August 20 / 14.30 Curragh

14.30

Good

Plusvital Speed Gene Nursery Handicap

  • Prize money: £7831.86
  • 0m 6f 0y
  • 11 runners
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Plusvital Speed Gene Nursery Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

1st
10 (9)
Duplantis

25/1 (Won)

  • Win: £18.90
  • Place: £4.20

Form: 580

Last run: 31 days

W: 8st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Showed promise on debut behind Prince X J at Fairyhouse but has failed to show any progress in two runs since; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

5

(7)

10th Jan 2025

Standard

0m 7f 0y

17:00 Dundalk (AW)

Duplantis

9st 12lb

J: Donagh Murphy

T: M Halford & T Collins

Winner for Ger Lyons at two; last of nine in a C&D handicap on her stable debut last month; others preferred.

40/1

13th

5

(7)

10th Jan 2025

Standard

0m 7f 0y

17:00 Dundalk (AW)

Duplantis

9st 12lb

J: Donagh Murphy

T: M Halford & T Collins

Winner for Ger Lyons at two; last of nine in a C&D handicap on her stable debut last month; others preferred.

40/1

9th

8

(2)

18th Dec 2024

Standard

0m 7f 0y

17:25 Dundalk (AW)

Duplantis

8st 12lb

J: Leigh Roche

T: M Halford & T Collins

Won Curragh nursery for Ger Lyons last year but nothing to take from three turf runs this year; AW debut for new yard and hard to be confident in on first start since June.

20/1

11/4

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 442

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Ran okay in a couple of maidens and stepped up on that when just failing to get up in a Cork nursery; stepping up to 6f is likely to suit although potential soft ground is an unknown; leading contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(1)

6th Sep 2023

Good

0m 6f 0y

18:40 Cork

Carnegie Hall

9st 5lb

J: Seamie Heffernan

T: A P O’Brien

Some fine runs in defeat at sprint trips, including in nurseries and at this track; probably failed to stay 7f last time; rated 84; big chance of scoring.

6/5

6th

1

(4)

26th Aug 2023

Good

0m 7f 0y

19:10 Curragh

Carnegie Hall

9st 12lb

J: Seamie Heffernan

T: A P O’Brien

soon led, joined 3f out, ridden when headed over 1f out, weakened towards far side final furlong

11/4

10/1

  • Place: £2.60

Form: 459

Last run: 53 days

W: 9st 0lb

2 yo Filly

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Showed plenty of abiity on debut in a 5f Cord maiden in May; has kept good company since while not really progressing; soft ground would be a question but certainly an interesting runner in her first handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

(11)

27th Apr 2026

Yielding

0m 5f 205y

18:15 Naas

Staysound Susie

9st 4lb

J: Jimmy Dalton

T: Andrew Slattery

Career-best on latest to land a nice pot at the Curragh (6f, sft-hvy) under this rider, her fourth win; ground-versatile but she'll need to improve again to follow up off a career-high mark of 90.

4/1

1st

4

(8)

3rd Apr 2026

Soft

0m 6f 0y

13:57 Curragh

Staysound Susie

9st 9lb

J: Jimmy Dalton

T: Andrew Slattery

Won 5f course handicap (heavy) on final run of 2025 off 8lb lower; needed her seasonal return but eyecatching effort here over 5f six days ago when third of 14, finishing off to good effect; should be bang there for stable in terrific form.

5/1

3rd

12

(10)

28th Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

0m 5f 0y

13:55 Curragh

Staysound Susie

8st 10lb

J: Jimmy Dalton

T: Andrew Slattery

Won over C&D (heavy) on final run of 2025 off 7lb lower; moderate effort when a 7.75l fifth behind Dmaniac here on seasonal return (6f, heavy); will be sharper now but may need a bit more help from the handicapper.

16/1

5/2

Form: 60312 CD BF

Last run: 15 days

W: 10st 2lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Bolted up in the first nursery of the season over C&D last month; ducked left when second over 7f at Galway subsequently; should be much more back at home on his return here; 15lb higher but softer ground will suit and he sets a decent standard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

3

(5)

31st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Goodwood

Jakajaro

9st 4lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Robert Cowell

5yo front-runner who has been better than ever this year, comfortably winning a handicap at York (5f, good) in May and posting a fine fifth of 26 at Royal Ascot (5f, good to firm) last month; third in Group 2 Sapphire Stakes at the Curragh (5f, good to firm) recently and he could build on those last two efforts, which were on stiff tracks, now on a downhill course; respected.

6/1

3rd

3

(5)

18th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

15:25 Curragh

Jakajaro

9st 9lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Robert Cowell

Prominent racer started his campaign with back-to-back handicap wins at Newmarket (5f, good) and York (5f, good); yet to score at Pattern level but huge runs the last twice in the Group 2 Temple Stakes at Haydock (5f, good) and when a 1.5l fifth of 26 in the King Charles III (5f, gd-fm) at Royal Ascot; fourth in this last year and should be in the mix again.

9/2

5th

6

(23)

16th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:40 Ascot

Jakajaro

9st 7lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Robert Cowell

3-30 turf strike-rate doesn't do justice to his ability and he confirmed his recent improvement when a highly creditable fourth, again from the front, in a Group 2 at Haydock (good to soft; acts well on good) in May; this stiffer track and tougher opposition are likely to count against him.

25/1

50/1

Form: 4005

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Modest maiden form; 4lb wrong and does not make much appeal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

(1)

1st Sep 2026

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

16:42 Wolverhampton (AW)

Velvet Skies

9st 9lb

J: Ethan Tindall

T: Gary Harrison

Ought to have coped much better with the good to soft turf when down the field at Ayr (6f) three weeks ago but ran on well for second behind a next-time-out winner over C&D on stable debut in July and has good claims if judged on that performance.

11/2

10th

1

(9)

10th Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

15:45 Ayr

Velvet Skies

9st 12lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: Gary Harrison

On a losing run but he made a good start for new yard (formerly with Stephen Hanlon) with second of 12 in 7f Wolverhampton handicap 11 days ago; up 2lb but not taken lightly.

7/2

2nd

3

(2)

30th Jul 2026

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

20:07 Wolverhampton (AW)

Velvet Skies

9st 12lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Gary Harrison

Three-time winner in Ireland (7f/6f; AW/turf); 0-5 for Stephen Hanlon this year and he was well held at Hamilton (8.5f) 76 days ago; off since and now starts out for another new stable.

16/1

6/1

Form: 5042

Last run: 29 days

W: 8st 13lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
No match for Jakajaro here last month; 15lb better off today and handles soft; blinkers worn that day are left off today though.
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

Form: 403223 BF

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 4lb

2 yo Filly

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Touched off in maidens at Bellewstown and Navan last month; took on a good one in A Lilac Rolla at Cork last time over this trip; handles any ground, looks fairly handicapped and likely to run her race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

1

(11)

4th Oct 2023

Soft

0m 5f 164y

14:25 Navan

West Of Wichita

9st 12lb

J: Calum Hogan

T: Kevin Thomas Coleman

Placed four times incl' over 5f here on soft in July; below form last time but that was her 7th start and has been freshened up since so could bounce back.

4/1

7th

4

(1)

20th Aug 2023

Good

0m 6f 0y

14:30 Curragh

West Of Wichita

9st 4lb

J: Nathan Crosse

T: Kevin Thomas Coleman

started quickly, led against far rail

5/1

3rd

12

(15)

28th Jul 2023

Good To Yielding

0m 6f 0y

16:15 Cork

West Of Wichita

8st 12lb

J: Seamie Heffernan

T: Kevin Thomas Coleman

Solid maiden runs at this venue over 5f and 6f on either side of an ambitious Group 3 tilt; narrowly beaten over 5f at Bellewstown on her fourth start; second again over the minimum trip at Navan; can be fancied to uphold form with fifth-placed Answer Me Nay.

4/1

Form: 099

Last run: 39 days

W: 9st 0lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Down the field in three maiden starts and not much chance taken with his opening mark; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

13

(5)

11th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

16:38 Dundalk (AW)

Guest Star

9st 0lb

J: Sadhbh Tormey

T: T G McCourt

Sole win in a 40-race career came in a claimer at this venue last year; recent fourth was in the same grade; handicap form is uninspiring.

33/1

4th

8

(2)

23rd Jan 2026

Standard

1m 2f 150y

16:30 Dundalk (AW)

Guest Star

9st 6lb

J: Sadhbh Tormey

T: T G McCourt

Sole win came in a C&D claimer this time last year; hasn't looked like adding to his tally in recent Flat and hurdle starts; last of 14 here last time.

66/1

12th

12

27th Aug 2025

Good

2m 1f 40y

19:25 Bellewstown

Guest Star

10st 8lb

J: Paul Kavanagh

T: John C McConnell

AW winner is 0-6 hurdling and no great impact so far in handicaps.

25/1

Form: 380

Last run: 58 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Glimpes of ability in three runs although ran no race at Down Royal last time; cheekpieces tried here but needs to find more off this mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

5th Oct 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

13:55 Gowran Park

St Laurences Gate

11st 0lb

J: Shaun Greene

T: James M Barrett

Third in a 1m handicap at Limerick in July (Apollo Prince second) but little to recommend bar that; best watched on his hurdles debut.

66/1

13

(6)

3rd Sep 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

16:30 Gowran Park

St Laurences Gate

9st 0lb

J: Darragh O’Sullivan

T: James M Barrett

prominent, lost position when saddle slipped from 6f out, dropped to last from 4f out, pulled up over 2f out

20/1

13th

12

(10)

8th Aug 2024

Good

1m 1f 0y

19:52 Leopardstown

St Laurences Gate

8st 11lb

J: Seamie Heffernan

T: James M Barrett

midfield

10/1

Form: 330

Last run: 99 days

W: 9st 1lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Showed ability twice at Dundalk in the spring; ran no race on soft at Navan when last seen in May and gelded since; best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

(3)

4th Sep 2024

Standard

0m 7f 1y

Class 6

16:15 Lingfield (AW)

Excel In Space

9st 6lb

J: William Carson

T: Tony Carroll

midfield

16/1

4th

3

(5)

7th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 5f 215y

Class 6

14:55 Brighton

Excel In Space

9st 7lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: Tony Carroll

pulled hard, prominent, squeezed out and lost position over 2f out, soon switched left and rallied, hung left over 1f out, weakened final 110yds

16/1

5th

5

(5)

9th Jul 2024

Good To Soft

0m 5f 215y

Class 6

19:55 Brighton

Excel In Space

9st 1lb

J: Neil Callan

T: Tony Carroll

Came nearest to a first win when going down narrowly on second start, over 5f on Dundalk AW; little to show for handicap runs over further, including for new yard over 1m at Leicester recently; has it to prove at present but the return to sprinting is a plus.

16/1

OUR TIP

Form: 97108 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 11lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Won a good ground maiden at Fairyhouse in June; well beaten twice since including behind Jakajaro here last month; best watched for now.
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

Non-runners

Count Von Browne

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €113.20
Straight Forecast €63.51
Tricast €636.92
Trifecta €1428.50

Selections

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Carnegie Hall

SPOTLIGHT:

Jakajaro

POSTDATA:

Carnegie Hall

The Irish Sun:

Carnegie Hall