90.

4/1

1st

4

(8)

3rd Apr 2026

Soft

0m 6f 0y

13:57 Curragh

Staysound Susie

9st 9lb

J: Jimmy Dalton

T: Andrew Slattery

Won 5f course handicap (heavy) on final run of 2025 off 8lb lower; needed her seasonal return but eyecatching effort here over 5f six days ago when third of 14, finishing off to good effect; should be bang there for stable in terrific form.

5/1

3rd

12

(10)

28th Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

0m 5f 0y

13:55 Curragh

Staysound Susie

8st 10lb

J: Jimmy Dalton

T: Andrew Slattery

Won over C&D (heavy) on final run of 2025 off 7lb lower; moderate effort when a 7.75l fifth behind Dmaniac here on seasonal return (6f, heavy); will be sharper now but may need a bit more help from the handicapper.

16/1

6th
5 (3)
Stag Night

7/1

Form: 12766- CD

Last run: 155 days

W: 9st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Strike-rate of 4-15; has worked his way up the ratings but only 2lb higher than for his last win at Cork 12 months ago and he can go well fresh.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

5

(6)

28th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

13:40 Curragh

Stag Night

9st 11lb

J: W J Lee

T: W McCreery

Six-time winner; boasts a good record at this venue and is generally dependable; beat Likedbymike narrowly here on penultimate start; out of the money at Navan three weeks ago when Erosandpsyche was third.

8/1

5th

5

(3)

7th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

13:42 Navan

Stag Night

9st 10lb

J: W J Lee

T: W McCreery

In fine form this season at the Curragh; third on seasonal reappearance (6f, heavy); 1.25l second behind Bodhi Bear on penultimate (5f, sft-hvy); won over 5f (soft) there on latest and the runner up has run well in Listed company since; 5lb rise fair and should be bang there again if the forecast rain materialises.

11/4

1st

2

(6)

19th Apr 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

13:50 Curragh

Stag Night

10st 0lb

J: W J Lee

T: W McCreery

One win and five places from ten Curragh starts; good chance now after second over C&D last month, marking an improvement from a third placing over 6f on seasonal debut; best suited by soft ground.

4/1

12/1

Form: 34104- BF

Last run: 163 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Second in a Listed race last spring and later won a 5f maiden (good) on seventh career start; beaten under 4l in a Group 3 next time (6f) and then ran in a useful conditions race; could have a future off this sort of mark in handicaps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

(9)

29th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 10y

Class 4

17:10 Sandown

Betsen

9st 13lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Tony Carroll

Two wins since joining Tony Carroll, the latter in a small-field Class 4 at Chepstow (5f, good to soft) in May; solid effort from a less-than-ideal draw in the Epsom Dash in June; off since but he has run well after short break before.

7/1

Form: 12469-

Last run: 144 days

W: 8st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Only 1-11 but mostly consisent; has done a lot of her racing over 5f on good or faster ground but was second in a 6f maiden in the mud at Limerick; 2lb out of the weights but they claim 7lb; certainly not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

(3)

14th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

18:43 Thirsk

Emerald Harmony

9st 7lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Consistent mare in a good run of form and from off the pace she was only a length behind Managing Director in a big field at York last time (5f); solid chance.

13/2

6th

4

(4)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

13:30 York

Emerald Harmony

11st 10lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Paul Midgley

Tough cookie who arrives in peak form after a close third over C&D two weeks ago; one of three with serious claims for her local yard.

6/1

3rd

8

(1)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

17:05 York

Emerald Harmony

9st 7lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Ready win in a Class 5 at Thirsk last month; similar form when second in a Class 3 at Doncaster last week; she will need more to come out on top today but she's arriving in top form.

12/1

Form: 70958- CD

Last run: 141 days

W: 9st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Eight-time winner but drew a blank last year; has returned to his former trainer and has possibilities off this mark should the new headgear work after a break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

(3)

22nd Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

14:15 Curragh

Go Athletico

8st 10lb

J: Shane Foley

T: Adrian McGuinness

Last win came in last year's Scurry here over slightly farther; some good runs this season, but basically he's in the handicapper's grip; went back up 4lb for Galway second over 7f, not as effective over 5f when favourite here last time.

8/1

5th

1

(10)

9th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

16:35 Curragh

Go Athletico

10st 1lb

J: Ronan Whelan

T: Adrian McGuinness

Nine-time turf winner, including a 6f Group 3 in 2023; has also won at Listed level and was once rated 108, so has dropped a long way; good efforts over this trip and 6.5f here recently and even better at Galway last time when a close second of 15 (7f, yielding); had things in his favour that day but should remain competitive off 4lb higher.

9/2

2nd

3

(11)

28th Jul 2026

Good To Yielding

0m 7f 0y

19:15 Galway

Go Athletico

9st 11lb

J: Ronan Whelan

T: Adrian McGuinness

Nine-time turf winner, including a 6f Group 3 in 2023; has also won at Listed level and was once rated 108, so has dropped a long way; inconsistent in recent years; has run well in two sprint handicaps at the Curragh lately.

10/1

Form: 14124- CD

Last run: 133 days

W: 9st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Back from a similar break to win a C&D heavy-ground handicap on this card 12 months ago and later in the year won twice at Roscommon (7.5f, soft); has shown that he can live with this mark and go well fresh, so on the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

11

(2)

31st Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 94y

17:55 Roscommon

Merisi Diamond

9st 2lb

J: W J Lee

T: Thomas Coyle

Soft or heavy ground is crucial for him, and wisely was given the summer off after winning at the Curragh in April; twice beat Mercurial over C&D in 2024, including in this race; chance is dependent on how much rain falls.

9/1

1st

12

(10)

19th Apr 2026

Soft

0m 7f 0y

16:45 Curragh

Merisi Diamond

9st 3lb

J: W J Lee

T: Thomas Coyle

Four-time winner whose best form has on soft and heavy at around 7f; got those optimum conditions over C&D last time when third, finishing 1.75l behind Mickey The Steel and 6.5l behind Red Charlie; cheekpieces added to the tongue tie now, but may struggle to reverse form.

11/1

3rd

3

(2)

28th Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

0m 7f 0y

17:25 Curragh

Merisi Diamond

9st 13lb

J: W J Lee

T: Thomas Coyle

Four-time winner whose best form has been on soft and heavy at around 7f; has run respectably in recent outings here and at Naas; needs to find extra.

10/1

11th
11 (12)
Rappell

8/1

Form: 71317- CD

Last run: 169 days

W: 8st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Improved last year to win three 6f handicaps and he didn't really get the breaks back over 5f the last time; does have a bit to prove off his current mark, even with a 7lb claimer up top ( different 7lb claimer rode last time).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

4

(13)

3rd Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

15:47 Naas

Rappell

9st 10lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Paul W Flynn

Went close at Fairyhouse over 7f (good) and went one better to notch fifth win 23 days ago when beating El Fontenaro by 0.75l over 6.5f at Limerick; the pair pulled well clear and the runner-up won next time out, so has obvious claims off 9lb higher.

7/2

Form: 027-65

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Not impossibly treated and hasn't run at all badly the last twice on the AW, but he's essentially a 7f/1m horse.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(5)

2nd Nov 2025

Heavy

0m 7f 0y

13:25 Curragh

I Am Superman

9st 6lb

J: Jamie Powell

T: M D O’Callaghan

Eight-time winner but none since winning over this trip on soft at Gowran in May 2024; steadily regressing this year although some glimpses of form; vulnerable.

9/2

3rd

2

(5)

2nd Nov 2025

Heavy

0m 7f 0y

13:25 Curragh

I Am Superman

9st 6lb

J: Jamie Powell

T: M D O’Callaghan

Eight-time winner but none since winning over this trip on soft at Gowran in May 2024; steadily regressing this year although some glimpses of form; vulnerable.

9/2

3rd

2

(5)

2nd Nov 2025

Heavy

0m 7f 0y

13:25 Curragh

I Am Superman

9st 6lb

J: Jamie Powell

T: M D O’Callaghan

Eight-time winner but none since winning over this trip on soft at Gowran in May 2024; steadily regressing this year although some glimpses of form; vulnerable.

9/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €24.40
Straight Forecast €22.70
Tricast €153.52
Trifecta €364.20

Selections

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Betsen

TOPSPEED:

Love Billy Boy

SPOTLIGHT:

Merisi Diamond

The Irish Sun:

Apache Outlaw

POSTDATA:

Laugh A Minute