October 07 / 13.10 Curragh

13.10

Soft

Shoda Market Cafe Irish EBF Maiden

  • Prize money: £8615.04
  • 1m 1f 0y
  • 16 runners
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Shoda Market Cafe Irish EBF Maiden

Runners: 16 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

9/2 (Won)

  • Win: £4.40
  • Place: £2.50

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Galileo colt; brother to three winners including Venice Beach (1m4f including Group 3; RPR 113) and Broadway (1m/9.4f including Group 3; 106), half-brother to four winners including Danedream (6f-1m4f including 2yo/Arc; 128) and Debutante (Listed-placed 1m4f; 100); dam unraced; beautifully bred and he's the first-string on jockey bookings; ground likely to be fine.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

(2)

19th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 4y

16:25 Curragh

Illinois

9st 11lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

2024 Queen's Vase winner; second in last year's Gold Cup at Royal Ascot (good to firm) and runner-up again in the Goodwood Cup (2m, good); flopped when favourite for the Irish St Leger won by Al Riffa; satisfactory return in Ormonde at Chester before a dismal Coronation Cup run; bounced back from that when landing the Queen Alexandra.

2/1

1st

8

(13)

20th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 5f 143y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

Illinois

9st 4lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

Finished runner-up in last year's Gold Cup here (good to firm) and second again in the Goodwood version (2m, good), only narrowly failing to concede 14lb to Scandinavia; crystal clear claims on these favourable terms if returning to that level of form but he wasn't at his best when bidding for a second Ormonde at Chester and ran abysmally in the recent Coronation Cup when under the pump from a worryingly early stage (unwise to blame the rain-hit ground when he has soft-ground form); hard to dismiss but in equal measure he's hard to trust.

3/1

6th

4

(5)

6th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 6y

Class 1

14:40 Epsom

Illinois

9st 2lb

J: Ronan Whelan

T: A P O’Brien

Runner-up in two Cup races last term; only a neck behind stablemate Jan Brueghel in the 2024 St Leger but was beaten about 5l by that opponent last month when bidding for a second success in the Ormonde at Chester, doing nothing to close their current ratings differential; perhaps in here to set the pace and ensure a proper test.

40/1

6/1

  • Place: £3.00

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Phoenix Of Spain colt; cost 50,000euros as a yearling and 160,000euros as a 2yo; half-brother to 1m2f winner Castlebar (including 2yo/AW/UAE; RPR 105) & Napa Spirit (US 5f/5.5f including 2yo); dam 1m/1m3f winner (84) sister to 6f 2yo Listed winner Seeharn, half-sister to 7f Group 3 winner Yellow Rosebud; yard can ready a newcomer and interesting to see how he fares in the market with his stablemates.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

(7)

28th Oct 2024

Yielding To Soft

1m 3f 180y

15:45 Galway

Soul Of Spain

9st 8lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Off the mark over 16.5f in a Thurles maiden (good) earlier this month; hiked up 8lb to 89 for that win; beaten in his last handicap start at Roscommon off 79; handles soft ground but may be on a tough mark now.

6/1

3rd

4

(7)

28th Oct 2024

Yielding To Soft

1m 3f 180y

15:45 Galway

Soul Of Spain

9st 8lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Off the mark over 16.5f in a Thurles maiden (good) earlier this month; hiked up 8lb to 89 for that win; beaten in his last handicap start at Roscommon off 79; handles soft ground but may be on a tough mark now.

6/1

1st

8

(3)

10th Oct 2024

Good

2m 0f 89y

16:50 Thurles

Soul Of Spain

9st 8lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

raced in second, pushed along to lead 2f out, ridden and clear over 1f out, kept on well

4/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Siyouni colt; dam 1m AW winner (RPR 73), is out of Group-placed 1m3f winning half-sister to Moonstone (Irish Oaks, dam of US Army Ranger), Cerulean Sky (1m2f Group 1, dam of Honolulu) & L'Ancresse (1m4f Listed); this looks like a suitable starting point and market support worth noting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

4th Nov 2025

Soft

2m 4f 110y

14:45 Fairyhouse

Bacchanalian

11st 7lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Declan Queally

Front-runner; progressed well last winter on soft/heavy, winning over 2m at this venue and ending campaign with a brace of 2m Naas wins, second occasion with 11l win in Grade 3 Juvenile Hurdle; below best in between when unable to dominate in Grade 1 Leopardstown event; takes on his elders for the first time now.

13/8

3rd

2

4th Nov 2025

Soft

2m 4f 110y

14:45 Fairyhouse

Bacchanalian

11st 7lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Declan Queally

Front-runner; progressed well last winter on soft/heavy, winning over 2m at this venue and ending campaign with a brace of 2m Naas wins, second occasion with 11l win in Grade 3 Juvenile Hurdle; below best in between when unable to dominate in Grade 1 Leopardstown event; takes on his elders for the first time now.

13/8

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Galileo colt; cost 250,000Euros as a yearling; brother to 7f (2yo) & 1m1f (Listed) winner/Irish Oaks second Rain Goddess (RPR 112), closely related to 1m2f-1m4f winner Dream With Me (96); dam placed 6f 2yo (80), half-sister to 1m Listed winner out of 1,000 Guineas winner; nice middle distance prospect with a smart pedigree.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

(9)

29th May 2024

Soft

1m 4f 110y

16:33 Tipperary

Invention

9st 5lb

J: Gavin Ryan

T: Donnacha Aidan O’Brien

Galileo half-brother to Irish Oaks second Rain Goddess; has run well in all his races and last time chased home a very well handicapped horse at Leopardstown (1m4f, good); goes on this ground and looks solid each-way.

11/4

2nd

2

(7)

12th May 2024

Good

1m 4f 0y

17:20 Leopardstown

Invention

9st 12lb

J: Paddy Harnett

T: Donnacha Aidan O’Brien

Galileo half-brother to Irish Oaks second Rain Goddess; has finished closer in each of his runs, on reappearance here over 1m2f never far away and boxing on for third (just behind Ortelius); unexposed on this quicker ground and he looks certain to benefit for going 1m4f.

4/1

2nd

2

(7)

12th May 2024

Good

1m 4f 0y

17:20 Leopardstown

Invention

9st 12lb

J: Paddy Harnett

T: Donnacha Aidan O’Brien

Galileo half-brother to Irish Oaks second Rain Goddess; has finished closer in each of his runs, on reappearance here over 1m2f never far away and boxing on for third (just behind Ortelius); unexposed on this quicker ground and he looks certain to benefit for going 1m4f.

4/1

25/1

Form: 663

Last run: 6 days

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Improved steadily with each run but vulnerable to any above average rivals here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

5

(5)

31st Oct 2023

Heavy

1m 0f 0y

13:22 Curragh

Navajo Scout

9st 4lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Noel Meade

towards rear of midfield

8/1

5th

10

(11)

7th Oct 2023

Soft

1m 1f 0y

13:10 Curragh

Navajo Scout

9st 7lb

J: Chris Hayes

T: Noel Meade

Improved steadily with each run but vulnerable to any above average rivals here.

25/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Has travelled quite well in two barrier trials before looking badly outpaced; longer trip should suit (stamina on dam's side) but down the order on jockey bookings.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(14)

7th Oct 2023

Soft

1m 1f 0y

13:10 Curragh

Cult Figure

9st 7lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Has travelled quite well in two barrier trials before looking badly outpaced; longer trip should suit (stamina on dam's side) but down the order on jockey bookings.

25/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Saxon Warrior colt; cost 65,000euros as a yearling; dam unraced half-sister to Group-placed 6f winner Huntdown, useful winners Wingbeat (6f) and Vainglory (6f-9.4f) and to dams of Saffron Beach (1m Group 1) and Cotai Glory (5f Group 3); nice blend of speed and stamina in his pedigree.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(7)

27th Sep 2024

Soft

1m 6f 1y

Class 3

16:00 Haydock

Walter Hartright

9st 8lb

J: David Egan

T: Ed Dunlop

Races prominently and can make the running; much improved since blinkered, completing a four-timer in June/July before two good seconds and a creditable sixth in warm C&D race on latest outing (behind Filibustering); his only runs on worse than good to soft were last October at start of career (well beaten) so there is something to prove in the mud.

8/1

6th

3

(4)

7th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

1m 6f 1y

Class 2

13:50 Haydock

Walter Hartright

9st 7lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Ed Dunlop

Races prominently and can make the running; much improved since blinkered, completing a four-timer in June/July; advanced his form again when second in both starts since; all of that improvement was over about 1m4f but he shapes as if worth a go at 1m6f; considered.

8/1

2nd

5

(4)

31st Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 4f 23y

Class 2

13:30 Beverley

Walter Hartright

8st 5lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Ed Dunlop

raced in third and in touch with leaders, pushed along over 3f out, went second over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, challenging final furlong, stayed on

9/4

5/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Zoffany colt; cost 48,000Euros as a foal and 64,000Euros as a two-year-old; dam 1m2f winner (RPR 77), closely related to useful 7f winners One Spirit (Listed) and Some Spirit, from family of top sprinter Diktat; notable newcomer worth a market check; tongue-tie on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

6

12th Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 116y

16:00 Sligo

Fine Print

11st 1lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: John C McConnell

Dual AW winner was fourth behind an easy winner on his second handicap hurdle start at Wexford in May (2m1f, good to yielding); never better than midfield on the Flat at Down Royal later that month.

33/1

7th

2

(16)

29th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

19:25 Down Royal

Fine Print

9st 13lb

J: Siobhan Rutledge

T: John C McConnell

AW winner went close at Wolverhampton (1m6f) 18 days ago; due to run over hurdles at Wexford on Wednesday.

9/1

4th

7

27th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 0y

18:19 Wexford

Fine Print

11st 3lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: John C McConnell

AW winner went close at Wolverhampton 16 days ago; 0-4 hurdling in the space of as many weeks last summer but clearly in good heart and could go well.

8/1

5/1

Form: 3

Last run: 3 days

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Big run on Wednesday's debut at Navan when beaten roughly 2l by a well-backed favourite from Ballydoyle; sets the standard if turning out again quickly here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(9)

20th Oct 2025

Good

2m 1f 24y

Class 6

13:55 Bath

Solar Saving

11st 2lb

J: Mr Paul Hainey

T: John Berry

Ex-Irish maiden who has been beaten 9l or more in four handicaps (1m2f-1m4f) for current yard; mark is tumbling but he has lots to prove on this big step up in trip.

12/1

7

(8)

25th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 4f 5y

Class 5

17:05 Pontefract

Solar Saving

9st 6lb

J: Taryn Langley

T: John Berry

Ex-Irish maiden; mark in freefall but yet to get competitive in three starts for this yard.

50/1

11

(15)

8th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 3f 99y

Class 5

15:32 Windsor

Solar Saving

9st 6lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: John Berry

Ex-Irish maiden who has failed to back up debut promise; couple of modest efforts for new stable; needs to raise his game.

25/1

10/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Galileo colt; brother to winners Kiss You Later (1m2f; RPR 104), Switch In Time (US 1m turf) & Yankee Stadium (French 2m1f hurdle), half-brother to 1m3f/1m4f AW (70) and 2m4f hurdle winner Make The Switch; dam US 7f Grade 1 winner; suitable trip for debut; Illinois is the yard's first-string.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

(4)

29th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

18:50 Down Royal

Mont St Michel

9st 6lb

J: J M Sheridan

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Ex-Ballydoyle, for whom he won over 2m1f at Killarney last summer; brief spell hurdling for new connections before finishing last on both Flat outings, latest in Group 3 Saval Beg; out of depth again here.

25/1

6th

6

(2)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

19:22 Leopardstown

Mont St Michel

9st 5lb

J: J M Sheridan

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Ex-Ballydoyle; 2m1f Killarney winner last August; out of depth in Group 2 Prix Foy and well below form at the Curragh on final start; ran twice over hurdles for this stable before a below-par run on AW/handicap debut last month; up against it here.

100/1

10th

1

(11)

23rd Apr 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

19:45 Dundalk (AW)

Mont St Michel

10st 3lb

J: Jared Huggan

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

By Galileo; 2m1f Killarney win last summer; out of depth in Group 2 Prix Foy and well below best on final start for Aidan O'Brien; fair run when thrown in at the deep end for hurdles/stable debut at Leopardstown; struggled at Thurles; AW/handicap debut; new headgear.

14/1

200/1

Form: 57

Last run: 53 days

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Shown little in two maidens so far.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

(16)

12th Apr 2024

Standard

1m 0f 0y

18:45 Dundalk (AW)

Mexican Joe

9st 8lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Luke Comer

Shown little in three maidens.

100/1

8th

8

(16)

12th Apr 2024

Standard

1m 0f 0y

18:45 Dundalk (AW)

Mexican Joe

9st 8lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Luke Comer

Shown little in three maidens.

100/1

11th

8

(6)

7th Oct 2023

Soft

1m 1f 0y

13:10 Curragh

Mexican Joe

9st 7lb

J: Nathan Crosse

T: Luke Comer

Shown little in two maidens so far.

200/1

OUR TIP

14/1

Form: 8

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Only 4-1 for his debut but was beaten 14l; yard's newcomers often need the experience and he's closely related to Irish Derby winner, Trading Leather, so this extra furlong can only help; may do better but Illinois looks like the yard's first-string.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

(1)

26th Sep 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:55 Newmarket

Fighter

8st 9lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

took keen hold, led

7/2

1st

19

(13)

14th Sep 2024

Good

1m 5f 0y

16:35 Leopardstown

Fighter

8st 7lb

J: Wayne Hassett

T: A P O’Brien

made all, clear after 3f, reduced lead halfway, shaken up and went clear again over 1f out, ran on well, easily

12/1

1st

8

(10)

24th Aug 2024

Good

1m 2f 0y

16:40 Curragh

Fighter

9st 8lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

made all, travelled strongly, joined from over 4f out, nudged along when went clear 2f out, ran on, comfortably

5/1

12/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Camelot colt; cost 170,000euros as a foal and 450,000gns as a yearling; half-brother to French 12.5f winner Seelie; dam 6f AW 2yo winner (RPR 69), half-sister to three winners including 7f 2yo Group 1 winner Chelsea Rose (dam of Kew Gardens); eyecatching price tag but might be one for a bit further down the line and Illinois is the yard's first-string.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

14

(13)

7th Oct 2023

Soft

1m 1f 0y

13:10 Curragh

Tour Of Duty

9st 7lb

J: Jack Cleary

T: A P O’Brien

Camelot colt; cost 170,000euros as a foal and 450,000gns as a yearling; half-brother to French 12.5f winner Seelie; dam 6f AW 2yo winner (RPR 69), half-sister to three winners including 7f 2yo Group 1 winner Chelsea Rose (dam of Kew Gardens); eyecatching price tag but might be one for a bit further down the line and Illinois is the yard's first-string.

12/1

20/1

Form: 60

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Has shown ability in two starts so far including valuable sales race here a fortnight ago when 15th of 23; further could yield improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

10

(1)

20th Jun 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

17:45 Leopardstown

Tsunami Speed

9st 3lb

J: Seamie Heffernan

T: Miss Natalia Lupini

Glimpses of ability in three runs last year; gelded since his last run and debuts here for Natalia Lupini; not obviously well-handicapped but an interesting runner.

12/1

14th

15

(1)

7th Oct 2023

Soft

1m 1f 0y

13:10 Curragh

Tsunami Speed

9st 7lb

J: Gary Halpin

T: Adrian Murray

Has shown ability in two starts so far including valuable sales race here a fortnight ago when 15th of 23; further could yield improvement.

20/1

15th

15

(14)

23rd Sep 2023

Soft

0m 7f 0y

15:40 Curragh

Tsunami Speed

9st 5lb

J: Gary Halpin

T: Adrian Murray

Big price when finishing with only one behind him on recent debut in a seven-runner 6f maiden at Naas.

100/1

100/1

Form:

Last run: 99 days

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
50-1 and beaten 22l on debut here; longer trip will suit but hard to fancy.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

11th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

16:42 Southwell

Liberty Looming

10st 9lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Adam Nicol

Unplaced in 17 starts across both codes; new yard and new headgear, but much to prove.

14/1

10

4th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

16:35 Newton Abbot

Liberty Looming

10st 8lb

J: Lorcan Murtagh

T: Nigel Hawke

Unplaced in 16 attempts across both codes; others preferred.

14/1

10

4th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

16:35 Newton Abbot

Liberty Looming

10st 8lb

J: Lorcan Murtagh

T: Nigel Hawke

Unplaced in 16 attempts across both codes; others preferred.

14/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Son of Estidhkaar; cost 5,000euros as a yearling; half-brother to 6f 2yo/Bahraini 5f winner Arriba Arriba (RPR 72); dam 6f AW winner (66), closely related to 6f winner Continental Lady; already gelded and unlikely to feature.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16th

13

14th May 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 190y

18:50 Tipperary

Nobody

10st 12lb

J: Richard Deegan

T: Brendan Maurice Walsh

Weak form in maidens; huge price when tailed off at Limerick on handicap debut, no appeal.

25/1

16th

13

14th May 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 190y

18:50 Tipperary

Nobody

10st 12lb

J: Richard Deegan

T: Brendan Maurice Walsh

Weak form in maidens; huge price when tailed off at Limerick on handicap debut, no appeal.

25/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €66.80
Straight Forecast €45.48
Trifecta €1147.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Illinois

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Solar Saving

POSTDATA:

Navajo Scout

The Irish Sun:

Illinois