April 21 / 16.18 Cork

16.18

Yielding To Soft

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  • Prize money: £8876.11
  • 1m 2f 30y
  • 5 runners
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Runners: 5 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Scattered showers

11/8 (Won)

  • Win: £3.00
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 413-

Last run: 223 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Promising debut at the Curragh in June, running green in a 7f maiden won by stablemate and subsequent Group 1 winner Proud And Regal; still green when beating a Ballydoyle newcomer over 1m at Killarney; confirmed a high standard of form when third of five behind subsequent Vertem Futurity winner Auguste Rodin in 1m Group 2 at Leopardstown; scratched from Ballysax Stakes three weeks ago due to heavy ground; ought to get this trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(1)

11th May 2023

Good To Soft

1m 2f 70y

Class 1

14:40 Chester

Alder

9st 2lb

J: Gavin Ryan

T: Donnacha Aidan O’Brien

Dante, Derby and King Edward VII entry; third of five in Group 2 at Leopardstown (1m, soft) on final 2yo start; resumed with further improvement against useful sorts in a conditions event at Cork (1m2f, good to yielding) three weeks ago, having to be switched just inside the final 2f before sealing the issue in tidy style; the form pick and he looks promising.

5/2

1st

1

(5)

21st Apr 2023

Yielding To Soft

1m 2f 30y

16:18 Cork

Alder

9st 9lb

J: Gavin Ryan

T: Donnacha Aidan O’Brien

Promising debut at the Curragh in June, running green in a 7f maiden won by stablemate and subsequent Group 1 winner Proud And Regal; still green when beating a Ballydoyle newcomer over 1m at Killarney; confirmed a high standard of form when third of five behind subsequent Vertem Futurity winner Auguste Rodin in 1m Group 2 at Leopardstown; scratched from Ballysax Stakes three weeks ago due to heavy ground; ought to get this trip.

11/8

1

(6)

2nd Apr 2023

Soft

1m 2f 0y

15:45 Leopardstown

Alder

9st 5lb

J: Gavin Ryan

T: Donnacha Aidan O’Brien

Promising debut at the Curragh in June, running green in a 7f maiden won by stablemate and subsequent Group 1 winner Proud And Regal; still green when beating a Ballydoyle newcomer over 1m at Killarney; confirmed a high standard of form when third of five behind subsequent Vertem Futurity winner Auguste Rodin in a 1m Group 2 event here; ought to get this trip.

3/1

OUR TIP

100/30

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 21-

Last run: 168 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Staying-on second in easy ground Leopardstown maiden before workmanlike (rider felt he briefly lost action) when going one better as 1-5 fav in AW contest; well entered up in the Classics; steps up from 1m and bred to stay.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(16)

22nd Jun 2023

Good

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

15:05 Ascot

Bertinelli

9st 9lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

Useful form on reappearance; built on that when winning his handicap debut at Newbury (1m2f, good; unraced on firmer) one month later, rather scraping home and in a bunched finish but that was the London Gold Cup which is so often a strong race; up 5lb but 1m4f is calling loudly now (his dam is sister to the 2018 Oaks winner) and he can make further improvement.

6/1

1st

2

(10)

20th May 2023

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Newbury

Bertinelli

9st 5lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

midfield, pushed along towards near side 2f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on well final furlong, led inside final 110yds, just did enough

7/1

2nd

2

(1)

21st Apr 2023

Yielding To Soft

1m 2f 30y

16:18 Cork

Bertinelli

9st 9lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

Staying-on second in easy ground Leopardstown maiden before workmanlike (rider felt he briefly lost action) when going one better as 1-5 fav in AW contest; well entered up in the Classics; steps up from 1m and bred to stay.

100/30

Form: 314-34

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Galway maiden winner was only a length behind Alder when fourth of five in Leopardstown Group 2 last year; well held both starts this term including when not getting home in Ballysax Stakes over this trip last time; has made the running last three starts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

5th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 195y

Class 2

16:05 Plumpton

Serious Challenge

12st 0lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Has improved for patient tactics, winning at Haydock (1m7f, good) before going close in the always-strong Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso (good to soft); raised 3lb for that but this former smart Flat performer should be seen to good effect around here.

6/1

2nd

5

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 51y

Class 2

14:55 Kelso

Serious Challenge

11st 9lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Made it four wins from his eight starts over hurdles (various ground) when returning to form to score at Haydock (1m7f, good) two months ago, when ridden more patiently; 5lb higher in a better race today and needs a career-best but he's unexposed under hold-up tactics and is not written off.

10/1

4th

2

26th Oct 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

15:30 Aintree

Serious Challenge

11st 3lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Talented Flat performer (stayed 1m6f) who won three novice hurdles this year (2m4f/2m, various ground) before finishing fourth of 14 in novice handicap final at Sandown (2m, good) in April; could have more to offer now back up in trip and trainer has won the last three runnings.

5/2

Form: 1-

Last run: 211 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Breeze-up purchase had a barrier trial under his belt when making a winning debut, justifying odds-on favouritism, at Listowel (1m, soft); runner-up won next time and is now rated 83; scopey sort holds an Irish Guineas entry and is another that, on pedigree, should get this trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16th

1

(20)

24th May 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 6f 0y

17:40 Curragh

Lark In The Mornin

10st 3lb

J: J M Sheridan

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Good form on the Flat when last seen, taking third at Listowel before winning at 4-11 in a Bellewstown conditions race; more impressive was his head victory back at Listowel in September (1m6f, good to yielding); however, top weight and stable have better candidates.

14/1

2

26th Sep 2025

Yielding

1m 6f 0y

17:25 Listowel

Lark In The Mornin

11st 4lb

J: Mr J L Gleeson

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Winner on Flat debut here in 2022 over a mile; best known for winning 2024 Fred Winter at Cheltenham (2m, heavy); poor in runs following that until a close third here back on Flat in June (1m5f, good) when Sorrentino finished in front by a neck; won amateur race at Bellewstown latest (1m4f, good); leading contender who likes it here.

9/2

3

(2)

3rd Jul 2025

Good

1m 4f 71y

20:17 Bellewstown

Lark In The Mornin

11st 0lb

J: Mr J L Gleeson

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

A 128-rated hurdler whose wins include last year's Fred Winter at Cheltenham; not so good this past season but solid run back on the Flat at Listowel (won 2yo maiden there) when making most in finishing close third in 1m6f amateur contest on good; easier task here and looks the one to beat.

1/2

Form: 35416-

Last run: 195 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Improved for front-running when off the mark on fourth start at the Curragh (1m, yielding to soft) in September; missed the start when never landing a blow in Group 3 at same venue; Irish Oaks entrant is another who is stepping up in trip on seasonal bow.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

(10)

10th Jul 2024

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

18:30 Fairyhouse

Starry Heavens

9st 9lb

J: Scott McCullagh

T: Mrs John Harrington

Two middle-distance wins last year included Longchamp Listed event; has not shown the same level of form this term and looks like the outsider of three runners for her trainer.

16/1

8th

13

(11)

8th Jun 2024

Good

1m 3f 175y

Class 1

15:00 Haydock

Starry Heavens

9st 2lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Mrs John Harrington

dwelt start, raced in last

14/1

3rd

5

(8)

25th May 2024

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

15:05 Curragh

Starry Heavens

9st 5lb

J: Nathan Crosse

T: Mrs John Harrington

towards rear but in touch with leaders, midfield before halfway, not clear run from over 2f out, soon headway, went third and kept on from 1f out, no match for first two

16/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €8.80
Straight Forecast €8.16
Trifecta €17.20

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Alder

The Irish Sun:

Bertinelli

TOPSPEED:

Serious Challenge

RP Ratings (IRE):

Alder

POSTDATA:

Alder