September 14 / 16.25 Curragh

16.25

Good To Yielding

Comer Group International Irish St. Leger (Group 1)

  • Prize money: £235537.19
  • 1m 6f 0y
  • 9 runners
ITV
View Course
Comer Group International Irish St. Leger (Group 1)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

9/4 (Won)

  • Win: £4.00
  • Place: £1.55

Form: 0-3421 CD

Last run: 57 days

W: 9st 10lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Three-time winner here including 5L success in Group 2 Curragh Cup in July on latest; Group 1 winner as a 2yo and 3yo, acts on easy ground and looks a deserved favourite on his way to a likely Melbourne Cup bid.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(1)

19th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 4y

16:25 Curragh

Al Riffa

9st 11lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Won this event by 5l last year as a prelude to a handsome Irish St Leger success, adding to Group 1 wins in the 2022 National Stakes and in Germany in 2024; finished seventh of 24 in last year's Melbourne Cup; best of three runs this season when third in a Group 1 event over almost 2m at Longchamp; back in his comfort zone trip-wise after Ascot Gold Cup fourth.

7/4

4th

2

(8)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 3f 210y

Class 1

16:15 Ascot

Al Riffa

9st 4lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Second at last year's Royal Ascot in the 1m4f Hardwicke and 4l winner of the 1m6f Irish St Leger; ran on strongly from out the back when seventh in the Melbourne Cup (2m) in November and ended up third to Caballo De Mar in blanket finish to a Longchamp Group 1 (nearly 2m) four weeks ago, having been last of nine 2f out; those do not mean he's an assured stayer on this move up to 2m4f but he brings among the best form and has to enter calculations.

8/1

7/2

  • Place: £1.55

Form: 11-111

Last run: 86 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Sole 3yo runner and a smart one at that, unbeaten in five career starts, notably this year twice at Goodwood and when showing good attitude to hold off subsequent Group 3 winner Zahrann in 1m4f Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot; has had a break since and unknown territory here in terms of trip and ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(6)

21st Aug 2026

Good

2m 0f 56y

Class 1

14:25 York

Amiloc

9st 5lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

Tremendous progress last season; odds-on flop when rather forced to make the running in the Yorkshire Cup here on 2026 return; ran on nicely for a creditable sixth of 12 in a very strong Hardwicke at Royal Ascot (1m4f) next time but unseated leaving the stalls with a mishap in the Goodwood Cup (2m; 17-2); that leaves his stamina unproven but he stays at least 1m6f; unraced on softer than good to yielding; a leading contender if he gets this new trip and there's fair chance he will.

11/4

1

(1)

28th Jul 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Goodwood

Amiloc

9st 12lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Ralph Beckett

Two wins here in May initiated his tremendous progress last season; flopped at odds-on when he was rather forced to make the running in Yorkshire Cup on 2026 reappearance, but he ran on nicely for a creditable sixth of 12 in a very strong Hardwicke at Royal Ascot (1m4f) next time; stays 1m6f and has each-way claims if he gets this new trip.

14/1

6th

1

(12)

20th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

15:05 Ascot

Amiloc

9st 3lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

Unraced on ground slower than good to yielding; disappointing favourite in the Yorkshire Cup on reappearance but that's his only blip in an otherwise progressive career; justified favouritism in the King Edward VII Stakes over C&D at this meeting (good to firm) 12 months ago, taking record at that time to 5-5, then ran well in the Irish St Leger and Breeders' Cup Turf; possibilities, provided his upward trajectory is resumed.

16/1

8/1

  • Place: £2.55

Form: 312114 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Front-running 6yo who has pulled out more time and time again, with 11 wins now to his credit; three of them were this season at today's trip, twice at Listed level and Group 3 John Smith's Silver Cup at York; unable to dominate at same venue on latest when fourth in Group 2 Lonsdale Stakes over 2m; has fallen short at Group 1 level in the past but deserves his place.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(5)

13th Jun 2026

Good

1m 5f 188y

Class 1

15:00 York

Al Qareem

9st 7lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Uncharacteristically below par when well beaten at Chester last month and the track wasn't an excuse; four Group 3/Listed wins last year, including when making all in this under a 5lb penalty (same today), and he reappeared with a Listed win at Musselburgh in April; leading claims if back on song.

2/1

5th

2

(8)

7th May 2026

Good

1m 5f 84y

Class 1

15:05 Chester

Al Qareem

9st 5lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Justified favouritism in Listed grade at Musselburgh (1m6f, soft) on seasonal debut, making it five wins from his last nine starts and taking overall record to 13-36; Chester record reads 112, most recently running creditably in this race 12 months ago; again likely to give his running.

9/1

1st

1

(5)

4th Apr 2026

Good

1m 5f 216y

Class 1

14:30 Musselburgh

Al Qareem

9st 7lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Front-runner who keeps pulling out more, with 12 wins; the four last season (April-October) included career-best form; unraced here; has never won first time out but he has run creditably and is the clear form pick.

4/5

50/1

Form: -23351 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
German challenger is 4-33, most recently winning a Hoppegarten Listed over this trip last month; overall form leaves him with a fair bit to find though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

(9)

14th Sep 2025

Good To Yielding

1m 6f 0y

16:25 Curragh

Waldadler

9st 10lb

J: David Liska

T: P Vovcenko

German challenger is 4-33, most recently winning a Hoppegarten Listed over this trip last month; overall form leaves him with a fair bit to find though.

50/1

6th

6

(7)

15th Sep 2024

Good

1m 6f 0y

16:45 Curragh

Waldadler

9st 11lb

J: Seamie Heffernan

T: P Vovcenko

took keen hold, towards rear

33/1

OUR TIP

12/1

Form: 111-42 C

Last run: 38 days

W: 9st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Highly progressive in winning all four starts last year, including twice in Curragh handicaps and Group 3 at Leopardstown (1m4f); very light campaign this year, inadequate trip on return before close second to an all-the-way winner in Group 3 Ballyroan Stakes at Leopardstown last month; first attempt at 1m6f here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(1)

14th Sep 2025

Good To Yielding

1m 6f 0y

16:25 Curragh

Crystal Black

9st 10lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Gerard Keane

Highly progressive in winning all four starts last year, including twice in Curragh handicaps and Group 3 at Leopardstown (1m4f); very light campaign this year, inadequate trip on return before close second to an all-the-way winner in Group 3 Ballyroan Stakes at Leopardstown last month; first attempt at 1m6f here.

12/1

1

(3)

7th Aug 2025

Good

1m 4f 0y

18:53 Leopardstown

Crystal Black

9st 9lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Gerard Keane

Highly progressive in winning all four starts last year, starting in Curragh handicaps at 1m and 1m2f; even better at 1m4f, landing Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot and taking this race by 5l from subsequent Irish Cesarewitch winner The Euphrates; should be sharper than when one place behind Sons And Lovers over 1m2f at the Curragh in April.

5/4

4th

4

(1)

12th Apr 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

16:35 Curragh

Crystal Black

9st 8lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Gerard Keane

raced in fourth, brief headway and went third under 2f out, no extra and lost third towards finish

5/2

33/1

Form: 00-663 C

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 10lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Sole win (11 races) was a 2023 maiden; career-best on latest when third in Ebor Handicap (York) but has fallen short at Group level in the past and likely to do so again here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

(4)

22nd Aug 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

16:35 Curragh

Queenstown

9st 9lb

J: Wayne Lordan

T: A P O’Brien

Only a maiden win to his name, but he's a smart stayer; placed in the Ebor and Irish Cesarewitch last year, and in pair of French Group 1s at the back-end; 300-day absence and will surely improve for the run.

5/2

4

(11)

28th Sep 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 170y

16:22 Curragh

Queenstown

10st 1lb

J: Ronan Whelan

T: A P O’Brien

Second of three for yard; ran a solid race off 2lb lower in the Ebor at York in August, staying on for a 3l third (0.5l behind Ascending); predictably came up short in the St Leger here on latest but he could bounce back returned to handicap company.

20/1

6th

7

(4)

14th Sep 2025

Good To Yielding

1m 6f 0y

16:25 Curragh

Queenstown

9st 10lb

J: Ronan Whelan

T: A P O’Brien

Sole win (11 races) was a 2023 maiden; career-best on latest when third in Ebor Handicap (York) but has fallen short at Group level in the past and likely to do so again here.

33/1

Form: 21-122 C BF

Last run: 47 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Very consistent high-class stayer; narrowly beaten in last year's St Leger at Doncaster and beat Al Qareem on seasonal return in Ormonde Stakes (Chester) before second placings in both Ascot Gold Cup and when outstayed by stablemate Scandinavia in 2m Goodwood Cup, having made the running; cheekpieces now tried and big player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

(4)

21st Aug 2026

Good

2m 0f 56y

Class 1

14:25 York

Illinois

9st 5lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

The supremely reliable performer (acted on any going) of 2024 and most of 2025 has gone and most of his performances since have been pretty grim in comparison; this season's clear exception was when he made class tell with his sights lowered in the 2m5f Queen Alexandra at Royal Ascot, winning by a neck from French Master; the Goodwood Cup took him well out of his comfort zone again last time and he carried his head awkwardly, but the less demanding company today offers a bit of hope.

9/1

5th

3

(7)

28th Jul 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Goodwood

Illinois

9st 12lb

J: Sean Levey

T: A P O’Brien

7l second to Trawlerman in 2025 Gold Cup at Royal Ascot and beaten three-quarters of a length by Scandinavia in this; those performances were near his best but most since have been pretty grim; this season's clear exception was when he made class tell with sights lowered in the 2m5f Queen Alexandra at Royal Ascot, winning by a neck from French Master, but latest start showed again that today's task is likely to take him well out of his comfort zone.

25/1

5th

5

(2)

19th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 4y

16:25 Curragh

Illinois

9st 11lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

2024 Queen's Vase winner; second in last year's Gold Cup at Royal Ascot (good to firm) and runner-up again in the Goodwood Cup (2m, good); flopped when favourite for the Irish St Leger won by Al Riffa; satisfactory return in Ormonde at Chester before a dismal Coronation Cup run; bounced back from that when landing the Queen Alexandra.

2/1

50/1

Form: 462342

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Won heavy ground 1m2f Group 3 at Leopardstown in April 2024 but hasn't added to that, most recently readily outstayed by 4.25l winner Leinster in Leger Trial over C&D last month, having forced it; hard to fancy.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(6)

22nd Aug 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

16:35 Curragh

Dallas Star

9st 9lb

J: Seamie Heffernan

T: Robson De Aguiar

Well-beaten second to Leinster in weaker four-runner renewal of this last year, and no match for Carmers at Down Royal in May; on a long losing sequence and will be a big price; usually leads.

33/1

5th

1

(2)

12th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 100y

16:22 Gowran Park

Dallas Star

10st 0lb

J: Donagh O’Connor

T: Robson De Aguiar

Group 3 winner over 1m2f at three; losing sequence stands at 14 since a Dundalk win early last year; flattered by his proximity to star stayer Scandinavia in a 1m6f Listed race at Navan in April; remote seventh behind Illinois in the Queen Alexandra; should not be ruled out on handicap debut.

6/1

Form: 3-1441 CD

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Stepped outside of handicap company to land 4-runner St Leger Trial over C&D last month, readily brushing aside front-running Dallas Star final furlong; lot more on his plate here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

(1)

22nd Aug 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

16:35 Curragh

Leinster

9st 9lb

J: Declan McDonogh

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Readily beat Dallas Star in last year's weaker renewal, but was tailed off in Irish St Leger; respectable runs behind top stayer Scandinavia on goodish ground first two starts this term; well beaten on soft behind Layfayette in June; overlooked by stable jockey; tongue-tie goes on.

7/1

5th

3

(4)

19th Jun 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 4f 70y

19:02 Limerick

Leinster

9st 12lb

J: J M Sheridan

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Fourth in Chester Cup and Ascot Stakes last season; won four-runner St Leger Trial at the Curragh in August; failed to do himself justice when tailed off in Irish St Leger; made late progress into fourth behind Scandinavia at Navan on return; ran to a similar level when fourth of six in Group 3 Saval Beg at Leopardstown; should be sharper now.

12/1

4th

2

(4)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

19:22 Leopardstown

Leinster

9st 8lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Fourth in Chester Cup and Ascot Stakes last season, won a four-runner St Leger Trial at the Curragh in August, readily brushing aside front-running Dallas Star; failed to do himself justice when tailed off in the Irish St Leger, made late progress into fourth behind Scandinavia at Navan on return; should be sharper now and may reverse form with runner-up Dallas Star.

8/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €14.60
Straight Forecast €9.42
Tricast €61.23
Trifecta €63.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Al Riffa

The Irish Sun:

Amiloc

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Al Riffa

TOPSPEED:

Al Riffa

POSTDATA:

Al Riffa