May 27 / 16.50 Curragh

16.50

Good

Novibet Guineas Festival Handicap (Premier Handicap)

  • Prize money: £26106.19
  • 1m 2f 0y
  • 15 runners
RTV
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Novibet Guineas Festival Handicap (Premier Handicap)

Runners: 15 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly sunny

16/1 (Won)

  • Win: £21.00
  • Place: £5.60

Form: 84-220 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 8st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Beaten half a length when finishing runner-up on each of his first two starts this term; well below form at Leopardstown last time but may bounce back and he's run well in two outings here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

17

21st Dec 2024

Good

2m 0f 15y

14:30 Thurles

Timourid

10st 10lb

J: Philip Donovan

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Regressive on the Flat and well beaten in a 2m handicap on his only recent start over hurdles; safe to look elsewhere.

40/1

14th

17

21st Dec 2024

Good

2m 0f 15y

14:30 Thurles

Timourid

10st 10lb

J: Philip Donovan

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Regressive on the Flat and well beaten in a 2m handicap on his only recent start over hurdles; safe to look elsewhere.

40/1

11/2

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 14-781 CD

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Won his maiden over C&D last year and produced a career best on testing ground at Leopardstown earlier this month with 3l success in a first-time visor (retained); 10lb higher but he's effective on quicker ground and warrants respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

10

25th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 54y

18:05 Ballinrobe

Smooth Tom

11st 12lb

J: Cian Quirke

T: Andrew Slattery

Classy hurdler 4-11 in that sphere and rated 140; ground versatile; off since decent Flat run at the Curragh in October; returns with yard in form and his half-brother Royal Hollow has won for this stable over fences; could prove hard to beat if fit.

4/1

2nd

5

(13)

21st Oct 2025

Soft

1m 4f 0y

16:25 Curragh

Smooth Tom

12st 0lb

J: Mr A P Ryan

T: Andrew Slattery

Useful dual-purpose performer; third in the Irish Lincoln here in March; has won two small-field hurdle races at Cork since then, well below his best on the Flat at Listowel.

12/1

1

14th Oct 2025

Good

2m 2f 197y

15:05 Punchestown

Smooth Tom

11st 12lb

J: Cian Quirke

T: Andrew Slattery

Good dual-purpose performer; third in the Irish Lincoln this year off 94; won a 2m conditions hurdle at Cork in April; below best when facing a stiff task in a Grade 3 hurdle at Tipperary in July; comfortable winner of a two-runner hurdle at Cork in August; never in contention in a Flat handicap at Listowel; meets Glen Kiln on 13lb worse than handicap terms

9/4

16/1

  • Place: £4.50

Form: 2408-0

Last run: 63 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Tailed off over hurdles last time but ran okay when beaten 5l over 1m on Flat debut for this yard back in March; return to 1m2f should suit and he's back on a good mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

(4)

24th Jun 2024

Yielding

1m 1f 156y

18:45 Ballinrobe

Laelaps

10st 0lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: Andrew McNamara

Improved from his first two runs of the season when finishing well for second over extended 1m2f at Sligo; often placed, but a 2-31 strike-rate is off-putting.

11/2

3rd

2

(6)

15th May 2024

Good

1m 2f 140y

19:15 Sligo

Laelaps

9st 13lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: Andrew McNamara

slowly away, in rear, headway but still plenty to do over 1f out, ran on well and went third post, nearest finish

10/1

Form: 031-11 D

Last run: 38 days

W: 8st 13lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Has turned a corner since joining this yard, winning all three of his Flat starts and showed his versatility when bolting up by 6l when dropped to 7f at Gowran last month; 15lb higher now and the improved form has come with more cut in the ground than he will get here but he's hard to rule out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15

2nd Feb 2025

Soft

2m 0f 0y

15:50 Leopardstown

Brave Troop

10st 7lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: C Byrnes

Progressive sort has won both starts since moving to Charles Byrnes; won off 95 at Thurles (2m, good) and followed up off 111 at Navan (2m, yielding to soft); got hit with a 14lb hike for that and this is a much tougher task; will need a career best but he can't be discounted.

13/2

15

2nd Feb 2025

Soft

2m 0f 0y

15:50 Leopardstown

Brave Troop

10st 7lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: C Byrnes

midfield, bad mistake and lost ground quickly 4th, soon dropped to last and pulled up, looked to go wrong

13/2

1st

1

15th Dec 2024

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 0y

12:02 Navan

Brave Troop

11st 12lb

J: James Smith

T: C Byrnes

travelled strongly, midfield, steady headway before 2 out, led going easily approaching last, ridden out, won going away

15/8

Form: 364-17

Last run: 22 days

W: 8st 9lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Got off the mark at the tenth attempt in a Limerick handicap on her seasonal return but a slow start cost her at Cork earlier this month; cheekpieces now tried and needs to prove she's as effective at 1m2f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

7

(16)

15th Oct 2023

Heavy

1m 0f 0y

14:50 Naas

Any Dream Will Do

9st 5lb

J: Leigh Roche

T: W McCreery

dwelt start, switched to far side early, in rear

25/1

6th

1

(12)

12th Oct 2023

Yielding To Soft

1m 2f 0y

16:10 Curragh

Any Dream Will Do

10st 0lb

J: W J Lee

T: W McCreery

Won over 1m at Limeick in the spring, more recently has been chasing black type without success although went up 4lb for recent Listowel Listed fifth; opposable back in handicap company.

10/1

5th

6

(6)

19th Sep 2023

Good

1m 1f 0y

15:50 Listowel

Any Dream Will Do

9st 4lb

J: W J Lee

T: W McCreery

1m handicap winner on soft but well held in couple of stabs at this level and similar outcome likely.

50/1

Form: 4163-6 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Won a Navan maiden last term; having just his sixth start when staying on for sixth in a competitive handicap at Limerick (1m, soft) last time out and entitled to come on for that run; should relish the return to 1m2f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(4)

12th Sep 2023

Standard

0m 7f 0y

19:15 Laytown

Vega Magnifico

12st 0lb

J: Mr T Hamilton

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Close third in a Listed race in June (1m1f) and with that form to his name he's the highest rated in this field by some margin; needs to bounce back from a heavy defeat in handicap company last time but should be fine over 7f and has to go well.

10/11

20th

1

(12)

26th Aug 2023

Good

1m 0f 0y

18:10 Curragh

Vega Magnifico

10st 0lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Went up 7lb for a Listed third at Leopardstown on his penultimate start; probably too high to feature here.

20/1

14/1

Form: 2122-5

Last run: 37 days

W: 9st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in this race last year and improved throughout the campaign; big run when runner-up in a C&D premier handicap in September and ended the campaign with solid second at Leopardstown over 1m4f; probably needed last month's reappearance but further improvement needed to defy this mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

(1)

8th Aug 2024

Good

1m 4f 0y

18:22 Leopardstown

Safecracker

9st 9lb

J: Ben Coen

T: J P Murtagh

raced in third, outpaced and dropped to rear over 2f out, kept on final furlong

11/2

2nd

1

(6)

30th Jun 2024

Good

1m 4f 0y

17:50 Curragh

Safecracker

10st 1lb

J: Ben Coen

T: J P Murtagh

Beat Zoffman (rec 6lb) under top-weight in this race last year when recording career-best RPR; promising reappearance here over 1m2f last month behind Crystal Black but never landed a blow behind same rival at Ascot nine days ago; respected nonetheless.

6/1

13th

5

(11)

21st Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

16:25 Ascot

Safecracker

9st 8lb

J: William Buick

T: J P Murtagh

never better than midfield

12/1

Form: 61211-

Last run: 176 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Took his form to a new level on AW through the winter and bids for a belated hat-trick; however, off 176 days and needs to prove he's at least as effective on turf to defy a revised mark of 94.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

(2)

29th Jun 2025

Good

1m 4f 0y

16:50 Curragh

Ceallach

9st 0lb

J: Luke McAteer

T: David Marnane

Five-time AW winner is 0-11 on turf but has run well in defeat; excellent efforts last twice at Leopardstown (a neck behind Cloud Seeker) and here, both over 1m2f on good; this is his optimum trip and he holds leading claims.

10/1

4th

13

(2)

24th May 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

14:30 Curragh

Ceallach

8st 13lb

J: Luke McAteer

T: David Marnane

Five-time Dundalk winner with the last four wins coming over 1m4f; cracking run behind Cloud Seeker at Leopardstown (1m2f) earlier this month; up 1lb but may have more to give for his new yard and not ruled out, despite ideally needing a bit further.

10/1

4th

13

(2)

24th May 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

14:30 Curragh

Ceallach

8st 13lb

J: Luke McAteer

T: David Marnane

Five-time Dundalk winner with the last four wins coming over 1m4f; cracking run behind Cloud Seeker at Leopardstown (1m2f) earlier this month; up 1lb but may have more to give for his new yard and not ruled out, despite ideally needing a bit further.

10/1

Form: /052-4

Last run: 36 days

W: 9st 12lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Improved to finish runner-up in a fillies' Listed contest at Saint-Cloud on final start for David O'Meara and encouraging start for this yard when beaten roughly 1l at Cork last month; nudged up 2lb and hood now tried; should be involved if she handles the quicker ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

(2)

22nd Oct 2023

Heavy

1m 0f 0y

14:45 Leopardstown

Timeless Soul

10st 0lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Runner-up in 1m2f Listed race in France last backend for former yard; some good runs in defeat this term, notably making up plenty of ground over 1m1f at Tipperary early this month on heavy (Walhaan and Saltonstall behind); drop in trip not ideal but top-weight a definite player.

13/2

3rd

3

(9)

1st Oct 2023

Soft To Heavy

1m 1f 0y

14:10 Tipperary

Timeless Soul

10st 1lb

J: Hugh Horgan

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

held up in rear, headway when raced wide home turn, still plenty to do over 1f out, ran on well towards near side inside final furlong, went third towards finish, too much to do

16/1

OUR TIP

8/1

Form: 06-432 BF

Last run: 37 days

W: 10st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Big run when beaten half a length in Irish Lincolnshire here but was beaten half a length when favourite at Tipperary last time; this is much tougher and while he stays this trip, his very best form is over a bit shorter.
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

16/1

Form: 649705 C

Last run: 41 days

W: 10st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Best form has come at 7f including a placed effort in a Meydan handicap earlier in the year; last of five in a C&D Group 3 here last month; quicker ground may help but others hold strong claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

(9)

26th Aug 2023

Good

1m 0f 0y

18:10 Curragh

Fastnet Crown

9st 12lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: M D O’Callaghan

Won a premier handicap over C&D last season; hard to be confident on the basis of early-season course form after a Dundalk win and a spell in Dubai.

25/1

11th

2

(10)

27th May 2023

Good

1m 2f 0y

16:50 Curragh

Fastnet Crown

10st 0lb

J: W J Lee

T: M D O’Callaghan

Best form has come at 7f including a placed effort in a Meydan handicap earlier in the year; last of five in a C&D Group 3 here last month; quicker ground may help but others hold strong claims.

16/1

5th

2

(4)

16th Apr 2023

Heavy

1m 2f 0y

15:10 Curragh

Fastnet Crown

9st 5lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: M D O’Callaghan

Useful handicapper whose best form has been over 7f/1m; won over at 7f Dundalk in December; had four runs in Meydan before finishing down the field in the Irish Lincoln; faces a stiff tack in this company.

20/1

12th
11 (15)
Nibiru

13/2

Form: 7103-2

Last run: 8 days

W: 8st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Refused to race over hurdles earlier this month but it was a big run when beaten a neck back on the Flat at Leopardstown last week; possible that 1m2f on quicker ground might be a bit too sharp.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(2)

31st Jan 2025

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 4

18:00 Southwell (AW)

Nibiru

10st 0lb

J: Dylan Hogan

T: Jack Jones

Ex-Irish veteran who scored here (2m) last month on second Flat start for new yard, taking AW record to 3-14; may remain competitive, having gone back up just 1lb.

13/2

5th

3

(2)

31st Jan 2025

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 4

18:00 Southwell (AW)

Nibiru

10st 0lb

J: Dylan Hogan

T: Jack Jones

in touch with leaders, outpaced over 2f out, switched right when rallying inside final 110yds, kept on

13/2

1st

1

(1)

20th Dec 2024

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 4

15:27 Southwell (AW)

Nibiru

10st 3lb

J: Dylan Hogan

T: Jack Jones

Won a claimer at Dundalk (10.6f) in October and he stayed on well for fourth here (1m6f) on his stable debut the following month; has each-way claims on that form but this 9yo is not easy to predict and was well held back over hurdles last time; risks attached.

14/1

13th
12 (7)
Cold Steel

20/1

Form: 411-60

Last run: 36 days

W: 8st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Won back-to-back on AW through the winter but hasn't built on that and he was last of 11 back on turf last month; improvement required.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

(9)

13th Oct 2023

Standard

1m 4f 0y

20:15 Dundalk (AW)

Cold Steel

9st 12lb

J: W J Lee

T: A Oliver

Dual course winner last winter (including C&D); probably should have won here a fortnight ago, throwing away the race by wandering in the closing stages (beaten 1l); same mark and return to further is fine.

13/2

4th

10

(8)

29th Sep 2023

Standard

1m 2f 150y

19:15 Dundalk (AW)

Cold Steel

9st 7lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: A Oliver

Dual winner here, including over C&D; was well beaten over 1m4f a week ago after an absence but should strip fitter today and not dismissed.

12/1

Form: 3/0-35 CD BF

Last run: 20 days

W: 8st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Sole win came in a C&D maiden; big run on his Flat return over 1m2f last month but not as good latest and quicker ground could be against him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

10

(10)

24th Sep 2023

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 165y

16:45 Curragh

Wild Dollar

8st 13lb

J: Chris Hayes

T: Eddie & Patrick Harty

held up in last

20/1

13th

1

(14)

13th Aug 2023

Good To Yielding

1m 6f 0y

16:20 Curragh

Wild Dollar

10st 7lb

J: Jack Kearney

T: Eddie & Patrick Harty

towards rear of midfield

16/1

Form: 1-3R67

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Has some solid placed form over this C&D but he refused to race here in March and he's been very slowly away twice since; on a good mark if he can get his act together at the start; eye-shield fitted for the first time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

10th Jul 2023

Good To Yielding

1m 7f 110y

18:05 Roscommon

Finans Bay

11st 12lb

J: Rachael Blackmore

T: Henry De Bromhead

Useful Flat performer but has twice refused to race since March and was withdrawn at the start when due to make his hurdling debut at Bellewstown on Saturday, having been reluctant to line up; risky.

8/1

4

8th Jul 2023

Good

2m 0f 188y

17:30 Bellewstown

Finans Bay

11st 12lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Was stakes-class a couple of years ago on the level for Michael Halford and some okay runs for Ado McGuinness this year when he consented to come out of the stalls, which he twice didn't; we'll find out here whether hurdles have sweetened him up.

9/1

8

(6)

27th May 2023

Good

1m 2f 0y

16:50 Curragh

Finans Bay

9st 5lb

J: Cian MacRedmond

T: Adrian McGuinness

Has some solid placed form over this C&D but he refused to race here in March and he's been very slowly away twice since; on a good mark if he can get his act together at the start; eye-shield fitted for the first time.

20/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €193.50
Straight Forecast €130.28
Tricast €2321.38
Trifecta €5606.80

Selections

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Brave Troop

SPOTLIGHT:

Vega Magnifico

POSTDATA:

Timeless Soul

TOPSPEED:

Laelaps

The Irish Sun:

Nibiru