July 22 / 20.00 Naas

20.00

Good

NFP Handicap

  • Prize money: £10243.48
  • 0m 7f 0y
  • 8 runners
RTV
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NFP Handicap

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

12/1 (Won)

  • Win: £19.50
  • Place: £4.20

Form: 36-939 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Two-time AW winner is 0-14 on turf but has gone close in defeat, including at Down Royal on penultimate; too keen over 1m last time, will appreciate return to 7f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

10

(14)

18th Oct 2026

Good

1m 0f 100y

15:12 Leopardstown

Eddie G

9st 6lb

J: Jamie Powell

T: Adrian McGuinness

Wins over 7f at Naas and Galway over the summer and holding his form well, most recently getting to within a neck of front-running Uncle Goalie over same trip at the Curragh; 1m probably stretches him but definite chance of reversing that form here on 2lb better terms.

8/1

2nd

9

(10)

26th Sep 2026

Good To Yielding

0m 7f 0y

15:45 Curragh

Eddie G

8st 8lb

J: Declan McDonogh

T: Adrian McGuinness

No closer than about 4l in three races since going up the weights for back-to-back wins in July; ran okay at Listowel on Tuesday (1m) but others are more intriguing.

15/2

3rd

2

(1)

22nd Sep 2026

Yielding

1m 0f 0y

16:41 Listowel

Eddie G

9st 6lb

J: Reese Holohan

T: Adrian McGuinness

Hit by the handicapper for his back-to-back wins in July (over 7f) and has struggled since, including when behind two of these in his penultimate race at Roscommon.

12/1

12/1

  • Place: £3.70

Form: 4431-0

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Off the mark at the fourth attempt in maidens last September at the Curragh (6f); safely held at same venue on last month's return (handicap debut) and plenty to find with second-placed Little Empire on that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(16)

20th Oct 2026

Yielding

0m 6f 0y

13:55 Curragh

Spodo Komodo

9st 12lb

J: J M Sheridan

T: John James Feane

C&D maiden winner on soft last autumn; carried head high when good second over 7f at Naas in July, and did so again next time; ran into the back of rivals when mid-field over 1m at Punchestown, better when fourth over 7f at Naas ten days ago.

12/1

7th

4

(11)

15th Sep 2026

Good

1m 0f 30y

14:40 Punchestown

Spodo Komodo

9st 9lb

J: J M Sheridan

T: John James Feane

6f maiden winner; went close over 7f at Naas three starts ago; tends to carry his head high and has acted up in the stalls.

14/1

OUR TIP

9/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 513-09 D

Last run: 38 days

W: 9st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Three-time AW winner who sole turf success from nine starts came over this trip at Leopardstown in 2023 off 65; two runs in premier handicaps this season leave him with a bit to find although was out of the handicap last time; down in grade here and runs off his correct mark so don't rule out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

15

(2)

28th Sep 2026

Good

0m 7f 26y

15:44 Down Royal

Barbapapa

10st 4lb

J: Adam Grant

T: Henry De Bromhead

First reserve; 6lb lower than when winning at Dundalk last October (6f) and encouraging effort over this trip at Naas when last seen in July; likely to front run and should go well if getting in.

3rd

2

(6)

22nd Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

20:00 Naas

Barbapapa

9st 9lb

J: Adam Grant

T: Henry De Bromhead

Three-time AW winner who sole turf success from nine starts came over this trip at Leopardstown in 2023 off 65; two runs in premier handicaps this season leave him with a bit to find although was out of the handicap last time; down in grade here and runs off his correct mark so don't rule out.

9/1

15/8

Form: 94-671 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Needed every yard of this trip to justify strong market support on handicap debut at Fairyhouse a fortnight ago, getting up in three-way photo, still looking green; 7lb rise enough but this stiffer 7f should bring more out of him, major player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(2)

4th Oct 2026

Yielding To Soft

0m 6f 0y

16:15 Curragh

Contrary To Law

9st 10lb

J: Ben Coen

T: J P Murtagh

Been running well over 7f and may well be on the right side here from trap 2; unexposed.

12/1

6th

12

(18)

18th Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 111y

19:15 Roscommon

Contrary To Law

9st 5lb

J: Ben Coen

T: J P Murtagh

Has improved for handicaps; won off 7lb lower at Fairyhouse (7f, good) and another solid effort off revised mark when a close fourth at Naas on latest; can give another good account but very wide draw not ideal.

7/2

4th

8

(8)

22nd Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

20:00 Naas

Contrary To Law

9st 1lb

J: Ben Coen

T: J P Murtagh

Needed every yard of this trip to justify strong market support on handicap debut at Fairyhouse a fortnight ago, getting up in three-way photo, still looking green; 7lb rise enough but this stiffer 7f should bring more out of him, major player.

15/8

Form: 7-1503

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Curragh maiden win came on soft but handled quicker ground well in Fairyhouse handicap early this month, albeit changed legs late on when headed; first attempt at 7f this season, possible vulnerable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

17

(13)

4th Oct 2026

Yielding To Soft

0m 6f 0y

15:40 Curragh

Thenandnow

9st 2lb

J: Nathan Crosse

T: Mrs John Harrington

C&D maiden winner in April on soft but nothing since in handicaps and has come up short a few times at Listed level; cheekpieces tried.

50/1

10th

13

(13)

21st Sep 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

17:27 Fairyhouse

Thenandnow

9st 0lb

J: Nathan Crosse

T: Mrs John Harrington

Landed a big-field maiden at the Curragh in April; has struggled a little since then from an elevated mark; down 5lb after latest third at Roscommon and rating of 74 now looks more manageable.

14/1

3rd

9

(13)

18th Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 111y

19:15 Roscommon

Thenandnow

9st 7lb

J: Shane Foley

T: Mrs John Harrington

Won a maiden at the Curragh in April (6f, soft); soundly beaten in Listed company on next two starts but back to form when a close third in a fillies' handicap at Fairyhouse (6f, good); not as good over 7f latest and stamina to prove for this trip.

14/1

Form: 233542 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 10st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Both turf wins came on quick ground at 7f-1m at Ayr; AW winner last winter and posted career-best on latest when only caught late on in 17-runner Curragh handicap over this trip last month; trip/ground remains in his favour, can go well again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(2)

4th Sep 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:55 Ascot

Little Empire

10st 10lb

J: Miss A B O’Connor

T: Anthony McCann

Irish challenger whose two turf wins have come on quick ground at Ayr (7f/1m); not at his very best in Ireland on final two starts but has each-way claims on this belated return to 1m.

13/2

3rd

3

(2)

12th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

15:22 Gowran Park

Little Empire

9st 13lb

J: Patrick McGettigan

T: Anthony McCann

Both turf wins came on quick ground at 7f-1m at Ayr; posted a career best when only caught late on in a 17-runner 7f Curragh handicap in June when ahead of a few of these; her run at Naas next time was below that (7f, good) good claims on that Curragh effort.

9/2

6th

1

(7)

22nd Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

20:00 Naas

Little Empire

10st 0lb

J: Luke McAteer

T: Anthony McCann

Both turf wins came on quick ground at 7f-1m at Ayr; AW winner last winter and posted career-best on latest when only caught late on in 17-runner Curragh handicap over this trip last month; trip/ground remains in his favour, can go well again.

5/1

Form: 804060 C

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Five wins between turf and AW for Johnny Murtagh; best effort for this yard came when fourth over 7f at the Curragh in April (soft), well held since; different headgear combination now tried.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

(9)

21st Sep 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

16:57 Fairyhouse

Blues Emperor

10st 0lb

J: Nathan Crosse

T: William Harvey

Five-time winner for Johnny Murtagh and clearly not the horse he once was, but showed that he is potentially at a winning level when a close third in a 1m handicap at Cork two weeks ago; this might be his trip now and he is certainly respected.

8/1

3rd

3

(9)

9th Sep 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

19:15 Cork

Blues Emperor

9st 13lb

J: Nathan Crosse

T: William Harvey

Five wins for Johnny Murtagh; went close for this yard at the Curragh in April (7f, soft); below best in four starts since then; has tumbled in the ratings but will make limited appeal until showing signs of a revival.

25/1

11/4

Form: 522-41 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
AW promise last year and off the mark on second turf run this year, sent on some way out under a positive ride over this trip at Leopardstown 13 days ago, relishing the quicker ground; 8lb rise looks plenty but quite likely has more to offer under these conditions.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

(2)

22nd Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

20:00 Naas

Watch Tower

9st 5lb

J: Colin Keane

T: G M Lyons

AW promise last year and off the mark on second turf run this year, sent on some way out under a positive ride over this trip at Leopardstown 13 days ago, relishing the quicker ground; 8lb rise looks plenty but quite likely has more to offer under these conditions.

11/4

1st

9

(5)

9th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 50y

17:25 Leopardstown

Watch Tower

9st 0lb

J: Colin Keane

T: G M Lyons

Best two efforts in four maiden runs came over 7f at Dundalk last winter; not a bad run on handicap bow and seasonal return at Limerick (7f, soft) behind Zenford and Venetian Star; same mark here and Keane takes over now; ran well on good ground at the Curragh last term; interesting.

15/2

4th

5

(2)

19th Jun 2026

Good To Yielding

0m 7f 0y

17:20 Limerick

Watch Tower

9st 8lb

J: James Ryan

T: G M Lyons

Twice runner-up at Dundalk late last year after showing ability in two runs on turf; can pick up a race like this if he has matured satisfactorily.

9/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €298.20
Straight Forecast €266.74
Tricast €3037.14
Trifecta €1293.80

Selections

The Irish Sun:

Watch Tower

SPOTLIGHT:

Contrary To Law

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Thenandnow

TOPSPEED:

Spodo Komodo

POSTDATA:

Eddie G