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
RTV
View Course
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

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

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

9th

18

(9)

12th Jun 2026

Yielding To Soft

1m 1f 100y

20:18 Gowran Park

Sir Jeremy

10st 3lb

J: Sam Coen

T: Noel Meade

First reserve; improved from return and stable debut when landing Roscommon handicap (yielding) cosily 25 days ago; 5lb rise fine and handles all ground so definite contender if getting a run.

1st

8

(2)

18th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 63y

18:50 Roscommon

Sir Jeremy

9st 2lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Noel Meade

Sole win for Ado McGuinness came in a 7f Down Royal nursery in September 2024; uneven form last year; needs to improve from stable debut at the Curragh in March.

12/1

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

2nd

3

(9)

3rd Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 195y

17:00 Bellewstown

Gloriously Glam

9st 11lb

J: Leigh Roche

T: Adrian McGuinness

Below best in handicaps on last two starts; solid form in claiming company (form figures of 3113); handles most ground and went close over C&D on her only previous visit in October; big player.

5/1

5th

4

(3)

19th Jun 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 0f 0y

17:50 Limerick

Gloriously Glam

9st 6lb

J: Gabriella Hill

T: Adrian McGuinness

Was gaining a fourth career victory when landing 7f Gowran claimer (good to yielding) last month; beaten favourite next time in Fairyhouse claimer; finished last of eight in 7f Gowran handicap last week but she's 3lb below her last winning mark, will appreciate the forecast rain and could bounce back under 7lb claimer.

8/1

8th

5

(3)

12th Jun 2026

Yielding To Soft

0m 7f 0y

17:23 Gowran Park

Gloriously Glam

9st 0lb

J: Ronan Whelan

T: Adrian McGuinness

Solid fourth behind three of today's rivals over C&D in April; was gaining a fourth career victory when landing C&D claimer (good to yielding) last month; beaten favourite in Fairyhouse claimer on latest; fair mark returning to handicaps; respected.

9/1

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

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

9th

7

(10)

7th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 215y

Class 6

18:20 Brighton

Manhattan Chute

9st 9lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Jim & Suzi Best

Sprung a 50-1 surprise in a 0-60 handicap at Lingfield (5f, AW) in January, but subsequent efforts suggest it may have been a flash in the pan; hard to recommend despite the drop in class.

13/2

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

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

28th

8

(20)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:20 Ascot

Serengeti

9st 7lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Mike Murphy

Successful in autumn handicap on final start for Aidan O'Brien; far from solid on his form for three different yards since, most recently posting a duck egg in the Spring Cup on debut for this one; best watched.

50/1

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