June 26 / 19.55 Curragh

19.55

Good

O’Driscolls Irish Whiskey Irish EBF Stayers Handicap

  • Prize money: £17926.09
  • 2m 0f 76y
  • 11 runners
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O’Driscolls Irish Whiskey Irish EBF Stayers Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

20/1 (Won)

  • Win: £39.50
  • Place: £7.80

Form: 0915-0 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Dual-purpose; signed off last season with a solid effort in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket (2m2f, gd-fm); may have needed the run over an inadequate 1m6f here last month; sharper now and moves up in trip; beaten in this last year off 8lb lower but respected nonetheless.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

28th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

3m 0f 0y

18:47 Down Royal

Reverend Hubert

11st 10lb

J: Philip Byrnes

T: C Byrnes

Talented 8yo was well held when 8-1 (same price as Rocky's Diamond) in Galway Plate; easy winner of 3m conditions hurdle at Cork previously and won 2m handicap at the Curragh on Derby weekend (now rated 95 on the level); only third of five when favourite for this last year, but has improved in the interim. 

3/1

13th

12

29th Jul 2026

Good

2m 6f 111y

18:40 Galway

Reverend Hubert

11st 1lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: C Byrnes

2-4 over fences, though not seen in this discipline since well held in a Grade 3 at this fixture two years ago; he returns in excellent form, in recent weeks winning on the Flat (2m) and over hurdles at Cork (3m); could have a big run in him.

16/1

1st

3

10th Jul 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

20:00 Cork

Reverend Hubert

11st 6lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: C Byrnes

Smart dual-purpose type won a nice Flat prize over 2m a fortnight ago; came off worse in a couple of 3m clashes with Happy Jacky last year, but not by much, including when beaten a head in the corresponding race; relishes good ground.

6/1

14/1

  • Place: £5.20

Form: 02629-

Last run: 272 days

W: 8st 7lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Dual-purpose; 3-13 on the Flat for Michael Bell, all three wins over 1m6f on fast ground; has placed AW form at around this trip; modest form on easy ground over hurdles so far for this yard but return to quicker conditions on the Flat could revive; 2lb wrong.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(3)

29th Jul 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 110y

20:20 Galway

Cock And Bull

10st 2lb

J: Sam Coen

T: Emmet Mullins

Three flat wins for Michael Bell came at 1m6f on quick ground; ordinary enough hurdles form for current yard but fine run on the flat over this trip at the Curragh on Derby weekend back on decent ground, only losing second late on when 2lb out of handicap; down in grade here and tongue-tie tried; has to be respected.

13/2

3rd

11

(1)

26th Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 76y

19:55 Curragh

Cock And Bull

8st 7lb

J: Rory Cleary

T: Emmet Mullins

Dual-purpose; 3-13 on the Flat for Michael Bell, all three wins over 1m6f on fast ground; has placed AW form at around this trip; modest form on easy ground over hurdles so far for this yard but return to quicker conditions on the Flat could revive; 2lb wrong.

14/1

4th
7 (9)
Highwind

10/1

Form: 0/84-6

Last run: 33 days

W: 8st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Second runner for yard; sole win on Flat came over 1m on AW in 2023 in France; may have needed the run when weakening over 1m6f here (good) on latest last month; ran well over 18.5f in Ulster Cesarewitch last September off 1lb lower; chance stepped back up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

(6)

16th Sep 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 174y

18:43 Clonmel

Highwind

9st 8lb

J: J M Sheridan

T: W P Mullins

The lack of any win since a maiden hurdle in January 2024 (first run for Willie Mullins) is a concern but he's produced solid efforts on Flat over trips ranging from 1m6f-20.5f on his last four starts and no shock if he's on the premises eased in grade.

12/1

5th

11

(2)

31st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 4f 137y

Class 2

13:50 Goodwood

Highwind

8st 8lb

J: David Egan

T: W P Mullins

The lack of any win since a maiden hurdle in January 2024 (first run for Willie Mullins) is a concern but he's produced solid efforts on Flat over 2m2f, 1m6f and 2m on his last three starts and may well be an out-and-out stayer; no shock if he's on the premises.

12/1

Form: 102-73

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Dual-purpose; hurdle winner is 1-9 on the Flat; has come up dry since winning a Galway Festival maiden last July (12.5f, yielding); kept on nicely for third over 1m6f here latest (Delta behind); raised 2lb for that but should go well again up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

13

(6)

19th Aug 2026

Good

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

16:10 York

Kilmeaden

9st 0lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Faye Bramley

1m4f Flat winner at last year's Galway festival and took a maiden hurdle this January; that's from 14 races for Donnacha O'Brien, for whom he was a promising third of 24 to Westminster Moon (1m6f, good) in May and a fair fifth over 2m in June; not beaten far when ninth in 2m Shergar Cup race at Ascot but that shows he needs marked improvement in today's first-time visor (1-8 in cheekpieces), replacing a tongue-tie.

16/1

9th

3

(7)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 7f 209y

Class 2

14:10 Ascot

Kilmeaden

9st 7lb

J: C Y Ho

T: Faye Bramley

Hurdle/Flat winner; ran in snatches when a 5l fifth in a 2m fast-ground handicap at the Curragh on what proved to be his final start for Donnacha O'Brien; that last run was his first on ground quicker than good and he does like the mud.

7/1

5th

4

(7)

26th Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 76y

19:55 Curragh

Kilmeaden

9st 5lb

J: Paddy Harnett

T: Donnacha Aidan O’Brien

Dual-purpose; hurdle winner is 1-9 on the Flat; has come up dry since winning a Galway Festival maiden last July (12.5f, yielding); kept on nicely for third over 1m6f here latest (Delta behind); raised 2lb for that but should go well again up in trip.

6/1

Form: 2030-6

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
One of two for yard that has won two of the last four renewals; useful hurdler was well held on return to the Flat behind Poetic Sound here on latest (1m6f, yielding) but was runner up in this last year on good ground off 1lb higher; dangerous to discount.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

17

(10)

12th Sep 2026

Good

1m 5f 0y

17:35 Leopardstown

Too Bossy For Us

8st 12lb

J: Ben Coen

T: W P Mullins

Dead-heated for third in this race last year; struggled in top company as a novice hurdler after a maiden win at Punchestown in February; needs to improve on what he has shown on the Flat this term.

20/1

14th

9

30th Jul 2026

Good

2m 0f 11y

16:30 Galway

Too Bossy For Us

10st 11lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: W P Mullins

Struggled in top company after a maiden win at Punchestown in February; one place behind Tounsivator when sixth in the amateur handicap on Monday.

12/1

6th

18

(12)

27th Jul 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 179y

18:40 Galway

Too Bossy For Us

11st 5lb

J: Miss J Townend

T: W P Mullins

Beaten favourite for this race last year, never looked likely to feature, 12th of 20; needs to step up on the form of two Curragh runs this season.

8/1

100/30

Form: 706-31 C

Last run: 23 days

W: 10st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Stayed on well to gain third career success off 8lb lower here on latest (1m6f, yielding); both previous runs at around this trip have not been his best so could be vulnerable upped in distance on quicker ground off career high mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

2

(11)

12th Sep 2026

Good

1m 5f 0y

17:35 Leopardstown

Poetic Sound

9st 11lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: G M Lyons

Beat Factual Fact in a 1m6f handicap at the Curragh in June (yielding); not as effective over 2m at the same venue later that month; big price when down the field in the Ebor.

33/1

17th

12

(22)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Soft

1m 5f 188y

Class 2

15:35 York

Poetic Sound

9st 4lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: G M Lyons

Registered his highest rating in 1m6f Listed race on soft ground last April (his only time front-running); always prominent when strong finish took him to a handicap win at the Curragh (1m6f, yielding) this term and, although he wasn't discredited over 2m later in June, this trip on softer than good may well be the best fit; wears headgear for the first time.

20/1

7th

1

(10)

26th Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 76y

19:55 Curragh

Poetic Sound

10st 2lb

J: Colin Keane

T: G M Lyons

Stayed on well to gain third career success off 8lb lower here on latest (1m6f, yielding); both previous runs at around this trip have not been his best so could be vulnerable upped in distance on quicker ground off career high mark.

100/30

Form: 3-321 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 8st 11lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Veteran; talented hurdler a latecomer to the Flat but showed promise in maidens and bolted up on handicap debut in this sphere at Listowel 26 days ago (2m, good); hiked up 9lb for that and this is a deeper race but he can't be discounted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

(5)

26th Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 76y

19:55 Curragh

Ballyadam

8st 11lb

J: Ronan Whelan

T: Henry De Bromhead

Veteran; talented hurdler a latecomer to the Flat but showed promise in maidens and bolted up on handicap debut in this sphere at Listowel 26 days ago (2m, good); hiked up 9lb for that and this is a deeper race but he can't be discounted.

9/2

1st

1

(4)

31st May 2026

Good

2m 0f 40y

16:50 Listowel

Ballyadam

10st 4lb

J: W J Lee

T: Henry De Bromhead

Good quality NH performer, including when good fourth in BetMGM Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham; took the runner-up spot in a Ballinrobe maiden (1m5f, good to yielding) last time when 7l behind the winner; must carry top weight for Flat handicap debut but big chance.

11/4

2nd

1

(1)

8th May 2026

Yielding To Soft

1m 4f 183y

19:52 Ballinrobe

Ballyadam

10st 7lb

J: Ronan Whelan

T: Henry De Bromhead

High-class NH performer, most recently good fourth in BetMGM Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham; two previous Flat runs were on the Dundalk AW, notably previous month when 2l third of 10 over 1m4f; ground no problem, not sure the tight track will suit.

13/2

Form: 56-707

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Showed promise in maidens but first three handicap runs have been pretty underwhelming; beaten 9l at Fairyhouse on latest (1m6f, good); 6lb wrong here; others appeal more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

(1)

19th Sep 2026

Soft

1m 6f 87y

Class 5

17:25 Chester

Carthusian

9st 12lb

J: Liam Wright

T: Jennie Candlish

A fair ex-Irish maiden who signed off for Jessica Harrington with a solid fourth in 2m1f Killarney handicap in July; has since changed hands for 15,500 guineas and not out of things for his new yard.

12/1

4th

6

(8)

14th Jul 2026

Good

2m 0f 185y

19:40 Killarney

Carthusian

8st 13lb

J: Keithen Kennedy

T: Mrs John Harrington

Looked a horse of some promise early last season but has failed to progress; coming down the handicap but stepping up to this trip has not improved his record.

12/1

7th

2

(3)

7th Jul 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

20:00 Tramore

Carthusian

10st 2lb

J: Scott McCullagh

T: Mrs John Harrington

Some promise in maidens; first four handicap runs have revealed limitations; visored now and dropped in class after contesting a strong contest at the Curragh.

12/1

OUR TIP

Form: 2315-4

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
1m4f Fairyhouse maiden winner last season (gd-yld); promising seasonal reappearance here 33 days ago, staying on for a 5.5l fourth of 24 over 1m6f (2l behind Kilmeaden in third); well worth a go at this trip on that evidence and mark unchanged; cheekpieces added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

25th Sep 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

17:40 Listowel

Delta

11st 0lb

J: Mr J L Gleeson

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Fairyhouse maiden winner over 1m4f last year was also third in a Listed race; some solid runs in defeat in quality handicaps this year but has been a bit underwhelming overall; however, should go close if back to his best.

9/2

4th

1

(7)

15th Aug 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

19:25 Tramore

Delta

10st 7lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Fairyhouse maiden winner last season (1m4f, good to yielding); made a cracking return to action in May when fourth in a big-field handicap at the Curragh (1m6f, good); has disappointed as favourite in two runs since at the Curragh (2m1f, good to firm) and at Leopardstown in a five-runner conditions event (1m7f, good, 4-6); capable of more.

11/4

2nd

1

(6)

9th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 7f 0y

20:13 Leopardstown

Delta

11st 12lb

J: Mr P W Mullins

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Fairyhouse maiden winner last season (1m4f); cracking run on seasonal return in big field 1m6f handicap at the Curragh in May; latest run over 2m back there disappointing (cheekpieces tried then are discarded) but capable of better, is rated 91 and Patrick Mullins is an eye-catching booking.

9/4

11th
10 (12)
Happy Jacky

20/1

Form: 1/389-

Last run: 288 days

W: 8st 7lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Veteran has notched up nine wins over jumps but is 1-9 on the Flat and hasn't won in this sphere since 2024; however, he was a close third in this last season off 1lb higher on good ground so he's not dismissed; 1lb wrong.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

(1)

4th Sep 2026

Good

2m 2f 141y

18:00 Down Royal

Happy Jacky

9st 8lb

J: Reese Holohan

T: Mark Fahey

Best known as a winner of eight races over hurdles; getting on in years but noteworthy as the winner of this race two years ago; has had a hurdles outing since a poor run on seasonal debut.

14/1

4th

1

10th Jul 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

20:00 Cork

Happy Jacky

11st 10lb

J: Peter Smithers

T: Mark Fahey

Eight wins over hurdles and going for three in a row in this race, landing previous two renewals under this jockey; beat Reverend Hubert by a head last year; after eight months off, comeback third in Killarney chase was a good effort; quiet since but can't rule him out.

8/1

11th

10

(12)

26th Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 76y

19:55 Curragh

Happy Jacky

8st 7lb

J: Gavin Ryan

T: Mark Fahey

Veteran has notched up nine wins over jumps but is 1-9 on the Flat and hasn't won in this sphere since 2024; however, he was a close third in this last season off 1lb higher on good ground so he's not dismissed; 1lb wrong.

20/1

16/1

Form: 66388-

Last run: 227 days

W: 8st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Non-runners

The Shunter, Robbies Rock

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €2454.10
Straight Forecast €1004.61
Tricast €36884.16

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Too Bossy For Us

The Irish Sun:

Kilmeaden

TOPSPEED:

Hatim

POSTDATA:

Happy Jacky

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Too Bossy For Us