August 24 / 17.40 Curragh

17.40

Good

FBD Hotels And Resorts Saturday Series Handicap

  • Prize money: £10260.87
  • 0m 5f 0y
  • 13 runners
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FBD Hotels And Resorts Saturday Series Handicap

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £7.50
  • Place: £1.50

Form: -62560 C

Last run: 7 days

W: 10st 4lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
0-10 since her winning debut here in May of last year; wasn't running badly in the blinkers (in better races) before only midfield here last week when tried in just a tongue-tie; with blinkers back on she's likely to go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

(9)

13th Jun 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

18:34 Cork

Ostraka

9st 7lb

J: Ronan Whelan

T: Daniel James Murphy

Useful sprint handicapper on turf; sprung a 66-1 shock when beating Powerful National in a 5f Group 3 race at Dundalk last October; no sign of anything remotely comparable in four runs since February.

33/1

7th

2

(3)

7th Jun 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

14:35 Navan

Ostraka

9st 8lb

J: Shane Foley

T: Daniel James Murphy

Three turf wins including over C&D last September and biggest win came following month in Dundalk Group 3; yet to hit that sort of form in three starts this year in Listed contests; back in handicap company now.

7/1

20/1

  • Place: £3.90

Form: 2-2246 BF

Last run: 133 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Consistent handicapper but wasn't at her very best last time at Dundalk and that's where her best form has been; lacks a recent run and has a bit to prove on the turf.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

18

(18)

3rd Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 63y

20:25 Curragh

Irish Rumour

9st 2lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Miss Jennifer Anne Lynch

Only one win from 29 starts; went close on occasions last year (5f-7f), far too keen on seasonal return at Roscommon last month; champion jockey stays loyal so more expected of.

12/1

15th

12

(16)

18th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 94y

17:50 Roscommon

Irish Rumour

9st 5lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Miss Jennifer Anne Lynch

Only one win from 28 starts; placed in three of her nine races last year, and lost out by only a nose in an 18-runner contest at Fairyhouse in September; fair chance if she can run to that level on her first outing since a satisfactory Dundalk run in November.

8/1

10/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 221-12

Last run: 190 days

W: 9st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Narrowly thwarted an AW hat-trick (6f-7f) when last seen in February but he's unraced over 5f and stays 1m; others might be sharper.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

(1)

31st May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

16:20 Listowel

James Henry

10st 1lb

J: Gavin Ryan

T: Eoin Christopher McCarthy

Better AW performer; improved for better ground when a never-nearer third of 19 in an apprentice handicap at Leopardstown (1m, good) when last seen around this time last year; best watched on return/stable debut.

14/1

Form: 460567 D

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Not disgraced in a big field here last week over 6f (behind Never Shout Never) and all her best form is at 5f; can go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16

(6)

31st Oct 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

18:00 Dundalk (AW)

Shes Smart

9st 6lb

T: Adrian McGuinness

Second reserve; two-time turf winner is 0-5 on the AW and yet to trouble the judge; out of form recently and a bit to prove on this surface.

16

(6)

31st Oct 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

18:00 Dundalk (AW)

Shes Smart

9st 6lb

T: Adrian McGuinness

Second reserve; two-time turf winner is 0-5 on the AW and yet to trouble the judge; out of form recently and a bit to prove on this surface.

11

(9)

24th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 7f 0y

17:15 Dundalk (AW)

Shes Smart

8st 12lb

J: Jamie Powell

T: Adrian McGuinness

Won at Limerick (6.5f, good) in July but she has regressed of late and is 0-4 on the AW; one of two for the yard so watch the betting.

20/1

Form: 467144

Last run: 28 days

W: 8st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 47

Form & Verdict
Four-time winner; may appreciate slightly further than this but the stiff track will help and he arrives here in form; considered despite being 2lb 'wrong'.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

22

(20)

3rd Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 63y

20:25 Curragh

Gegenpressing

8st 11lb

J: Declan McDonogh

T: Eddie & Patrick Harty

Unbeaten in four runs at Sligo, most recently last month (third has won since) at 6.5f; 4lb rise okay but record at this track relatively underwhelming so needs to improve that.

9/1

1st

6

(4)

3rd May 2026

Good

0m 6f 61y

14:45 Sligo

Gegenpressing

9st 5lb

J: Declan McDonogh

T: Eddie & Patrick Harty

Unbeaten in three runs at Sligo and going for three-in-a-row in this race, the last two coming from stall 16; Hayes is elsewhere today, but quite the substitute to have in the saddle and his comeback run was fine.

100/30

5th

9

(9)

30th Mar 2026

Heavy

0m 5f 180y

14:18 Navan

Gegenpressing

9st 6lb

J: Jessica O’Gorman

T: Eddie & Patrick Harty

Mid-field in four starts after winning at Sligo last May, his fifth win of a 58-race career; has a bit to find with Happy Henry (second), Alnofoor (fifth) and Distillate (sixth) on running over C&D last October.

12/1

Form: 337374 D

Last run: 7 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Stuck on a losing run since winning over Cork's 5f last year (on soft); defied any doubts about him on faster ground when a close fourth of 21 here last week, where he raced freely in the new blinkers and didn't quite get home; dropping back to 5f will help provided he takes to more new headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

9

(18)

11th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

0m 5f 3y

17:55 Bellewstown

Never Shout Never

9st 5lb

J: Gavin Ryan

T: Andrew McNamara

Record of 2-42 (1-28 on turf); didn't look like a winner in waiting during a winter AW campaign and below-par again on return to the turf at Navan (6f, heavy); 5f more suitable but needs a revival.

20/1

9th

8

(3)

30th Mar 2026

Heavy

0m 5f 180y

14:18 Navan

Never Shout Never

9st 8lb

J: Gavin Ryan

T: Andrew McNamara

Hard to win with, as illustrated by 2-41 record; won 5f Dundalk handicap off 73 in December 2024; now down to 52, having been regressive since second in a claimer last summer; needs to step up on recent Dundalk form.

14/1

12th

3

(15)

11th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

14:08 Dundalk (AW)

Never Shout Never

10st 2lb

J: Gavin Ryan

T: Andrew McNamara

Hard to win with, as illustrated by 2-40 record; won 5f course handicap off 73 in December 2024; now down to 56, having been regressive since second in a claimer last summer; needs to step up on recent course form.

16/1

25/1

Form: -75980

Last run: 8 days

W: 8st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 47

Form & Verdict
Close fifth at Naas in June (5f, good) but three lesser efforts since and will do well to get back on track from out of the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

11

(5)

14th Feb 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

16:05 Dundalk (AW)

Babyface

8st 7lb

J: Nathan Crosse

T: Edward Lynam

15-race maiden, placed only once; best form over C&D; only one length behind My Girl Sioux last time; 2lb out of the handicap.

6/1

4th

10

(9)

27th Jan 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

16:45 Dundalk (AW)

Babyface

9st 4lb

J: Nathan Crosse

T: Edward Lynam

midfield, headway over 1f out, disputing second inside final furlong, no extra towards finish

18/1

4th

10

(9)

27th Jan 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

16:45 Dundalk (AW)

Babyface

9st 4lb

J: Nathan Crosse

T: Edward Lynam

midfield, headway over 1f out, disputing second inside final furlong, no extra towards finish

18/1

OUR TIP

Form: 040277 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 10st 3lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Both wins over 5f on the AW when trained in Britain; has run a couple of respectable races for current team without getting the job done; handicapper giving him a chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

4

(11)

26th May 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

18:48 Dundalk (AW)

Sporting Hero

9st 12lb

J: Jamie Orr

T: William Durkan

Won for a first time on turf at Navan (5f) but then finished last at Naas; loves it around here but stall 11 looks troublesome.

14/1

13th

5

(13)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 205y

15:10 Naas

Sporting Hero

9st 13lb

J: Jamie Orr

T: William Durkan

Prolific AW performer gained a first turf success in emphatic fashion at Navan on latest (5f, gd-yld) under this rider, making virtually all for a 2.25l win; this longer trip fine but raised 10lb and this is a tougher race.

9/2

1st

2

(4)

25th Apr 2026

Yielding

0m 5f 0y

13:20 Navan

Sporting Hero

9st 13lb

J: Jamie Orr

T: William Durkan

Nine AW wins but is a maiden on turf after 18 runs; however, he ran a cracker on soft ground at Bellewstown last time and this drying surface should suit better; a squeak.

7/1

Form: 52-3

Last run: 111 days

W: 9st 13lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Best form yet in her final maiden at Sligo (5.5f) and she wasn't well drawn that day; brings potential into handicaps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

(5)

11th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

0m 7f 205y

17:23 Bellewstown

Goldrush Kid

9st 6lb

J: Jack Kearney

T: Patrick Magee

Won off 6lb higher in first-time cheekpieces at the Curragh last March (1m, soft); no joy since and beaten around 9l in both starts at that venue this season; blinkers back on instead of cheekpieces; not discounted.

15/2

5th

8

(14)

28th Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

0m 7f 0y

17:25 Curragh

Goldrush Kid

9st 9lb

J: Robbie Colgan

T: Patrick Magee

Eighth of 26 here 13 days ago when bidding to repeat last year's win in a 1m contest; may do better with that run behind him.

12/1

8th

8

(17)

15th Mar 2026

Heavy

1m 0f 0y

17:30 Curragh

Goldrush Kid

9st 10lb

J: Jack Kearney

T: Patrick Magee

Sole victory came in this race last year (soft) on his seasonal return and he is 2lb lower now; was well backed on that occasion so he's well worth monitoring in the market.

16/1

50/1

Form: 8400

Last run: 7 days

W: 8st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 47

Form & Verdict
66-1 when down the field on handicap debut last week (6f); again wrong at the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

13

(17)

18th Dec 2024

Standard

0m 5f 0y

16:25 Dundalk (AW)

Old Chicago

8st 13lb

J: Leigh Roche

T: John James Feane

Modest maiden efforts here before struggling in two handicaps at the Curragh; hard to be confident.

33/1

13th

13

(17)

18th Dec 2024

Standard

0m 5f 0y

16:25 Dundalk (AW)

Old Chicago

8st 13lb

J: Leigh Roche

T: John James Feane

Modest maiden efforts here before struggling in two handicaps at the Curragh; hard to be confident.

33/1

10th

15

(9)

24th Aug 2024

Good

0m 5f 0y

17:40 Curragh

Old Chicago

8st 7lb

J: Wesley Joyce

T: John James Feane

66-1 when down the field on handicap debut last week (6f); again wrong at the weights.

50/1

Form: 588030 C

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Close to posting a sixth career win at Navan (5f, good to firm) last month but Cork was disappointing as he stays the 6f; has a big run in him if putting best foot forward.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

15

(8)

31st May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

16:20 Listowel

Run Forrest Run

8st 10lb

J: Leigh Roche

T: Laura Hourigan

Knows how to win (6-44 on turf) but losing run stretches back to October 2024; in poor form on AW when last seen in December; best watched on debut for new yard after break.

25/1

6th

5

(15)

29th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 7f 0y

16:35 Dundalk (AW)

Run Forrest Run

9st 8lb

J: Adam Grant

T: Thomas Coyle

Out of the money in seven races since finishing third over this trip at Down Royal in May; not a bad run when seventh of 19 over 6f at Navan last week.

12/1

Form: 51-128 C BF

Last run: 126 days

W: 10st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Mark went through the roof for winning so well over 6f on heavy here in March but still finished second next time at Leopardstown (7f); wasn't at his best back here on final appearance in April and could be vulnerable back from a break, especially as he loves the mud.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

12

(10)

19th Apr 2026

Soft

0m 7f 0y

16:45 Curragh

Merisi Diamond

9st 3lb

J: W J Lee

T: Thomas Coyle

Four-time winner whose best form has on soft and heavy at around 7f; got those optimum conditions over C&D last time when third, finishing 1.75l behind Mickey The Steel and 6.5l behind Red Charlie; cheekpieces added to the tongue tie now, but may struggle to reverse form.

11/1

3rd

3

(2)

28th Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

0m 7f 0y

17:25 Curragh

Merisi Diamond

9st 13lb

J: W J Lee

T: Thomas Coyle

Four-time winner whose best form has been on soft and heavy at around 7f; has run respectably in recent outings here and at Naas; needs to find extra.

10/1

7th

11

(3)

22nd Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

0m 7f 0y

15:12 Naas

Merisi Diamond

8st 11lb

J: James Ryan

T: Thomas Coyle

Four-time winner whose best form has been on soft and heavy at around 7f; should be a bit sharper now as a result of last Sunday's 6f run at the Curragh.

16/1

25/1

Form: 80-800

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Showed early speed over the 5f here a month ago but didn't get home; remains a maiden.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17th

17

(11)

31st Aug 2024

Good

0m 6f 0y

17:10 Curragh

Valentino Express

8st 7lb

J: Neve Bennett

T: D J Bunyan

Eight-race maiden and mostly modest handicap form; 3lb wrong and looks up against it.

50/1

13th

12

(2)

24th Aug 2024

Good

0m 5f 0y

17:40 Curragh

Valentino Express

9st 0lb

J: Jamie Powell

T: D J Bunyan

Showed early speed over the 5f here a month ago but didn't get home; remains a maiden.

25/1

Non-runners

Mount Ruapehu, Call Henry

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €101.70
Straight Forecast €80.11
Tricast €447.11
Trifecta €1305.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Never Shout Never

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Goldrush Kid

The Irish Sun:

Merisi Diamond

POSTDATA:

Mount Ruapehu