July 20 / 15.40 Curragh

15.40

Good

Romanised Minstrel Stakes (Group 2)

  • Prize money: £58512.4
  • 0m 7f 0y
  • 10 runners
RTV
View Course
Romanised Minstrel Stakes (Group 2)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

Form: 314534 CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
All eight turf wins at this venue (also placed here on ten occasions); as good as ever when landing the Gladness Stakes over C&D in March; a little below his best on next two starts before a fine third in the Greenlands and fourth in a Listed event three weeks ago; only 12th, beaten over ten lengths, in yesterday's big sprint handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

(9)

23rd May 2026

Good To Yielding

0m 6f 0y

15:05 Curragh

Big Gossey

9st 5lb

J: W J Lee

T: Charles O’Brien

Splendid veteran showed he retained enthusiasm when winning the 7f Gladness Stakes in March, his ninth Curragh win on his 50th visit; found 5f too sharp at Naas last time; runs in this event for the fourth consecutive year, second at 25-1 in 2023, ninth in 2024, third behind James Delight at 33-1 last season; asking a lot now in a strong edition.

12/1

9th

1

(5)

27th Apr 2026

Yielding

0m 5f 0y

19:15 Naas

Big Gossey

9st 12lb

J: Robert Whearty

T: Charles O’Brien

Marvelous veteran showed he retained all his ability when winning for the eleventh time in the Listed Gladness Stakes at the Curragh (7f, sft-hvy) a month ago; however, has come up short in the last three renewals of this race and 5f probably sharp enough for him these days.

10/1

1st

3

(3)

28th Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

0m 7f 0y

15:05 Curragh

Big Gossey

9st 9lb

J: W J Lee

T: Charles O’Brien

Splendid veteran with eight Curragh wins to his name; thoroughly deserved his career highlight when beating a subsequent Classic winner in this race last year; has also produced many good displays in defeat here; showed plenty of zest with Dundalk second in December; eased when beaten on reappearance in the Irish Lincoln.

25/1

Form: 374-71

Last run: 70 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Progressive at 7f-1m last season; won a 1m Naas handicap off 90; beaten just 1l into third in the 7f Group 3 Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot; fourth on soft in a Listed race at Tipperary on his final start of 2024; found 6f inadequate at Cork on seasonal debut; appreciated the step up to 1m when landing a Listed event at Leopardstown in May.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

(7)

23rd May 2026

Good To Yielding

0m 6f 0y

15:05 Curragh

Chicago Critic

9st 5lb

J: Ben Coen

T: J P Murtagh

All three wins have come at 1m; back after a spell in the Emirates; not far off best when touched off by Elnajmm in the 7f Group 2 Al Fahidi Fort in January; beaten 3l in fourth behind the same horse in a Group 3 last time; blinkered first time now; not appealing at this trip.

16/1

7th

1

(5)

13th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 0f 0y

16:55 Leopardstown

Chicago Critic

9st 10lb

J: Seamie Heffernan

T: J P Murtagh

Career-best when winning C&D Listed Amethyst Stakes in May (good), coming from well off pace; similar tactics employed in Group Desmond Stakes over C&D last month but left with too much to do when strong-finishing 1l third to front-running Johan; likely stronger pace here should suit but this looks a deeper race.

13/2

1

(3)

7th Aug 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

18:23 Leopardstown

Chicago Critic

9st 9lb

J: Seamie Heffernan

T: J P Murtagh

2024 form featured a 1m Naas handicap win and third in the 7f Group 3 Jersey Stakes; found 6f inadequate at Cork on seasonal debut; much more at home when winning a Listed race over C&D in May; has a bit to find with Mutasarref and Lord Massusus on running in a 7f Group 2 event at the Curragh last month.

11/2

OUR TIP

Form: 8011-9 CD

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Ended last season with two Pattern wins (1m1f/1m, good) at Leopardstown, proving suited by dropping back in trip after being tried over middle distances; upset in stalls and withdrawn on intended seasonal debut at Leopardstown; dropped away tamely in the Queen Anne; may have needed the run and will be hard to beat if recapturing his best form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(6)

20th Jul 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

15:40 Curragh

Diego Velazquez

9st 10lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

Ended last season with two Pattern wins (1m1f/1m, good) at Leopardstown, proving suited by dropping back in trip after being tried over middle distances; upset in stalls and withdrawn on intended seasonal debut at Leopardstown; dropped away tamely in the Queen Anne; may have needed the run and will be hard to beat if recapturing his best form.

13/8

9th

4

(1)

17th Jun 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:30 Ascot

Diego Velazquez

9st 2lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

Ballydoyle colt who was withdrawn last month on intended reappearance, having got upset in the stalls; ended last season with two Group wins (1m1f/1m, good) at Leopardstown, proving suited by dropping back in distance; looks a potential threat in this division this term but, being the only seasonal debutant in the field, the market signals may prove the best guide.

8/1

1

(7)

11th May 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

14:55 Leopardstown

Diego Velazquez

10st 0lb

J: Wayne Lordan

T: A P O’Brien

C&D Group 2 winner at two; experienced a couple of reverses last season after a creditable fourth in the Poulains; floundered in testing conditions in the Prix du Jockey-Club and failed to stay 1m4f in the King Edward VII Stakes; redeemed himself with a handsome 1m1f at this venue and signed off with an emphatic C&D win from Mutasarref.

8/11

Form: -81554 C

Last run: 3 days

W: 9st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Has gained two of his seven wins at this venue and was second to Poet Master in this race last season; best performance this term when defeating Mutasarref in a 1m Listed race at Leopardstown in April; below since then, including in a race won by Chicago Critic; last of four when 25-1 outsider at Leopardstown on Thursday.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

(1)

10th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

15:05 Leopardstown

Lord Massusus

9st 9lb

J: Seamie Heffernan

T: Joseph G Murphy

Confirmed his liking for this venue when winning a Listed race here last season (Mutasarref a neck behind), his second C&D win; improving for each outing this season and should run his race but a rating of 99 leaves him with a fair amount to find with a few of these rivals.

16/1

3rd

3

(1)

22nd Apr 2026

Soft To Heavy

0m 7f 0y

18:18 Gowran Park

Lord Massusus

9st 7lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: Joseph G Murphy

Won this in 2023; consistent stakes performer with seven wins; won Heritage Stakes last season, beating Mutasarref by a neck; best subsequent effort came when fourth in Minstrel Stakes in July; two starts this season, improved from return to be beaten 3.25l behind The Lion In Winter at Leopardstown seven days ago; down in trip; mightn't want the ground too testing but shouldn't be far away and trainer has good course record.

3/1

6th

4

(7)

15th Apr 2026

Yielding

1m 0f 0y

15:07 Leopardstown

Lord Massusus

9st 7lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: Joseph G Murphy

Seven career wins include this race last season, when he got up in the last strides to deny the odds-on favourite Mutasarref; produced his best subsequent effort when fourth in the Minstrel Stakes at the Curragh last July; dropped away tamely in the 7f Gladness Stakes at the Curragh on seasonal debut.

14/1

Form: 21-237 CD BF

Last run: 38 days

W: 9st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Winner of 10 of his 25 races, including twice at Group 3 level at Leopardstown last year, when form also featured a Group 2 second behind Diego Velazquez; placed behind Lord Massusus and Chicago Critic in 1m Listed events this season, below best in a 7f Group 3 last time, and needs to reverse form with Easy and East Hampton.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

(6)

10th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

15:05 Leopardstown

Mutasarref

9st 9lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: G M Lyons

Has won ten of his 30 starts, including four times at this venue at 7f-1m; most recent success came at Cork in October 2024 (1m, yielding) but ran some fine races last season, including when third in this; well behind a couple of these on seasonal return here last month but better expected now with that run under his belt; place chance.

10/1

9th

6

(8)

15th Apr 2026

Yielding

1m 0f 0y

15:07 Leopardstown

Mutasarref

9st 7lb

J: Colin Keane

T: G M Lyons

Ten victories include four here, most notably twice at Group 3 level in 2024; not quite at the same level this year but solid form, most recently seasonal-best when getting up late for second in Group 2 Solonaway Stakes at the Curragh.

5/1

1

(1)

19th Oct 2025

Yielding

1m 0f 0y

14:25 Leopardstown

Mutasarref

9st 9lb

J: Robert Whearty

T: G M Lyons

Ten victories include four here, notably this race in 2023 and twice at Group 3 level last year; not quite at same level this year but solid form, most recently seasonal-best when getting up late for second in Group 2 Solonaway Stakes here last month; major player once again.

5/2

Form: 021-42

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Handles good ground, best form on soft, including Doncaster Listed win last autumn; made a sound return to action when 3l fourth of 12 in 7f Group 3 John Of Gaunt at Haydock; ran to a similar standard when second in a 7f Group 3 at York last month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

(5)

4th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

15:56 Redcar

Room Service

9st 2lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

Soft-ground Listed winner last autumn; best effort this term when second to Quinault in 7f Group 3 at York (good) in June; ran poorly with cheekpieces added (retained) in a Doncaster Group 2 last month but he's a major player if back to anywhere near his best.

100/30

7th

5

(8)

13th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 6y

Class 1

15:00 Doncaster

Room Service

9st 6lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

Best effort this term when second to Quinault at York (7f, good) on penultimate start; 2-2 at Doncaster, namely soft-ground wins in the sales race at this meeting in 2023 and Listed event last November; interesting back here, assuming he takes well to first-time headgear.

7/1

6

(11)

20th Jul 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

15:40 Curragh

Room Service

9st 10lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

Handles good ground, best form on soft, including Doncaster Listed win last autumn; made a sound return to action when 3l fourth of 12 in 7f Group 3 John Of Gaunt at Haydock; ran to a similar standard when second in a 7f Group 3 at York last month.

6/1

Form: /16-62

Last run: 38 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Listed winner at Cork (6f) on heavy ground on last season's return before lesser run in France; not beaten far when sixth of nine in 6f Group 2 Greenlands Stakes here on seasonal debut; career-best when second in a 7f Group 3 at Leopardstown last month, with East Hampton fourth and Mutasarref back in seventh.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(7)

20th Jul 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

15:40 Curragh

Easy

9st 7lb

J: Andrew Slattery

T: Andrew Slattery

Listed winner at Cork (6f) on heavy ground on last season's return before lesser run in France; not beaten far when sixth of nine in 6f Group 2 Greenlands Stakes here on seasonal debut; career-best when second in a 7f Group 3 at Leopardstown last month, with East Hampton fourth and Mutasarref back in seventh.

16/1

2nd

6

(5)

12th Jun 2025

Good

0m 7f 47y

18:20 Leopardstown

Easy

9st 6lb

J: Andrew Slattery

T: Andrew Slattery

Listed winner at Cork (6f) on heavy ground on last season's return before lesser run in France; was beaten only 1.25l when sixth of nine in Group 2 Greenlands Stakes at the Curragh on return 19 days ago but still has a bit to find.

25/1

8

(5)

24th May 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

15:05 Curragh

Easy

9st 2lb

J: Andrew Slattery

T: Andrew Slattery

Listed winner on heavy ground on last season's return before lesser run in France; probably best watched returning from 338 days off.

20/1

Form: 2/7-16

Last run: 43 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Seventh of 13 in last year's Irish 1,000 Guineas; back from 352-day absence to win 1m Killarney maiden in May; failed to build on that when unplaced in a 1m Listed race at Navan.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(2)

19th Oct 2025

Yielding

1m 0f 0y

14:25 Leopardstown

Queen Of Thunder

9st 4lb

J: W J Lee

T: K J Condon

Highly-tried filly with just a Killarney maiden win to her name but only denied by narrowest margin in Group 3 Fairy Bridge Stakes at Tipperary in August (yielding) and wasn't disgraced when under 5l off winner in Group 1 Matron Stakes over C&D last month; place claims.

13/2

3

(6)

13th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 0f 0y

16:25 Leopardstown

Queen Of Thunder

9st 7lb

J: Shane Foley

T: K J Condon

Seventh of 13 behind Fallen Angel in last year's Irish 1,000 Guineas; back from long absence to win 1m Killarney maiden in May; ran her best race of the season when a short head second in a Group 3 event over a little shorter than this at Tipperary 13 days ago.

33/1

6

(10)

31st Aug 2025

Good

0m 7f 110y

16:00 Tipperary

Queen Of Thunder

9st 7lb

J: Chris Hayes

T: K J Condon

Seventh of 13 in last year's Irish 1,000 Guineas; back from long absence to win 1m Killarney maiden in May; failed to build on that when unplaced in a 1m Listed race at Navan in June; not disgraced in sixth in a 7f Group 2 event at the Curragh; found 6f inadequate at Naas last Sunday; may do better now.

8/1

Form: 4-1345 C

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Won a 6f course maiden last season, returned with a 7f handicap success on testing ground at Naas; has run creditably since raised in class, but has a bit to find with Easy on Leopardstown running and was beaten 2 1/2l in fifth behind Vespertilio here three weeks ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

(1)

28th Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

0m 7f 0y

15:05 Curragh

East Hampton

9st 9lb

J: Luke McAteer

T: David Marnane

6f course maiden winner at two; started last season with victory in the 7f Madrid Handicap at Naas; career-best when close second in Group 2 Minstrel Stakes over C&D (7f, good to yielding) behind Diego Velazquez who followed up in the Group 1 Marois; not at best in a Listed race at Cork (Rahmi fourth); never counted in a Group 2 at Doncaster on final start.

16/1

10th

8

(10)

13th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 6y

Class 1

15:00 Doncaster

East Hampton

9st 2lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: David Marnane

Irish challenger; has something to find on most of his form but he is interesting judged on penultimate effort, when close second in Group 2 at the Curragh (7f, good to yielding) behind Diego Velazquez who followed up in the Group 1 Marois; that's his clear peak on RPRs.

16/1

Form: -10420

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Sole win came at very short odds in AW maiden in February; has run some excellent races in defeat in Group company, notably when 50-1 second to Lake Victoria in Irish 1,000 Guineas; failed to replicate that form when dropped to 7f in the Jersey Stakes.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

(6)

24th May 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 0f 0y

15:20 Curragh

California Dreamer

9st 2lb

J: David Egan

T: Robson De Aguiar

Dual AW winner; stand-out turf display was her second to Lake Victoria in Irish 1,000 Guineas (City Of Memphis fifth); failed to go on from that run last season, and now 0-15 on turf; struggled in race won by Celestial Orbit here early last month; better effort before fading into fourth behind City Of Memphis on latest.

14/1

4th

3

(4)

10th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

14:30 Leopardstown

California Dreamer

9st 9lb

J: David Egan

T: Robson De Aguiar

Dual AW winner; stand-out turf display was her second to Lake Victoria in Irish 1,000 Guineas (City Of Memphis fifth); failed to go on from that run last season, and now 0-14 on turf; pleasing return to action when landing 1m conditions race at Dundalk; held by Princess Child on last month's Curragh running.

12/1

9th

4

(7)

3rd Apr 2026

Soft

1m 0f 0y

15:07 Curragh

California Dreamer

9st 11lb

J: David Egan

T: Robson De Aguiar

Dual winner on the AW who has ran some cracking races in defeat; standout effort when 2.25l second to Lake Victoria in Irish 1,000 Guineas over C&D in May; didn't go on from that run last season but made a smooth return to action when landing 1m conditions race at Dundalk easily 28 days ago; first-time visor applied; soft ground a worry.

8/1

Non-runners

Vespertilio

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €42.10
Straight Forecast €44.06
Tricast €374.79
Trifecta €302.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Diego Velazquez

POSTDATA:

California Dreamer

TOPSPEED:

Vespertilio

The Irish Sun:

Room Service

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Diego Velazquez