August 05 / 16.15 Galway

16.15

Good To Yielding

Grá Chocolates Irish EBF Nursery Handicap

  • Prize money: £10964.6
  • 0m 7f 0y
  • 4 runners
TG4
View Course
Grá Chocolates Irish EBF Nursery Handicap

Runners: 4 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

13/8 (Won)

  • Win: £2.40

Form: 34

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 10lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
No real chance take by the handicapper after a promising Curragh maiden run and a decent effort in a Tipperary conditions event; should run his race and probably still capable of improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(2)

13th Oct 2024

Yielding

2m 0f 23y

16:00 Naas

Portland

9st 9lb

J: Jack Cleary

T: A P O’Brien

Second of three runners for yard; 3yo colt is closely matched with stablemate Chemistry; won a Listed at Leopardstown in June (1m4f, good); not a bad effort in a Group 3 at Newmarket on latest (1m5f, good to soft); didn't look like he was crying out for this sort of trip though and not bred for it either; well-drawn but others preferred.

9/2

3rd

3

(4)

11th Jul 2024

Soft

1m 5f 0y

Class 1

13:50 Newmarket (July)

Portland

9st 3lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

Has raced ten times and is more exposed than his rivals, but it was his first crack at 1m4f when keeping on well for a narrow Listed win at Leopardstown last month (good) and 1m2f looked inadequate at Royal Ascot most recently; versatile ground-wise; not discounted now up in trip.

15/2

8th

8

(6)

20th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 1f 212y

Class 1

17:40 Ascot

Portland

9st 2lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

Fourth in Group 3 Classic Trial at Sandown (1m2f, good to soft) before Listed win at Leopardstown (1m4f, good); that was his ninth race and others are less exposed and have stronger form, but he's the sole runner for Aidan O'Brien who has won two of the last six runnings, so is worth a second look.

10/1

OUR TIP

6/4

Form: 6031

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 6lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Progressing well and bolted up in the first nursery of the season over 6f at the Curragh two weeks ago; soft ground suits well and there could well be more to come from him, even with a 12lb penalty.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

(7)

23rd May 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:30 Haydock

Jakajaro

9st 6lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Robert Cowell

He's got back on track in a major way in 5f handicaps this spring, winning at Newmarket then impressively making all in a big field at York last week (both on good ground; effective on soft early in career); back up in grade this afternoon but this thriving 5yo could be capable of another bold bid.

8/1

1st

2

(18)

14th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

14:20 York

Jakajaro

9st 9lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Robert Cowell

Snapped a lengthy losing sequence when making virtually all to win at Newmarket (5f, good) last month on his reappearance; he needs to back up that performance but did it comfortably last time and, following a 5lb rise, remains well treated on his historic exploits; a possible.

12/1

5/2

Form: 4571 D

Last run: 43 days

W: 8st 7lb

2 yo Filly

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Marked improvement when defying odds of 25-1 at Down Royal in June; opening mark looks fine but pulled out due to soft ground at the Curragh; a contender if the ground is suitable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

18th

4

(8)

23rd Oct 2024

Yielding

0m 5f 180y

14:00 Navan

Lia Fail

9st 12lb

J: Terry Casey

T: Michael Mulvany

Won twice last year but has really struggled to find any form this season; 6lb below her last winning mark but makes little appeal on current form.

33/1

9th

13

(9)

29th Jul 2024

Soft

0m 7f 0y

18:40 Galway

Lia Fail

9st 7lb

J: Wesley Joyce

T: Michael Mulvany

Three-time winner last year up to this trip; below form all starts this term including handicaps the last twice; handles soft ground.

28/1

10th

4

(7)

14th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

17:05 Fairyhouse

Lia Fail

9st 12lb

J: Wesley Joyce

T: Michael Mulvany

midfield

12/1

33/1

Form: 5083

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 7lb

2 yo Filly

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Best run when staying on behind Jakajaro in a first-time tongue-tie last time; 4lb wrong here though and probably up against it.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

(16)

20th Sep 2025

Yielding To Soft

1m 0f 0y

15:27 Gowran Park

Nika Pika

9st 7lb

J: Sam Coen

T: Noel C Kelly

Just 1-26, winning a Navan claiming maiden in 2023; lost her form on AW last winter and poor back there last time; handles soft but not easy to fancy.

25/1

4

(1)

12th Jul 2025

Standard

1m 0f 0y

15:02 Dundalk (AW)

Nika Pika

9st 11lb

J: Paddy Harnett

T: Noel C Kelly

Sole win from 25 starts came at Navan in a maiden claimer in 2023 over 1m; highly tried at this venue earlier this year with her best effort being a 1.75l third over 1m4f; poor in five runs at this track following that and tailed off when attempting hurdles for the first time at Cartmel last time; tongue-tie now added to hood.

18/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €4.40
Straight Forecast €4.16
Trifecta €7.30

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Portland

SPOTLIGHT:

Jakajaro

POSTDATA:

Portland

The Irish Sun:

Portland

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Jakajaro