June 16 / 19.25 Fairyhouse

19.25

Good To Firm

La Bucca Restaurants Handicap

  • Prize money: £6787.61
  • 1m 5f 150y
  • 14 runners
RTV
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La Bucca Restaurants Handicap

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Scattered showers

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.70
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 23215- D BF

Last run: 247 days

W: 9st 12lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Best form in Britain came over this sort of trip on quick ground; got off the mark over hurdles last month and respected with an unexposed profile back on the level.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(7)

12th Sep 2024

Good

1m 6f 115y

Class 1

15:35 Doncaster

Night Sparkle

9st 7lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

In career-best form when at 1m6f-2m this season for three seconds and a fourth; the last two of those races were Group 2s at Goodwood (1m6f second against her own sex; ahead of Grateful) and York (2m fourth against the males) and she should be bang there once again.

7/2

4th

8

(7)

23rd Aug 2024

Good To Firm

2m 0f 56y

Class 1

14:25 York

Night Sparkle

9st 2lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Career-best form to be runner-up at York (1m6f Group 3, good to soft), Sandown (2m Listed, good) and Goodwood (1m6f Group 2, good to firm) in three of her four races this term; those two Group races were against her own sex and she faces a significantly stiffer task today.

10/1

16/1

  • Place: £2.20

Form: 296/3-

Last run: 228 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Better known over jumps these days but her sole Flat run for this yard was okay when placed at Galway last October; this trip should help but may want more cut in the ground than this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

(11)

13th Oct 2024

Yielding

2m 0f 23y

16:00 Naas

Vera Verto

9st 0lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: Gavin Cromwell

started quickly, led narrowly, prominent after 2f, lost position but in touch with leaders after 3f

12/1

5th

8

(6)

14th Sep 2024

Heavy

1m 7f 196y

Class 2

14:40 Chester

Vera Verto

8st 7lb

J: Adam Farragher

T: Gavin Cromwell

Three 1m5f/1m4f handicap wins when making most last year; easily her most competitive show this term when never-nearer second at Killarney (extended 1m6f, yielding to soft) last time; that's the furthest she's been on the Flat and gives hope for this longer trip; acts on heavy; one to consider.

11/2

2nd

4

(13)

23rd Aug 2024

Good

1m 6f 80y

19:12 Killarney

Vera Verto

9st 2lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: Gavin Cromwell

midfield early, towards rear when pushed along briefly before halfway

10/1

16/1

  • Place: £4.80

Form: 22/00-

Last run: 485 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Winner on the level in France over middle distances; not shown much over timber for this yard and seems on a tough mark back in this sphere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

2

(1)

28th Jul 2023

Yielding To Soft

1m 4f 175y

20:00 Down Royal

Galactica

10st 0lb

J: Robert Whearty

T: Gavin Cromwell

towards rear, dropped to rear halfway

16/1

11th

4

(1)

12th Jul 2023

Standard

1m 4f 0y

17:30 Dundalk (AW)

Galactica

9st 13lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: Gavin Cromwell

Dual turf winner ran well on AW in France back in 2021; mostly over hurdles for this yard but has to improve a bit on recent Flat efforts; hood tried.

11/1

6th

7

(9)

24th Jun 2023

Good To Yielding

1m 2f 75y

15:45 Down Royal

Galactica

8st 7lb

J: Jamie Powell

T: Gavin Cromwell

took keen hold, midfield

7/1

Form: 56541-

Last run: 241 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Improving on AW towards the end of her time with William Haggas; up 7lb for her latest success at Newcastle and her new yard are flying in recent weeks; will be a big player if ready to go on return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

10

(9)

14th Feb 2024

Standard

2m 0f 0y

14:10 Dundalk (AW)

Crystal Caves

9st 2lb

J: Gavin Ryan

T: Thomas Gibney

AW winner for William Haggas in 2022; back to form when only beaten a length in a C&D handicap last month behind Gains Of War; respected.

10/1

5th

6

(3)

19th Jan 2024

Standard

2m 0f 0y

17:00 Dundalk (AW)

Crystal Caves

9st 12lb

J: Chris Hayes

T: Thomas Gibney

AW winner for William Haggas last year in 2022; best run last year was over 2m2f at Down Royal; absent since a poor run at Thurles in October and best watched.

10/1

10th

8

(8)

5th Oct 2023

Soft

2m 0f 0y

16:50 Thurles

Crystal Caves

9st 8lb

J: Gavin Ryan

T: Thomas Gibney

AW winner for William Haggas last year; best run this was over 2m2f at Down Royal so no stamina worrise; Listowel run was too bad to be true

12/1

Form: 239-12

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Gained first Flat win at Navan in March and bounced back from a low-key hurdle effort when beaten half a length at the Curragh 19 days ago; up another 3lb but relatively unexposed and warrants respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

16th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

19:20 Uttoxeter

Black Hawk Eagle

11st 6lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Kerry Lee

Triple hurdle winner who made it fourth-time lucky over fences when beating two rivals at Chepstow (2m, soft) in March; fell at the 12th at Hereford (2m5f, good) last month but he's was still travelling well at the time and he should have more to offer as a chaser; respected.

5/2

4

16th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 194y

Class 3

18:00 Hereford

Black Hawk Eagle

10st 13lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Kerry Lee

3-13 over hurdles; only his fourth start as a chaser when too strong for two rivals over 2m at Chepstow a month ago (soft; 3lb lower); this quicker ground won't bother him at all and neither might the longer trip; good claims.

7/4

1st

1

15th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 0f 16y

Class 4

16:30 Chepstow

Black Hawk Eagle

12st 0lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Kerry Lee

Second of four on chase debut at Stratford (2m1f, good to firm) last July and returned to form when third of six at Kempton (2m2f, good) in October last time; won on heavy ground on the Flat in 2023 but best jumps form has come on good to soft or quicker; in with a chance if conditions suit.

9/2

OUR TIP

7/1

Form: 23014-

Last run: 196 days

W: 10st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Struggled over hurdles in last couple of starts; very best Flat form has come at 2m; effective at this trip but his mark reflects his consistency in this sphere and he's been off 104 days.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

28th May 2026

Good

2m 6f 0y

19:20 Limerick

Cozone

12st 0lb

J: James Smith

T: Matthew J Smith

Bounced back with a bang when easily winning at Downpatrick (2m6f, yielding to soft) off career-low mark on return in March; failed to back that up from 10lb higher at Down Royal but remains fairly treated on pick of old form.

7/1

6th

1

12th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

15:35 Down Royal

Cozone

12st 0lb

J: James Smith

T: Matthew J Smith

Bounced back to form with a bang at Downpatrick (2m6f, yielding to soft) when defeating runner-up Coppola by 7.5l off a career low mark; hefty 10lb hit for that, but this three-time hurdles winner has won off a mark of 106 before; big player.

15/4

17/2

Form: 4/711-

Last run: 444 days

W: 9st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Entitled to have needed his latest outing when tailed off over timber; however, had been in the form of his life previously including on the Flat; feasibly treated if he gets back to his best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

15th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

16:25 Haydock

Dartan

11st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Sarah Humphrey

Useful hurdler in Ireland; beaten in a match over fences on stable debut (first-time visor); this return to hurdles is welcomed but he appears to have developed some of his own ideas; had wind surgery.

25/1

2nd

1

17th Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 3

13:47 Uttoxeter

Dartan

11st 6lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Sarah Humphrey

Very useful handicap hurdler in Ireland when on song but not at same level on his three chasing attempts, and looked very unenthusiastic when third in four-runner beginners' event at Kilbeggan (3m1f, good) in July; swaps blinkers for first-time visor on this stable debut; will probably need to travel with much greater zest.

13/8

3rd

2

11th Jul 2025

Good

3m 1f 80y

20:00 Kilbeggan

Dartan

11st 12lb

J: James Smith

T: Matthew J Smith

Rated 139 over hurdles, two of three wins having been at Bellewstown; ran well on chase debut when second in Galway beginners' last summer but didn't count at Tipperary more recently; not easy to assess back chasing.

10/1

10/1

Form: 336297

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Sixth over hurdles latest; in good form throughout most of his AW campaign through the winter; his form has dipped a little in his last couple of Flat outings; on a good mark if he could return to form back up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

1

(6)

7th Jun 2024

Good

1m 4f 0y

20:17 Fairyhouse

Dalvey

10st 2lb

J: J M Sheridan

T: Noel C Kelly

Tailed off over hurdles latest and struggling in claimers on Flat previously on AW; no wins on turf since 2020 and others preferred.

12/1

14th

3

16th May 2024

Good

2m 3f 0y

19:00 Clonmel

Dalvey

11st 9lb

J: Jody McGarvey

T: Noel C Kelly

towards rear

16/1

14th

3

16th May 2024

Good

2m 3f 0y

19:00 Clonmel

Dalvey

11st 9lb

J: Jody McGarvey

T: Noel C Kelly

towards rear

16/1

Form: 78080-

Last run: 217 days

W: 9st 10lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Can be slowly away, as seen when beaten 7l at Dundalk on his return to the Flat in November; not getting any younger and his recent record fresh isn't inspiring.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

4th Jul 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 0y

17:40 Tipperary

One Cool Poet

11st 12lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Liz Doyle

midfield, lost position when short of room after 1st, pushed along and towards rear when bit short of room and slipped up after 3 out

20/1

9th

5

31st May 2024

Soft

2m 0f 0y

18:50 Tramore

One Cool Poet

11st 12lb

J: Tom Harney

T: Liz Doyle

Was a one-time very useful Flat type but only 1-19 hurdling; only narrowly went down at Punchestown last October on final start for Matthew Smith and veteran now starts for new yard; wants better ground.

20/1

2nd

2

10th Oct 2023

Yielding

2m 0f 140y

14:25 Punchestown

One Cool Poet

11st 12lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Matthew J Smith

Was a one-time smart Flat type but has won only once over hurdles; was 2nd in this race last year off 3lb higher but has to rebound after some lesser runs.

18/1

10th
13 (14)
Delta Dawn

40/1

Form: 47/00-

Last run: 335 days

W: 9st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Shown very little in two runs since leaving Aidan O'Brien and has been off 335 days; wears first-time cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

(3)

13th Sep 2023

Good

1m 4f 0y

13:55 Tramore

Delta Dawn

10st 2lb

J: Jake Coen

T: Peter Fahey

in rear throughout

16/1

8th

6

(7)

24th Jun 2023

Yielding To Soft

1m 4f 70y

20:30 Limerick

Delta Dawn

9st 4lb

J: Danny Sheehy

T: James Leavy

Runner-up twice at two for Aidan O'Brien but has shown nothing in three runs for this yard including on recent return from lay-off.

25/1

10th

13

(14)

16th Jun 2023

Good To Firm

1m 5f 150y

19:25 Fairyhouse

Delta Dawn

9st 0lb

J: Gary Halpin

T: James Leavy

Shown very little in two runs since leaving Aidan O'Brien and has been off 335 days; wears first-time cheekpieces.

40/1

20/1

Form: 160500

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Three of his four wins have come at this trip, but all on AW; hasn't shown enough in two starts back on turf recently.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

23th

21

7th Dec 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 0y

12:32 Navan

Turf Range

11st 12lb

J: Jake Coen

T: D Broad

Multiple winner on the Flat but is only rated a modest 60 in that sphere; well beaten in two starts over hurdles in the past and makes no appeal here.

50/1

23th

21

7th Dec 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 0y

12:32 Navan

Turf Range

11st 12lb

J: Jake Coen

T: D Broad

Multiple winner on the Flat but is only rated a modest 60 in that sphere; well beaten in two starts over hurdles in the past and makes no appeal here.

50/1

12th

3

(17)

22nd Nov 2024

Standard

1m 4f 0y

20:30 Dundalk (AW)

Turf Range

9st 12lb

J: Wayne Hassett

T: D Broad

Four-time course winner with the last three coming over C&D; is 8lb lower than when last winning here in March 2023 but he has struggled on his last few starts; lacks a recent run but has won when fresh before; check the market.

14/1

25/1

Form: 044-90

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
A 14-race maiden and has lost his way of late; tough looking mark at present; wears first-time tongue-tie.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

12th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 110y

15:50 Bellewstown

Kingsofthemidlands

10st 5lb

J: Harry Sexton

T: P A Fahy

Dual-purpose maiden; 0-15 on the Flat and 0-7 over hurdles; pulled up on last start in this sphere and beaten 54l in a 1m4f Flat maiden at Fairyhouse when last seen in June 2024; hard to fancy.

20/1

5th

9

12th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 110y

15:50 Bellewstown

Kingsofthemidlands

10st 5lb

J: Harry Sexton

T: P A Fahy

Dual-purpose maiden; 0-15 on the Flat and 0-7 over hurdles; pulled up on last start in this sphere and beaten 54l in a 1m4f Flat maiden at Fairyhouse when last seen in June 2024; hard to fancy.

20/1

11th

7

3rd Feb 2025

Soft To Heavy

2m 0f 44y

16:40 Punchestown

Kingsofthemidlands

12st 0lb

J: Shane Aylward

T: P A Fahy

Modest maiden in all spheres and has work to do after an absence.

66/1

Form: 52211-

Last run: 299 days

W: 9st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

11

(3)

27th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 3f 180y

16:25 Galway

Pretty Soldier

9st 5lb

J: Patrick McGettigan

T: Wayne Swindle

Winner of five races in Germany; ordinary form since his arrival in Ireland; not disgraced in midfield behind Charlie Brow'n at Navan last week.

25/1

14th

11

(3)

27th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 3f 180y

16:25 Galway

Pretty Soldier

9st 5lb

J: Patrick McGettigan

T: Wayne Swindle

Winner of five races in Germany; ordinary form since his arrival in Ireland; not disgraced in midfield behind Charlie Brow'n at Navan last week.

25/1

11th

13

(8)

22nd Oct 2025

Soft

1m 6f 0y

17:32 Navan

Pretty Soldier

9st 5lb

J: Patrick McGettigan

T: Wayne Swindle

Showed nothing in three runs for new yard last season and off 339 days until dropping out tamely at Bellewstown early this month in this headgear combination; can only be watched.

33/1

Form: 35/00-

Last run: 233 days

W: 9st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(2)

12th Jul 2023

Standard

1m 4f 0y

17:30 Dundalk (AW)

Greek Gladiator

9st 9lb

J: Nicole Weir

T: James Leavy

Some promise for Aidan O'Brien in 2020 but was poor for this yard last year; cheekpieces but difficult to fancy.

28/1

3

(6)

26th Jun 2023

Good

1m 4f 169y

19:50 Ballinrobe

Greek Gladiator

10st 0lb

J: Dean Curran

T: James Leavy

One fair run for Aidan O'Brien three seasons ago; tailed off twice for this yard last season after a long absence; first-time cheekpieces.

33/1

Non-runners

Pretty Soldier, Greek Gladiator

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €22.70
Straight Forecast €20.53
Tricast €309.38
Trifecta €301.00

Selections

POSTDATA:

Night Sparkle

SPOTLIGHT:

Black Hawk Eagle

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Dalvey

The Irish Sun:

Night Sparkle