July 20 / 15.40 Curragh

15.40

Good

Romanised Minstrel Stakes (Group 2)

  • Prize money: £58512.4
  • 0m 7f 0y
  • 10 runners
RTV
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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

9th

1

(14)

29th Aug 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

16:15 Curragh

Big Gossey

10st 2lb

J: Sam Coen

T: Charles O’Brien

Course legend has won 10 of his 12 races at this track and amassed 575,000GBP in prizemoney; has won twice at Listed level this season and second in a Group 2; however, wasn't himself when eased and well beaten last time; has run well in defeat in this race for the last two years but the trip stretches him and is vulnerable again.

14/1

5th

1

(2)

9th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

15:25 Curragh

Big Gossey

9st 7lb

J: W J Lee

T: Charles O’Brien

Course specialist made it ten wins here with a Listed race success over this trip in June; also won the Gladness Stakes over 7f here in March; second to subsequent Group 1 winner Comanche Brave in the Greenlands in May, with James Delight in third; holding his form admirably on the evidence of Group 2 second over 7f here three weeks ago.

7/2

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

6th

2

(8)

6th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

18:00 Leopardstown

Chicago Critic

9st 9lb

J: Ben Coen

T: J P Murtagh

Has made the frame several times at Group level since a C&D Listed win 15 months ago; not a betting proposition on account of his 1-17 record in stakes races.

12/1

4th

2

(6)

27th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

14:58 York

Chicago Critic

9st 8lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: J P Murtagh

Comes from off the pace; has made the frame several times at Group level since his Listed win 13 months ago; not disgraced at Epsom most recently, especially considering the race panned out unfavourably; however, chance again partly depends on whether the cards drop right.

16/1

4th

3

(5)

6th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 3y

Class 1

13:30 Epsom

Chicago Critic

9st 2lb

J: Ben Coen

T: J P Murtagh

Short-headed in a Group 2 at Meydan (7f, good) in January but he needs a bigger performance if he's to take this and he hasn't been at the top of his game on his three starts since, most recently at the Curragh.

16/1

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

10th

6

(11)

29th Aug 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

16:15 Curragh

Lord Massusus

9st 1lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: Joseph G Murphy

Seven wins includes in Listed and Group 3 company; has beden regressive this year but some decent efforts in defeat including in the Ahonoora Handicap at Galway last time; down 3lb but needs more.

25/1

5th

8

(9)

2nd Aug 2026

Yielding To Soft

0m 7f 0y

16:00 Galway

Lord Massusus

9st 7lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: Joseph G Murphy

Yard stalwart weakened right out of it behind Orandi here on Tuesday and hard to fancy; tongue-tie tried.

33/1

15th

7

(1)

28th Jul 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 0f 123y

18:45 Galway

Lord Massusus

9st 6lb

J: Paddy Harnett

T: Joseph G Murphy

Seven-time winner, including Listed and Group 3 races; not a bad effort (seventh behind Pierre Royal at the Curragh) on first handicap start since 2023; towards the back at Leopardstown last time; cheekpieces tried.

20/1

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

1st

1

(4)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 14y

Class 2

13:40 Newcastle (AW)

Room Service

10st 2lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Jamie Osborne

Group placed over 7f last June but not so good afterwards in 2025; sold out of Kevin Ryan's yard for 72,000gns and gelded since last run; wears first-time tongue-tie and blinkers; stiff task on stable/seasonal debut.

25/1

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

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

6th

2

(7)

21st Aug 2026

Good

1m 0f 30y

18:20 Killarney

East Hampton

9st 9lb

J: Luke McAteer

T: David Marnane

Not won since his Madrid Handicap success 18 months ago at Naas (7f, soft) but has run some fine races, most notably when second to Diego Velazquez on good at the Curragh last year and filled the same spot behind Big Gossey on soft in the Gladness in March; well below form last time on firm; highest-rated in the field but may need ground to soften up before he's at his best.

5/1

6th

3

(6)

19th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

15:15 Curragh

East Hampton

9st 10lb

J: Luke McAteer

T: David Marnane

Won his maiden over 6f here in 2024 (yielding to soft) and bagged the Madrid handicap at Naas last season (7f, soft to heavy); best run since was when beaten a neck by Diego Velazquez in this race last year (good to yielding); beaten 1.5l behind Big Gossey in a C&D Listed race on return (soft to heavy); not at his best at Leopardstown last time; appears to give his best on softer ground.

6/1

5th

3

(3)

11th Jun 2026

Soft

0m 7f 35y

19:00 Leopardstown

East Hampton

9st 9lb

J: Luke McAteer

T: David Marnane

Sole win came in Madrid Handicap at Naas (7f, soft) last year; best subsequent run came when beaten a neck by Diego Velazquez in Group 2 at the Curragh over same trip; started this year positively when 1.5l second to Big Gossey in Listed Gladness 75 days ago, deserving extra credit for where he came from; at his best on soft and big run expected.

5/1

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

4

(10)

28th Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

14:10 Curragh

California Dreamer

9st 2lb

J: Donagh O’Connor

T: Robson De Aguiar

2-3 on the AW but remains a maiden on turf after 16 starts, although has run well plenty of times in defeat; not disgraced in stakes races at Leopardstown (7f, good) and here (1m, good) the last twice, but needs more dropped back in distance.

8/1

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

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