March 28 / 14.30 Curragh

14.30

Soft To Heavy

McDonnell’s Bar Handicap

  • Prize money: £10755.65
  • 1m 4f 0y
  • 14 runners
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McDonnell’s Bar Handicap

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

22/1 (Won)

  • Win: £8.00
  • Place: £2.30

Form: 66678-

Last run: 165 days

W: 9st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
0-12 for Alan McIntyre but finished second off 12lb higher at Tipperary (1m4f, yielding) last May; well-treated on that run but form dipped since and likely best watched on stable debut and seasonal reappearance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

2

(1)

28th Sep 2026

Good

1m 4f 194y

17:25 Down Royal

Rock Of Ireland

9st 13lb

J: Rory Mulligan

T: Rory Anthony Devine

Looked a non stayer over 2m at Galway and then ran well to be beaten 5l last week at Listowel (1m4f, yielding) in a competitive handicap; has no ground preferences; shortlisted.

7/1

5th

9

(14)

21st Sep 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

16:05 Listowel

Rock Of Ireland

8st 11lb

J: Luke McAteer

T: Rory Anthony Devine

Only 1-20 but has the form to feature off this mark and a likely non-stayer over 2m at Galway in July (after three months off); each-way claims if he's on his game.

20/1

17th

2

(16)

29th Jul 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 110y

20:20 Galway

Rock Of Ireland

10st 1lb

J: Luke McAteer

T: Rory Anthony Devine

Successful yard debut on seasonal return at the Curragh in March (1m4f, heavy) and has run well on both turf starts since over same trip; stamina unproven over this far.

10/1

3/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 322-

Last run: 146 days

W: 9st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Went down by a nose in a C&D maiden on his last flat start last November; pulled up over hurdles on sole start since; opening mark looks fair and worth monitoring in the market on seasonal return and handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

(10)

21st Aug 2026

Good

1m 6f 80y

19:20 Killarney

Factual Fact

9st 7lb

J: Ronan Whelan

T: Henry De Bromhead

Progressive on the Flat, landed qualified riders handicap over 2m1f here in May off 8lb lower, travelling powerfully; followed up with 1.5l second at the Curragh over this trip (Granite Bay third); found consistency come to an end but ran to bad to be true at the Curragh 54 days ago; freshened up since and big chance if can resume progress.

9/1

13th

7

(5)

28th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

17:45 Curragh

Factual Fact

9st 4lb

J: Ronan Whelan

T: Henry De Bromhead

In fine form this term; 1.25l runner-up on seasonal return over C&D (sft-hvy) in March; raised 4lb and won over 2m1f (good) at Killarney; good second off revised mark here on latest (1m6f, yielding); nudged up another 4lb and should run well again, but needs to find a bit more to win off this mark.

4/1

25/1

  • Place: £6.90

Form: 1048-9

Last run: 15 days

W: 8st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
Two-time hurdles winner is 1-6 on the Flat; always behind when failing to beat a rival home at Dundalk (1m4f) on return from a break 13 days ago; needs to improve plenty on that to make an impact here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(7)

28th Sep 2026

Good

1m 3f 10y

16:19 Down Royal

Tassarolo

10st 0lb

J: Mel Sheridan

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Never far away when a 2l fourth over 1m5f here earlier this month; that was on good ground and he likes it softer; should feature.

11/2

4th

3

(13)

4th Sep 2026

Good

1m 4f 194y

19:30 Down Royal

Tassarolo

10st 0lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Dual-purpose performer with a preference for an ease in the ground; 1m4f on good ground at Tramore last time a bit sharp, could have more to offer here.

11/2

Form: 0530-0 C

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Three-time winner at 1m2f on soft-heavy, including one win here; on losing run since April 2024; now 8lb below last win but struggled in the Lincolnshire here 13 days ago and can only be watched for now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

15

(13)

19th Oct 2026

Yielding To Soft

1m 4f 0y

17:10 Gowran Park

Mr Rango

8st 10lb

J: Siobhan Rutledge

T: James M Barcoe

Three-time winner at 1m2f on soft or heavy, latest over two years ago; well below par last three starts.

25/1

14th

10

(7)

31st Jul 2026

Yielding

1m 6f 14y

20:10 Galway

Mr Rango

9st 10lb

J: Siobhan Rutledge

T: James M Barcoe

Three-time winner at 1m2f on soft or heavy, latest over two years ago; fair form this season and proved he can stay when second at 33-1 over 2m1f at Limerick last month; below that level at Tramore last time.

14/1

9th

7

(6)

7th Jul 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

20:00 Tramore

Mr Rango

9st 8lb

J: Siobhan Rutledge

T: James M Barcoe

Three-time winner at 1m2f on soft or heavy, latest over two years ago; fair form this season and proved he can stay when second at 33-1 over 2m1f at Limerick last month.

11/2

Form: 635-

Last run: 146 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Handicap debutante; clear promise in three maidens here last year, including two over C&D; just over 3l to find with Factual Fact on their C&D maiden clash in November but 2lb worse off here so may not turn that form around; still has a place chance if fit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

15

(12)

12th Jun 2026

Good

1m 6f 40y

19:20 Fairyhouse

Maeve Brennan

9st 4lb

J: Declan McDonogh

T: J S Bolger

Good efforts in three Curragh maidens last season on softer conditions; decent fifth on handicap debut at the Curragh on seasonal return (1m4f, soft to heavy); improved for good to yielding ground over 1m2f at Navan next time when second of 23 behind an easy winner; disappointed up to this trip at the Curragh last time.

14/1

14/1

Form: 8075-6 C

Last run: 13 days

W: 8st 10lb

7 yo Filly

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Dual-purpose; 5-55 on turf on the Flat but on losing run since scoring at Leopardstown (1m4f, heavy) in October 2024; is now 17lb below that win and she shaped promisingly over an inadequate 1m here 13 days ago in a first-time tongue tie (retained); could go well back up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

11

(12)

18th Oct 2026

Good

1m 3f 150y

16:42 Leopardstown

Arch Enemy

9st 0lb

J: Julian Pietropaolo

T: Patrick Magee

Tenth win on the Flat when digging deep on soft to heavy at Bellewstown (1m4f) and doesn't need slow ground; however, she's in a lot deeper here with a 5lb rise to deal with.

14/1

1st

1

(11)

30th Sep 2026

Yielding To Soft

1m 4f 110y

17:00 Bellewstown

Arch Enemy

10st 4lb

J: Adam Grant

T: Patrick Magee

Won for the eighth time on turf when taking a 1m5f Ayr handicap last time and is also a C&D winner; raised 5lb for that but has won off a higher mark in the past and handles soft ground; player.

4/1

1st

1

(10)

18th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

1m 5f 26y

Class 5

17:20 Ayr

Arch Enemy

10st 1lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Patrick Magee

Won two in a row in July (1m2f/11.4f) and she's run pretty well in big fields on her last two starts, most recently fourth of 18 at Cork (1m4f); every chance that this extra furlong will be within range and she's won on ground from good through to heavy; this Irish raider could be in the mix.

8/1

Form: 73107- D

Last run: 152 days

W: 8st 13lb

7 yo Filly

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Won off 6lb lower at Galway (1m4f, soft) last September but struggled off revised mark twice since; off since October and has tended to need her seasonal returns in the past; others appeal more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

18

(15)

25th Apr 2026

Yielding

1m 2f 40y

16:50 Navan

Rain

9st 8lb

J: Jessica O’Gorman

T: Eddie & Patrick Harty

Won a 1m4f handicap at Galway last year on soft ground but has form on good too; was well beaten on her Curragh return so needs much more.

20/1

7th

13

(13)

28th Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

1m 4f 0y

14:30 Curragh

Rain

8st 13lb

J: Jessica O’Gorman

T: Eddie & Patrick Harty

Won off 6lb lower at Galway (1m4f, soft) last September but struggled off revised mark twice since; off since October and has tended to need her seasonal returns in the past; others appeal more.

12/1

17

(16)

27th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 3f 180y

15:50 Galway

Rain

8st 7lb

J: Wayne Hassett

T: Eddie & Patrick Harty

C&D winner on penultimate start, her first success since 2022 when trained in France; 5lb out of the handicap; some help that a top apprentice takes off 3lb.

10/1

Form: 00221- D

Last run: 166 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Built on promise of first two handicap runs when making all and winning by 15l at Roscommon (1m4f, soft) in October; hiked up 14lb so will need to improve again to follow up but that's not impossible; can't be discounted if ready after break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

14

(7)

30th Aug 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 4f 0y

17:15 Cork

Nancee Spain

9st 7lb

J: Scott McCullagh

T: Daniel McLoughlin

Finished 2025 in fine form, signing off with a win at Roscommon (1m4f, soft); yet to hit top gear this season, though her latest run at Galway was better than the bare result (hampered); remains 9lb above her last win, however.

11/1

5th

14

(8)

31st Jul 2026

Yielding

1m 6f 14y

20:10 Galway

Nancee Spain

9st 9lb

J: Scott McCullagh

T: Daniel McLoughlin

Took a big rise in the ratings for a 15l Roscommon win last season; unplaced in two early-season outings; blinkered first time; still a bit high in handicap.

12/1

OUR TIP

Form: /2671/ D

Last run: 634 days

W: 9st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Off the track since dominant maiden win at Roscommon in July 2024 (1m4f, good); handles testing ground and has C&D form so he needs checking in the market.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

(10)

14th Oct 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:39 Nottingham

Neptunes Staircase

9st 6lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: G M Lyons

Irish raider; runaway winner of a Roscommon maiden in July 2024 (1m4f, good); he was then off for 634 days and hasn't recaptured his form in three runs since; no surprise were he to bounce back off his current good mark.

10/1

5th

3

(8)

28th Sep 2026

Good

1m 4f 194y

17:25 Down Royal

Neptunes Staircase

9st 12lb

J: James Ryan

T: G M Lyons

Just two sightings since winning a 1m4f maiden two years ago; has a lot to prove now and the tongue-tie is new.

20/1

13th

5

(10)

31st Aug 2026

Good

1m 4f 17y

19:25 Roscommon

Neptunes Staircase

9st 12lb

J: Colin Keane

T: G M Lyons

C&D winner in July 2024; did not appear again until March this year; his Curragh run was inconclusive, and he is best watched in the circumstances.

12/1

14/1

Form: 5580-0 C

Last run: 13 days

W: 10st 0lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Course winner over 1m2f in October 2023 but winless since; tailed off in the Lincolnshire over 1m here 13 days ago ago; step up in trip a plus but hard to fancy for now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

8

(17)

30th Aug 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 4f 0y

17:15 Cork

Dutch Gold

9st 10lb

J: Adam Caffrey

T: Noel Meade

Is well handicapped on old form and likes soft ground but losing run stretches back to 2023 and hasn't fired this season; needs a revival.

25/1

10th

1

(4)

22nd Jun 2026

Yielding

1m 5f 0y

20:00 Ballinrobe

Dutch Gold

10st 0lb

J: Adam Caffrey

T: Noel Meade

Two wins in 2023; regressive form this year; mid-field last time at Fairyhouse when ridden by Colin Keane who deserts him to ride stablemate Sonic Invader; blinkered first time.

20/1

9th

11

(2)

12th Jun 2026

Good

1m 6f 40y

19:20 Fairyhouse

Dutch Gold

9st 7lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Noel Meade

A long time since his last win, under Keane at the Curragh in 2023 off 13lb higher (1m2f, soft to heavy); not far away again under Keane last summer at Cork (1m4f, good); form since then has been poor, but interesting that Keane is aboard again now.

22/1

20/1

Form: /4048-

Last run: 120 days

W: 9st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Dual-purpose hurdles winner is 0-8 on turf on the level; well beaten in both previous handicap starts on the Flat and not easy to make a case for him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

8

2nd Oct 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 4f 40y

16:50 Gowran Park

Nelson Muntz

11st 5lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: David Harry Kelly

Sole success achieved at odds-on in a maiden hurdle at Kilbeggan last autumn; runner-up on the Flat at Tramore in July; subsequent hurdles run, only three days later, may have come too soon; engaged 1.49 Clonmel on Thursday.

20/1

4th

2

1st Oct 2026

Good

2m 0f 166y

13:49 Clonmel

Nelson Muntz

12st 1lb

J: Cian Quirke

T: David Harry Kelly

Sole success achieved at odds-on in a maiden hurdle at Kilbeggan last autumn; runner-up on the Flat at Tramore in July; subsequent hurdles run, only three days later, may have come too soon.

7/1

6th

13

10th Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

17:57 Kilbeggan

Nelson Muntz

10st 6lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: David Harry Kelly

Sole success achieved at odds-on in a maiden hurdle at this venue last autumn; placed twice from 11 starts on the Flat, the most recent when second over 2m at Tramore on Tuesday; trainer also runs Faceman.

12/1

Form: 047-97 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 8lb

7 yo Colt

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Dual purpose; 2-16 on the Flat, the wins coming on the AW and on good ground at Limerick; just 1lb above that Limerick win but best form on turf is on good ground and recent AW runs have been moderate; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(5)

4th Sep 2026

Good

1m 4f 194y

19:00 Down Royal

God Of Thunder

9st 12lb

J: J M Sheridan

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Won over hurdles and on the Flat (12.5f) at Limerick last year; ran well over timber at Sligo last month, but poor effort back on the Flat at Naas leaves him with questions to answer.

9/1

16th

13

(18)

23rd Aug 2026

Good

1m 3f 0y

17:00 Naas

God Of Thunder

9st 2lb

J: Jared Huggan

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Won over hurdles and on the Flat (12.5f) at Limerick last year; ran well over timber at Sligo on his penultimate start in a claimer but heavy defeat back on the Flat at Tramore (2m) on latest; well handicapped but needs to rebound back in trip.

22/1

7th

1

(7)

15th Aug 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

19:55 Tramore

God Of Thunder

10st 4lb

J: Daniel King

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Was in better form last year when winning at Limerick over hurdles and on the Flat (1m5f, good, rated 73); largely struggled in both codes since, although ran to his mark at Killarney last month when sixth (1m4f, good); took second in a Sligo claiming hurdle last time when well treated; others make more appeal.

7/1

16/1

Form: 38/20- BF

Last run: 166 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Winning hurdler is 0-6 on turf on the Flat; well beaten on sole handicap start at Roscommon last October and just 1lb lower now; lacks a run and probably best watched in first-time visor.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

22nd Jul 2026

Good

1m 7f 110y

14:45 Wexford

Coul Dreamer

11st 12lb

J: Ricky Doyle

T: W McCreery

Yet to win on the Flat but ran a fine race in a Killarney maiden over 1m last time; juvenile hurdle winner in 2024 was disappointing when last seen in that sphere; has a bit to find on chasing debut.

22/1

4th

1

(8)

14th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 30y

17:40 Killarney

Coul Dreamer

9st 9lb

J: Donagh O’Connor

T: W McCreery

Winning hurdler; 0-11 on the Flat, second in a Clonmel maiden last season; best of four runs this term when a staying-on third in a C&D maiden; down the field in a Leopardstown handicap; made a lot of the running before fading into fourth in a maiden over an extended 1m1f at Ballinrobe.

5/1

4th

3

(2)

22nd Jun 2026

Yielding

1m 1f 163y

18:25 Ballinrobe

Coul Dreamer

9st 9lb

J: W J Lee

T: W McCreery

Winning hurdler; 0-10 on the Flat, placed in a Clonmel maiden last season; best of three runs this term when a staying-on third over 1m in a Killarney maiden last month; down the field in a Leopardstown handicap last time.

7/2

Form: 51519-

Last run: 152 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Two-time winner on the Flat; won off 3lb lower at Killarney (1m3f, soft) last October; returns to the level after three runs over hurdles so won't lack for fitness; worth considering.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

10

14th Jun 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 165y

15:55 Downpatrick

Blue Moon Boy

10st 8lb

J: Conor Smithers

T: Andrew Kinirons

Dual Flat winner; stand-out effort over hurdles when a 2.25l second of 15 off 93 at Sligo (2m2f, good) on penultimate; didn't build on that at Tramore on latest; capable of better but risks attached.

14/1

12th

3

30th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 50y

19:30 Tramore

Blue Moon Boy

11st 4lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Andrew Kinirons

2-7 on the Flat; left maiden hurdle form behind when a keeping on 2.25l second of 15 on handicap debut at Sligo (2m2f, good); raised 3lb; debatable whether this sharper test will suit but he's a player.

9/2

2nd

6

12th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 166y

18:28 Sligo

Blue Moon Boy

11st 2lb

J: Conor Smithers

T: Andrew Kinirons

Dual winner and rated 73 on the Flat; has to be of interest off 93 in this sphere after a warm-up on the Flat in March.

11/2

Non-runners

Raydamann

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €37.50
Straight Forecast €30.04
Tricast €586.79
Trifecta €774.30

Selections

POSTDATA:

Factual Fact

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Nancee Spain

TOPSPEED:

Coul Dreamer

SPOTLIGHT:

Arch Enemy

The Irish Sun:

Factual Fact