July 22 / 16.55 Curragh

16.55

Yielding To Soft

La Celia Wines Sprint Nursery Handicap

  • Prize money: £10442.48
  • 0m 6f 0y
  • 9 runners
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La Celia Wines Sprint Nursery Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £8.90
  • Place: £2.50

Form: 603

Last run: 43 days

W: 8st 12lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
11lb better off the weights with Prince X J for a 4l defeat in a Fairyhouse maiden last month; handicapper has taken no chances with this mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

(7)

23rd May 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:30 Haydock

Jakajaro

9st 6lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Robert Cowell

He's got back on track in a major way in 5f handicaps this spring, winning at Newmarket then impressively making all in a big field at York last week (both on good ground; effective on soft early in career); back up in grade this afternoon but this thriving 5yo could be capable of another bold bid.

8/1

1st

2

(18)

14th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

14:20 York

Jakajaro

9st 9lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Robert Cowell

Snapped a lengthy losing sequence when making virtually all to win at Newmarket (5f, good) last month on his reappearance; he needs to back up that performance but did it comfortably last time and, following a 5lb rise, remains well treated on his historic exploits; a possible.

12/1

9/1

  • Place: £3.30

Form: 504

Last run: 7 days

W: 8st 10lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Promise in three maidens so far without hitting the frame; 11lb better off with Ocean Baroque for a 5l defeat at Navan last week; could be in the mix if he comes on for that first run of the campaign; wears first-time blinkers and one for the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

3

(1)

3rd Nov 2023

Standard

0m 5f 0y

17:00 Dundalk (AW)

Sanshiro

9st 7lb

J: Colin Keane

T: D J Bunyan & G O’Leary

Several decent runs in defeat in maidens and nurseries on turf although below best latest; probably needs to improve to play a major role here on AW debut.

12/1

9th

7

(6)

4th Oct 2023

Soft

0m 5f 164y

14:25 Navan

Sanshiro

9st 5lb

J: Declan McDonogh

T: D J Bunyan & G O’Leary

Several decent runs in defeat in maidens and nurseries, including here; solid enough at Fairyhouse last time and should go well again with cheekpieces tried.

7/1

4th

5

(1)

18th Sep 2023

Yielding To Soft

0m 6f 0y

17:55 Fairyhouse

Sanshiro

8st 11lb

J: Declan McDonogh

T: D J Bunyan & G O’Leary

Best run when second to smart horse on nursery debut at the Curragh; well held since.

7/1

20/1

  • Place: £16.20

Form: 508

Last run: 51 days

W: 8st 7lb

2 yo Filly

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Minor promise on debut; struggled twice since and this opening mark looks too high; wears first-time tongue-tie.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

(16)

20th Sep 2025

Yielding To Soft

1m 0f 0y

15:27 Gowran Park

Nika Pika

9st 7lb

J: Sam Coen

T: Noel C Kelly

Just 1-26, winning a Navan claiming maiden in 2023; lost her form on AW last winter and poor back there last time; handles soft but not easy to fancy.

25/1

4

(1)

12th Jul 2025

Standard

1m 0f 0y

15:02 Dundalk (AW)

Nika Pika

9st 11lb

J: Paddy Harnett

T: Noel C Kelly

Sole win from 25 starts came at Navan in a maiden claimer in 2023 over 1m; highly tried at this venue earlier this year with her best effort being a 1.75l third over 1m4f; poor in five runs at this track following that and tailed off when attempting hurdles for the first time at Cartmel last time; tongue-tie now added to hood.

18/1

20/1

Form: 2670

Last run: 62 days

W: 9st 0lb

2 yo Filly

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Promising debut over 5f here but disappointing in three runs since, albeit at Group level when last seen; needs a revival.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

10

(2)

24th May 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 0f 0y

17:05 Curragh

Neo Smart

9st 7lb

J: Declan McDonogh

T: J S Bolger

Won a 7f handicap here last year, also won at Dundalk in February; not the most consistent and finished behind Highbury See See; closely matched with Navagio.

12/1

7th

9

(4)

11th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 111y

17:53 Roscommon

Neo Smart

9st 10lb

J: Declan McDonogh

T: J S Bolger

Won a Curragh handicap (7f, good) last season off 8lb lower and added a Dundalk handicap (1m) in February; off since a below par AW run in March; career best needed off this mark.

14/1

9th

5

(6)

20th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 0y

19:15 Dundalk (AW)

Neo Smart

9st 9lb

J: Declan McDonogh

T: J S Bolger

3-30 overall but impressive on AW (2-5); 1.75l behind Ocean Manifest (1m) in January but kept on well to win next time, with Ocean Manifest behind; up 5lb but scope for more improvement on this surface.

5/1

Form: 705

Last run: 10 days

W: 8st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Improvement when beaten roughly 5l in a Fairyhouse maiden last week; not sure to appreciate softer ground and others on better marks.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17

(20)

10th Sep 2025

Yielding

0m 7f 0y

18:10 Cork

Poppadom

8st 12lb

J: Andrew Slattery

T: Andrew Slattery

27-race maiden but was only beaten a neck in a soft ground 1m handicap at Gowran in June; hasn't kicked on since and may need a bit further than 7f these days.

33/1

7th

13

(12)

2nd Sep 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

16:30 Gowran Park

Poppadom

9st 1lb

J: Jimmy Dalton

T: Andrew Slattery

Maiden after 26 starts was well beaten over further here last time; however, was runner-up over C&D in June so has to get back to that form.

22/1

12

(18)

13th Aug 2025

Good

1m 1f 100y

20:05 Gowran Park

Poppadom

9st 2lb

J: Jimmy Dalton

T: Andrew Slattery

25-race maiden who went close to getting off the mark over 1m here in June; however, not as good twice since and has a tough draw to overcome now.

25/1

Form: 2541

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Runner-up on debut over C&D on soft and seemed to appreciate getting back on rain softened ground when winning at Navan last week, shaping like the return to 6f would suit; seems on a good mark for handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(15)

14th Oct 2023

Soft

0m 5f 205y

14:50 Naas

Ocean Baroque

9st 2lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Daniel James Murphy

midfield

13/2

1st

2

(6)

26th Sep 2023

Yielding To Soft

0m 6f 0y

13:55 Cork

Ocean Baroque

9st 8lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Daniel James Murphy

prominent, led going best over 1f out, ridden and kept on well inside final furlong

6/1

6th

10

(7)

14th Sep 2023

Good To Yielding

0m 5f 205y

15:05 Naas

Ocean Baroque

9st 5lb

J: Declan McDonogh

T: Kieran P Cotter

ducked right start, bumped rival start, towards rear of midfield

14/1

9/4

Form: 167 CD

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 12lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Won a C&D maiden on heavy ground on debut and not disgraced in two subsequent Group races over this C&D; seemed to appreciate rain-softened ground on debut and it would be no surprise if he progressed on handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(1)

23rd Aug 2024

Good

1m 0f 30y

17:10 Killarney

Democracy

9st 11lb

J: Wayne Lordan

T: A P O’Brien

Highly tried at two after winning a maiden on debut; last three runs have been in small-field conditions races over 7f; needs to raise his game in first-time cheekpieces.

7/2

4th

6

(3)

24th Jul 2024

Good

0m 7f 0y

20:00 Naas

Democracy

9st 3lb

J: Wayne Lordan

T: A P O’Brien

Highly tried at two; bang there the last twice in 7f events, though couldn't make the most of an easy lead here last time when reeled in by one who was rated 79 at the time; likely to need more here.

6/1

Form: 9710 D

Last run: 32 days

W: 9st 9lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Left his previous two starts behind when winning a 6f Fairyhouse maiden last month and out of his depth in the Coventry since; potential improver now handicapping but his two starts with soft in the going description aren't encouraging.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

4

(1)

20th Oct 2023

Standard

0m 7f 0y

18:15 Dundalk (AW)

Prince X J

9st 8lb

J: Leigh Roche

T: M D O’Callaghan

Won a 6f Fairyhouse maiden in June but was below that since and now gelded; needs to resume progress.

16/1

11th

2

(3)

20th Aug 2023

Good

0m 6f 0y

14:30 Curragh

Prince X J

9st 11lb

J: Colin Keane

T: M D O’Callaghan

prominent towards far side

8/1

8th

2

(3)

22nd Jul 2023

Yielding To Soft

0m 6f 0y

16:55 Curragh

Prince X J

9st 9lb

J: Colin Keane

T: M D O’Callaghan

Left his previous two starts behind when winning a 6f Fairyhouse maiden last month and out of his depth in the Coventry since; potential improver now handicapping but his two starts with soft in the going description aren't encouraging.

13/2

OUR TIP

Form: 23

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 8lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Creditable debut when a 6l runner-up at Roscommon and ran to a similar level when placed at Gowran last month; drop to 6f could help but seems on a tough opening mark; wears first-time tongue-tie; yard won this last year.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(2)

3rd Oct 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

19:10 Newcastle (AW)

Oligopoly

9st 9lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

Promise for Joseph O'Brien last summer; low-key start for new yard but he ran well for second at Doncaster (7f, good to firm) in August; less good twice since; needs a full revival switched to AW.

9/1

4th

2

(8)

10th Sep 2024

Good

0m 5f 212y

Class 5

15:52 Catterick

Oligopoly

9st 5lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

prominent, lost ground but in touch with leaders under 4f out, switched right towards near side over 2f out

6/1

11th

1

(9)

10th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 7f 37y

Class 5

17:20 Haydock

Oligopoly

9st 11lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Formerly with Joseph O'Brien and he returned to form on his third start for this yard when runner-up at Doncaster (7f, good to firm) last Saturday, behind an improving winner; in the mix if backing up that latest run.

8/1

Non-runners

Lia Fail

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €89.30
Straight Forecast €81.70
Tricast €3505.85

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Ocean Baroque

The Irish Sun:

Oligopoly

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Ocean Baroque

POSTDATA:

Ocean Baroque