May 17 / 15.15 Navan

15.15

Good

Best of Luck On Your Retirement Joey Martin Handicap

  • Prize money: £7801.65
  • 0m 5f 0y
  • 9 runners
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Best of Luck On Your Retirement Joey Martin Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Sunny

OUR TIP

13/2

Form: 460-60 CD

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 4lb

7 yo Colt

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Useful type; five of his six wins have come on AW and is rated 8lb lower on turf; not a bad return at the Curragh but failed to see out 6f at Naas since; back to 5f suits and a squeak if back to form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

(19)

23rd May 2026

Good To Yielding

0m 6f 0y

17:25 Curragh

The Highway Rat

10st 0lb

J: Sam Coen

T: A Oliver

Five AW wins and two turf wins have been at Navan over 5f; last year's highlight was fine third in Rockingham here; absent since October and may just need this.

12/1

6th

6

(8)

24th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

19:15 Dundalk (AW)

The Highway Rat

10st 0lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: A Oliver

5-13 on AW including this race in 2021; respectable effort when fourth in the Group 2 Sapphire Stakes at the Curragh in July (5f, good); a neck behind Black Forza when fourth over C&D latest (4lb better off now); needs more stepped back up in grade.

14/1

1

(1)

14th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

17:35 Dundalk (AW)

The Highway Rat

9st 12lb

J: W J Lee

T: A Oliver

Five-time course winner including a C&D Group 3; beaten 3.25l off 99 on last AW start in July; decent runs in defeat since including a 3.25l fourth in the Sapphire Stakes; a bit to find on the figures but should run a solid race.

12/1

Form: 0/070-

Last run: 206 days

W: 9st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Won three times in Britain from 7f-1m in 2023; not as good in three starts last year and makes debut for a new yard with a hood added; this trip looks a bit sharp.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

(6)

24th May 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 0f 0y

17:05 Curragh

Merlin The Wizard

9st 8lb

J: Reese Holohan

T: R P Cody

Three wins in Britain in 2023 at up to 1m; regressive in the last two seasons; produced best run for some time at Dundalk in March when good second over 1m; not beaten far in outings at Leopardstown and Ballinrobe since then.

12/1

3rd

4

(10)

8th May 2026

Yielding To Soft

1m 1f 133y

18:52 Ballinrobe

Merlin The Wizard

9st 8lb

J: Julian Pietropaolo

T: R P Cody

Three wins in Britain in 2023 at up to 1m; regressive in last two seasons but best run for some time at Dundalk in March when good second over 1m; didn't seem to quite get home back on turf at Leopardstown last month and stamina concerns trying this longer trip for the first time.

13/2

5th

11

(1)

12th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 0f 0y

15:20 Leopardstown

Merlin The Wizard

9st 8lb

J: Donagh O’Connor

T: R P Cody

Three wins in Britain in 2023; regressive in last two seasons but best run for some time at Dundalk last month when second to an improver over today's trip under a positive ride, his second run for the yard; same mark here, could go well from a good draw.

15/2

Form: 4100-5 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Three-time winner ran a fine race on seasonal debut when 2.25l behind Cuban Grey at the Curragh over this trip; should have improved from that and get much closer today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(8)

20th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

16:37 Dundalk (AW)

Bold Optimist

10st 0lb

J: Ben Coen

T: Daniel McLoughlin

C&D maiden winner in 2023; added two 5f turf wins in 2024; very encouraging third back from a break over C&D in February under this rider; didn't look the easiest mount for a 10lb claimer last time when hanging; he's 11lb lower than his last winning mark and Coen back aboard is a plus.

4/1

6th

3

(5)

6th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

17:45 Dundalk (AW)

Bold Optimist

10st 1lb

J: Ross Fagan

T: Daniel McLoughlin

Won a C&D maiden in 2023, and added two turf 5f wins in 2024; last month's third over 5f was encouraging after a break; every chance with 10lb claimed.

6/1

3rd

4

(5)

13th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

16:28 Dundalk (AW)

Bold Optimist

9st 13lb

J: Ben Coen

T: Daniel McLoughlin

Won his maiden over 6f here in 2023, and added two turf 5f wins in 2024; last win came off a mark of 81; unseen since moderate run at Tipperary in August.

10/1

Form: 213/4- D

Last run: 318 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Won a Dundalk 2yo maiden over this trip and two decent runs after, including on turf; returns after nearly 11 months away but has attracted a notable rider booking; blinkers replace cheekpieces; noted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(11)

20th Jul 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

16:15 Curragh

Moral Turpitude

9st 12lb

J: Shane Foley

T: Daniel James Murphy

Sole win from 12 starts came on AW in 2023; ran only once in 2024; second of five at Down Royal three starts ago; down the field at Dundalk since finishing last of 14 here in the Rockingham.

20/1

9

(5)

12th Jul 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

13:20 Dundalk (AW)

Moral Turpitude

8st 7lb

J: Patrick McGettigan

T: Daniel James Murphy

Sole win from 11 starts came here in 2023; only ran once in 2024; improved from comeback run to finish a 2.75l second at Down Royal last month; finished last of all at the Curragh last time with a few of these in front of her; 1lb wrong.

18/1

14th

12

(3)

29th Jun 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

15:30 Curragh

Moral Turpitude

8st 7lb

J: Nathan Crosse

T: Daniel James Murphy

Speedy filly won a 5f maiden at Dundalk in late 2023; improved for comeback run when a 2.75l second at Down Royal (5f, good) nine days ago (hung right); 3lb wrong here and more needed in this tougher race.

18/1

Form: 69-814 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Consistent sort beat Cuban Grey a head at Bellewstown but was 1.5l behind him at the Curragh since; up another 1lb today and has to squeeze out a bit more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

(1)

31st May 2026

Good

0m 5f 8y

Class 4

15:55 Nottingham

Emerald Harmony

9st 7lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Ex-Irish mare; ran a cracker on her stable debut at Newcastle in March (5f), beaten a nose by a well-handicapped opponent; mixed fortunes in three runs since; others may have her measure today.

20/1

10th

8

(3)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

15:37 Thirsk

Emerald Harmony

9st 6lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: Paul Midgley

Twice a 5f winner in Ireland for Johnny Murtagh, and she has made a solid start for her new yard, close third of seven at Beverley on latest outing; bubbling under and one of the likelier candidates.

8/1

3rd

5

(5)

4th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:15 Beverley

Emerald Harmony

9st 1lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: Paul Midgley

Bought for 18,000gns in October having won twice over 5f (good/good to firm) for Johnny Murtagh in Ireland; good AW second on stable debut in March and fair turf run last time; each-way chance.

10/1

Form: 410-90 CD

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Five-time winner including twice over C&D; not bad efforts both starts this season but is most effective on easier ground so others appeal more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

15

(2)

31st May 2026

Good

0m 6f 60y

15:15 Listowel

Mickey The Steel

8st 13lb

T: Joseph Anthony Murray

First reserve; five-time winner loves the mud and solid placed form over 6f/7f early in the season; has had a break since unplaced run at the Curragh.

13th

16

(1)

19th Apr 2026

Soft

0m 7f 0y

16:45 Curragh

Mickey The Steel

9st 1lb

J: Wesley Joyce

T: Joseph Anthony Murray

Useful sprinter who is suited by soft conditions; third in opening two 6f runs this season here (heavy) and at Naas (soft); upped in trip when runner-up over C&D last time; was 4.75l behind winner Red Charlie that day but now 14lb swing at the weights, although he had race-fitness on his side that day.

8/1

2nd

7

(15)

28th Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

0m 7f 0y

17:25 Curragh

Mickey The Steel

9st 10lb

J: Wesley Joyce

T: Joseph Anthony Murray

Useful sprinter in this grade; suited by testing conditions; worth a shot at 7f after two good runs at 6f in the last fortnight; third here with Merisi Diamond back in sixth; same place at Naas with Eichan San among those behind, not guaranteed to uphold that form.

8/1

Form: 02370- CD

Last run: 195 days

W: 9st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Eight-time winner including over C&D as a 2yo; his form tailed off at the end of last season and he lacks a run this term so might just come on for this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

(4)

26th May 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

18:48 Dundalk (AW)

Harrys Hill

9st 10lb

J: Paddy Harnett

T: Martin Hassett

Better known for his turf exploits and he's 1-8 on the AW; others preferred after finishing down the field at Navan after a break.

20/1

6th

4

(9)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

15:32 Navan

Harrys Hill

9st 7lb

J: Seamie Heffernan

T: Martin Hassett

Eight-time winner on turf including once over C&D; sole success last season in Tipperary rated race (5f, good) when he had Eclairage 1.25l behind in third and weighted to uphold that form; runner up in this last year on seasonal return off 3lb higher; can't discount.

14/1

9th

7

(9)

11th Oct 2025

Yielding To Soft

0m 5f 0y

16:25 Naas

Harrys Hill

9st 4lb

J: Wayne Hassett

T: Martin Hassett

Multiple winner but has lost his way since doing well in the height of summer and trainer now turns to cheekpieces.

14/1

Form: 2-1215 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 0lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Much-improved this year, winning at Dundalk and the Curragh over this trip, in between runner-up to Emerald Harmony at Bellewstown; not as good over 6f at Naas last time but back to 5f suits better and is a player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

(13)

26th May 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

18:48 Dundalk (AW)

Cuban Grey

9st 9lb

J: Luke McAteer

T: Patrick J McKenna

Has a superior strike-rate on turf and was behind three of these on his last run here in March.

20/1

5th

7

(2)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

15:32 Navan

Cuban Grey

9st 5lb

J: Rory Mulligan

T: Patrick J McKenna

Six-time winner is 4-22 on turf; last two wins have come at the Curragh but has run well in defeat over this C&D on more than one occasion; shaped well at Bellewstown on penultimate but needs to bounce back from poor Curragh run latest; 2lb above highest winning mark.

10/1

10th

8

(4)

19th Apr 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

13:50 Curragh

Cuban Grey

9st 1lb

J: Rory Mulligan

T: Patrick J McKenna

Won this race last year after a Bellewstown second and now bids to follow the same pattern after a good run eight days ago; fair chance that he can reverse Dundalk form with Buddy Batt.

11/2

Form: 0-9319 CD

Last run: 28 days

W: 8st 8lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Veteran of 96 races with 14 wins; not as good as when at his best but still capable of decent form; won at Musselburgh last month but not as good there six days later; could bounce back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

(10)

19th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

17:42 Cork

Only Spoofing

9st 7lb

J: Rory Cleary

T: Kevin Thomas Coleman

Hardy veteran has won fourteen races on turf, all on good and good to firm ground, but handles an ease; is 15lb lower than when winning at Musselburgh last year and didn't run badly at Bellewstown (5f, soft) on latest; could go well.

10/1

6th

5

(13)

11th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

0m 5f 3y

17:55 Bellewstown

Only Spoofing

9st 9lb

J: Rory Cleary

T: Kevin Thomas Coleman

Likeable veteran won for the fourteenth time at Musselburgh (5f, good) last April and is 13lb lower now; showed some spark when a 2l fourth at Dundalk on penultimate and was third over this C&D (soft) off 5lb higher in October; can't discount.

14/1

8th

7

(5)

20th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

16:37 Dundalk (AW)

Only Spoofing

8st 13lb

J: Rory Cleary

T: Kevin Thomas Coleman

Attractive handicap mark, but veteran's 14 wins have come on turf; 0-11 on AW but his 2l fourth over 6f here last time is a reason for hope, as is the drop back to 5f now.

6/1

Non-runners

Pineapple Island

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Payout
Exacta €44.50
Straight Forecast €54.43
Tricast €207.71
Trifecta €359.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Bold Optimist

POSTDATA:

Emerald Harmony

The Irish Sun:

Moral Turpitude

TOPSPEED:

Harry's Hill

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Bold Optimist