April 06 / 15.25 Curragh

15.25

Heavy

Hytech EQ Ultra Handicap

  • Prize money: £15391.3
  • 1m 0f 0y
  • 10 runners
RTV
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Hytech EQ Ultra Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

Abandoned

Form: 90131- CD

Last run: 209 days

W: 10st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Won twice here last year on good to yielding, over 1m and 1m2f; raised 9lb for beating 21 rivals the last time but perhaps a greater concern is that he's not yet been seen to best effect on deep ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(1)

14th Sep 2025

Good To Yielding

1m 6f 0y

16:25 Curragh

Crystal Black

9st 10lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Gerard Keane

Highly progressive in winning all four starts last year, including twice in Curragh handicaps and Group 3 at Leopardstown (1m4f); very light campaign this year, inadequate trip on return before close second to an all-the-way winner in Group 3 Ballyroan Stakes at Leopardstown last month; first attempt at 1m6f here.

12/1

1

(3)

7th Aug 2025

Good

1m 4f 0y

18:53 Leopardstown

Crystal Black

9st 9lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Gerard Keane

Highly progressive in winning all four starts last year, starting in Curragh handicaps at 1m and 1m2f; even better at 1m4f, landing Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot and taking this race by 5l from subsequent Irish Cesarewitch winner The Euphrates; should be sharper than when one place behind Sons And Lovers over 1m2f at the Curragh in April.

5/4

4th

4

(1)

12th Apr 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

16:35 Curragh

Crystal Black

9st 8lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Gerard Keane

raced in fourth, brief headway and went third under 2f out, no extra and lost third towards finish

5/2

Form: 61131- D

Last run: 173 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Seems fine on all ground and has won three of his five starts, the latest a rated race at Gowran (1m); the handicapper pushed him up 7lb to a mark of 90 but he did post an RPR of 100 that day; hard to dismiss.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

4

(2)

25th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

1m 0f 50y

16:25 Limerick

Grey Leader

9st 11lb

J: Nicola Burns

T: R P Burns

Five-time winner for Joe Murphy; tailed off on debut for this stable in the Irish Lincolnshire last month; acts on most ground but can only be watched after that latest effort.

25/1

25th

14

(23)

15th Mar 2026

Heavy

1m 0f 0y

16:20 Curragh

Grey Leader

8st 11lb

J: Nicola Burns

T: R P Burns

Won five races for Joe Murphy; acts on heavy ground and could be a useful recruit to the Burns yard; 6lb higher than for his last win, which was achieved at the main expense of Akecheta at Tipperary.

20/1

11th

7

(16)

2nd Nov 2025

Heavy

1m 0f 0y

15:05 Curragh

Grey Leader

9st 7lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: Joseph G Murphy

Goes well in testing ground; won her fifth race when scoring over 1m1f at Tipperary; just ran out of stamina but a decent effort over 1m2f here since; can go well back to 1m.

14/1

Form: 43057- D

Last run: 167 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Went 1-11 for Johnny Murtagh with the victory coming in a 1m heavy-ground maiden at Bellewstown 12 months ago; often highly tried and was placed in her only previous handicap off 2lb higher; interesting to see what Joseph O'Brien can do with her.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

9

(4)

17th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

14:26 Naas

Fast Tara

9st 1lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Paul W Flynn

Led, was headed, but then rallied for a 0.5l third of 16 at Limerick (1m, yielding); 1-24 strike rate is not a great return but has placed on many occasions; should go well again off 1lb higher, but this ground may not suit.

15/2

3rd

12

(1)

25th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

1m 0f 50y

16:25 Limerick

Fast Tara

9st 3lb

J: Adam Grant

T: Paul W Flynn

Sole success came in a Bellewstown maiden in April 2023; has run well in defeat at times and should strip fitter for her comeback run at Gowran 17-days ago; place chance if steps forward from that.

14/1

Form: 0508-0

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Multiple winner who goes particularly well at Galway and yet he's 0-14 here (runner-up three times); finished well behind in the Irish Lincolnshire on his recent C&D reappearance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

(6)

10th Jan 2025

Standard

0m 7f 0y

17:00 Dundalk (AW)

Current Option

10st 0lb

J: Darragh O’Sullivan

T: Adrian McGuinness

took keen hold, prominent, joined leader over 4f out, led under 3f out, headed over 1f out, lost second when lost action inside final 110yds, eased towards finish, looked to go wrong

3/1

4th

3

(6)

10th Jan 2025

Standard

0m 7f 0y

17:00 Dundalk (AW)

Current Option

10st 0lb

J: Darragh O’Sullivan

T: Adrian McGuinness

took keen hold, prominent, joined leader over 4f out, led under 3f out, headed over 1f out, lost second when lost action inside final 110yds, eased towards finish, looked to go wrong

3/1

2nd

9

(9)

18th Dec 2024

Standard

0m 7f 0y

17:25 Dundalk (AW)

Current Option

8st 8lb

J: Jamie Powell

T: Adrian McGuinness

Once very useful sort with eight turf wins but is yet to win on AW; fine effort from the front over inadequate 6f (rider dropped whip) here last Friday and one to consider back at his optimum trip and rider's valuable claim.

13/2

Abandoned

Form: 0909-4 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Stuck on a losing run but he's well handicapped and travelled better than most when fourth of 19 in the Irish Lincolnshire over C&D; must have every chance with Adam Caffrey taking off 5lb this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

(2)

16th Jul 2025

Good

1m 0f 40y

17:20 Killarney

Casanova

9st 6lb

J: Adam Caffrey

T: Adrian McGuinness

Seasoned handicapper has deteriorated considerably this year, never counting in a Ballinrobe claimer on latest; very hard to be confident in.

14/1

6th

6

(7)

4th Jul 2025

Good

0m 7f 195y

16:40 Bellewstown

Casanova

9st 6lb

J: Julian Pietropaolo

T: Adrian McGuinness

Has struggled in eight starts since winning a 1m1f Listowel handicap last autumn; rated 85 after that success, now 15lb lower but even so can be given a chance at these weights; good 7lb claimer aboard.

4/1

Abandoned

Form: 9874-3 C BF

Last run: 13 days

W: 8st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Consistent and will like the ground; very encouraging return at Naas 13 days ago when finishing his race off well over a 7f trip that seems too sharp; good chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

(7)

20th May 2026

Good

1m 5f 170y

19:50 Gowran Park

Mr Rango

9st 12lb

J: Siobhan Rutledge

T: James M Barcoe

Three-time winner at 1m2f on soft or heavy, latest over two years ago; fair form this season but needs to find extra; ran in the 7.50 at Roscommon on Monday.

12/1

5th

9

(4)

18th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 17y

19:50 Roscommon

Mr Rango

9st 0lb

J: Siobhan Rutledge

T: James M Barcoe

Long time since latest of three wins but he's off a good mark nowadays; place behind Amplitude over 1m5f at Ballinrobe last time; rain would help his cause.

12/1

4th

13

(12)

8th May 2026

Yielding To Soft

1m 4f 183y

20:22 Ballinrobe

Mr Rango

9st 1lb

J: Siobhan Rutledge

T: James M Barcoe

Three-time winner at 1m2f on soft or heavy, latest over two years ago; okay runs latest two starts this term but more needed.

14/1

Abandoned

Form: 668-00 CD

Last run: 13 days

W: 8st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Five-time winner but it's been a quiet start to this season, over 5f here and then 7f at Naas (well behind Mr Rango and Duke Of Leggagh); cheekpieces added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 55650- D

Last run: 122 days

W: 8st 9lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Both wins (from 25 starts) came back-to-back at Gowran last May (1m, yielding; 1m1f, soft); 5lb higher than for that latest success and the year didn't end well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(2)

14th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 4f 46y

16:45 Roscommon

You Owe Me Money

10st 1lb

J: Jack Cleary

T: Gerard O’Leary

towards rear but in touch with leaders

14/1

4th

1

(8)

3rd Sep 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

15:55 Gowran Park

You Owe Me Money

9st 9lb

J: Jack Cleary

T: Gerard O’Leary

Top rated two time course winner for former yard, including at this trip; running well in handicaps this season; beaten 0.5l at Naas off 75 latest (10.5f, good to yielding); her course wins came on easy ground and today's conditions and drop in trip have to be a concern.

9/4

2nd

1

(14)

25th Aug 2024

Yielding

1m 2f 84y

16:52 Naas

You Owe Me Money

10st 0lb

J: Jack Cleary

T: Gerard O’Leary

midfield, towards rear halfway, switched right towards near side under 3f out, keeping on when switched left inside final 110yds, went second towards finish

12/1

Form: 5937-7 BF

Last run: 13 days

W: 8st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Second to Paddington in the Madrid Handicap first time back last season and he won next time over 1m2f; beaten 11l on this season's return at Naas when behind Mr Rango, but could strip fitter for that and returning to further is a definite plus.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(12)

20th Oct 2025

Yielding

1m 3f 175y

17:25 Gowran Park

Duke Of Leggagh

9st 11lb

J: Wesley Joyce

T: Michael Mulvany

Gained sixth win of his career at Bellewstown on penultimate (12.5f, soft); beaten off revised mark off 77 latest but he'll relish testing conditions if the rain comes and he's gone well here before.

7/1

5th

2

(12)

13th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 4f 46y

16:35 Roscommon

Duke Of Leggagh

9st 11lb

J: Wesley Joyce

T: Michael Mulvany

C&D winner in May (good) and went in again at Bellewstown (1m4f, soft) 12 days ago when merely pushed out for a 5l verdict; the 8lb rise asks a question but should give it his best shot.

5/1

1st

3

(4)

1st Oct 2025

Good To Yielding

1m 4f 110y

16:33 Bellewstown

Duke Of Leggagh

9st 13lb

J: Terry Casey

T: Michael Mulvany

1m4f winner at Roscommon in May and respectable efforts the last twice, especially last time when 1m1f would have been sharp enough; rain welcomed.

5/1

Form: 05-843 CD

Last run: 7 days

W: 8st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Thoroughly exposed 9yo but was close up behind Mr Rango at Naas and then went close at Cork, again over 7f on heavy; those efforts bode well when probably a better horse over this far.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

12

(23)

3rd Nov 2024

Soft

0m 7f 0y

13:25 Curragh

Sirjack Thomas

9st 2lb

J: Ben Coen

T: Adrian McGuinness

towards rear, headway over 1f out, kept on, never on terms

22/1

11th

12

(23)

3rd Nov 2024

Soft

0m 7f 0y

13:25 Curragh

Sirjack Thomas

9st 2lb

J: Ben Coen

T: Adrian McGuinness

towards rear

22/1

8th

6

(6)

7th Oct 2024

Yielding To Soft

1m 0f 30y

15:30 Killarney

Sirjack Thomas

9st 2lb

J: Adam Caffrey

T: Adrian McGuinness

Dropping down the handicap has led to a revival in recent months, winning a 1m handicap at Dundalk and a 7f Galway handicap last month; continued in fair form with Listowel fourth; ground versatile, one for the short list.

9/2

Verdict

Fast Tara has often been highly tried and she was placed in her only previous handicap, so she’s interesting kicking off for Joseph O’Brien. Mr Rango and Duke Of Leggagh are others for the shortlist but CASANOVA (nap) is back to a mark he should be winning off and it was an excellent return effort in the Irish Lincolnshire.[Alistair Jones]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Casanova

POSTDATA:

Mr Rango

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Casanova

TOPSPEED:

Casanova

The Irish Sun:

Casanova