June 27 / 20.00 Curragh

20.00

Good

Fitzpatrick’s Mercedes-Benz Apprentice Derby Handicap

  • Prize money: £12190.08
  • 1m 4f 0y
  • 16 runners
RTV
View Course
Fitzpatrick’s Mercedes-Benz Apprentice Derby Handicap

Runners: 16 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

33/1 (Won)

  • Win: £17.20
  • Place: £2.50

Form: 50-529

Last run: 22 days

W: 8st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Four wins when trained by Charlie Johnston in the UK but has been regressive (albeit some decent efforts) since moving to Ireland; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

15

(14)

1st Aug 2026

Yielding To Soft

1m 3f 180y

18:05 Galway

Pillar Of Hope

9st 6lb

J: Patrick McGettigan

T: P Sweeney

5-26 on turf; just 2lb higher than when winning at Leopardstown in October (1m2f, heavy); beaten 3.75l into fifth in this race last season off this mark but hard to fancy on this season's efforts and others look better treated.

16/1

6th

10

(8)

20th Jul 2026

Good

1m 4f 179y

19:10 Ballinrobe

Pillar Of Hope

9st 2lb

J: Patrick McGettigan

T: P Sweeney

Six-time winner, five of those coming on turf; ground-versatile and showed signs of returning to form when coming from the back for a 6.75l fourth of 15 at Leopardstown on latest; eased 2lb but has not run well on both previous visits to this venue.

10/1

9/2

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 1-7413

Last run: 25 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Won a 7f Dundalk maiden last year and a Leopardstown handicap over 1m2f two starts ago; a solid run at Gowran since when suggesting that a step up in trip might suit; has to be considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

9

(9)

23rd Aug 2025

Good

1m 4f 0y

14:52 Curragh

Fortuna Vera

8st 13lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Landed 1m2f Leopardstown handicap earlier in the campaign and best effort when second over C&D in Apprentice Derby in late June, having been tight for room a furlong out; too keen and didn't get a clear run at Galway on latest so that can be forgiven; definite player.

100/30

6th

5

(8)

28th Jul 2025

Good

1m 4f 84y

19:50 Galway

Fortuna Vera

9st 4lb

J: Wayne Hassett

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Second runner for yard; AW maiden winner scored off 74 at Leopardstown (1m2f, good) in May; solid efforts in defeat off revised mark since including at 1m4f on latest; needs to find a bit more to win.

13/2

13/2

  • Place: £2.90

Form: 0/41-7

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Dual-purpose winner ran a solid race on return over 1m6f at this track last time after racing keenly; can come on from that, this trip suits fine and yard is in great form so considered; inexperienced rider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

13

(4)

21st Aug 2026

Good

1m 6f 80y

19:20 Killarney

Chutzpal

8st 7lb

J: Conor Cusack

T: Henry De Bromhead

Won this last year off 4lb lower; some good runs since and ran a solid race when beaten 2.25l into sixth over 1m7f at Leopardstown 15 days ago; 2-4 here so has to enter calculations.

12/1

6th

1

(8)

6th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 7f 0y

20:20 Leopardstown

Chutzpal

12st 2lb

J: Frau Sally Langhard

T: Henry De Bromhead

Capable dual-purpose performer won a nice pot on the Flat at Killarney last August off 4lb lower; stepped forward from below-par seasonal return when a 4.75l fifth at Fairyhouse on latest (3l behind Not Just Any Eagle); eased 2lb and place chance.

11/2

5th

6

(3)

8th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 5f 200y

18:15 Fairyhouse

Chutzpal

9st 4lb

J: W J Lee

T: Henry De Bromhead

Capable under both codes, both Flat wins coming in 1m6f Killarney handicaps, last summer off 72 before good second at Newmarket (2m2f); Curragh comeback run in late May was poor but more expected of here.

6/1

28/1

  • Place: £4.60

Form: 2770-7

Last run: 20 days

W: 8st 7lb

7 yo Filly

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Just 1-28 on the Flat; over hurdles during the winter without winning but not a bad Flat return at Navan last time over 1m5f; this trip probably on the short side for her nowadays; 1lb out of the handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

3rd Aug 2026

Good

2m 2f 0y

17:00 Cork

Folly Beach

11st 4lb

J: Michael Kenneally

T: M A Molloy

0-13 over hurdles; ran on well for fourth on the Flat at Leopardstown (1m7f, good) on latest; well held on last start in this sphere at Galway just over a year ago but has placed off higher marks before so not discounted back over hurdles.

14/1

4th

9

(1)

23rd Jul 2026

Good

1m 7f 0y

20:28 Leopardstown

Folly Beach

9st 1lb

J: Jack Cleary

T: M A Molloy

Her only Flat win in 33 starts came in this race in 2023 on soft ground; best run this year was on soft at Down Royal; has to improve on latest two runs; ground concerns.

12/1

8th

13

(9)

15th Jul 2026

Good

1m 6f 80y

20:30 Killarney

Folly Beach

9st 2lb

J: Jack Cleary

T: M A Molloy

Three years since her sole Flat win (1m7f, soft) but only narrowly denied over 1m5f at Down Royal last month on similar ground; not as effective on fast ground six days later at the Curragh so ground concerns again here.

14/1

OUR TIP
5th
3 (4)
Crassus

12/1

Form: 1473/8 C

Last run: 45 days

W: 9st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Dual-purpose winner goes well at this track and was third in this race in 2023; returned after a long absence with a respectable effort over 2m at Killarney; this trip suits better and could go well with improvement likely.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

(23)

30th Jul 2025

Good

2m 0f 110y

20:20 Galway

Crassus

9st 11lb

J: Chris Hayes

T: Noel Meade

Dual-purpose sort is 3-25 on the level; last scored off 4lb lower in the Ulster Cesarewitch (2m2f, good) in 2023; good run at Fairyhouse on penultimate over 1m4f but didn't back it up at Killarney on latest; may need more respite from the handicapper.

18/1

5

(6)

15th Jul 2025

Good

2m 0f 185y

19:45 Killarney

Crassus

9st 7lb

J: Ben Coen

T: Noel Meade

Dual-purpose; 3-24 on the Flat, the last win coming in the 2023 Ulster Cesarewitch at Down Royal (2m2f, good) off 5lb lower; stayed on well over 1m4f at the Curragh on latest, his second run after a long layoff; this trip more suitable and he's a player.

10/1

Form: 61-542 C

Last run: 6 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
The last of her three wins came over 1m2f at this track last October but had earlier won over an extended 1m3f; decent efforts in defeat last twice over this trip but needs a bit more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

28th Aug 2026

Good

2m 0f 190y

16:15 Wexford

Barrogstown Girl

11st 2lb

J: Peter Smithers

T: Jarlath P Fahey

Very promising handicap hurdle debut last month at Kilbeggan, chasing clear leader throughout without landing a blow in 16-runner 2m3f contest (good); run here a fortnight later (2m4f) too bad to be true; takes a drop in trip and remains of interest.

7/1

10th

6

7th Aug 2026

Good

2m 4f 55y

19:01 Wexford

Barrogstown Girl

11st 3lb

J: Peter Smithers

T: Jarlath P Fahey

Three-time Flat winner and improving over hurdles. culminating in a decent second in a 2m3f Kilbeggan contest two weeks ago; trip is suitable and unlikely to be too far away.

5/1

Form: 5-8815 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Won his fifth race when scoring over this trip at Leopardstown last month; didn't get the clearest of runs over 1m6f at this track since; raised another 1lb doesn't help but is in fine form and is a player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

(4)

2nd Sep 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

17:08 Navan

Not Just Any Eagle

11st 11lb

J: Mr D Doyle

T: Patrick J Flynn

Four-time winner, most recently over 1m4f at Leopardstown early last season; went very close at the same venue last time, confirming a return to form at Fairyhouse; rider provides good value for 7lb claim.

8/1

2nd

2

(3)

6th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 7f 0y

20:20 Leopardstown

Not Just Any Eagle

12st 2lb

J: Mr Cian Murphy

T: Patrick J Flynn

Four-time winner, most recently here over 1m4f in May 2025; 2lb lower here and shaped like coming back to form when a 1.75l third at Fairyhouse (1m6f) on latest; stays this trip and enters calculations now.

9/2

Form: 03-591

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Hurdle winner scored for the second time on the level when making all and just lasting home over 2m1f at Limerick last time; a 6lb rise makes this tougher but has run well here before and a visor is added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

19

29th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

17:25 Curragh

Party Dress

11st 12lb

J: Daisy Mae Christie

T: W McCreery

Hurdle and dual Flat winner; similar efforts in defeat last thrice; has a bit to find.

20/1

10

(12)

20th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 5f 0y

19:00 Leopardstown

Party Dress

8st 13lb

J: Wesley Joyce

T: W McCreery

Hurdle winner has won twice on the Flat, the latest over 2m1f at Limerick in 2025; hasn't been too far away of late and has been dropped a few lbs, now 3lb below that winning mark.

7/1

5th

3

(8)

23rd Jul 2026

Good

1m 7f 0y

20:28 Leopardstown

Party Dress

9st 11lb

J: Donagh O’Connor

T: W McCreery

Hurdle winner has won twice on the Flat, the latest coming over 2m1f at Limerick in 2025; not bad runs lately including when not getting the cleanest of trips at Killarney last time; one to consider.

11/4

28/1

Form: 64818-

Last run: 189 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Got off the mark when winning a Dundalk maiden over 1m last winter for Dermot Weld; well below that form on debut for this yard and over hurdles since; stays 1m2f but unproven over this trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

26th Aug 2026

Good

2m 1f 40y

18:05 Bellewstown

Daboya

11st 3lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: R Donohoe

Has shown improved form on the Flat lately, winning handicaps at Ballinrobe and Tramore before runner-up at the latter track; now rated 81; was a 2m maiden hurdle winner at Thurles last November; can be competitive.

7/1

2nd

1

(1)

15th Aug 2026

Yielding

1m 4f 0y

18:55 Tramore

Daboya

10st 4lb

J: Sam Coen

T: R Donohoe

Up a total of 13lb for back-to-back wins at Ballinrobe (1m5f, yielding) and over C&D (good) when 2.75l ahead of Marmeladova (that rival 3lb better off now); finished last at Gowran last time (1m5f, good to firm), which is not fully explained by her new rating; can do better back here.

4/1

8th

9

(6)

12th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 100y

16:22 Gowran Park

Daboya

8st 8lb

J: Reese Holohan

T: R Donohoe

Has gone up a total of 13lb for wins at Ballinrobe and Tramore; good 7lb claimer booked here, but not sure to uphold Tramore form with third-placed Sea Coral.

5/1

Form: 0-0832

Last run: 39 days

W: 8st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Second runner for yard, both 3yos; some decent maiden runs without winning and a solid handicap debut at Roscommon over this trip last time; needs a bit more from 1lb out of the handicap but is still improving; cheekpieces tried.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

4

(8)

23rd May 2026

Good

1m 4f 5y

Class 4

20:45 Salisbury

Cinammon Coco

9st 7lb

J: Harry Vigors

T: David Pipe

Flat/hurdle winner for Joseph O'Brien; pulled up in two hurdle runs for his new stable and hard to know what to expect now back on the Flat.

16/1

4

4th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

15:47 Huntingdon

Cinammon Coco

11st 4lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Hurdles (2m1f, good) and Flat (1m4f, AW) wins for Joseph O'Brien last year; 12-1, pulled up in a Fakenham handicap (2m, good to soft; first-time tongue-tie, now removed) on stable debut in March; best watched.

5/2

9/1

Form: 85418- CD

Last run: 242 days

W: 9st 10lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Both turf wins have come at this track, the latest over 1m6f on yielding ground last autumn; some decent hurdle runs in defeat since but not at Kilbeggan last time; go well if back to form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

12th Oct 2025

Good

2m 2f 140y

14:17 Cork

Pachmena

12st 0lb

J: James Smith

T: Matthew J Smith

Dual-purpose Flat winner yet to score over timber; soundly beaten first two starts for this yard over hurdles at Sligo and on the Flat at Bellewstown; revival required.

11/1

2

(5)

1st Oct 2025

Good To Yielding

0m 7f 205y

14:48 Bellewstown

Pachmena

10st 1lb

J: Leigh Roche

T: Matthew J Smith

Dual-purpose mare whose best recent Flat form has come over 1m4f-1m6f; beaten 20l in a 25.5f handicap hurdle on latest; headgear worn that day discarded; this trip surely too sharp.

20/1

12th
16 (15)
Sunny Dude

100/1

Form: 050-74

Last run: 20 days

W: 8st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 40

Form & Verdict
Maiden has run respectably on last two starts at Navan but is rated only 40 and a long way out of the handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

7

6th Jul 2026

Good

1m 7f 204y

17:48 Roscommon

Sunny Dude

11st 4lb

J: Benjamin P Kennedy

T: D Buckley

Regressive Flat maiden was well beaten on hurdling debut and can't be fancied.

150/1

12th

11

26th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 13y

18:00 Ballinrobe

Sunny Dude

11st 4lb

J: Benjamin P Kennedy

T: D Buckley

Flat maiden 0-15 in that sphere and rated 36; hard to make a case for on hurdles debut.

80/1

Form: 8763 BF

Last run: 16 days

W: 8st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Maiden went closest to getting off the mark when beaten half a length in a Limerick handicap over 1m3.5f last time; up 1lb but likely to have more to offer though is 3lb out of the handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

5

(7)

23rd Jul 2026

Good

1m 7f 0y

20:28 Leopardstown

Jr Mahon

9st 7lb

J: Sadhbh Tormey

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Dual-purpose maiden has been poor on last two starts (bled at Fairyhouse first time); opposed with a visor added.

25/1

8th

2

(1)

20th Jul 2026

Good

1m 1f 135y

17:10 Ballinrobe

Jr Mahon

9st 10lb

J: Adam Caffrey

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Close third at Limerick in June 2025 beginning to look like a flash in the pan; poor form over hurdles and on the Flat this year; tailed off at Fairyhouse latest (1m6f, good).

16/1

18th

17

(17)

12th Jun 2026

Good

1m 6f 40y

19:20 Fairyhouse

Jr Mahon

9st 1lb

J: Caragh Monaghan

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Some promising runs in defeat last season; okay run over hurdles at Bellewstown in April but his tailed off finish at Sligo last month is concerning.

33/1

25/1

Form: 53233- BF

Last run: 263 days

W: 8st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Maiden ran some decent races up to 2m2f for Kevin Philippart de Foy when trained in UK; needs to find improvement on debut for this yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

4

20th Jan 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 1f 33y

14:20 Down Royal

Surrey Force

11st 12lb

J: James Smith

T: Thomas Gibney

Modest Flat performer has failed to land a blow in three maiden hurdles; opening mark probably on the high side.

25/1

5

(3)

28th Aug 2025

Good

1m 6f 0y

17:35 Navan

Surrey Force

9st 11lb

J: Nicola Burns

T: Thomas Gibney

Went close in Britain but shown nothing in two starts for his new connections after 34,000gns sale; won't mind rain but others appeal more.

25/1

15th
2 (16)
Bruant

7/1

Form: 3712-0

Last run: 69 days

W: 10st 1lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Dual Flat winner in France up to 1m3f sprang a surprise to get off the mark over hurdles in a Downpatrick novice last time; has to be respected if carrying that return to form back on the level.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

31st Aug 2026

Good

2m 5f 180y

15:55 Downpatrick

Bruant

11st 12lb

J: Kevin Sexton

T: A J Martin

Won off 5lb lower here in May (2m3f, good to yielding); bounced back from two below-par efforts to finish a 3.75l third at Sligo last time (2m5f, good); return to this venue and application of a tongue tie may get a bit more from him.

13/2

2nd

3

6th Aug 2026

Good

2m 4f 168y

19:30 Sligo

Bruant

11st 8lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: A J Martin

Gained his second win over hurdles when landing 2m3f Downpatrick handicap in May; withdrawn twice on good ground before allowed to take his chance at Galway last week but never counted on similar ground when midfield over 2m; back up in trip here, any easing in the ground would help his chances.

15/2

33/1

Form: 068-07

Last run: 39 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Won two on the bounce over 1m2f in 2023 for Henry de Bromhead; then lost his form before reappearing after an absence for this yard last year; has to improve on recent efforts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

1st Aug 2026

Good

2m 0f 175y

14:37 Galway

Matt Connor

11st 6lb

J: Josh Williamson

T: J P Dempsey

Dual-purpose winner was well beaten at Punchestown on his last hurdle run but ran a decent race on the Flat at Tramore since; needs to find more.

22/1

4th

4

(10)

7th Jul 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

20:00 Tramore

Matt Connor

9st 12lb

J: Colin Keane

T: J P Dempsey

Dual-purpose performer; has won three of his last five races, two over hurdles and on the Flat at Gowran before finishing in mid-division in a handicap hurdle at the Punchestown festival; best Flat form at around 1m2f.

9/2

12th

4

28th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 3f 81y

15:05 Punchestown

Matt Connor

11st 9lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: J P Dempsey

Dual-purpose; has won three of his last four, two over hurdles and on the Flat at Gowran on latest; raised 11lb for his latest win over timber at Naas (18.5f, heavy) in January; this is harder but he did that easily and he is ground versatile; player.

10/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €93.30
Straight Forecast €60.15
Tricast €482.50
Trifecta €1265.40

Selections

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Jr Mahon

SPOTLIGHT:

Fortuna Vera

TOPSPEED:

Surrey Force

POSTDATA:

Not Just Any Eagle

The Irish Sun:

Jr Mahon