19.45

16/1

Place: £4.50

Form: 4410 D

Last run: 39 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict

Bombed out in hot Royal Ascot handicap last time; won 12f Fairyhouse maiden on third start; behind Himalayan Heights at Leopardstown but better off at weights with jockey's 7lb claim; needs a revival but stable did win this last year.

Place / No / Draw	Date / Going / Distance / Class	Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer	Verdict	Starting price
13th 10 (8)	11th Oct 2024 Good 1m 4f 0y Class 2	16:10 Newmarket Highland Bling 8st 13lb J: Tom Marquand T: Mrs John Harrington	Front-runner; bounced back from a poor show at Royal Ascot to be beaten a neck in 12.5f handicaps at Galway and Gowran Park, rallying strongly, before his fair sixth of nine at Listowel when trying 1m6f; all those were under 7lb claimer; just four ran at Gowran but he could be on a good mark.	25/1
6th 1 (7)	24th Sep 2024 Good 1m 6f 55y	17:30 Listowel Highland Bling 10st 0lb J: Keithen Kennedy T: Mrs John Harrington	Front-runner; beaten a neck in 12.5f handicaps at Gowran Park and Galway on last two starts; probably flattered by margin of defeat last time but did rally well and looks well worth trying over this longer trip; should make a bold bid.	100/30

Place /
No / Draw

Date / Going /
Distance / Class

Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer

Verdict

Starting price

13th

10

(8)

11th Oct 2024

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 2

16:10 Newmarket

Highland Bling

8st 13lb

J: Tom Marquand

Front-runner; bounced back from a poor show at Royal Ascot to be beaten a neck in 12.5f handicaps at Galway and Gowran Park, rallying strongly, before his fair sixth of nine at Listowel when trying 1m6f; all those were under 7lb claimer; just four ran at Gowran but he could be on a good mark.

25/1

6th

1

(7)

24th Sep 2024

Good

1m 6f 55y

17:30 Listowel

Highland Bling

10st 0lb

J: Keithen Kennedy

Front-runner; beaten a neck in 12.5f handicaps at Gowran Park and Galway on last two starts; probably flattered by margin of defeat last time but did rally well and looks well worth trying over this longer trip; should make a bold bid.

100/30

3rd

3 (12)

Himalayan Heights

J: Colin Keane

T: G M Lyons

13/2

Place: £1.90

Form: 5221 D

Last run: 61 days

W: 9st 11lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 85

Form & Verdict

Won a soft ground Tipperary maiden on his fourth outing; had Highland Bling 2L behind when runner up in 12f maiden at Leopardstown on third start; hard to gauge if he is well handicapped off 85.

Place / No / Draw	Date / Going / Distance / Class	Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer	Verdict	Starting price
4th 1 (3)	2nd Oct 2025 Good To Yielding 1m 4f 77y	16:15 Bellewstown Himalayan Heights 10st 2lb J: Colin Keane T: G M Lyons	Career-best success at Leopardstown (1m2f, good) on return but beaten favourite at the Curragh when ninth of 19 and failed to beat a rival back at Leopardstown since; off 84 days and any market support worth noting returning to this trip.	11/4
12th 3 (2)	10th Jul 2025 Good 1m 1f 0y	19:20 Leopardstown Himalayan Heights 9st 9lb J: Colin Keane T: G M Lyons	Tipperary maiden winner last year; returned from a break to win easily at this track in April (1m2f, good); raised 8lb and didn't back it up last time at the Curragh; he is still of interest returned to the scene of his win.	10/1
9th 6 (12)	24th May 2025 Good 1m 2f 0y	14:30 Curragh Himalayan Heights 9st 7lb J: Colin Keane T: G M Lyons	Tipperary maiden winner a year ago and went close on handicap debut at the Galway festival; form dipped subsequently but returned with a facile Leopardstown success on first run since a gelding procedure and an 8lb rise is fair; may come on for that run and has to be high on the shortlist.	5/1

Place /
No / Draw

Date / Going /
Distance / Class

Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer

Verdict

Starting price

4th

1

(3)

2nd Oct 2025

Good To Yielding

1m 4f 77y

10st 2lb

Career-best success at Leopardstown (1m2f, good) on return but beaten favourite at the Curragh when ninth of 19 and failed to beat a rival back at Leopardstown since; off 84 days and any market support worth noting returning to this trip.

11/4

12th

3

(2)

10th Jul 2025

Good

1m 1f 0y

9st 9lb

Tipperary maiden winner last year; returned from a break to win easily at this track in April (1m2f, good); raised 8lb and didn't back it up last time at the Curragh; he is still of interest returned to the scene of his win.

10/1

9th

6

(12)

24th May 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

9st 7lb

Tipperary maiden winner a year ago and went close on handicap debut at the Galway festival; form dipped subsequently but returned with a facile Leopardstown success on first run since a gelding procedure and an 8lb rise is fair; may come on for that run and has to be high on the shortlist.

5/1

4th

6 (8)

J: Declan McDonogh

13/2

Form: 2-3425 BF

Last run: 60 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict

Remains a maiden after five starts but has ability; ran well here over 8.5f on debut last year when 2nd; best run this term came when beaten a head in Navan maiden over 10f; disappointing when favourite for handicap debut last time.

Place / No / Draw	Date / Going / Distance / Class	Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer	Verdict	Starting price
7	1st Jul 2025 Good To Yielding 2m 0f 120y	13:48 Tipperary Naturally Nimble 11st 0lb J: J J Slevin T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien	Flat maiden winner was a smart juvenile hurdler last season, winning a Grade 3, but was below form in cheekpieces at Punchestown; beaten a long way in a Flat handicap at the Curragh since; however, has a chance if his jumping holds up on chasing bow.	8/1
5 (17)	25th May 2025 Good 1m 6f 0y	16:50 Curragh Naturally Nimble 9st 6lb J: Declan McDonogh T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien	One of two runners for yard; won a 1m2f Navan maiden when last seen on the level last September; Grade 3 juvenile hurdle winner since though was below form at Punchestown last time; respected back in this sphere.	9/1
18th 5 (17)	25th May 2025 Good 1m 6f 0y	16:50 Curragh Naturally Nimble 9st 6lb J: Declan McDonogh T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien	One of two runners for yard; won a 1m2f Navan maiden when last seen on the level last September; Grade 3 juvenile hurdle winner since though was below form at Punchestown last time; respected back in this sphere.	9/1

Place /
No / Draw

Date / Going /
Distance / Class

Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer

Verdict

Starting price

7

1st Jul 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 120y

13:48 Tipperary

11st 0lb

J: J J Slevin

Flat maiden winner was a smart juvenile hurdler last season, winning a Grade 3, but was below form in cheekpieces at Punchestown; beaten a long way in a Flat handicap at the Curragh since; however, has a chance if his jumping holds up on chasing bow.

8/1

5

(17)

25th May 2025

Good

1m 6f 0y

16:50 Curragh

9st 6lb

J: Declan McDonogh

One of two runners for yard; won a 1m2f Navan maiden when last seen on the level last September; Grade 3 juvenile hurdle winner since though was below form at Punchestown last time; respected back in this sphere.

9/1

18th

5

(17)

25th May 2025

Good

1m 6f 0y

16:50 Curragh

9st 6lb

J: Declan McDonogh

One of two runners for yard; won a 1m2f Navan maiden when last seen on the level last September; Grade 3 juvenile hurdle winner since though was below form at Punchestown last time; respected back in this sphere.

9/1

5th

13 (9)

Empress Alma

J: Chris Hayes

T: Gavin Cromwell

9/2

Form: 508511

Last run: 10 days

W: 8st 8lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 68

Form & Verdict

Improving filly has won her last two handicap starts on good ground; scored over 10.5f at Naas off 50 then followed up off 56 at Down Royal over 13f, relishing the step up in trip. 12lb hike for that win so will need a career best dropping back to 12f.

Place / No / Draw	Date / Going / Distance / Class	Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer	Verdict	Starting price
8th 12 (12)	5th Sep 2025 Good 2m 2f 141y	18:24 Down Royal Empress Alma 9st 4lb J: Gary Carroll T: Gavin Cromwell	Won three good ground handicaps at up to 2m1f last year (including here); running okay in defeat this year without much respite from the handicapper until dropped 3lb after recent Killarney run; back to last winning mark so don't rule out.	7/1
1 (11)	22nd Aug 2025 Good 1m 6f 80y	19:41 Killarney Empress Alma 10st 0lb J: Robert Whearty T: Gavin Cromwell	Won three good ground handicaps at up to 2m1f last year but yet to hit top form in this campaign, recent Galway run in this grade was ordinary (three of today's rivals ahead); needs a bit more respite from the handicapper.	12/1

Place /
No / Draw

Date / Going /
Distance / Class

Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer

Verdict

Starting price

8th

12

(12)

5th Sep 2025

Good

2m 2f 141y

9st 4lb

Won three good ground handicaps at up to 2m1f last year (including here); running okay in defeat this year without much respite from the handicapper until dropped 3lb after recent Killarney run; back to last winning mark so don't rule out.

7/1

1

(11)

22nd Aug 2025

Good

1m 6f 80y

10st 0lb

Won three good ground handicaps at up to 2m1f last year but yet to hit top form in this campaign, recent Galway run in this grade was ordinary (three of today's rivals ahead); needs a bit more respite from the handicapper.

12/1

6th

10 (5)

Tiscommonknowledge

J: Wayne Hassett

T: Padraig Roche

12/1

Form: 00721-

Last run: 272 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 73

Form & Verdict

Improved for switch to handicaps last season; off the mark on heavy ground at the Curragh on final 2yo start in October and not seen since; full sister to winner at this distance so trip might suit but probably best watched after absence.

Place / No / Draw	Date / Going / Distance / Class	Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer	Verdict	Starting price
11 (3)	4th Aug 2025 Good 1m 2f 84y	17:16 Naas Tiscommonknowledge 9st 1lb J: Seamie Heffernan T: Padraig Roche	Curragh h'cap winner in October 2023 on heavy ground over a mile; encouraging reappearance when fourth at Leopardstown but backwards step 53 days ago when 13th of 15; up in trip and needs more, while could do with some rain.	20/1
13th 10 (5)	12th Jun 2025 Good 1m 1f 0y	19:20 Leopardstown Tiscommonknowledge 9st 2lb J: Seamie Heffernan T: Padraig Roche	Gained first win on final start of 2023 at the Curragh (1m, heavy) off 63; only seen twice last year but plenty to take from last month's comeback run here when staying-on fourth over 1m2f; cheekpieces now added and could well improve enough to feature.	14/1
4th 6 (14)	16th May 2025 Good 1m 2f 0y	18:48 Leopardstown Tiscommonknowledge 9st 4lb J: Seamie Heffernan T: Padraig Roche	Gained first win on final start of 2023 at the Curragh (1m, heavy) off 63; only seen twice last year and failed to fire at Galway and the Curragh at around 1m4f; entitled to need this run and is best watched unless the market speaks.	25/1

Place /
No / Draw

Date / Going /
Distance / Class

Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer

Verdict

Starting price

11

(3)

4th Aug 2025

Good

1m 2f 84y

9st 1lb

Curragh h'cap winner in October 2023 on heavy ground over a mile; encouraging reappearance when fourth at Leopardstown but backwards step 53 days ago when 13th of 15; up in trip and needs more, while could do with some rain.

20/1

13th

10

(5)

12th Jun 2025

Good

1m 1f 0y

9st 2lb

Gained first win on final start of 2023 at the Curragh (1m, heavy) off 63; only seen twice last year but plenty to take from last month's comeback run here when staying-on fourth over 1m2f; cheekpieces now added and could well improve enough to feature.

14/1

4th

6

(14)

16th May 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

9st 4lb

Gained first win on final start of 2023 at the Curragh (1m, heavy) off 63; only seen twice last year and failed to fire at Galway and the Curragh at around 1m4f; entitled to need this run and is best watched unless the market speaks.

25/1

OUR TIP

7th

2 (3)

J: Wayne Lordan

T: A P O’Brien

5/1

Form: 3241 D

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 13lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict

Off the mark at the fourth attempt when making all in 12f Curragh maiden on good ground; drawn to attack here and should make a bold bid for leading yard. Wears cheekpieces again.

Place / No / Draw	Date / Going / Distance / Class	Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer	Verdict	Starting price
8 (1)	27th Oct 2025 Heavy 1m 3f 180y	15:50 Galway Ephesus 9st 4lb J: J M Sheridan T: Denis Gerard Hogan	Has had a run over hurdles since beating Ehteyat at Roscommon; might not uphold the form on the revised terms.	8/1
8 (1)	27th Oct 2025 Heavy 1m 3f 180y	15:50 Galway Ephesus 9st 4lb J: J M Sheridan T: Denis Gerard Hogan	Has had a run over hurdles since beating Ehteyat at Roscommon; might not uphold the form on the revised terms.	8/1
5	18th Oct 2025 Good 2m 5f 0y	15:30 Limerick Ephesus 10st 12lb J: Daniel King T: Denis Gerard Hogan	Got off the mark over hurdles over 2m1f here in April; has been below form on his last two hurdle runs but won on the Flat five days ago at Roscommon so can't be ruled out.	5/1

Place /
No / Draw

Date / Going /
Distance / Class

Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer

Verdict

Starting price

8

(1)

27th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 3f 180y

15:50 Galway

9st 4lb

J: J M Sheridan

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Has had a run over hurdles since beating Ehteyat at Roscommon; might not uphold the form on the revised terms.

8/1

8

(1)

27th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 3f 180y

15:50 Galway

9st 4lb

J: J M Sheridan

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Has had a run over hurdles since beating Ehteyat at Roscommon; might not uphold the form on the revised terms.

8/1

5

18th Oct 2025

Good

2m 5f 0y

15:30 Limerick

10st 12lb

J: Daniel King

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Got off the mark over hurdles over 2m1f here in April; has been below form on his last two hurdle runs but won on the Flat five days ago at Roscommon so can't be ruled out.

5/1

8th

9 (6)

Dont Do Dramas

J: Wesley Joyce

T: Michael Mulvany

7/1

Form: 651361

Last run: 7 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 73

Form & Verdict

Career best last week over 9.5f at Ballinrobe when winning off 67; is now 6lb higher; won at Sligo earlier this season over 10f off 58; hasn't looked the strongest of finishers on both previous runs at 12f so the trip today is a worry.

Place / No / Draw	Date / Going / Distance / Class	Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer	Verdict	Starting price
6 (7)	2nd Oct 2025 Good To Yielding 1m 4f 77y	17:20 Bellewstown Dont Do Dramas 9st 9lb J: Wesley Joyce T: Michael Mulvany	Struggled for form in five runs so far this season and beaten 21l at Gowran latest; step back up in trip may help but hard to fancy.	20/1
3 (13)	20th Sep 2025 Yielding To Soft 1m 0f 0y	15:27 Gowran Park Dont Do Dramas 9st 12lb J: Wesley Joyce T: Michael Mulvany	Three wins including over 7f here as a 2yo; hasn't been at his best in four starts this year but has dropped to an attractive mark if returning to form.	14/1

Place /
No / Draw

Date / Going /
Distance / Class

Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer

Verdict

Starting price

6

(7)

2nd Oct 2025

Good To Yielding

1m 4f 77y

9st 9lb

Struggled for form in five runs so far this season and beaten 21l at Gowran latest; step back up in trip may help but hard to fancy.

20/1

3

(13)

20th Sep 2025

Yielding To Soft

1m 0f 0y

9st 12lb

Three wins including over 7f here as a 2yo; hasn't been at his best in four starts this year but has dropped to an attractive mark if returning to form.

14/1

9th

7 (11)

Courageous Strike

J: Robert Whearty

T: Adrian Murray

18/1

Form: 8-0316 D

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 80

Form & Verdict

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.

Place / No / Draw	Date / Going / Distance / Class	Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer	Verdict	Starting price
6th 3	3rd Feb 2026 Heavy 2m 0f 104y Class 4	15:15 Taunton Courageous Strike 11st 7lb J: Harry Cobden T: Paul Nicholls	Fairly useful Flat racer with 2-6 strike-rate over hurdles; gave good account when third of eight at Kempton (2m, good) last month and is probably still on a workable mark but has something to prove on the much slower ground here.	3/1
7	18th Oct 2025 Good To Soft 2m 0f 167y Class 3	15:35 Newton Abbot Courageous Strike 10st 13lb J: Harry Cobden T: Paul Nicholls	Useful Flat racer who was 2-3 in novice/maiden hurdles for Paul Nicholls in the spring; tackles much stronger opposition on this handicap hurdle debut and his tendency to race too freely is a nagging concern but, nevertheless, he's still very unexposed over jumps.	5/2
1st 1	14th May 2025 Good 2m 0f 167y Class 4	14:19 Newton Abbot Courageous Strike 11st 3lb J: Harry Cobden T: Paul Nicholls	Won Flat handicaps at about 1m1f (AW) and 1m4f (good; RPR 83) and he's found a new calling over hurdles judged by the way he won at Chepstow (dropped to 2m, good) recently; he shouldn't have a problem with this sharp 2m and is the one to beat.	2/9

Place /
No / Draw

Date / Going /
Distance / Class

Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer

Verdict

Starting price

6th

3

3rd Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

11st 7lb

Fairly useful Flat racer with 2-6 strike-rate over hurdles; gave good account when third of eight at Kempton (2m, good) last month and is probably still on a workable mark but has something to prove on the much slower ground here.

3/1

7

18th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 167y

Class 3

10st 13lb

Useful Flat racer who was 2-3 in novice/maiden hurdles for Paul Nicholls in the spring; tackles much stronger opposition on this handicap hurdle debut and his tendency to race too freely is a nagging concern but, nevertheless, he's still very unexposed over jumps.

5/2

1st

1

14th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 4

11st 3lb

Won Flat handicaps at about 1m1f (AW) and 1m4f (good; RPR 83) and he's found a new calling over hurdles judged by the way he won at Chepstow (dropped to 2m, good) recently; he shouldn't have a problem with this sharp 2m and is the one to beat.

2/9

10th

8 (2)

Castleheath

J: Ben Coen

T: Ciaran Murphy

14/1

Form: 61

Last run: 75 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 77

Form & Verdict

Showed promise in 10.5f Navan maiden on debut and off the mark by a nose over same trip on second start in Sligo maiden in May (Brosna Town 4.5L behind in 4th); nicely drawn and opening mark looks fair; could go well.

Place / No / Draw	Date / Going / Distance / Class	Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer	Verdict	Starting price
2 (15)	19th Oct 2025 Yielding 1m 2f 0y	16:00 Leopardstown Castleheath 9st 13lb J: Sam Coen T: Ciaran Murphy	Hurdles winner is 3-7 on turf on the Flat; deadheated at the Galway festival (8.5f, yielding) before two lesser runs over hurdles; returned to the Flat at the Curragh three weeks ago to bag another win (1m2f, yielding); up 9lb now but should be in the mix again.	4/1
5 (9)	28th Sep 2025 Good To Yielding 1m 2f 0y	17:30 Curragh Castleheath 11st 13lb J: Mr Alan O’Sullivan T: Ciaran Murphy	Dual-purpose sort was poor over hurdles last time but had deadheated at Galway (1m) on last Flat start; is just 1lb higher today and goes well with an ease in the ground so looks a big player.	15/2
2	25th Aug 2025 Good 2m 2f 60y	17:13 Ballinrobe Castleheath 11st 7lb J: E Walsh T: Ciaran Murphy	Punchestown maiden winner last winter (soft) and more recently dead-heated in Galway Flat handicap last month, having not had a clear run; later in week again didn't have the best of luck in running when decent fourth in 2m1f handicap hurdle at same track (soft); on a workable mark although would prefer it softer.	9/2

Place /
No / Draw

Date / Going /
Distance / Class

Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer

Verdict

Starting price

2

(15)

19th Oct 2025

Yielding

1m 2f 0y

9st 13lb

Hurdles winner is 3-7 on turf on the Flat; deadheated at the Galway festival (8.5f, yielding) before two lesser runs over hurdles; returned to the Flat at the Curragh three weeks ago to bag another win (1m2f, yielding); up 9lb now but should be in the mix again.

4/1

5

(9)

28th Sep 2025

Good To Yielding

1m 2f 0y

17:30 Curragh

Castleheath

11st 13lb

J: Mr Alan O’Sullivan

T: Ciaran Murphy

Dual-purpose sort was poor over hurdles last time but had deadheated at Galway (1m) on last Flat start; is just 1lb higher today and goes well with an ease in the ground so looks a big player.

15/2

2

25th Aug 2025

Good

2m 2f 60y

11st 7lb

Punchestown maiden winner last winter (soft) and more recently dead-heated in Galway Flat handicap last month, having not had a clear run; later in week again didn't have the best of luck in running when decent fourth in 2m1f handicap hurdle at same track (soft); on a workable mark although would prefer it softer.

9/2

11th

1 (1)

Cruden

J: Shane Foley