October 22 / 13.00 Curragh

13.00

Soft

Friarstown Stud Handicap

  • Prize money: £10260.87
  • 0m 6f 0y
  • 15 runners
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Friarstown Stud Handicap

Runners: 15 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

6/1 (Won)

Form: 485405 CD

Last run: 10 days

W: 10st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Three-time winner; has to be delivered late and can be frustrating, runner-up on five occasions; looked unlucky not to finish closer when fifth to stablemate at Naas 10 days ago; worth considering.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

(9)

22nd Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

14:15 Curragh

Jon Riggens

8st 7lb

J: Reese Holohan

T: Edward Lynam

Three wins here; struck for the first time since 2024 when winning at Navan in June; may have benefitted from track position (only runner-up and himself raced far side), but in fairness, second won lately; missed an engagement here earlier this month and profile suggests layoff not ideal; 3lb wrong, but top 'bug' rides.

8/1

Form: 280141 CD

Last run: 8 days

W: 10st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Suited by soft ground; two wins from his last three starts, both over the extended 7f at Roscommon; in between, fourth of 16 over 7f here; C&D winner on heavy at the beginning of this season, also successful over 7f here almost a year ago; can remain competitive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

11

(2)

31st Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 94y

17:55 Roscommon

Merisi Diamond

9st 2lb

J: W J Lee

T: Thomas Coyle

Soft or heavy ground is crucial for him, and wisely was given the summer off after winning at the Curragh in April; twice beat Mercurial over C&D in 2024, including in this race; chance is dependent on how much rain falls.

9/1

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

Form: 000053 C

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 13lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Won a rated race over 5f on heavy ground here in April; next four handicap runs were undistinguished; showed definite signs of a return to form when third over 7f at Naas on latest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

(5)

23rd Oct 2024

Yielding

0m 5f 0y

15:45 Navan

Bid For Chester

10st 0lb

J: Wesley Joyce

T: Michael Mulvany

Won a rated race over 5f on heavy ground at the Curragh in April; next four handicap runs were undistinguished; showed definite signs of a return to form when third over 7f at Naas; close up in third behind Jon Riggens at the Curragh yesterday.

9/2

3rd

5

(2)

22nd Oct 2024

Soft

0m 6f 0y

13:00 Curragh

Bid For Chester

9st 13lb

J: Wesley Joyce

T: Michael Mulvany

Won a rated race over 5f on heavy ground here in April; next four handicap runs were undistinguished; showed definite signs of a return to form when third over 7f at Naas on latest.

6/1

3rd

13

(2)

12th Oct 2024

Yielding

0m 7f 0y

17:00 Naas

Bid For Chester

8st 11lb

J: Wesley Joyce

T: Michael Mulvany

Won a rated race over 5f on heavy ground at the Curragh in April but has been well beaten since; best run in a while at Down Royal latest; handicapper relenting and was second over C&D from 6lb higher early in the year so don't completely rule out; rain would be welcome.

28/1

Form: 817505 C

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Won two of her first three starts including a course handicap in June over just a little further; lost form subsequently; more like it again when fifth of 16 here last time, only a short head behind Merisi Diamond, a winner on either side of that outing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

19th

17

(1)

3rd Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 63y

20:25 Curragh

Salah Belle

9st 3lb

J: Robbie Colgan

T: Ms Sheila Lavery

Won over slightly further here two years ago but not since and back from a break after AW winter campaign; tongue-tie tried.

25/1

8th

12

(9)

30th Jan 2026

Standard

1m 0f 0y

17:45 Dundalk (AW)

Salah Belle

9st 6lb

J: Robbie Colgan

T: Ms Sheila Lavery

Course winner over 6f on debut in December 2023; kept on for third over 7f here on last two starts and worth a go at this longer trip; place claims again if she stays (not certain on breeding).

8/1

Form: 030001 CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Took advantage of a declining mark to gain his sixth win three weeks ago at Cork; up 7lb and may struggle to follow up in a stronger contest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

16

(16)

1st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

17:40 Fairyhouse

Run Forrest Run

8st 10lb

J: Jimmy Dalton

T: Laura Hourigan

6-46 on turf; losing run stretches back to October 2024; poor form on AW last winter; shaped reasonably well at Listowel on first run for this stable; ran to roughly the same standard at Limerick; stablemate She's On The Ball is more appealing.

20/1

8th

13

(4)

10th Jun 2026

Good To Yielding

0m 7f 0y

19:50 Limerick

Run Forrest Run

8st 10lb

J: Leigh Roche

T: Laura Hourigan

6-45 on turf but losing run stretches back to October 2024; poor form on AW last winter; shaped reasonably well in mid-field at Listowel ten days on first run for Laura Hourigan.

10/1

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

Form: 600019 CD

Last run: 17 days

W: 10st 1lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Bellewstown winner on yielding-to-soft early in the month; had no luck in running over C&D three days later; quite feasible he could reverse form with The Organiser and Mount Ruapehu; good 7lb claimer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16th

8

(11)

21st Oct 2025

Soft

0m 6f 0y

14:42 Curragh

Mile End

9st 8lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Ciaran Murphy

Three-time winner on soft ground, including over C&D; hasn't won in over a year though, no show on both recent runs after a break; back in trip here and McMonagle booked but not an obvious one.

16/1

6

(7)

2nd Oct 2025

Good To Yielding

0m 7f 195y

15:10 Bellewstown

Mile End

9st 8lb

J: W J Lee

T: Ciaran Murphy

Three-time winner on soft ground, including a C&D win off 70 this time last year; never figured from a wide draw at Listowel nine days ago after fruitless run over hurdles; Billy Lee booked; big player if close to her best; cheekpieces go back on.

14/1

5

(15)

23rd Sep 2025

Heavy

0m 7f 15y

15:20 Listowel

Mile End

9st 10lb

J: Patrick McGettigan

T: Ciaran Murphy

Three-time winner on soft ground; returns from a break after five fruitless runs over hurdles; remains 6lb above her last win but talented claimer takes off 7lb; conditions fine and could outrun likely odds.

20/1

Form: -40400 CD

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 10lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Two wins came back-to-back at this venue last season; mixed form here this season; cheekpieces fitted now after two moderate runs.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

(2)

2nd Nov 2025

Heavy

0m 7f 0y

13:25 Curragh

Dagoda

9st 1lb

J: Robbie Colgan

T: Miss Jennifer Anne Lynch

Limited handicapper both of whose wins came here in 2023; on a long losing run and belatedly tried in blinkers; loads to find on ratings.

16/1

5th

5

(2)

2nd Nov 2025

Heavy

0m 7f 0y

13:25 Curragh

Dagoda

9st 1lb

J: Robbie Colgan

T: Miss Jennifer Anne Lynch

Limited handicapper both of whose wins came here in 2023; on a long losing run and belatedly tried in blinkers; loads to find on ratings.

16/1

5th

5

(2)

2nd Nov 2025

Heavy

0m 7f 0y

13:25 Curragh

Dagoda

9st 1lb

J: Robbie Colgan

T: Miss Jennifer Anne Lynch

Limited handicapper both of whose wins came here in 2023; on a long losing run and belatedly tried in blinkers; loads to find on ratings.

16/1

Form: 420773 D

Last run: 5 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Put in an encouraging display when third over 5f here last week; however, hard to win with as shown by his 1-25 turf record; Dundalk winner early this year.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

11

(8)

2nd Sep 2026

Soft

0m 6f 6y

Class 6

17:20 Hamilton

Mount Ruapehu

9st 0lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Iain Jardine

In fine form in the spring, winning three 6f handicaps at Southwell before finishing second over 5f here off a 9lb higher mark; his form has gone the wrong way since, including when backed into favouritism at Newcastle 13 days ago; not solid.

12/1

8th

7

(7)

20th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

20:54 Newcastle (AW)

Mount Ruapehu

9st 6lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Iain Jardine

Won three sprint handicaps at Southwell in the spring; form has dipped more recently but he has slipped in the weights and Jack Nicholls takes off a handy 5lb; market instructive.

12/1

8th

11

(7)

1st Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 7y

Class 5

20:00 Hamilton

Mount Ruapehu

8st 7lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Iain Jardine

1lb below his last winning mark, but is another who would have made more appeal on the AW (5-10) than turf (1-40).

12/1

Form: 16-670 D

Last run: 115 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Sole win for Natalia Lupini was in a 6f Dundalk nursery last year; three moderate displays on turf this year; best watched on first run for this yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(22)

22nd Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

17:08 Curragh

Clonmacash

10st 2lb

J: Sam Coen

T: Adrian McGuinness

Two AW wins this year during a busy campaign; sole turf win came here over 5f a year ago but below best in recent starts and remains 8lb above that last success.

25/1

5th

8

(8)

3rd Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 205y

14:47 Naas

Clonmacash

9st 4lb

J: Declan McDonogh

T: Adrian McGuinness

Wins in his turn, albeit five of his six victories have been on AW; below par at Ayr last time, but solid runs in 6f turf handicaps earlier in the summer; this is start number 16 of the year.

11/1

7th

6

(1)

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

15:30 Ayr

Clonmacash

8st 12lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Adrian McGuinness

The bulk of his winning has been done on AW but he did win a 5f handicap at the Curragh last August; recent efforts need bettering but he would seem likely to give his running.

5/1

Form: 219788 D

Last run: 107 days

W: 10st 0lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Dundalk winner in April; set stiff tasks in Listed races at Chelmsford and in Germany; first run since early July but the yard is in form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

4

(8)

1st Nov 2024

Standard

0m 6f 0y

18:00 Dundalk (AW)

Miss Black Jack

9st 1lb

J: James Ryan

T: John S O’Donoghue

prominent on outer, in touch with leaders halfway, weakened quickly under 2f out

10/1

9th

4

(8)

1st Nov 2024

Standard

0m 6f 0y

18:00 Dundalk (AW)

Miss Black Jack

9st 1lb

J: James Ryan

T: John S O’Donoghue

prominent on outer, in touch with leaders halfway, weakened quickly under 2f out

10/1

10th

4

(7)

22nd Oct 2024

Soft

0m 6f 0y

13:00 Curragh

Miss Black Jack

10st 0lb

J: Rory Mulligan

T: John S O’Donoghue

Dundalk winner in April; set stiff tasks in Listed races at Chelmsford and in Germany; first run since early July but the yard is in form.

12/1

16/1

Form: 322850

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
A 15-race maiden with fair placed form; did not get the run of the race here last time; same remark applies to Mile End who was six points shorter in the betting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16th

2

(9)

5th May 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

16:45 Curragh

The Bear Trap

10st 3lb

J: Paddy Harnett

T: John Geoghegan

midfield

12/1

2

(9)

5th May 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

16:45 Curragh

The Bear Trap

10st 3lb

J: Paddy Harnett

T: John Geoghegan

Off the mark at the 18th attempt with a 7f Dundalk maiden win last December; not beaten far at Leopardstown on his return to turf.

12/1

5th

5

(3)

9th Apr 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 14y

16:18 Leopardstown

The Bear Trap

9st 8lb

J: Ben Coen

T: John Geoghegan

midfield

16/1

Form: -60706 CD

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
C&D winner last year and is now 4lb lower; yet to recapture his best form this season; fair sixth here last time, not sure to confirm form with the luckless Mile End.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

(5)

24th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 215y

Class 6

15:30 Brighton

The Organiser

9st 5lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: Mark Pattinson

Dual soft-ground winner, latterly over C&D last autumn off an 8lb higher mark; has been running over 7f in recent times and the question is whether he still has the toe for this trip under today's conditions.

10/1

3rd

2

(9)

5th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 210y

Class 6

16:30 Brighton

The Organiser

9st 10lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: Mark Pattinson

Returned to turf with two decent efforts (both 7f, good) this spring, and his keeping-on fifth at Lingfield (7f, AW) last month was perfectly respectable; would appeal more on ground slower than good but still considered each-way.

13/2

5th

11

(5)

13th Jul 2026

Standard

0m 7f 1y

Class 6

18:40 Lingfield (AW)

The Organiser

9st 2lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: Mark Pattinson

Can miss the break but he's on a dangerous mark and was runner-up here (7f, good) in May before a respectable fourth at Chepstow last month; this return to AW is no problem and he has each-way claims.

12/1

13th
14 (15)
Sakakawea

10/1

Form: 0-91

Last run: 170 days

W: 8st 12lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Two undistinguished runs before when landing a Sligo maiden in May (5.5f, yielding to soft); opening mark of 65 potentially lenient for a maiden winner, but it was a weak race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

11

(10)

27th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 0y

18:15 Dundalk (AW)

Sakakawea

9st 4lb

J: Colin Keane

T: T M Walsh

Sligo 5.5f maiden winner in 2024; has adapted well to this surface with creditable efforts in four starts; took a 2l third over C&D last time (nose behind Comfort Line); runs off the same mark and Keane rides again.

8/1

3rd

10

(12)

20th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 0y

18:15 Dundalk (AW)

Sakakawea

9st 4lb

J: Colin Keane

T: T M Walsh

Sligo sprint maiden win came on soft; has adapted well to this surface but needs to raise her game on the evidence of three runs late last year.

10/1

4th

6

(2)

19th Nov 2025

Standard

0m 7f 0y

14:20 Dundalk (AW)

Sakakawea

9st 8lb

J: Colin Keane

T: T M Walsh

Sligo maiden win came on soft and creditable seasonal return at Naas in March on testing ground; well below best since; cheekpieces on now; trainer had a recent double over jumps.

10/1

Form: 51-070 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Dundalk maiden winner last season; has failed to reproduce that form in three 2024 outings. most recently on AW.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

10

(14)

22nd Oct 2024

Soft

0m 6f 0y

13:00 Curragh

Never Cry Never

9st 4lb

J: Shane Foley

T: Gerard O’Leary

Dundalk maiden winner last season; has failed to reproduce that form in three 2024 outings. most recently on AW.

25/1

12th

5

(9)

11th Oct 2024

Standard

0m 7f 0y

18:30 Dundalk (AW)

Never Cry Never

10st 0lb

J: W J Lee

T: Gerard O’Leary

midfield

12/1

7th

2

(2)

2nd Oct 2024

Soft

0m 5f 3y

16:25 Bellewstown

Never Cry Never

9st 9lb

J: Shane Foley

T: Gerard O’Leary

in touch with leaders, lost position and dropped to rear under 2f out, eased inside final furlong

10/1

15th
15 (10)
Call Henry

33/1

Form: 72-680

Last run: 81 days

W: 8st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Placed on AW in Britain at two; eased and tailed off at Galway on most recent of three Irish starts; hard to make a case for him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17th

9

(17)

23rd Oct 2024

Yielding

0m 5f 180y

14:00 Navan

Call Henry

9st 5lb

J: Nicola Burns

T: W Ross

Runner-up over 7f in Britain last year but has yet to recapture that form in Ireland; others preferred.

40/1

15th

15

(10)

22nd Oct 2024

Soft

0m 6f 0y

13:00 Curragh

Call Henry

8st 7lb

J: Rory Cleary

T: W Ross

Placed on AW in Britain at two; eased and tailed off at Galway on most recent of three Irish starts; hard to make a case for him.

33/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Straight Forecast €17.67
Tricast €158.57

Selections

TOPSPEED:

The Bear Trap

SPOTLIGHT:

Mile End

POSTDATA:

Mount Ruapehu

RP RATINGS (IRE):

The Organiser

The Irish Sun:

Jon Riggens