October 12 / 15.50 Naas

15.50

Yielding

RFL Steels Stakes (Listed Race)

  • Prize money: £20521.74
  • 0m 5f 205y
  • 8 runners
RTV
View Course
RFL Steels Stakes (Listed Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Scattered showers

9/4 (Won)

Form: 316311 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 12lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Has sustained a high level of form at the Curragh since winning a 6f Listed race in June; close third in the Group 3 Phoenix Sprint Stakes; promoted 7lb to 113 after winning a premier handicap on Champions weekend; backed that up with Group 3 win 13 days ago, beating today's rivals Big Gossey and Torivega.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(9)

16th Apr 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Newmarket

My Mate Alfie

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Ex-Irish gelding whose good spell in 2024 featured a Group 3 win and who ran creditably a few times last year; seemed to need the run at Doncaster on stable/seasonal debut but has work to do to reverse placings with Aramram and Jasour.

25/1

8th

11

(6)

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 2y

Class 1

13:50 Doncaster

My Mate Alfie

9st 10lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Previously trained by Ger Lyons in Ireland; best efforts in 2025 when runner-up in Listed event and Group 3 at the Curragh (both 6f, good); changed hands for 250,000gns in the autumn; major player if cherry ripe on his first start for new connections and needs watching carefully in the market.

4/1

5th

4

(8)

28th Sep 2025

Good To Yielding

0m 6f 0y

15:12 Curragh

My Mate Alfie

9st 7lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: G M Lyons

Enjoyed a purple patch at the backend of last season which included a win in this race; had been running well in defeat this season until failing to fire in the Group 1 Sprint Cup at Haydock; may be able to get back on track in these calmer waters, especially with rain forecast.

100/30

Form: 060872 D

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Winner of four races, including a 5f Group 3 on heavy ground at Newbury last autumn; has run in several valuable sprint handicaps this season; appreciated the drop in class when second at the Curragh last Saturday; a lot more on his plate now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

23th

20

(15)

20th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

Thunderbear

9st 2lb

J: James Ryan

T: Jack W Davison

Back on song when convincing winner of a 6f Listed event at Naas (yielding) last October; unable to get involved in two runs at that level in 2026 but he was badly checked back at Naas in April and in better form than the 5l defeat suggests; however, he has more to prove back on this track with good to firm ground quicker than ideal; regular cheekpieces are discarded.

66/1

11th

3

(12)

27th Apr 2026

Yielding

0m 5f 0y

19:15 Naas

Thunderbear

9st 12lb

J: James Ryan

T: Jack W Davison

Five-time winner best with a bit of cut in the ground; sole win last season came in a Listed heat at this venue (6f, yielding); may have needed his comeback at Cork and likes it here, but would probably like to see some rain.

25/1

6th

3

(9)

4th Apr 2026

Soft

0m 6f 0y

16:02 Cork

Thunderbear

9st 12lb

J: James Ryan

T: Jack W Davison

Just five runs last year but won a Listed race at Naas over this trip in October before a disappointing run in France, even allowing for a less than smooth passage; can run well if back to his best.

8/1

OUR TIP

Form: 614592 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Six of his eight career wins have come at the Curragh, including twice in the Bold Lad Handicap and in the Scurry; confirmed his liking for that venue when second to My Mate Alfie 13 days ago; with a 7lb turnaround now, he has prospects of a belated breakthrough at stakes level at the 18th attempt; third in this race last year.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

(3)

19th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

15:15 Curragh

Big Gossey

9st 10lb

J: W J Lee

T: Charles O’Brien

Entering legendary course specialist status after adding a tenth win at the venue in a Listed race last time (6f, good); prior to that he won a C&D Listed contest in March (soft to heavy) when seeing off East Hampton by 1.5l; got closest to subsequent Group 1 winner Comanche Brave when a 2l second in a 6f Group 2 here on penultimate (good); always a danger around here and should go well again.

11/4

1st

1

(5)

28th Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

14:10 Curragh

Big Gossey

9st 10lb

J: W J Lee

T: Charles O’Brien

Gallant grey veteran is an eight-time course winner and no signs of slowing down this season; won Listed race here in March (7f, sft-hvy) and another cracking run when runner up in the Group 2 Greenlands Stakes here in May (6f, good, Fregada 2.5l behind); goes on any ground, was fourth in this last year and another big run likely on the cards here.

11/4

2nd

2

(9)

23rd May 2026

Good To Yielding

0m 6f 0y

15:05 Curragh

Big Gossey

9st 5lb

J: W J Lee

T: Charles O’Brien

Splendid veteran showed he retained enthusiasm when winning the 7f Gladness Stakes in March, his ninth Curragh win on his 50th visit; found 5f too sharp at Naas last time; runs in this event for the fourth consecutive year, second at 25-1 in 2023, ninth in 2024, third behind James Delight at 33-1 last season; asking a lot now in a strong edition.

12/1

Form: 217346

Last run: 6 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Consistent filly; won a 6f Curragh maiden in June; creditable efforts in defeat over 7f or a bit further in Listed contests at Galway, Cork and Tipperary; not one of the stronger contenders here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

(1)

8th Nov 2024

Standard

1m 0f 0y

18:30 Dundalk (AW)

Ojw Legacy

9st 2lb

J: J M Sheridan

T: Andrew Slattery

midfield, headway towards far side and in touch with leaders over 1f out, disputing second final 110yds, no extra towards finish

7/1

5th

9

(1)

8th Nov 2024

Standard

1m 0f 0y

18:30 Dundalk (AW)

Ojw Legacy

9st 2lb

J: J M Sheridan

T: Andrew Slattery

midfield, headway towards far side and in touch with leaders over 1f out, disputing second final 110yds, no extra towards finish

7/1

4th

9

(3)

12th Oct 2024

Yielding

0m 5f 205y

15:50 Naas

Ojw Legacy

9st 2lb

J: Andrew Slattery

T: Andrew Slattery

Consistent filly; won a 6f Curragh maiden in June; creditable efforts in defeat over 7f or a bit further in Listed contests at Galway, Cork and Tipperary; not one of the stronger contenders here.

14/1

Form: 413003 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Three-time winner, most recently in a 6f conditions race at Fairyhouse in June; good third to My Mate Alfie in a 6f Listed race at the Curragh in June; well beaten next two starts; more like it again a long-priced third behind My Mate Alfie and Torivega in the Bold Lad.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

19th

3

(8)

18th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 63y

14:50 Curragh

Tango Flare

9st 13lb

J: Luke McAteer

T: Patrick T Foley

Beat course specialist Big Gossey when winning the Bold Lad Handicap here last September; no luck in running in two handicaps this term; won a Fairyhouse conditions race for the third time in four years before a fine second to Big Gossey in a Listed race here last time, a whisker in front of Bodhi Bear.

9/1

2nd

3

(8)

28th Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

14:10 Curragh

Tango Flare

9st 7lb

J: Luke McAteer

T: Patrick T Foley

Beat Big Gossey by 0.5l when winning the Bold Lad Handicap here last September but was in receipt of 10lbs; slow start to this season but back on song in Fairyhouse median auction race latest, winning it for the third time; unlucky in running when down the field in this last season; will like this ground.

13/2

1st

2

(1)

5th Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

18:00 Fairyhouse

Tango Flare

9st 13lb

J: Luke McAteer

T: Patrick T Foley

Won the first two renewals of this race in 2023 and 2024 and was runner up behind the talented King Cuan last year; won the Bold Lad (6f, yielding) last September and was then runner up in listed company at Naas; below best in two handicap starts this term but could bounce back.

7/1

7/2

Form: 304323 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Just a Cork maiden win last year to his tally, but has performed with credit this season; excellent second in the 25-runner Bold Lad last month (splitting My Mate Alfie and Tango Flare); improved again when third behind My Mate Alfie and Big Gossey last time; has a 7lb turnaround with the year-younger winner.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

(6)

12th Oct 2024

Yielding

0m 5f 205y

15:50 Naas

Torivega

9st 7lb

J: W J Lee

T: Ms Sheila Lavery

Just a Cork maiden win last year to his tally, but has performed with credit this season; excellent second in the 25-runner Bold Lad last month (splitting My Mate Alfie and Tango Flare); improved again when third behind My Mate Alfie and Big Gossey last time; has a 7lb turnaround with the year-younger winner.

7/2

3rd

4

(8)

29th Sep 2024

Yielding

0m 6f 0y

15:15 Curragh

Torivega

9st 7lb

J: David Egan

T: Ms Sheila Lavery

midfield, headway 1f out, ran on well towards near side and went third towards finish

10/1

2nd

6

(12)

15th Sep 2024

Good

0m 6f 0y

13:50 Curragh

Torivega

9st 8lb

J: David Egan

T: Ms Sheila Lavery

midfield

9/1

Form: 928889 CD

Last run: 41 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Dual Group 3 winner; by far his best effort this season when second over 5f at this venue in May; found wanting in three subsequent Curragh outings and at Tipperary last time with various forms of headgear tried; hard to fancy.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

12

(9)

6th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 3y

Class 2

17:55 Epsom

Twilight Jet

8st 12lb

J: Ashley Lewis

T: Jim & Suzi Best

Won by 4l last Saturday to complete a Lingfield turf double; raised a whopping 12lb but is still well treated on best form, which includes close second (off 4lb higher) in this contest in 2025; fighting chance.

14/1

1st

1

(6)

30th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

20:42 Lingfield

Twilight Jet

10st 0lb

J: Ashley Lewis

T: Jim & Suzi Best

Ex-Irish 7yo who had a much higher mark this time last year; well backed all day and on course when winning over C&D 12 days ago, and there's every chance he can defy a 3lb rise under Ashley Lewis, who has plenty of experience for his 3lb claim in this company.

Evs

8th
3 (5)
Shandy

10/1

Form: 076106 CD

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Sprang 50-1 surprise when coming home strongly to land the Group 3 Ballyogan Stakes over C&D in August; in rear in the Curragh premier handicap won by My Mate Alfie; raced too keenly in a similar race to this at the Curragh a week ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

(5)

12th Oct 2024

Yielding

0m 5f 205y

15:50 Naas

Shandy

9st 7lb

J: J M Sheridan

T: J A Stack

Sprang 50-1 surprise when coming home strongly to land the Group 3 Ballyogan Stakes over C&D in August; in rear in the Curragh premier handicap won by My Mate Alfie; raced too keenly in a similar race to this at the Curragh a week ago.

10/1

6th

1

(6)

5th Oct 2024

Good

0m 6f 0y

14:15 Curragh

Shandy

9st 7lb

J: Seamie Heffernan

T: J A Stack

dwelt start, midfield, headway and in touch with leaders 2f out, disputing third inside final furlong, weakened inside final 110yds

11/2

24th

3

(2)

15th Sep 2024

Good

0m 6f 0y

13:50 Curragh

Shandy

9st 8lb

J: Darragh O’Sullivan

T: J A Stack

towards rear

12/1

Non-runners

Expressova

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Straight Forecast €39.43

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Big Gossey

POSTDATA:

My Mate Alfie

The Irish Sun:

Torivega

TOPSPEED:

Thunderbear

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Big Gossey