May 08 / 17.30 Roscommon

17.30

Soft To Heavy

www.roscommonracecourse.ie Handicap

  • Prize money: £8092.92
  • 0m 7f 100y
  • 14 runners
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www.roscommonracecourse.ie Handicap

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

OUR TIP

Form: /212-4 BF

Last run: 30 days

W: 10st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Won Fairyhouse maiden at this trip last July for John Murphy and just denied by a more experienced rival for new yard in Dundalk rated contest in November; lost third place to Navagio on seasonal debut at Cork but preferred to that rival on overall form; still relatively unexposed, merits respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

7

(9)

9th Sep 2023

Good

0m 7f 72y

17:40 Leopardstown

Hotrocket

9st 8lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

towards rear of midfield

10/1

14th

3

(7)

6th Aug 2023

Yielding

0m 7f 0y

16:00 Galway

Hotrocket

9st 8lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Progressive 4yo comes here seeking a hat-trick following good-ground wins over this trip at Gowran and Fairyhouse, winning a shade snugly on second occasion; could still have more to offer but won't too much rain.

13/2

1st

5

(8)

12th Jul 2023

Good

0m 7f 0y

19:20 Fairyhouse

Hotrocket

9st 13lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

midfield, headway waiting for room 2f out, ridden disputing third over 1f out, led final 110yds, nudged out towards finish, cosily

9/2

Form: 00-473 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 11lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Won twice in the early part of last season; lost form towards the end of the campaign, but recent Limerick third on his third start this year offers encouragement
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

17

(2)

30th Jul 2024

Yielding

0m 7f 0y

19:45 Galway

Spanish Tenor

9st 10lb

J: Cian MacRedmond

T: Jack W Davison

First reserve; winner off 95 for Ado McGuinness and has run well here more than once; coming down the handicap but has lost his way for now.

7th

3

(6)

17th Jul 2024

Good

1m 0f 40y

16:45 Killarney

Spanish Tenor

10st 2lb

J: Cian MacRedmond

T: Jack W Davison

Eight-time winner; captured a Listowel festival handicap last autumn off 85; glimpses of form this year while coming down the handicap; hard to be confident after a disappointing handicap run on stable debut at Naas.

7/1

8th

4

(4)

26th Jun 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

20:00 Naas

Spanish Tenor

9st 13lb

J: Cian MacRedmond

T: Jack W Davison

Eight-time winner; captured a Listowel festival handicap last autumn off 85; glimpses of form this year while coming down the handicap; has left Ado McGuinness since his last run but regular rider keeps the mount.

8/1

Form: 96201-

Last run: 197 days

W: 9st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Signed off last season with 7f Curragh handicap win on heavy, only his second success on his 22nd start; can run well when fresh but is possibly vulnerable off 7lb higher on his seasonal debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

(1)

30th Oct 2023

Heavy

1m 0f 73y

13:05 Galway

Coins Cross

9st 13lb

J: Leigh Roche

T: Eddie & Patrick Harty

Likes it soft/heavy although pick of this year's form on good when touched off at Leopardstown; recent form leaves him with plenty to find.

16/1

7th

7

(1)

30th Oct 2023

Heavy

1m 0f 73y

13:05 Galway

Coins Cross

9st 13lb

J: Leigh Roche

T: Eddie & Patrick Harty

Likes it soft/heavy although pick of this year's form on good when touched off at Leopardstown; recent form leaves him with plenty to find.

16/1

14th

3

(15)

7th Oct 2023

Soft

1m 0f 0y

16:40 Curragh

Coins Cross

9st 11lb

J: Paddy Harnett

T: Eddie & Patrick Harty

Only beaten a head in this last year; went close at Leopardstown earlier this season but out of form since; others preferred.

20/1

Abandoned

Form: 93809-

Last run: 213 days

W: 9st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Won a 7f maiden at Cork in 2021; handicap form lacked consistency after Cork second early last season; makes stable/seasonal debut; other appeal more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

8

(7)

27th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 96y

Class 5

15:15 Beverley

Yermanthere

9st 2lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Tim Easterby

3-39 overall, last winning in August 2024; close C&D third last May on sole start here; previous campaigns suggest he's best watched first time out.

25/1

5th

6

(3)

2nd Oct 2025

Good To Soft

1m 0f 75y

Class 2

17:10 Nottingham

Yermanthere

8st 8lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Losing run is mounting up but he's well treated on old form and was only beaten 2l at Ayr (1m, soft) on Tuesday; hard to rule out another good run but this is a quick turnaround and that latest form was in a Class 5.

16/1

5

(5)

30th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:00 Ayr

Yermanthere

9st 11lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Tim Easterby

Losing run is mounting up but he ran respectably in most recent 1m attempt and this is a drop in grade; 8lb below last winning mark and Jake Dickson removes a bonus 7lb.

12/1

Abandoned

Form: 600-99

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Maiden winner for Dermot Weld at Ballinrobe in 2021; finished third of 23 in a premier handicap at the Curragh on Irish Champions Weekend later that year; more recent handicap form not good enough to make him a strong contender.
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

Abandoned

Form: 200-30

Last run: 3 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
7f Curragh maiden winner for Johnny Murtagh 12 months ago; good run over 7f at Cork on stable debut, finishing 1/2l in front of Hotrocket; a long way below that level at same venue latest; cheekpieces for the first time now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

12

(20)

24th May 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 0f 0y

17:05 Curragh

Navagio

9st 6lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Ciaran Murphy

Three-time winner but losing run stretches back to July 2023; recent Roscommon sixth was mildly encouraging; plenty more needed now.

12/1

6th

12

(1)

11th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 111y

17:53 Roscommon

Navagio

9st 8lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Ciaran Murphy

Three-time winner but losing run stretches back to July 2023; no signs of making a return to the winner's enclosure in four starts for this yard; top rider booked but others in better form.

20/1

15th

8

(2)

12th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 0f 0y

15:20 Leopardstown

Navagio

9st 10lb

J: Luke McAteer

T: Ciaran Murphy

Three-time Flat winner on yielding/soft for Johnny Murtagh; no success in Britain in recent years and poor form in three runs over hurdles for current yard over the winter; doesn't appeal as well treated.

25/1

Abandoned

Form: 9/008- CD

Last run: 201 days

W: 9st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Too high in the ratings after an emphatic C&D win in August 2021; now back on the same mark, but he has no history of running well when fresh.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

4

(4)

19th Apr 2025

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

14:35 Cork

Royal Pippen

10st 2lb

J: Luke McAteer

T: Paul W Flynn

prominent

11/2

12th

4

(4)

19th Apr 2025

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

14:35 Cork

Royal Pippen

10st 2lb

J: Luke McAteer

T: Paul W Flynn

prominent

11/2

3rd

1

(3)

2nd Apr 2025

Yielding

1m 0f 0y

16:35 Gowran Park

Royal Pippen

10st 2lb

J: Luke McAteer

T: Paul W Flynn

prominent, went second over 2f out, lost second inside final 110yds, just held third

4/1

Abandoned

Form: 06338-

Last run: 299 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
5f winner in Britain at two; fair form last season but possibly a bit high in the ratings; seems best suited by 6f on good ground, but has been placed over 7f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

9

(3)

31st May 2026

Good

0m 6f 60y

15:15 Listowel

Mercurial

9st 4lb

J: Seamie Heffernan

T: John J Nallen

Over two years since latest of only two wins; second over 6f at the Curragh in October and ran well over 7.5f on return, but poor strike-rate overall; prefers it soft but handles good.

10/1

4th

1

(2)

18th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 94y

17:50 Roscommon

Mercurial

10st 2lb

J: Darragh O’Sullivan

T: John J Nallen

Only two wins from 40 starts, but placed 16 times; last won at the Curragh (6f, heavy) in April 2024 off 3lb lower; generally below best last year apart from Listowel fourth and Currgah second in the autumn; has a preference for soft/heavy

12/1

Form: 52430-

Last run: 212 days

W: 9st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Ran poorly on his first and last starts in 2022; in between, he generally performed well, going closest when a neck second to Earls (a Cork winner last week) over 7f at this venue; had Drombeg Duke back in third then.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

1

(7)

31st May 2026

Good

0m 6f 60y

15:15 Listowel

Dragon Of Malta

10st 0lb

J: Sylvia O’Donnell

T: P F O’Donnell

Course specialist won on successive days at last September's festival (7f/1m on heavy); well beaten on return; opposable at present.

10/1

8th

3

(3)

19th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

19:12 Cork

Dragon Of Malta

9st 6lb

J: Max Popan

T: P F O’Donnell

Seven-time winner at 7f/1m, last three wins coming at Listowel on soft/heavy; has tended to need his comeback run so probably best watched here on ground on the quick side.

16/1

18

(18)

1st Oct 2025

Good To Yielding

0m 7f 205y

14:48 Bellewstown

Dragon Of Malta

10st 12lb

J: Julian Pietropaolo

T: P F O’Donnell

Third reserve; roared back to top form on heavy ground at Listowel last week, winning over 1m then following up over 7f under a 7lb penalty; career high mark of 82 may scupper hat-trick bid.

Abandoned

Form: 1648-9

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Has failed to shine in handicaps since odds-on maiden win over 7f at Gowran last May; disappointing 5-1 chance on reappearance at Leopardstown just over a month ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

5

(3)

1st Jun 2023

Good

0m 7f 55y

15:05 Roscommon

Georgeta

9st 8lb

J: Colin Keane

T: G M Lyons

7f maiden winner at Gowran 13 months ago; handicap form not particularly convincing, though probably capable of stepping up from seasonal debut at Leopardstown.

10/1

9

(10)

26th May 2023

Good

1m 0f 0y

20:30 Curragh

Georgeta

9st 13lb

J: James Ryan

T: G M Lyons

Abandoned

Form: 41/900

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Won a maiden on his final start for Ger Lyons in 2021 but well below form in three runs for this yard; held by Starting Monday on Limerick running last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

10

(2)

27th Aug 2023

Good

1m 2f 110y

16:25 Naas

Safari Quest

9st 7lb

J: Hugh Horgan

T: A J Martin

Maiden winner for Ger Lyons in 2021; missed all of last year and hard to make a case for on what we've seen this campaign unless first-time cheekpieces bring about huge improvement.

16/1

16th

4

(20)

1st Aug 2023

Soft

1m 0f 123y

20:20 Galway

Safari Quest

10st 2lb

J: Ben Coen

T: A J Martin

Maiden winner for Ger Lyons in 2021; missed all of last year; hard to fancy on recent form but down 10lb since the start of the season and from a yard with a fine record at this fixture.

10/1

9th

4

(3)

1st Jun 2023

Good

1m 3f 151y

16:35 Roscommon

Safari Quest

9st 10lb

J: Robbie Colgan

T: A J Martin

Maiden winner for Ger Lyons in 2021; steps back up in trip here after three runs on soft ground over inadequate distances; hard to assess but no surprise if he put in a much better effort here.

10/1

Form: 38330-

Last run: 219 days

W: 9st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Has a respectable 5-31 record and placed eight times; proved himself a basically dependable sort last season but is still 9lb above his last winning mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

23th

28

(25)

17th May 2023

Good

0m 7f 0y

18:50 Cork

Drombeg Duke

10st 5lb

J: G B Noonan

T: Eoin Christopher McCarthy

raced near side, prominent

11th

5

(1)

1st Oct 2022

Soft

1m 0f 30y

15:40 Killarney

Drombeg Duke

9st 9lb

J: Gavin Ryan

T: Eoin Christopher McCarthy

prominent, ridden and outpaced under 2f out, weakened final furlong, eased final 110yds

11/2

Abandoned

Form: 0-5952

Last run: 3 days

W: 9st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Most recent win was at the Curragh in March 2021; another could be imminent after Friday's Cork second behind a front-running favourite; that was his fourth start this term and his best run since taking the same placing at Killarney last October.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

(7)

19th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 90y

20:12 Cork

Starting Monday

9st 11lb

J: Donagh O’Connor

T: Gillian Scott

Back to form for third career win when landing Gowran handicap over slightly shorter last month (soft) off career-low mark (beating strong-finishing stablemate Khormor Syd); wants it soft, may not confirm that form now.

11/2

1st

9

(1)

9th Apr 2026

Soft

1m 1f 130y

19:15 Gowran Park

Starting Monday

9st 7lb

J: Donagh O’Connor

T: Gillian Scott

Second runner for yard; two-time winner but last win came at the Curragh (1m, soft to heavy) off 20lb higher in 2021; couple of decent runs on testing ground last year; well-backed into 7-1 for 26-runner Curragh handicap on return last month but never involved; drops in grade.

7/1

Abandoned

Form: 7-4548

Last run: 7 days

W: 8st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Four-time winner; has been running over shorter distances in weaker races; not one of his better efforts over 6f at the Curragh last Monday, previous fourth at Navan was better; could go well off bottom weight though his best form has been at 6f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

9

(17)

12th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 31y

18:40 Killarney

Mogwli

9st 8lb

J: Megan Telford-Kelly

T: W McCreery

Eight-time winner but this season hasn't started at all well and best watched for now.

33/1

11th

6

(2)

15th Apr 2026

Yielding

0m 7f 0y

17:27 Leopardstown

Mogwli

10st 0lb

J: Megan Telford-Kelly

T: W McCreery

Eight-time winner, but 0-10 at this venue; a lot of improvement needed based on two runs Curragh runs this season.

22/1

12th

17

(9)

28th Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

0m 7f 0y

17:25 Curragh

Mogwli

9st 5lb

J: Megan Telford-Kelly

T: W McCreery

Eight-time winner, including twice at this track over 6f early in his career; won twice last year but prone to inconsistency; mid-field over 1m here on seasonal debut

25/1

Verdict

Following a creditable second at Cork on Friday STARTING MONDAY (nap) has good prospects of going one better. On overall form Hotrocket rates a bigger threat than Navagio who finished one place in front of him at Cork a month ago. Spanish Tenor is worth considering on his recent Limerick third. [Alan Sweetman]

Selections

The Irish Sun:

Hotrocket

SPOTLIGHT:

Starting Monday

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Mogwli

TOPSPEED:

Dragon Of Malta

POSTDATA:

Spanish Tenor