August 17 / 18.05 Leopardstown

18.05

Good

Bahrain Turf Club Desmond Stakes (Group 3)

  • Prize money: £27411.5
  • 1m 0f 0y
  • 8 runners
RTV
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Bahrain Turf Club Desmond Stakes (Group 3)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.50
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 3-1147 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Reliable and progressive in conditions races and handicaps; plenty to prove at this level, though he is dropping down one notch following a Group 2 bid last time; previously fourth in a 1m Curragh Listed race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

(3)

9th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 0y

19:03 Leopardstown

Lord Massusus

10st 0lb

J: Sam Coen

T: Joseph G Murphy

Seven-time winner including Listed and Group 3 races here over 1m on good ground; not a bad effort in first handicap start since 2023 at the Curragh last time (denied a clear run) and eased 1lb for that; goes well here and firmly enters calculations upped in trip.

12/1

7th

1

(4)

28th Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

14:45 Curragh

Lord Massusus

10st 0lb

J: Paddy Harnett

T: Joseph G Murphy

Ground versatile; seven-time winner (including at Group 3 and Listed level); running respectably in stakes company this term and is 2-2 in handicaps, though hasn't run in one since winning off 1lb higher at Naas in 2023; course winner interesting with rider taking off 5lb.

11/1

6th

3

(1)

10th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

15:05 Leopardstown

Lord Massusus

9st 9lb

J: Seamie Heffernan

T: Joseph G Murphy

Confirmed his liking for this venue when winning a Listed race here last season (Mutasarref a neck behind), his second C&D win; improving for each outing this season and should run his race but a rating of 99 leaves him with a fair amount to find with a few of these rivals.

16/1

11/4

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 16-32 C

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Impressive debut winner over 7f here last year; found to have an injury after disappointing in the Chesham Stakes; placed in two small-field Group 3 races this season; may improve with cheekpieces fitted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

6

(3)

9th Sep 2023

Good

1m 0f 0y

15:55 Leopardstown

Alfred Munnings

9st 5lb

J: Seamie Heffernan

T: A P O’Brien

dwelt start, midfield

10/1

2nd

6

(2)

17th Aug 2023

Good

1m 0f 0y

18:05 Leopardstown

Alfred Munnings

9st 3lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

soon disputed lead, raced in second after 1f, led over 1f out, soon ridden and edged left, headed inside final 110yds, no match for winner

11/4

2nd

3

(6)

20th Jul 2023

Yielding To Soft

1m 1f 0y

19:25 Leopardstown

Alfred Munnings

9st 0lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

disputed lead early, soon raced in second and pressed leader, challenging inside final furlong, kept on, no match for winner

5/2

4/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 11-545 C

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Major progress last summer, winning three-in-a-row over 7f, including Cork Listed event; not at the same level this season, though ran well under a big weight in a Galway handicap last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

(6)

10th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

15:05 Leopardstown

Mutasarref

9st 9lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: G M Lyons

Has won ten of his 30 starts, including four times at this venue at 7f-1m; most recent success came at Cork in October 2024 (1m, yielding) but ran some fine races last season, including when third in this; well behind a couple of these on seasonal return here last month but better expected now with that run under his belt; place chance.

10/1

9th

6

(8)

15th Apr 2026

Yielding

1m 0f 0y

15:07 Leopardstown

Mutasarref

9st 7lb

J: Colin Keane

T: G M Lyons

Ten victories include four here, most notably twice at Group 3 level in 2024; not quite at the same level this year but solid form, most recently seasonal-best when getting up late for second in Group 2 Solonaway Stakes at the Curragh.

5/1

1

(1)

19th Oct 2025

Yielding

1m 0f 0y

14:25 Leopardstown

Mutasarref

9st 9lb

J: Robert Whearty

T: G M Lyons

Ten victories include four here, notably this race in 2023 and twice at Group 3 level last year; not quite at same level this year but solid form, most recently seasonal-best when getting up late for second in Group 2 Solonaway Stakes here last month; major player once again.

5/2

OUR TIP

Form: 0-0451 CD

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Progressive handicapper last year; C&D winner off 69 in July and defied a mark of 85 at Dundalk in November; winner off 87 at Killarney on fourth start this term; promoted 9lb for that but remains short of the standard required here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(6)

13th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 20y

19:00 Killarney

Howyoulikethat

10st 0lb

J: Sam Coen

T: Miss Hilary McLoughlin

Latest of five wins was in the 2023 renewal of this event, after which he ran well in a Group 3 at Leopardstown and a Listed contest over C&D; not the same force nowadays and has come down a good bit in the ratings; was still capable of good form last year; not at his best on AW in the spring and back from a break here.

9/2

7th

4

(2)

20th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 0y

19:15 Dundalk (AW)

Howyoulikethat

9st 11lb

J: Chris Hayes

T: Miss Hilary McLoughlin

Three-time C&D winner; no further success since July 2023 turf win at Killarney; stayed on to take fourth behind Una Matata last time; down 2lb and should appreciate this trip.

10/1

4th

2

(2)

6th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 0y

17:12 Dundalk (AW)

Howyoulikethat

10st 1lb

J: Declan McDonogh

T: Miss Hilary McLoughlin

Three-time course 1m winner; no further success since July 2023 turf win at Killarney; fair form here November/December, not so good last month; 7f probably a bit sharp for him.

14/1

5th
8 (1)
Shayzann

12/1

Form: 41 D

Last run: 50 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Naas maiden winner over 1m on second start, beating a subsequent Galway festival winner; open to improvement but this looks demanding.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

(7)

11th Oct 2024

Standard

1m 4f 0y

20:00 Dundalk (AW)

Shayzann

10st 2lb

J: Colin Keane

T: J P Murtagh

towards rear, some headway towards far side 1f out, soon no impression

6/1

23th

4

(5)

31st Aug 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

16:35 Curragh

Shayzann

9st 2lb

J: Ben Coen

T: J P Murtagh

midfield

10/1

Form: 38-013 C

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Placed at Group 2 level as a juvenile; disappointed on her reappearance at this venue in May; got her career back on track with a 1m Chantilly Listed success at the beginning of July; would have been closer with a clearer run when third behind the smart Random Harvest in a 1m Group 3 at Ascot; good prospects here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

(1)

1st Sep 2024

Good

0m 7f 110y

15:30 Tipperary

Thornbrook

9st 7lb

J: Declan McDonogh

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

midfield, some headway disputing second under 2f out, weakened inside final furlong

6/1

7th

5

(1)

27th Jul 2024

Good

0m 7f 213y

Class 1

14:25 Ascot

Thornbrook

9st 5lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Unraced on officially firmer than good; French 1m Listed winner last July, prior to career-best form when close third in this race; wore cheekpieces both starts this season and looked on her way back to her best when fourth in 7f Group 3 at Leopardstown latest; place claims.

9/1

4th

5

(2)

11th Jul 2024

Good

0m 7f 35y

18:15 Leopardstown

Thornbrook

9st 9lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

towards rear, headway towards far side from 2f out, prominent when short of room 1f out, no extra inside final 110yds

12/1

Form: 8-1681 CD

Last run: 57 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Won Royal Ascot handicap off 99; previously finished behind Mutasarref in a 7f Listed race at Naas but could have an edge over that rival at this stage.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

(1)

17th Aug 2024

Good

1m 2f 0y

16:00 Curragh

Villanova Queen

9st 6lb

J: Scott McCullagh

T: Mrs John Harrington

Won last season's Kensington Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot; ninth of 24 in this year's edition; placed only once in ten attempts in stakes races; well held in fifth in a Listed at Pontefract last month.

50/1

5th

9

(4)

9th Jul 2024

Good To Firm

1m 0f 6y

Class 1

15:10 Pontefract

Villanova Queen

9st 2lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Mrs John Harrington

Irish mare; finished behind Doha and Elim when bidding for a second win in the Kensington Palace at Ascot; now meets those rivals on better terms but is comparatively exposed.

11/2

Form: 35-376 CD

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Nine-time winner, twice in Group 3 company including over C&D early last season; was absent for almost a year until June; yet to find his best form in three attempts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

(6)

17th Aug 2023

Good

1m 0f 0y

18:05 Leopardstown

Pretreville

9st 9lb

J: Ronan Whelan

T: Adrian McGuinness

soon disputed lead, led narrowly after 1f

14/1

6th

4

(2)

26th Jul 2023

Soft

0m 7f 0y

20:00 Naas

Pretreville

9st 10lb

J: Adam Caffrey

T: Adrian McGuinness

took keen hold, in touch with leaders, outpaced under 2f out, soon no extra

9/2

7th

4

(7)

2nd Jul 2023

Good

1m 0f 0y

17:25 Curragh

Pretreville

9st 9lb

J: Gavin Ryan

T: Adrian McGuinness

led, pushed along 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong

12/1

Non-runners

Goldana

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €24.40
Straight Forecast €21.90
Trifecta €160.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Thornbrook

TOPSPEED:

Goldana

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Villanova Queen

POSTDATA:

Thornbrook

The Irish Sun:

Thornbrook