August 19 / 14.52 Curragh

14.52

Good

Neville O’Byrne Memorial Irish EBF Fillies & Mares Handicap

  • Prize money: £10442.48
  • 1m 4f 0y
  • 9 runners
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Neville O’Byrne Memorial Irish EBF Fillies & Mares Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

2nd
7 (3)
Esquiline

8/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 8-2214 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Off the mark in a Bellewstown maiden over this trip (in first-time cheekpieces) and it was a decent rated race in which she ran fourth at Leopardstown (1m5f, soft); not thrown in for her first handicap but likely to go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

3

(11)

10th Jul 2024

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

18:30 Fairyhouse

Esquiline

9st 9lb

J: Ben Coen

T: J P Murtagh

Maiden winner over 1m4f last year; limitations generally evident in Listed races, though managed to finish within a neck of Countess Of Tyrone over 2m at Down Royal on her penultimate start.

7/1

6th

6

(4)

22nd Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 4f 110y

16:05 Limerick

Esquiline

9st 4lb

J: Shane B Kelly

T: J P Murtagh

Maiden winner over this trip last year put up her best effort since when second in a Down Royal Listed upped to 2m last time; needs to reproduce that down in trip again.

9/1

2nd

8

(8)

31st May 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

19:30 Down Royal

Esquiline

9st 0lb

J: Ben Coen

T: J P Murtagh

in touch with leaders, headway when bit short of room over 2f out, ridden and challenging inside final furlong, kept on well, just held

14/1

6/1

  • Place: £2.70

Form: 421342

Last run: 32 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Consistent filly who will appreciate returning to 1m4f and latest Killarney conqueror didn't run at all badly at the Shergar Cup; thereabouts with no obvious ground preferences.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

(3)

7th Sep 2023

Good

2m 0f 144y

18:55 Clonmel

Marvelosa

9st 9lb

J: W J Lee

T: Richard John O’Brien

midfield, brief headway under 2f out, no impression 1f out

5/1

3rd

10

(2)

24th Aug 2023

Good To Yielding

1m 6f 40y

19:10 Killarney

Marvelosa

8st 8lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Richard John O’Brien

midfield, headway and in touch with leaders under 2f out, went third over 1f out, briefly went second towards finish, soon no extra

7/1

3rd

6

(2)

19th Aug 2023

Good

1m 4f 0y

14:52 Curragh

Marvelosa

9st 9lb

J: Jack Kearney

T: Richard John O’Brien

Consistent filly who will appreciate returning to 1m4f and latest Killarney conqueror didn't run at all badly at the Shergar Cup; thereabouts with no obvious ground preferences.

6/1

14/1

Form: /3-215

Last run: 39 days

W: 9st 11lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Dual-purpose performer who comes here in decent form, winning at Ballinrobe (1m5f, good; 5lb lower) before a decent effort at Tramore; looks sure to give her running, even if conditions soften up.
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

12/1

Form: -75690 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 13lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Only win in 12 came in a Gowran maiden (1m4f, soft); well behind in both her handicaps, though it was a valuable one at Galway two weeks ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

1

(15)

15th Oct 2023

Heavy

1m 3f 202y

15:25 Naas

Blazing Skies

9st 7lb

J: W J Lee

T: W McCreery

towards rear of midfield

33/1

5th

2

(1)

19th Aug 2023

Good

1m 4f 0y

14:52 Curragh

Blazing Skies

9st 13lb

J: W J Lee

T: W McCreery

Only win in 12 came in a Gowran maiden (1m4f, soft); well behind in both her handicaps, though it was a valuable one at Galway two weeks ago.

12/1

12th

12

(4)

4th Aug 2023

Yielding

1m 4f 0y

18:35 Galway

Blazing Skies

8st 12lb

J: Nathan Crosse

T: W McCreery

Found Listed class too good at Leopardstown last time out after running below-par in a Fairyhouse handicap; needs to show her best and soft ground would help.

28/1

10/1

Form: -51532 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 11lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
A 7yo mare in a good run of form at the minute and found only one too good over 1m2f+ at Sligo (soft) ten days ago; could be interesting returned to further as she has form over this far in France.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(6)

29th Sep 2025

Good

1m 4f 194y

14:39 Down Royal

No Niki No

9st 10lb

J: Colin Keane

T: E J O’Neill

Won her ninth race when winning over 1m4f at Tramore in July; below that form behind Mo Ghille Mar here and over 2m back at Tramore since; has worn different headgear before but first time with a visor today.

14/1

1

(11)

16th Aug 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

19:37 Tramore

No Niki No

10st 4lb

J: Chris Hayes

T: E J O’Neill

Was recording a ninth career win when making all for decisive success here over 1m4f last month (good); capitulated tamely however at Down Royal 10 days later so needs to bounce back and unproven over this far.

15/2

6th

1

(5)

18th Jul 2025

Good

1m 5f 0y

20:00 Down Royal

No Niki No

10st 0lb

J: Chris Hayes

T: E J O’Neill

Was recording a ninth career win when making all for decisive success at Tramore 10 days ago (1m4f, good); 4lb rise returns her to a career-high mark and this stiffer stamina test could stretch her.

6/1

OUR TIP

Form: 547749

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 0lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Has gone 0-12 since her winning debut and has had some chances in handicaps; only 1lb lower than when well held at Galway (suffered interference); tries blinkers.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

(7)

24th Sep 2023

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 165y

16:45 Curragh

Female Soldier

9st 4lb

J: Shane Foley

T: Thomas Mullins

led

20/1

9th

5

(9)

7th Sep 2023

Good

2m 0f 144y

18:55 Clonmel

Female Soldier

9st 11lb

J: Shane Foley

T: Thomas Mullins

towards rear of midfield, towards rear halfway, brief headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out

16/1

6th

8

(6)

24th Aug 2023

Good To Yielding

1m 6f 40y

19:10 Killarney

Female Soldier

8st 13lb

J: Mikey Sheehy

T: Thomas Mullins

took keen hold, prominent, soon went second, lost position under 2f out, no extra from 1f out

12/1

Form: 56-965 CD

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 5lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Up and down over jumps before running as well as could be expected on the Flat at Galway; well held in this 12 months ago and over two years since last successful on the Flat.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

4th Apr 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 100y

18:30 Wexford

Effernock Fizz

11st 0lb

J: Tiernan Power Roche

T: Cian Collins

Admirable mare will be having her 108th start under rules; 1-21 over fences but has run well at this venue on multiple occasions; lost form since shock win in a 2m listed handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse in March 2024; hard to fancy on recent showings but can't fully dismiss.

10/1

6th

5

4th Apr 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 100y

18:30 Wexford

Effernock Fizz

11st 0lb

J: Tiernan Power Roche

T: Cian Collins

Admirable mare will be having her 108th start under rules; 1-21 over fences but has run well at this venue on multiple occasions; lost form since shock win in a 2m listed handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse in March 2024; hard to fancy on recent showings but can't fully dismiss.

10/1

5

15th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 0f 0y

13:55 Gowran Park

Effernock Fizz

10st 8lb

J: E Walsh

T: Cian Collins

Admirable front-runner but recent form far from encouraging, 3m beyond her last time; return to 2m to suit but hard to see her lasting it out.

25/1

Form: 731 D

Last run: 58 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Has improved in each of her runs and did it readily when off the mark in a 1m4f maiden at Leopardstown (good to yielding); the third finished second at Galway next time; this opening mark could be okay.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

(11)

24th Jun 2024

Yielding

1m 5f 0y

20:20 Ballinrobe

Sugaree

10st 0lb

J: Hugh Horgan

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

1m4f Leopardstown maiden winner last summer; subsequent handicap debut run at the Curragh was too bad to be true; more like it when fourth over this trip at Leopardstown on return, not beaten far.

7/1

4th

2

(7)

6th Jun 2024

Good

1m 4f 180y

18:00 Leopardstown

Sugaree

10st 2lb

J: Hugh Horgan

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

in touch with leaders, headway and prominent on near side of group 2f out, no extra towards finish

13/2

Form: 060121 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 10lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 90

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

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €45.50
Straight Forecast €33.10
Tricast €213.52
Trifecta €145.90

Selections

RP RATINGS (IRE):

No Niki No

The Irish Sun:

Sugaree

POSTDATA:

Esquiline

SPOTLIGHT:

Marvelosa

TOPSPEED:

No Niki No