May 08 / 19.30 Roscommon

19.30

Soft To Heavy

Castlerea Handicap

  • Prize money: £5482.3
  • 1m 4f 10y
  • 8 runners
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Castlerea Handicap

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

OUR TIP

Form: 98731

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 12lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Raised 8lb for winning at Sligo (1m2f, soft/heavy) but he was very well backed that day and won comfortably under a confident ride, beating Notturno; looks progressive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(4)

22nd May 2023

Good To Yielding

1m 4f 10y

19:55 Roscommon

Whisky On The Hill

9st 13lb

J: Adam Caffrey

T: Adrian McGuinness

travelled strongly, in touch with leaders, headway going easily over 2f out, challenging when ridden under 2f out, led 1f out, kept on well

3/1

1st

6

(5)

16th May 2023

Yielding

1m 2f 94y

18:50 Sligo

Whisky On The Hill

9st 6lb

J: Ronan Whelan

T: Adrian McGuinness

held up in midfield

2/1

Form: 888-

Last run: 189 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Quiet last season in maidens from 7.5f to an extended 1m; could be a different proposition in handicaps and this trip will suit on pedigree; would still like to see some confidence behind her; cheekpieces added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

31st Aug 2026

Good

3m 1f 83y

Class 2

15:45 Cartmel

Al Sayah

12st 0lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Neil Mulholland

Well held when fourth over C&D on latest hurdling start but previously caught the eye when finishing strongly for close third in competitive race at Haydock (3m, good; first-time visor) and has since won on the Flat; raced mainly on good ground but was once placed on heavy on the Flat; shortlisted.

4/1

1st

1

(5)

17th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 1f 208y

Class 5

15:27 Nottingham

Al Sayah

9st 9lb

J: Ashley Lewis

T: Neil Mulholland

Three wins over hurdles since last seen on the Flat, going almost two stone up the weights; withdrawn on account of unsuitable (good to firm) ground last summer, which would be a concern, but she's much better treated on the Flat now.

2/1

4th

2

25th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 83y

Class 2

15:23 Cartmel

Al Sayah

11st 10lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Neil Mulholland

5-14 over hurdles, the latest win gained at Taunton (3m, good; wore cheekpieces) last month; posted another career-best performance when finishing well from the rear for close third in valuable Haydock handicap (3m, good; first-time visor) 16 days ago and commands respect here.

5/1

Form: 045-90

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
0-9; there has been promise, as when only 3l away in a 1m handicap at Leopardstown last season; shown pretty much zilch this campaign (1m2f), however.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(5)

13th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 23y

Class 5

16:15 Beverley

Grey Fable

9st 7lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Karl Thornton

Passed by Mr Moonshine close home when fourth at Chester latest, beaten under 1l and clear of Sisterandbrother and Return With Gold; well treated on 2024's peak form, but winless around any course this galloping.

4/1

4th

6

(6)

25th Jul 2026

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 5

13:53 Chester

Grey Fable

9st 8lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Karl Thornton

Victory in this two years ago is one of two course wins; dangerously treated if revived by a return to this venue and he did win on the AW in May.

8/1

Form: 668

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
No better than mid-division in maidens from 1m to 1m3f; handicaps should be more like it and the potential is there to rate higher.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

26th Jun 2026

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:48 Cartmel

Parish Star

10st 11lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Adam Nicol

2-6 for Adam Nichol and was only just denied off 3lb lower at Market Rasen a month ago (2m4f, good); in form and should stay this far.

11/2

2nd

5

28th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 5

19:00 Market Rasen

Parish Star

10st 11lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Adam Nicol

2-5 for new stable this year; gained the wins on heavy and good to soft ground but coped perfectly well with good ground when close third at Kelso (2m5f; first-time tongue-tie) last month; hood (worn for three of her last four races) is discarded; likely contender again.

9/4

3rd

8

2nd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

15:10 Kelso

Parish Star

10st 12lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Adam Nicol

Won when the hood went back on at Newcastle (2m4f, heavy) in January and followed up at Southwell (2m4f, good to soft); disappointing at Carlisle (2m3f, soft) last time but she was missing the hood, which returns today along with a first-time tongue-tie; could have a part to play.

9/2

Abandoned

Form: 879-52

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Kept on from off the pace to be fifth in a 1m1f handicap at Tipperary and, with blinkers added, he found something on that form to finish best of the rest behind comfortable winner Whisky On The Hill at Sligo (1m2f, soft/heavy); 8lb pull gives him a sporting chance of reversing those placings.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(11)

13th Sep 2023

Good

1m 4f 0y

14:30 Tramore

Notturno

10st 2lb

J: Jake Coen

T: Noel Meade

towards rear of midfield, pushed along and headway under 2f out, challenging on outer inside final furlong, led final 110yds, soon clear, comfortably

5/1

4th

4

(10)

4th Sep 2023

Soft

1m 3f 140y

19:15 Roscommon

Notturno

10st 0lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Noel Meade

held up in rear, headway when hung right over 2f out, went fourth 1f out, wandered around and kept on inside final furlong, not reach leaders

5/1

4th

6

(7)

9th Aug 2023

Good

1m 5f 42y

20:10 Sligo

Notturno

9st 8lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Noel Meade

Maiden has run well in handicaps several times this term, going closest over this trip at Down Royal; raised 2lb but should make another bold bid; ground versatile.

9/4

Form: 067-

Last run: 189 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Down the field in her three qualifying runs at about 1m; by a Derby winner so likely to improve for this longer trip on his handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

(1)

4th Aug 2026

Good

1m 7f 189y

Class 6

15:15 Catterick

Ruler Of The River

8st 9lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: Philip Kirby

Dual winner over hurdles (2024/2025) when trained by Fergal O'Brien; tailed off here over 1m4f on her stable debut and she was an 11l fifth at Beverley (1m4f) a week ago; step back up in trip needs to help.

50/1

5th

5

(2)

28th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 23y

Class 6

14:10 Beverley

Ruler Of The River

9st 3lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: Philip Kirby

Modest winning hurdler for Fergal O'Brien last autumn; came in last of six for new stable in 1m4f Catterick handicap 13 days ago; not easy to make a case for.

33/1

6th

5

(5)

15th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 13y

Class 5

14:10 Catterick

Ruler Of The River

10st 0lb

J: Mr Jack Loughnane

T: Philip Kirby

Dual hurdle winner but 0-13 on the Flat; didn't offer a great deal in points and a hunter chase for Tom Fife in the spring; others are preferred unless the betting speaks in his favour starting out for Phil Kirby.

20/1

Form: 09-034

Last run: 24 days

W: 8st 9lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 52

Form & Verdict
Well-bred filly who isn't progressing but was only 4.5l away over this far at Dundalk (second handicap) and she can win off this mark; blinkers may also give her a lift.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

9

(6)

14th Apr 2023

Standard

1m 4f 0y

17:40 Dundalk (AW)

Unchained Melody

8st 10lb

J: Killian Leonard

T: Donnacha Aidan O’Brien

Stoutly-bred filly showed a glimmer of promise in 1m maiden here on her 3yo debut and creditable third in handicap over 1m2f at Navan last time; beaten a long way there but winner was well-in and the ground conditions were extreme; every chance if she comes forward from that.

3/1

3rd

9

(10)

29th Mar 2023

Soft To Heavy

1m 2f 0y

16:35 Navan

Unchained Melody

8st 11lb

J: Gavin Ryan

T: Donnacha Aidan O’Brien

Stoutly-bred filly has shown little so far in maidens but potential improver now stepped up in trip for handicap debut.

8/1

Form: 00-09

Last run: 80 days

W: 8st 7lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 50

Form & Verdict
Difficult to derive much encouragement from his three maiden runs and the same again on his handicap debut at Dundalk (1m2f) when finishing last; has lots to prove in first-time cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

13

(2)

4th Sep 2023

Soft

1m 3f 140y

19:15 Roscommon

Harrison Meadows

8st 12lb

J: Shane Foley

T: John C McConnell

midfield

33/1

12th

11

(5)

9th Aug 2023

Good

1m 2f 103y

17:40 Sligo

Harrison Meadows

9st 1lb

J: Donagh O’Connor

T: John C McConnell

Last of nine at Dundalk in February on only handicap start; tried with cheekpieces now, best watched.

50/1

Verdict

Although 8lb higher than at Sligo, WHISKY ON THE HILL won that in the style of an improver, and he was backed to do so. Runner-up Notturno is entitled to make a race of it armed with an 8lb pull. Watch out for any confidence behind the handicap debutants.[Alistair Jones]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Whisky On The Hill

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Unchained Melody

The Irish Sun:

Whisky On The Hill

POSTDATA:

Unchained Melody