June 28 / 20.25 Curragh

20.25

Good

Fitzpatrick’s Mercedes-Benz Apprentice Derby Handicap

  • Prize money: £15391.3
  • 1m 4f 0y
  • 19 runners
RTV
View Course
Fitzpatrick’s Mercedes-Benz Apprentice Derby Handicap

Runners: 19 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

16/1 (Won)

  • Win: £33.50
  • Place: £6.00

Form: 218-03

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
AW winner in Britain; ran okay when third in a Gowran handicap over 1m1f last week on Irish debut; steps up in trip here and not discounted if he handles it.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

(4)

17th Aug 2024

Good

1m 6f 0y

16:35 Curragh

Courageous Strike

8st 13lb

J: Ronan Whelan

T: Adrian Murray

Handicap winner over 1m4f here in June but well out of his depth in this company.

100/1

9th

7

(11)

29th Jul 2024

Soft

1m 4f 84y

19:45 Galway

Courageous Strike

9st 6lb

J: Robert Whearty

T: Adrian Murray

Highly tried as a 2yo after debut 2nd at Roscommon; off the mark in Wolverhampton nursery for Dominic Ffrench Davis last October; first turf win in 12f Curragh handicap last month off 75; disappointed over 10f last time but return to 12f a plus.

18/1

6th

7

(8)

20th Jul 2024

Good

1m 2f 0y

16:50 Curragh

Courageous Strike

9st 6lb

J: David Egan

T: Adrian Murray

held up in rear, some headway 3f out, kept on final furlong, never on terms

8/1

12/1

  • Place: £3.70

Form: /7-229

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Winner over hurdles; narrowly beaten in pair of Gowran handicaps in the spring before below par run here last month; chance on best form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(12)

18th Jul 2024

Good To Firm

1m 4f 180y

20:30 Leopardstown

Valleyoftheeagles

10st 1lb

J: Wayne Hassett

T: Martin Hassett

Hurdle winner is a Flat maiden but has been largely consistent in defeat this term; a cracking run last time in the Apprentice Derby at the Curragh and should go well with a repeat.

9/2

2nd

8

(17)

28th Jun 2024

Good

1m 4f 0y

20:25 Curragh

Valleyoftheeagles

9st 11lb

J: Paddy Harnett

T: Martin Hassett

held up in rear

12/1

9th

17

(18)

26th May 2024

Good

1m 6f 0y

17:25 Curragh

Valleyoftheeagles

8st 7lb

J: Wayne Hassett

T: Martin Hassett

0-9 on the Flat but has hit the crossbar in two recent starts at this sort of trip at Gowran; up 3lb for latest effort though and this is tougher so he's opposable.

10/1

14/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 09-165 BF

Last run: 6 days

W: 10st 1lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Up 8lb for winning a 1m2f Navan handicap in May; competitive off his new mark twice since but has fallen short; down 1lb and has to prove himself as effective over this trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

9

21st Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

11:58 Hereford

Master Dunraven

11st 2lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Neil Mulholland

Ended 15-race Irish Flat career with big-field handicap win in October (1m2f, heavy; RPR 84) but did not get competitive on recent stable/hurdle debut and needs to leave that run a long way behind.

20/1

12th

9

21st Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

11:58 Hereford

Master Dunraven

11st 2lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Neil Mulholland

Ended 15-race Irish Flat career with big-field handicap win in October (1m2f, heavy; RPR 84) but did not get competitive on recent stable/hurdle debut and needs to leave that run a long way behind.

20/1

9th

9

2nd Dec 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 195y

Class 4

13:20 Plumpton

Master Dunraven

11st 0lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

Record of 2-15 on the Flat for Johnny Murtagh, most recently winning at Leopardstown (1m2f handicap; RPR 84) for a career-best performance; possibilities provided that form is transferred to hurdles.

9/2

7/1

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 5592

Last run: 6 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Tried in blinkers on his handicap debut for this rider when just touched off over 1m2f at Down Royal last week; up 1lb but could well be progressive; has to prove that he stays this trip though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

13th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 88y

Class 4

12:50 Doncaster

Model Approach

10st 10lb

J: James Robottom

T: Adrian Paul Keatley

Fair Flat racer when based in Ireland and a dual winner against own age-group over hurdles for new stable this autumn (2m1f/2m); last month's Grade 2 defeat is easily excused and it will be interesting to see how he fares over this longer trip and against older horses on his handicap debut.

10/1

5th

8

13th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 88y

Class 4

12:50 Doncaster

Model Approach

10st 10lb

J: James Robottom

T: Adrian Paul Keatley

Fair Flat racer when based in Ireland and a dual winner against own age-group over hurdles for new stable this autumn (2m1f/2m); last month's Grade 2 defeat is easily excused and it will be interesting to see how he fares over this longer trip and against older horses on his handicap debut.

10/1

5th
17 (7)
Rotolo

20/1

Form: /07-30 BF

Last run: 42 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
Returned to form when a close third to Master Dunraven at Navan last month; not as effective stepped up to 1m4f at Leopardstown last time; others preferred despite the trainer's good record here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

(10)

13th Nov 2024

Standard

1m 2f 150y

16:45 Dundalk (AW)

Rotolo

9st 11lb

J: Neve Bennett

T: W T Farrell

Couple of good runs this past turf season when placed at both Navan and touched off at Leopardstown (1m1f, good); tame Curragh effort when last seen in August however; AW debut and could go well if taking to the surface.

11/2

8th

3

(10)

13th Nov 2024

Standard

1m 2f 150y

16:45 Dundalk (AW)

Rotolo

9st 11lb

J: Neve Bennett

T: W T Farrell

Couple of good runs this past turf season when placed at both Navan and touched off at Leopardstown (1m1f, good); tame Curragh effort when last seen in August however; AW debut and could go well if taking to the surface.

11/2

10th

19

(1)

24th Aug 2024

Good

1m 2f 0y

17:10 Curragh

Rotolo

8st 11lb

J: Mikey Sheehy

T: W T Farrell

Started the season well with a third placing over 1m2f at Navan; next two races were at 1m4f and she failed to produce her best form; went very close over 1m1f at Leopardstown last time; extra furlong should suit, strong contender

7/1

Form: 5-3323

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 10lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
13lb higher than when gaining second of two wins in 2022; drops back in trip after two good runs in defeat at Navan and Listowel; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

3

(9)

1st Sep 2024

Good

1m 4f 110y

17:30 Tipperary

Gracesolution

10st 0lb

J: Shane Foley

T: Ross O’Sullivan

prominent, went second 4f out

11/1

4th

5

(13)

17th Jul 2024

Good

1m 6f 80y

20:20 Killarney

Gracesolution

10st 0lb

J: Shane Foley

T: Ross O’Sullivan

midfield

13/2

OUR TIP

20/1

Form: /3570-

Last run: 260 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced filly; showed some maiden ability for Kevin Prendergast; best watched on her stable debut after eight months off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

(9)

14th Jan 2025

Standard

1m 4f 0y

14:30 Dundalk (AW)

Aird

9st 7lb

J: Robyn Donaghue-Leahy

T: Henry De Bromhead

Placed several times in maidens and handicaps for Kevin Prendergast and this yard; beaten favourite after an absence over C&D last time but might come on for that run; be involved again.

7/4

4th

6

(9)

14th Jan 2025

Standard

1m 4f 0y

14:30 Dundalk (AW)

Aird

9st 7lb

J: Robyn Donaghue-Leahy

T: Henry De Bromhead

Placed several times in maidens and handicaps for Kevin Prendergast and this yard; beaten favourite after an absence over C&D last time but might come on for that run; be involved again.

7/4

2nd

3

(12)

18th Dec 2024

Standard

1m 4f 0y

19:25 Dundalk (AW)

Aird

9st 7lb

J: W J Lee

T: Henry De Bromhead

midfield

4/1

Form: 50/4-2 D

Last run: 6 days

W: 9st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Active over jumps in the spring, winning a Downpatrick handicap chase; reverted back to the Flat when caught on the line in a 1m5f handicap at Down Royal last week; 4lb higher here but possibly more to come from him; leading chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

27th Oct 2024

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 11y

16:13 Galway

Son Of Hypnos

11st 6lb

J: James Smith

T: Kevin Michael Smith

prominent

25/1

8th

1

12th Oct 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

15:25 Fairyhouse

Son Of Hypnos

12st 0lb

J: James Smith

T: Kevin Michael Smith

midfield, headway and prominent 4 out

11/2

5th

4

26th Aug 2024

Good

2m 1f 165y

17:25 Downpatrick

Son Of Hypnos

11st 7lb

J: Carl Millar

T: Kevin Michael Smith

In first-time blinkers when running away with a handicap hurdle at Galway (2m, good) and ran well on the Flat there three days later (fourth of 18); looks well-in for this return to chasing (1-3).

3/1

8/1

Form: 13-742 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Gradually getting there this season, most recently touched off in a fast ground claimer at Limerick; will be on the premises with a repeat.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(8)

6th Sep 2024

Good

1m 2f 145y

18:40 Down Royal

French Company

10st 2lb

J: Sam Coen

T: J G Coogan

soon prominent, pressed leader halfway

7/2

Form: 48-3

Last run: 44 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Pleasing return to action having been gelded when third of eight at Sligo; not that well handicapped it would seem and needs to improve to figure.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

10th Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

12:50 Naas

Zariygann

11st 10lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: M Halford & T Collins

70-rated Flat maiden after five starts; has taken well to hurdling; wide-margin maiden scorer at Roscommon in August; unplaced on Flat before producing smart display to beat Willie Mullins-trained favourite Gaucher at Listowel; runner-up franked the form by winning a four-runner Grade 3 contest at Tipperary.

5/4

4th

1

10th Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

12:50 Naas

Zariygann

11st 10lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: M Halford & T Collins

took keen hold, pressed leader and briefly disputed lead, briefly led 4th, lost second and weakened before 2 out

5/4

1st

4

25th Sep 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

14:35 Listowel

Zariygann

11st 5lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: M Halford & T Collins

travelled strongly, raced in second, led going best 2 out, ridden briefly and went clear before last, pushed out, comfortably

11/4

Form: P-414 BF

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Stayed on well to win a 1m5f Sligo maiden last month; opening mark of 80 looked stiff enough and proved beyond him on his handicap bow at Fairyhouse; drop of 1lb might not be sufficient.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

(3)

17th Aug 2024

Yielding

1m 4f 0y

19:00 Tramore

Alonzo

9st 3lb

J: Mikey Sheehy

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Off the mark at the third attempt in an ordinary Sligo maiden over 13.5f in mid-May; weakened late on and hung right in his first handicap at Fairyhouse (1m4f, good) and similar story when beaten 21l at the Curragh last time out; easy ground would be a worry; hard to fancy for now.

12/1

11th

14

(16)

28th Jun 2024

Good

1m 4f 0y

20:25 Curragh

Alonzo

9st 7lb

J: Wayne Hassett

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Stayed on well to win a 1m5f Sligo maiden last month; opening mark of 80 looked stiff enough and proved beyond him on his handicap bow at Fairyhouse; drop of 1lb might not be sufficient.

10/1

25/1

Form: 6742-0 D

Last run: 126 days

W: 10st 1lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Three-time AW winner from 1m2f to 1m4f; fit from hurdling and new headgear combination tried; others preferred
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(1)

10th Jan 2025

Standard

1m 4f 0y

16:00 Dundalk (AW)

Autocrat

9st 11lb

J: Nicola Burns

T: R Donohoe

In good form before the break, winning a 1m2f handicap in November and finishing third in a 1m4f claimer; has won over this trip but probably better over 1m2f; likely to go well though.

5/1

5th

3

(1)

10th Jan 2025

Standard

1m 4f 0y

16:00 Dundalk (AW)

Autocrat

9st 11lb

J: Nicola Burns

T: R Donohoe

In good form before the break, winning a 1m2f handicap in November and finishing third in a 1m4f claimer; has won over this trip but probably better over 1m2f; likely to go well though.

5/1

3rd

2

(14)

11th Dec 2024

Standard

1m 4f 0y

15:25 Dundalk (AW)

Autocrat

9st 10lb

J: Nicola Burns

T: R Donohoe

prominent, in touch with leaders before halfway, headway on near side of group 2f out, ridden when hung right over 1f out, no extra inside final 110yds, no match for first two

9/2

50/1

Form: 172/9-

Last run: 534 days

W: 10st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Winner over 2m1f in Britain and likes fast ground; beaten a mile on his stable debut in a Punchestown maiden hurdle.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

30th Aug 2024

Good

3m 0f 0y

19:00 Down Royal

Kincade

11st 2lb

J: Dylan Kidd

T: John C McConnell

Winner on the Flat over 2m1f when trained in Britain; hasn't shown much in either code since coming to Ireland, beaten a combined 155l in two starts over hurdles and no better on the level at Killarney last time; big ask.

20/1

Form: 214 BF

Last run: 39 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Workmanlike winner of a 1m maiden at Dundalk in March; fourth in 1m2f Roscommon handicap in first-time cheekpieces last month; blinkers tried here and very much unexposed; could be a factor if the step up in trip suits.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

(9)

29th Dec 2024

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 4

12:40 Southwell (AW)

Al Mudhaffar

9st 5lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Charlie Fellowes

prominent

14/1

6th

9

(9)

29th Dec 2024

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 4

12:40 Southwell (AW)

Al Mudhaffar

9st 5lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Charlie Fellowes

prominent

14/1

10th

4

(11)

9th Dec 2024

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 5

18:45 Wolverhampton (AW)

Al Mudhaffar

9st 7lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Charlie Fellowes

Lightly raced 3yo, who won a Dundalk maiden (1m, AW) in March but he's not gone on from that and was only ninth of 11 on stable debut at Kempton (18-1) in August; gelded since but he has something to prove now switched to Tapeta after another break.

12/1

Form: 205-21 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Has come back in fine form this season and seemed to relish the step up in trip when beating L'Un Deux Trois five lengths in Fairyhouse handicap two weeks ago; up 11lb but should go close with top claimer on board again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

(7)

1st Sep 2024

Good

1m 4f 110y

17:30 Tipperary

Lady Christa

10st 1lb

J: W J Lee

T: Ms Sheila Lavery

soon led, quickened clear 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed final 110yds, no match for winner

11/2

2nd

11

(2)

1st Aug 2024

Yielding

1m 4f 0y

17:40 Galway

Lady Christa

9st 12lb

J: W J Lee

T: Ms Sheila Lavery

Has come back in fine form this season and seemed to relish this trip when scoring at Fairyhouse in June; folded tamely however a fortnight later at the Curragh after racing close to strong pace; Billy Lee takes over.

8/1

16th
19 (3)
Jurality

50/1

Form: 7-869

Last run: 63 days

W: 8st 7lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Maiden form was okay but too free when dropping out tamely on handicap debut at Cork; cheekpieces replace blinkers.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16th

19

(3)

28th Jun 2024

Good

1m 4f 0y

20:25 Curragh

Jurality

8st 7lb

T: D J Bunyan

Maiden form was okay but too free when dropping out tamely on handicap debut at Cork; cheekpieces replace blinkers.

50/1

66/1

Form: 523-00

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 13lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Placed in a couple of maidens for Roger Varian; well beaten in two starts for his current trainer; others more likely.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

9

(12)

13th Dec 2024

Standard

1m 4f 0y

20:30 Dundalk (AW)

Sub Rosa

9st 6lb

J: Declan McDonogh

T: Donal Kinsella

towards rear throughout

28/1

11th

9

(12)

13th Dec 2024

Standard

1m 4f 0y

20:30 Dundalk (AW)

Sub Rosa

9st 6lb

J: Declan McDonogh

T: Donal Kinsella

towards rear throughout

28/1

17th

6

(1)

28th Jun 2024

Good

1m 4f 0y

20:25 Curragh

Sub Rosa

9st 13lb

J: Sean Bird

T: Donal Kinsella

Placed in a couple of maidens for Roger Varian; well beaten in two starts for his current trainer; others more likely.

66/1

Form: 69-532 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Three-time Flat winner; progressing gradually this season; up 3lb for finishing second in a Fairyhouse handicap last week; 8lb pull with winner Lady Christa might not be enough to turn the tables.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

6

15th Nov 2024

Good

2m 4f 51y

15:45 Punchestown

Lun Deux Trois

11st 9lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Oliver McKiernan

Dual-purpose; three-time Flat winner is 0-9 over timber; hasn't looked like a winner on waiting on his last two starts; the first-time blinkers need to have a transformative effect.

20/1

Form: 692

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Much improved effort up to 1m2f and on good ground in a Down Royal maiden last month; up to 1m4f for his handicap debut; very much unexposed and the market should be a good guide.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

9

29th Dec 2024

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 0y

13:07 Limerick

Robbies Rock

10st 0lb

J: Jack Kearney

T: Gavin Cromwell

in touch with leaders on inner, lost position halfway, headway 3 out, hit and weakened last

8/1

4th

9

29th Dec 2024

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 0y

13:07 Limerick

Robbies Rock

10st 0lb

J: Jack Kearney

T: Gavin Cromwell

in touch with leaders on inner, lost position halfway, headway 3 out, hit and weakened last

8/1

1st

11

13th Dec 2024

Yielding

2m 0f 40y

13:05 Cork

Robbies Rock

10st 11lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Gavin Cromwell

took keen hold, soon pressed leader, briefly disputed lead after 1st

10/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €303.10
Straight Forecast €468.91
Tricast €4213.41

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Lady Christa

The Irish Sun:

Rotolo

RP RATINGS (IRE):

French Company

POSTDATA:

Son Of Hypnos