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

9th

1

(9)

9th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

14:50 Curragh

The Highway Rat

10st 0lb

J: W J Lee

T: A Oliver

Best known for AW exploits, but is effective on turf; not a bad effort on seasonal return in the Habitat Handicap when 2.25l behind the winner Headmaster (6f, good); good second at Navan next time, but his latest two runs have been below-par, including when well beaten over 6.5f here last time; blinkers return and replace the visor worn that day.

16/1

15th

4

(12)

18th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 63y

14:50 Curragh

The Highway Rat

9st 11lb

J: Sam Coen

T: A Oliver

Best known for AW exploits, also effective on turf; second to Bodhi Bear in a 5f handicap at Navan; visor now replaces blinkers following a below-par Dundalk run last Sunday.

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

6th

7

(2)

31st Aug 2026

Good

1m 4f 17y

19:25 Roscommon

Merlin The Wizard

9st 10lb

J: Sam Coen

T: R P Cody

Three wins in Britain in 2023 at up to 1m; regressive in 2024 and 2025 seasons; took advantage of a drop in grade when winning a claimer at Limerick and backed that up in a Ballinrobe handicap; two fair runs at the Galway festival; moderate display at Tramore; cheekpieces on now.

12/1

5th

3

(3)

15th Aug 2026

Yielding

1m 4f 0y

18:55 Tramore

Merlin The Wizard

10st 1lb

J: Reese Holohan

T: R P Cody

Three wins in Britain in 2023 at up to 1m; regressive in 2024 and 2025 seasons; took advantage of a drop in grade and forceful tactics when winning a claimer over this trip at Limerick and backed that up in a Ballinrobe handicap off 72 (1m2f, yielding); not too bad in two runs at the Galway festival; good claimer takes off weight and this track may suit.

6/1

6th

10

(14)

30th Jul 2026

Yielding

1m 0f 98y

17:05 Galway

Merlin The Wizard

9st 2lb

J: Gavin Ryan

T: R P Cody

Three wins in Britain in 2023 at up to 1m; regressive in 2024 and 2025 seasons; produced best run for some time at Dundalk in March when good second over 1m; after three more runs, took advantage of a drop in grade when winning a claimer at Limerick; backed that up in a Ballinrobe handicap; was 4lb wrong when ninth in the big handicap here on Tuesday.

8/1

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

7th

12

(6)

2nd Sep 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

16:38 Navan

Bold Optimist

9st 2lb

J: Ben Coen

T: Daniel McLoughlin

Three wins to his name from 22 starts; solid back-to-back placed efforts over 5f at Naas and the Curragh before finishing down the field over 6f on latest; blinkered for the first time.

10/1

11th

4

(21)

22nd Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

17:08 Curragh

Bold Optimist

9st 13lb

J: Scott McCullagh

T: Daniel McLoughlin

Two-time winner has posted solid back-to-back efforts over 5f at Naas and here last week (short head behind Soulful Diva); return to 6f looks a plus and place claims at least again off unchanged mark.

13/2

3rd

4

(2)

16th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

17:25 Curragh

Bold Optimist

9st 13lb

J: Ben Coen

T: Daniel McLoughlin

Two-time turf winner in 2024, including over C&D; good AW run last winter and fine return from over three months' absence when second at Naas last month off reduced mark (third has won since); definite player.

9/2

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

6th

3

(3)

14th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

18:43 Thirsk

Emerald Harmony

9st 7lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Consistent mare in a good run of form and from off the pace she was only a length behind Managing Director in a big field at York last time (5f); solid chance.

13/2

6th

4

(4)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

13:30 York

Emerald Harmony

11st 10lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Paul Midgley

Tough cookie who arrives in peak form after a close third over C&D two weeks ago; one of three with serious claims for her local yard.

6/1

3rd

8

(1)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

17:05 York

Emerald Harmony

9st 7lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Ready win in a Class 5 at Thirsk last month; similar form when second in a Class 3 at Doncaster last week; she will need more to come out on top today but she's arriving in top form.

12/1

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

6th

17

(4)

1st Aug 2026

Yielding To Soft

0m 7f 0y

17:35 Galway

Mickey The Steel

9st 9lb

T: Joseph Anthony Murray

Second reserve; generally reliable sort knows how to win and has been in decent form this term, placing in five of his seven starts; more than capable off this mark but may need softer ground to get his head back in front.

3rd

13

(7)

18th Jun 2026

Yielding

0m 7f 45y

17:10 Leopardstown

Mickey The Steel

9st 9lb

J: Wesley Joyce

T: Joseph Anthony Murray

Has been running well in defeat this term, including a second of 23 over this trip at the Curragh in March; wasn't beaten far when seventh of 21 at Navan 11 days ago (5f); acts on good but best on soft/heavy.

12/1

7th

7

(6)

7th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

14:17 Navan

Mickey The Steel

9st 9lb

J: Wesley Joyce

T: Joseph Anthony Murray

Has a decent record at this track, two wins and three seconds from nine visits; solid form this term except a moderate Curragh run over 7f; place chance now after last Sunday's third at Listowel; acts on good but best on soft or heavy.

12/1

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

1st

5

(4)

16th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

17:25 Curragh

Harrys Hill

9st 13lb

J: Paddy Harnett

T: Martin Hassett

Nine-time winner, including twice over C&D; no joy yet this season, going closest on latest when staying on well into second late on behind 0.5l winner Mary Shoelaces over C&D last month on ground on the quick side for him; nice turn around in the weights with that rival, with rider now claiming.

11/2

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

14th

3

(3)

2nd Sep 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

16:38 Navan

Cuban Grey

9st 13lb

J: Luke McAteer

T: Patrick J McKenna

Specialist at this distance, seven-time winner, the latest at Dundalk in May; has been kept busy since then; third at the Curragh on his most recent turf outing, a neck in front of the progressive Prairie Girl

10/1

5th

8

(12)

15th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

14:25 Dundalk (AW)

Cuban Grey

8st 7lb

J: Rory Mulligan

T: Patrick J McKenna

Admirable sort whose seven wins include twice here over 5f, notably 0.5l defeat of Collective Power in April; arrives here on the back of two good runs over 5f at the Curragh but remains vulnerable at this trip.

10/1

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

+o+e Accumulators

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