April 20 / 14.45 Curragh

14.45

Heavy

Hytech EQ Ultra Handicap

  • Prize money: £15391.3
  • 1m 0f 0y
  • 16 runners
RTV
View Course
Hytech EQ Ultra Handicap

Runners: 16 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.30
  • Place: £1.30

Form: 90131- CD

Last run: 223 days

W: 10st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Ended last season in the form of his life at this track, winning twice including 1m2f premier handicap on final start in September and in between finished a close third in Irish Cambridgeshire over this trip; those efforts came on much better ground however so obvious ground concerns here.
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

10/1

  • Place: £3.80

Form: 3487-5 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Grand sort handles heavy and won a big pot over 7f at Cork last May; left with plenty to do when never nearer fifth in last month's Irish Lincoln on seasonal return, should get closer this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

8

(15)

11th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 111y

17:53 Roscommon

Earls

9st 10lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: Gavin Cromwell

Veteran loves it here; has won eleven times, including three over C&D, most recently off this mark last September; poor both runs this season, however, and not well drawn here.

22/1

16th

2

(6)

19th Apr 2026

Soft

0m 7f 0y

16:45 Curragh

Earls

10st 1lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: Gavin Cromwell

Veteran has won 11 races; sole success last year came off 76 at Roscommon (7.5f, soft); beaten 20l on seasonal return over 1m last time (soft to heavy); others preferred.

40/1

10/1

  • Place: £3.20

Form: 0909-4 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Long losing run but reappeared with fine fourth in Irish Lincoln here last month, having raced prominently; down to a competitive mark and has to enter calculations.
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

9/2

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 874-31 C

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Consistent for Ross O'Sullivan, winning twice over 1m2f on soft ground; up to career-high mark after recent Leopardstown win for this yard over same trip, having his field well strung out when winning going away; cheekpieces now fitted for drop in trip and seems sure to go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

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

5th

9

(4)

18th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 17y

19:50 Roscommon

Mr Rango

9st 0lb

J: Siobhan Rutledge

T: James M Barcoe

Long time since latest of three wins but he's off a good mark nowadays; place behind Amplitude over 1m5f at Ballinrobe last time; rain would help his cause.

12/1

4th

13

(12)

8th May 2026

Yielding To Soft

1m 4f 183y

20:22 Ballinrobe

Mr Rango

9st 1lb

J: Siobhan Rutledge

T: James M Barcoe

Three-time winner at 1m2f on soft or heavy, latest over two years ago; okay runs latest two starts this term but more needed.

14/1

Form: 43057- D

Last run: 181 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Handled heavy ground when winning Bellewstown maiden this time last year; quite highly tried afterwards by Johnny Murtagh, best run when third in Listowel handicap off 91; first start for new yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

9

(4)

17th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

14:26 Naas

Fast Tara

9st 1lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Paul W Flynn

Led, was headed, but then rallied for a 0.5l third of 16 at Limerick (1m, yielding); 1-24 strike rate is not a great return but has placed on many occasions; should go well again off 1lb higher, but this ground may not suit.

15/2

3rd

12

(1)

25th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

1m 0f 50y

16:25 Limerick

Fast Tara

9st 3lb

J: Adam Grant

T: Paul W Flynn

Sole success came in a Bellewstown maiden in April 2023; has run well in defeat at times and should strip fitter for her comeback run at Gowran 17-days ago; place chance if steps forward from that.

14/1

Form: 193-95 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 6lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Highly progressive last season (including on heavy); just respectable runs both starts this season, keeping on late behind Independent Expert over inadequate 7f latest; return to a stiff mile to suit so not one to rule out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

13

(15)

3rd Nov 2024

Soft

1m 0f 0y

14:25 Curragh

Simply Sideways

9st 3lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Timothy Doyle

raced near side, towards rear

14/1

9th

13

(15)

3rd Nov 2024

Soft

1m 0f 0y

14:25 Curragh

Simply Sideways

9st 3lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Timothy Doyle

raced near side, towards rear

14/1

4th

5

(7)

6th Oct 2024

Yielding

1m 1f 0y

13:55 Tipperary

Simply Sideways

9st 9lb

J: Wayne Hassett

T: Timothy Doyle

dwelt start, midfield, soon in touch with leaders, went fourth inside final furlong, ran on, not reach leaders

6/1

Form: 23123- BF

Last run: 169 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Bought for 42,000gns out of Ralph Beckett's yard in December, having won Chepstow maiden last summer and run to a better level subsequently in handicaps at Pontefract and Newmarket (heavy); begins for Joseph O'Brien off a fair mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

(4)

29th Apr 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 50y

Class 1

16:28 Nottingham

Mexicali Rose

9st 2lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

held up in rear, some headway and in touch with leaders over 3f out, weakened from 2f out

9/1

6th

6

(4)

29th Apr 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 50y

Class 1

16:28 Nottingham

Mexicali Rose

9st 2lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

held up in rear, some headway and in touch with leaders over 3f out, weakened from 2f out

9/1

Form: 8204-1 C

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 1lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Mare likes an ease in the ground and was recording fourth career win when making successful seasonal return at Cork last month, beating Scholarship; 4lb rise okay and gets 1m so one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

(9)

26th May 2026

Standard

1m 0f 0y

17:07 Dundalk (AW)

Independent Expert

9st 10lb

J: Shane Foley

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Eight wins, two of them here; latest success was over 7f at Naas in March and ran well in big-field contest at the Curragh next time; disappointed when odds-on for Gowran claimer last week, but picked up a few grazes and she's better than that.

3/1

5th

3

(4)

20th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

17:10 Gowran Park

Independent Expert

9st 10lb

J: J M Sheridan

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Eight-time winner, most recently Naas handicap over this trip in March (soft); safely held both starts since but closely matched with Gloriously Glam on C&D run on these better terms.

9/4

8th

3

(5)

22nd Apr 2026

Soft To Heavy

0m 7f 0y

17:48 Gowran Park

Independent Expert

9st 8lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Eight-time winner, five over this trip; landed 7f handicap at Naas on soft two starts ago; ran well off 4lb higher when beaten 6l into sixth at the Curragh 19 days ago; should go well back in trip and has won off higher in the past.

10/1

Form: 0692-2

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Decent Newbury form (7f) last year for Clive Cox, winning on seasonal debut and ended campaign with good second on heavy; good start for new connections when second to Independent Expert at Cork last month (7f) but remains unproven over 1m.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

(10)

20th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 4f 0y

16:45 Leopardstown

Scholarship

8st 13lb

J: Nicola Burns

T: Gerard O’Leary

midfield, keeping on when repeatedly short of room from over 1f out, ran on well and went second inside final 110yds, no match for winner

12/1

3

(5)

17th Oct 2024

Yielding

1m 2f 0y

15:35 Curragh

Scholarship

9st 9lb

J: Declan McDonogh

T: Gerard O’Leary

Only beaten half a length over C&D in June and bounced back from a lesser effort when runner-up over 1m4f at Listowel last month; drop back in trip on slower ground looks ideal and has to be high on the shortlist.

11/4

2nd

7

(3)

23rd Sep 2024

Good To Yielding

1m 4f 0y

16:20 Listowel

Scholarship

9st 2lb

J: Declan McDonogh

T: Gerard O’Leary

took keen hold, midfield, towards rear after 3f

8/1

25/1

Form: 5/285/

Last run: 1070 days

W: 9st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Smart performer in his day, runner-up in Cork Listed and and ran well in Group 1 company; absent nearly three years so impossible to know what to make of him at this stage.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

(11)

24th May 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

19:20 Curragh

Fiscal Rules

9st 9lb

J: Rory Cleary

T: J S Bolger

Only win came in a Cork maiden in 2020; narrowly denied over 7f at Gowran on his penultimate start and wasn't beaten far in Leopardstown Group 3 since but mark looks tough.

25/1

8th

3

(11)

24th May 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

19:20 Curragh

Fiscal Rules

9st 9lb

J: Rory Cleary

T: J S Bolger

Only win came in a Cork maiden in 2020; narrowly denied over 7f at Gowran on his penultimate start and wasn't beaten far in Leopardstown Group 3 since but mark looks tough.

25/1

5th

2

(1)

12th May 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

15:00 Leopardstown

Fiscal Rules

9st 9lb

J: Declan McDonogh

T: J S Bolger

Highly tried and rated as 3yo but only managed maiden win; back from almost three years off and nearly beat 104-rated foe at Gowran (7f, heavy) on Thursday; turned out again quickly which is a very Bolger thing to do; won't mind this ground and respected.

8/1

Form: 5-8435 CD

Last run: 13 days

W: 8st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Heavily raced seven-time winner; already had three turf runs this season, notably Cork third to Independent Expert; bit to find.
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

12th
15 (15)
Pralognan

25/1

Form: 2/023- D

Last run: 309 days

W: 8st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Juvenile winner in France with placed form at up to 1m4f; faller on last month's hurdles return and this trip looks on the short side.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

10

2nd Nov 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

13:10 Cork

Pralognan

10st 6lb

J: Kevin Sexton

T: A J Martin

Dual-purpose; won off 5lb lower at Downpatrick in June (2m2f, yld-sft) and followed up on the Flat at Newcastle 13 days later; below par in three runs on the level since; career best needed off current mark on return to this sphere.

7/2

3rd

10

2nd Nov 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

13:10 Cork

Pralognan

10st 6lb

J: Kevin Sexton

T: A J Martin

Dual-purpose; won off 5lb lower at Downpatrick in June (2m2f, yld-sft) and followed up on the Flat at Newcastle 13 days later; below par in three runs on the level since; career best needed off current mark on return to this sphere.

7/2

OUR TIP

Form: 61131- D

Last run: 187 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Likeable sort made it three wins from five starts when beating four rivals in rated race at Gowran in October on heavy, his final start; remains relatively unexposed entering handicap ranks here and has to be respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

4

(2)

25th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

1m 0f 50y

16:25 Limerick

Grey Leader

9st 11lb

J: Nicola Burns

T: R P Burns

Five-time winner for Joe Murphy; tailed off on debut for this stable in the Irish Lincolnshire last month; acts on most ground but can only be watched after that latest effort.

25/1

25th

14

(23)

15th Mar 2026

Heavy

1m 0f 0y

16:20 Curragh

Grey Leader

8st 11lb

J: Nicola Burns

T: R P Burns

Won five races for Joe Murphy; acts on heavy ground and could be a useful recruit to the Burns yard; 6lb higher than for his last win, which was achieved at the main expense of Akecheta at Tipperary.

20/1

11th

7

(16)

2nd Nov 2025

Heavy

1m 0f 0y

15:05 Curragh

Grey Leader

9st 7lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: Joseph G Murphy

Goes well in testing ground; won her fifth race when scoring over 1m1f at Tipperary; just ran out of stamina but a decent effort over 1m2f here since; can go well back to 1m.

14/1

14th
7 (1)
Lady Lunette

16/1

Form: 1105-6 CD

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
C&D win last summer came off mark of 84 and not discredited behind Crystal Black over 1m2f here; ambitiously campaigned without success since including recent Naas Listed; will appreciate return to handicaps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(1)

31st Oct 2025

Standard

1m 4f 0y

20:30 Dundalk (AW)

Lady Lunette

10st 2lb

J: Ben Coen

T: R P Cody

Best form has been at 1m2f but it was a Listed race in which she struggled when trying this far for the first time at Naas 19 days ago; others might be better treated anyway; tongue-tie joins regular cheekpieces.

16/1

1st

2

(1)

31st Oct 2025

Standard

1m 4f 0y

20:30 Dundalk (AW)

Lady Lunette

10st 2lb

J: Ben Coen

T: R P Cody

Best form has been at 1m2f but it was a Listed race in which she struggled when trying this far for the first time at Naas 19 days ago; others might be better treated anyway; tongue-tie joins regular cheekpieces.

16/1

11th

5

(16)

12th Oct 2025

Yielding

1m 4f 0y

15:45 Naas

Lady Lunette

9st 7lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: R P Cody

Four wins including 1m2f Sligo fillies handicap in August; never sighted in Gowran Group 3 since and remains unproven over this far.

20/1

Form: 8129-6

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Soft ground winner at Leicester last year bettered that form when second at Newmarket afterwards; encouraging enough seasonal return in Lincoln at Doncaster so not one to rule out on ground he handles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

(21)

15th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

13:45 York

Spirit Genie

9st 9lb

J: George Wood

T: Jennie Candlish

Ended winless 2025 campaign with a placed effort in an above-average seller; starts his 2026 season off 8lb below his last winning mark but chance partly depends on the weather as he's best on ground softer than good.

20/1

4

(12)

2nd Oct 2025

Good To Soft

1m 0f 75y

Class 2

17:10 Nottingham

Spirit Genie

9st 2lb

J: George Wood

T: Jennie Candlish

All five wins have been on good or slower including over C&D; hasn't been at his best this season but there have been some respectable efforts and he didn't get the breaks in a hot seller at Chester (5l third of eighth) 12 days ago; continues to drop down the weights and he could be dangerous back in a handicap.

8/1

7

(2)

20th Sep 2025

Soft

0m 7f 127y

Class 4

15:05 Chester

Spirit Genie

9st 7lb

J: William Pyle

T: Jennie Candlish

All five wins have been on good or slower ground, but he hasn't been at his best this year and was beaten 7l in a Class 4 handicap here (7f, good) last Friday; down the list.

14/1

Form: 0508-0

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Seasoned handicapper yet to win beyond 7f and hasn't won since July 2022; too keen in Lincoln on seasonal return and remains opposable despite reduced mark.
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

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €73.30
Straight Forecast €51.30
Tricast €479.35
Trifecta €1000.60

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Earls

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Grey Leader

The Irish Sun:

Spirit Genie

TOPSPEED:

Casanova

POSTDATA:

Earls