April 06 / 15.25 Curragh

15.25

Heavy

Hytech EQ Ultra Handicap

  • Prize money: £15391.3
  • 1m 0f 0y
  • 10 runners
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Hytech EQ Ultra Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

Abandoned

Form: 90131- CD

Last run: 209 days

W: 10st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Won twice here last year on good to yielding, over 1m and 1m2f; raised 9lb for beating 21 rivals the last time but perhaps a greater concern is that he's not yet been seen to best effect on deep ground.
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

Form: 61131- D

Last run: 173 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Seems fine on all ground and has won three of his five starts, the latest a rated race at Gowran (1m); the handicapper pushed him up 7lb to a mark of 90 but he did post an RPR of 100 that day; hard to dismiss.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

(2)

13th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 20y

19:00 Killarney

Grey Leader

9st 1lb

J: Nicola Burns

T: R P Burns

Five wins for Joe Murphy, latest of them over 1m1f at Tipperary in October; big prices and has shown little in four starts for this yard; mark tumbling, but prefers it soft and will be of more interest when the rain returns.

20/1

10th

7

(1)

30th Jun 2026

Good

1m 2f 63y

19:30 Roscommon

Grey Leader

9st 12lb

J: Nicola Burns

T: R P Burns

Five-time winner for Joe Murphy; yet to find his form for this stable; reduced rating now (4lb below his last winning mark) but needs to show some spark before becoming a betting proposition again.

14/1

8th

2

(7)

22nd Jun 2026

Yielding

1m 1f 163y

18:55 Ballinrobe

Grey Leader

10st 2lb

J: Nicola Burns

T: R P Burns

Five-time winner for Joe Murphy; tailed off on debut for this stable in the Irish Lincoln; again struggled when dropped in class at Limerick; trainer/rider combined for a win at Limerick last Friday.

25/1

Form: 43057- D

Last run: 167 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Went 1-11 for Johnny Murtagh with the victory coming in a 1m heavy-ground maiden at Bellewstown 12 months ago; often highly tried and was placed in her only previous handicap off 2lb higher; interesting to see what Joseph O'Brien can do with her.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

(6)

12th Jun 2026

Yielding To Soft

0m 7f 0y

17:23 Gowran Park

Fast Tara

9st 2lb

J: J M Sheridan

T: Paul W Flynn

Placed twice in handicaps this season but only one career win from 27 starts is a concern; finished last in Listed company at Navan on Sunday; new headgear combination is tried now.

10/1

9th

3

(3)

7th Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 30y

16:02 Navan

Fast Tara

9st 9lb

J: Luke McAteer

T: Paul W Flynn

Placed twice in handicaps this term; only one win from 26 starts; faces a huge task in this company.

33/1

Form: 0508-0

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Multiple winner who goes particularly well at Galway and yet he's 0-14 here (runner-up three times); finished well behind in the Irish Lincolnshire on his recent C&D reappearance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

(6)

10th Jan 2025

Standard

0m 7f 0y

17:00 Dundalk (AW)

Current Option

10st 0lb

J: Darragh O’Sullivan

T: Adrian McGuinness

took keen hold, prominent, joined leader over 4f out, led under 3f out, headed over 1f out, lost second when lost action inside final 110yds, eased towards finish, looked to go wrong

3/1

4th

3

(6)

10th Jan 2025

Standard

0m 7f 0y

17:00 Dundalk (AW)

Current Option

10st 0lb

J: Darragh O’Sullivan

T: Adrian McGuinness

took keen hold, prominent, joined leader over 4f out, led under 3f out, headed over 1f out, lost second when lost action inside final 110yds, eased towards finish, looked to go wrong

3/1

2nd

9

(9)

18th Dec 2024

Standard

0m 7f 0y

17:25 Dundalk (AW)

Current Option

8st 8lb

J: Jamie Powell

T: Adrian McGuinness

Once very useful sort with eight turf wins but is yet to win on AW; fine effort from the front over inadequate 6f (rider dropped whip) here last Friday and one to consider back at his optimum trip and rider's valuable claim.

13/2

Abandoned

Form: 0909-4 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Stuck on a losing run but he's well handicapped and travelled better than most when fourth of 19 in the Irish Lincolnshire over C&D; must have every chance with Adam Caffrey taking off 5lb this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

(2)

16th Jul 2025

Good

1m 0f 40y

17:20 Killarney

Casanova

9st 6lb

J: Adam Caffrey

T: Adrian McGuinness

Seasoned handicapper has deteriorated considerably this year, never counting in a Ballinrobe claimer on latest; very hard to be confident in.

14/1

6th

6

(7)

4th Jul 2025

Good

0m 7f 195y

16:40 Bellewstown

Casanova

9st 6lb

J: Julian Pietropaolo

T: Adrian McGuinness

Has struggled in eight starts since winning a 1m1f Listowel handicap last autumn; rated 85 after that success, now 15lb lower but even so can be given a chance at these weights; good 7lb claimer aboard.

4/1

Abandoned

Form: 9874-3 C BF

Last run: 13 days

W: 8st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Consistent and will like the ground; very encouraging return at Naas 13 days ago when finishing his race off well over a 7f trip that seems too sharp; good chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

7

(6)

7th Jul 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

20:00 Tramore

Mr Rango

9st 8lb

J: Siobhan Rutledge

T: James M Barcoe

Three-time winner at 1m2f on soft or heavy, latest over two years ago; fair form this season and proved he can stay when second at 33-1 over 2m1f at Limerick last month.

11/2

2nd

7

(9)

10th Jun 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 0y

20:20 Limerick

Mr Rango

9st 8lb

J: Siobhan Rutledge

T: James M Barcoe

Three-time winner at 1m2f on soft or heavy, latest over two years ago; fair form this season but good bit to find with a couple of these on recent Leopardstown run and remains unproven over this extended trip.

16/1

8th

4

(7)

20th May 2026

Good

1m 5f 170y

19:50 Gowran Park

Mr Rango

9st 12lb

J: Siobhan Rutledge

T: James M Barcoe

Three-time winner at 1m2f on soft or heavy, latest over two years ago; fair form this season but needs to find extra; ran in the 7.50 at Roscommon on Monday.

12/1

Abandoned

Form: 668-00 CD

Last run: 13 days

W: 8st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Five-time winner but it's been a quiet start to this season, over 5f here and then 7f at Naas (well behind Mr Rango and Duke Of Leggagh); cheekpieces added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(5)

20th Jul 2026

Good

1m 1f 135y

18:40 Ballinrobe

Loingseoir

10st 0lb

J: Jack Cleary

T: M C Grassick

Seven career wins and probably not as dependent on soft ground as he once was; consistent this season without really threatening to win and likely to run his race again.

10/1

6th

3

(5)

8th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

20:30 Fairyhouse

Loingseoir

10st 0lb

J: Jack Cleary

T: M C Grassick

Largely consistent veteran whose seven wins range in trips from 7f to 1m4f, most recently at lower limit at the Curragh last autumn; recent Leopardstown fourth (Green Kite second) was a seasonal-best but this ground possibly on the quick side.

8/1

Form: 55650- D

Last run: 122 days

W: 8st 9lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Both wins (from 25 starts) came back-to-back at Gowran last May (1m, yielding; 1m1f, soft); 5lb higher than for that latest success and the year didn't end well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(2)

14th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 4f 46y

16:45 Roscommon

You Owe Me Money

10st 1lb

J: Jack Cleary

T: Gerard O’Leary

towards rear but in touch with leaders

14/1

4th

1

(8)

3rd Sep 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

15:55 Gowran Park

You Owe Me Money

9st 9lb

J: Jack Cleary

T: Gerard O’Leary

Top rated two time course winner for former yard, including at this trip; running well in handicaps this season; beaten 0.5l at Naas off 75 latest (10.5f, good to yielding); her course wins came on easy ground and today's conditions and drop in trip have to be a concern.

9/4

2nd

1

(14)

25th Aug 2024

Yielding

1m 2f 84y

16:52 Naas

You Owe Me Money

10st 0lb

J: Jack Cleary

T: Gerard O’Leary

midfield, towards rear halfway, switched right towards near side under 3f out, keeping on when switched left inside final 110yds, went second towards finish

12/1

Form: 5937-7 BF

Last run: 13 days

W: 8st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Second to Paddington in the Madrid Handicap first time back last season and he won next time over 1m2f; beaten 11l on this season's return at Naas when behind Mr Rango, but could strip fitter for that and returning to further is a definite plus.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

8

(4)

20th Jul 2026

Good

1m 4f 179y

19:10 Ballinrobe

Duke Of Leggagh

9st 4lb

J: Hannah Rafferty

T: Michael Mulvany

Dangerous when gets his favoured soft conditions, as he did when bolting up at Bellewstown in October; however, he's never won off a mark this high, he lacks a run and this ground may be on the lively side.

12/1

7th

2

(12)

20th Oct 2025

Yielding

1m 3f 175y

17:25 Gowran Park

Duke Of Leggagh

9st 11lb

J: Wesley Joyce

T: Michael Mulvany

Gained sixth win of his career at Bellewstown on penultimate (12.5f, soft); beaten off revised mark off 77 latest but he'll relish testing conditions if the rain comes and he's gone well here before.

7/1

5th

2

(12)

13th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 4f 46y

16:35 Roscommon

Duke Of Leggagh

9st 11lb

J: Wesley Joyce

T: Michael Mulvany

C&D winner in May (good) and went in again at Bellewstown (1m4f, soft) 12 days ago when merely pushed out for a 5l verdict; the 8lb rise asks a question but should give it his best shot.

5/1

Form: 05-843 CD

Last run: 7 days

W: 8st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Thoroughly exposed 9yo but was close up behind Mr Rango at Naas and then went close at Cork, again over 7f on heavy; those efforts bode well when probably a better horse over this far.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

12

(23)

3rd Nov 2024

Soft

0m 7f 0y

13:25 Curragh

Sirjack Thomas

9st 2lb

J: Ben Coen

T: Adrian McGuinness

towards rear, headway over 1f out, kept on, never on terms

22/1

11th

12

(23)

3rd Nov 2024

Soft

0m 7f 0y

13:25 Curragh

Sirjack Thomas

9st 2lb

J: Ben Coen

T: Adrian McGuinness

towards rear

22/1

8th

6

(6)

7th Oct 2024

Yielding To Soft

1m 0f 30y

15:30 Killarney

Sirjack Thomas

9st 2lb

J: Adam Caffrey

T: Adrian McGuinness

Dropping down the handicap has led to a revival in recent months, winning a 1m handicap at Dundalk and a 7f Galway handicap last month; continued in fair form with Listowel fourth; ground versatile, one for the short list.

9/2

Verdict

Fast Tara has often been highly tried and she was placed in her only previous handicap, so she’s interesting kicking off for Joseph O’Brien. Mr Rango and Duke Of Leggagh are others for the shortlist but CASANOVA (nap) is back to a mark he should be winning off and it was an excellent return effort in the Irish Lincolnshire.[Alistair Jones]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Casanova

POSTDATA:

Mr Rango

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Casanova

TOPSPEED:

Casanova

The Irish Sun:

Casanova