March 23 / 15.48 Naas

15.48

Yielding To Soft

Irish Racing Writers Association Ron McKnight Memorial Madrid Handicap

  • Prize money: £21942.15
  • 0m 7f 0y
  • 10 runners
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Irish Racing Writers Association Ron McKnight Memorial Madrid Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £8.00
  • Place: £2.20

Form: 45714-

Last run: 128 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Beat 20 rivals in a 6f Curragh maiden last October; extra furlong should be within his range on the evidence of a staying-on fourth in a 6f Dundalk conditions race the following month; has been gelded.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(7)

21st Aug 2026

Good

1m 0f 30y

18:20 Killarney

East Hampton

9st 9lb

J: Luke McAteer

T: David Marnane

Not won since his Madrid Handicap success 18 months ago at Naas (7f, soft) but has run some fine races, most notably when second to Diego Velazquez on good at the Curragh last year and filled the same spot behind Big Gossey on soft in the Gladness in March; well below form last time on firm; highest-rated in the field but may need ground to soften up before he's at his best.

5/1

6th

3

(6)

19th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

15:15 Curragh

East Hampton

9st 10lb

J: Luke McAteer

T: David Marnane

Won his maiden over 6f here in 2024 (yielding to soft) and bagged the Madrid handicap at Naas last season (7f, soft to heavy); best run since was when beaten a neck by Diego Velazquez in this race last year (good to yielding); beaten 1.5l behind Big Gossey in a C&D Listed race on return (soft to heavy); not at his best at Leopardstown last time; appears to give his best on softer ground.

6/1

5th

3

(3)

11th Jun 2026

Soft

0m 7f 35y

19:00 Leopardstown

East Hampton

9st 9lb

J: Luke McAteer

T: David Marnane

Sole win came in Madrid Handicap at Naas (7f, soft) last year; best subsequent run came when beaten a neck by Diego Velazquez in Group 2 at the Curragh over same trip; started this year positively when 1.5l second to Big Gossey in Listed Gladness 75 days ago, deserving extra credit for where he came from; at his best on soft and big run expected.

5/1

12/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 10326- D

Last run: 95 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Down Royal 7f maiden winner for Charles O'Brien; best run for this stable when second in a 7f median auction race at Dundalk in December; spoiled his chance with a slow start at the same venue two weeks later; stable going well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

1st Nov 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 190y

11:50 Down Royal

Wizard Of Odds

11st 4lb

J: Philip Byrnes

T: William Durkan

Maiden winner on the Flat last year (good) coped well with testing conditions on seasonal return when second at Naas but form petered off afterwards; back from a break however in good form to score on hurdles debut for new yard in Cork maiden last month on good ground, travelling well to win with a fair bit to spare (second beaten favourite since); should go well.

7/2

2nd

2

1st Nov 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 190y

11:50 Down Royal

Wizard Of Odds

11st 4lb

J: Philip Byrnes

T: William Durkan

Maiden winner on the Flat last year (good) coped well with testing conditions on seasonal return when second at Naas but form petered off afterwards; back from a break however in good form to score on hurdles debut for new yard in Cork maiden last month on good ground, travelling well to win with a fair bit to spare (second beaten favourite since); should go well.

7/2

1st

8

12th Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 110y

13:42 Cork

Wizard Of Odds

11st 0lb

J: Philip Byrnes

T: William Durkan

Maiden winner last year ran well in defeat many times after up to 1m1f; could go well on hurdles bow; this yard also houses the horse who beat Bridezilla at Ballinrobe last time so market strength would be a pointer.

5/1

16/1

  • Place: £10.70

Form: 09139- D

Last run: 156 days

W: 8st 10lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Took a big rise in the ratings for a Down Royal nursery win last September; tough task off this mark judged on unplaced Dundalk run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

12

(13)

21st Aug 2026

Good

1m 6f 80y

19:20 Killarney

Sir Jeremy

8st 9lb

J: Keithen Kennedy

T: Noel Meade

Did well to gain third win when powering home to get up by a neck at Galway (1m4f, yielding) 20 days ago; up 5lb but this trip could suit on that evidence.

11/1

1st

16

(12)

1st Aug 2026

Yielding To Soft

1m 3f 180y

18:05 Galway

Sir Jeremy

9st 6lb

J: Paddy Harnett

T: Noel Meade

Gained second turf win at Roscommon in May (10.5f, yielding) off 4lb lower; has come up short twice since off revised mark but ran well off 1lb higher at this meeting last year over 8.5f so not dismissed stepped up in trip in first-time blinkers.

12/1

5th

9

(13)

30th Jun 2026

Good

1m 2f 63y

19:30 Roscommon

Sir Jeremy

9st 7lb

J: Adam Caffrey

T: Noel Meade

Improved from seasonal/yard debut when scoring over C&D last month; well beaten at Gowran since.

7/1

14/1

Form: 3137-

Last run: 302 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
5f maiden winner at Cork last March; third in a five-runner Listed race at the Curragh; did not appear again after finishing last in the Group 3 Marble Hill at the same venue in May.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

1

(9)

21st May 2026

Good

0m 7f 6y

Class 6

16:50 Catterick

Monotone

9st 9lb

J: Harry Russell

T: Antony Brittain

Juvenile winner for Jim Bolger (Cork, 5f maiden, heavy); disappointing since joining this trainer (0-6), falling 20lb in the weights; slowly away and never involved at Thirsk (6f, good; 40-1) latest; hard to recommend now returning to 7f.

25/1

14th

12

(12)

18th Apr 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

14:47 Thirsk

Monotone

8st 12lb

J: Harry Russell

T: Antony Brittain

Dropping down the weights and his latest Pontefract fifth was marginally more encouraging; more required back up in class though.

33/1

5th

1

(7)

7th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 3y

Class 6

17:35 Pontefract

Monotone

9st 9lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

Thrown in on his form for Jim Bolger but he has finished down the field in four runs for new connections, weakening over 7f and 6f; the return of a tongue tie may help, as will the drop into a Class 6, so not discounted back at 5f for the owners who took this race 12 months ago.

33/1

Form: 91227- BF

Last run: 173 days

W: 8st 12lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Below her best at Cork on final start at two; has sound credentials on the balance of form; three consecutive seconds included one behind the subsequent Birdcatcher winner Last Encore at Navan; backed that up with a pleasing run behind the French-trained Spirit D'Or in a valuable Curragh sales race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

(9)

1st Sep 2026

Soft

1m 0f 0y

17:00 Gowran Park

Gloriously Glam

9st 9lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Ms Claire O’Connell

Four-time winner; claimed out of McGuinness yard for E10,000 after finishing 1/2l second to Minaun View in a Bellewstown claimer last month; failed to make her presence felt on stable debut at Galway; noteworthy jockey booking now.

6/1

Form: 06643-

Last run: 162 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Five-race maiden but well worth considering on his Birdcatcher Nursery third at this venue; finished well and should appreciate the extra furlong; renews rivalry with Kodilicious (fifth) and Temperance (sixth); Colin Keane sticks with him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

3

(6)

17th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 12y

Class 6

19:25 Windsor

Manhattan Chute

9st 9lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Jim & Suzi Best

Second win (23 races) was a Leicester classified last month; there are plenty of poor runs in his record but he followed that win with a creditable second of seven in handicap at Brighton (again coming from the rear over 6f on good to firm) ten days ago; considered.

6/1

2nd

5

(7)

7th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 215y

Class 6

16:30 Brighton

Manhattan Chute

9st 6lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Jim & Suzi Best

A long way behind Bated Breeze over C&D a month ago but stronger in the market a week later, when winning a Leicester 0-50; always tended to be hit and miss and be interesting to see how he goes in the betting this time.

3/1

1st

4

(5)

14th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:04 Leicester

Manhattan Chute

9st 9lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Jim & Suzi Best

Sprung a 50-1 surprise in a handicap at Lingfield (5f, AW) in January, for his only win from 21 races, but right out of form since.

25/1

Form: 92301-

Last run: 153 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Emphatic maiden win was achieved over an extended 1m at Gowran on his fifth and final start as a juvenile; ground will suit; might prefer further, though he went close over C&D last July and also got into the money over 7f at Galway
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

(6)

14th Sep 2025

Good To Yielding

1m 2f 0y

17:35 Curragh

Viking Invasion

9st 7lb

J: Scott McCullagh

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Emerged from a short break for second career win when made plenty of use of in Roscommon conditions event over this trip 13 days ago, clear of remainder in just holding off a strong favourite on soft ground; 10lb rise looks a bit harsh but will appreciate the ground.

16/1

6

(5)

1st Sep 2025

Good To Yielding

1m 2f 63y

17:45 Roscommon

Viking Invasion

9st 8lb

J: Declan McDonogh

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Hasn't added to Gowran maiden win of last year, decent efforts twice in conditions events at same venue in June; below best in Curragh handicap latest but can't be ruled out in an open race.

7/1

4

(8)

29th Jun 2025

Good

1m 1f 0y

13:15 Curragh

Viking Invasion

9st 6lb

J: Declan McDonogh

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Meets Shiota and Mississippi River on better terms after they finished in front of him at Naas in April; best runs have come at Gowran including when winning a maiden there last October (1m, soft to heavy); returned to that venue last time when a shade disappointing after finishing third of four; appears to be stable second-string.

9/1

OUR TIP

7/2

Form: 631- D

Last run: 144 days

W: 9st 12lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Placed behind a subsequent Group 1-winning stablemate Twain over this trip at Leopardstown in October; AW maiden winner 11 days later, again over this trip, stable memorably won this with Paddington two seasons ago; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

10

(5)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 213y

Class 2

16:30 Ascot

Serengeti

9st 5lb

J: C Y Ho

T: Mike Murphy

Four runs for Mike Murphy have yielded three heavy defeats and a shock 1m2f win at Windsor in May; opposable on balance of form.

33/1

15th

19

(6)

19th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

15:40 Ascot

Serengeti

9st 3lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Mike Murphy

In his third yard since leaving Aidan O'Brien last autumn; third run for current trainer when upped to 1m2f and tongue tied first time at Windsor (good to firm) last month, starting 50-1 in a six-runner race but leading 1f out and narrowly holding off two challengers; back up just 1lb but this is another new trip and it's a vastly more competitive race.

66/1

1st

3

(6)

25th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

16:25 Windsor

Serengeti

9st 9lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Mike Murphy

Not particularly solid on his 7f/1m form for a few yards since leaving Ballydoyle; chance largely depends on the effects of new trip and first-time tongue-tie.

14/1

Form: 01252-

Last run: 142 days

W: 9st 12lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Sligo maiden winner; solid nursery form before going close in a 6f Listed race at Newmarket in November; finished fifth in the Birdcatcher Nursery over C&D (rallied after getting outpaced); her renewal of rivalry with Manhattan Chute (third) and Temperance (sixth) could be a key factor here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(6)

1st Sep 2025

Good To Yielding

0m 7f 94y

17:15 Roscommon

Kodilicious

9st 13lb

J: Scott McCullagh

T: Mrs John Harrington

Sligo maiden winner on soft last year and was later runner-up in a Newmarket listed race, both over 6f; by far the best of three runs this term when second in a 6f Naas conditions last time; the blinkers worn then are retained but this trip is a question.

7/1

3

(5)

4th Aug 2025

Good

0m 5f 205y

13:46 Naas

Kodilicious

9st 4lb

J: Shane Foley

T: Mrs John Harrington

Sligo maiden winner and ended last year with excellent runner-up effort in Listed event at Newmarket; not in the same form in two handicap starts this term; blinkers on now and needs to bounce back.

6/1

10th
5 (11)
Tangapour

10/1

Form: 531-

Last run: 167 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
All three runs at two were over 1m; Killarney maiden winner on heavy, beating a solid yardstick by 4l; could be vulnerable dropping back in trip here on his handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

(5)

30th Sep 2025

Good To Yielding

1m 2f 90y

16:15 Cork

Tangapour

9st 5lb

J: Seamie Heffernan

T: J P Murtagh

Rated only 80 when outrunning odds of 300-1 as a pacemaker for his successful stablemate Zahrann in a Group 3 at the Curragh last time; unwise to take that form at face value given the balance of his achievements and Ben Coen prefers Reyenzi.

10/1

2nd

5

(1)

16th Aug 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

15:27 Curragh

Tangapour

9st 2lb

J: Seamie Heffernan

T: J P Murtagh

Won a 1m Killarney maiden on heavy last year; very poor form this year; supporting role for Zahrann here.

200/1

8

(10)

29th Jun 2025

Good

1m 1f 0y

13:15 Curragh

Tangapour

8st 12lb

J: Ben Coen

T: J P Murtagh

Won a 1m Killarney maiden on heavy last year; hasn't beaten a rival in two starts at Naas this term over varying trips and ground; hard to see him winning this.

28/1

Non-runners

Temperance

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €54.40
Straight Forecast €60.95
Tricast €1159.42
Trifecta €1566.00

Selections

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Kodilicious

SPOTLIGHT:

Temperance

The Irish Sun:

Serengeti

POSTDATA:

Wizard Of Odds

TOPSPEED:

Kodilicious