16:50 Curragh

Saturday 23 September 2023

All13:2013:5514:3015:0515:4016:1516:5017:25

DMG Media Maiden

Off time: 16:51 | Winning time: 1m 17.17s

(9)

Alexander John^t³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Declan McDonogh| T: L Comer| OR: 84

14/1

Fairly useful colt. Below form fifth of 11 in maiden at Leopardstown (8f, good, 5/1) 30 days ago. Back down in trip. Remains a maiden after 12 Flat runs.

Form: 780045

(4)

Charlie Brow'n⁵⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Ben Coen| T: T J O'Mara

50/1

Twice-raced gelding, much better effort when third of 12 in maiden (150/1) at Cork (6f, good) 57 days ago. Not ruled out.

Form: 03

(8)

First Gentleman^b³²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Shane Foley| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 74

11/2

Fair gelding. Blinkered for 1st time, seventh of 11 in handicap at Roscommon (7.4f, good to soft, 11/1) 32 days ago. Stable in good form so could bounce back.

Form: 332337

(7)

Never Cry Never

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Andrew Slattery| T: J A Stack

20/1

€105,000 yearling, No Nay Never colt. Brother to 2-y-o 5f winner Nevereversaynever and half-brother to several winners, including 7f-1¼m winner Full Moon. Appeals on paper so this newcomer is worth a market check.

Form:

(2)

Nouvel Espoir

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Chris Hayes| T: J Barcoe

80/1

€11,500 foal, Harry Angel gelding. Dam, maiden (stayed 10.5f), sister to winner up to 9f Namecheck and winner up to 1m (stayed 1¼m) Race Day (both useful) out of smart 1¼m (including at 2 yrs) winner Nadia. Others appeal more.

Form:

(1)

Yosemite Valley²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Gavin Ryan| T: Donnacha O'Brien| OR: 92| BF

5/6

Shamardal colt who resumed from 14 months off with a good second of 8 in maiden at Navan (5.8f, good to soft, 1/3) 23 days ago, left with too much to do. Yard in good form. Big player.

Form: 42-2

(5)

Un Bacio Ancora^p,t²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Siobhan Rutledge⁽³⁾| T: C W J Farrell| OR: 57

50/1

Fair filly. Cheekpieces on for 1st time, fair fifth of 8 in handicap (9/1) at Bellewstown (5f, good) 25 days ago, nearest finish. Remains a maiden after 20 Flat runs.

Form: 826005

(10)

Vera's Secret¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Luke McAteer| T: J Feane| BF

5/2

Encouraging debut second of 14 in maiden at Punchestown (9f, good to soft, 4/1) 10 days ago. Significantly down in trip. In the mix.

Form: 2

(3)

A Day In Deauville⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Nathan Crosse| T: G Scott

200/1

66/1, ninth of 13 in maiden at Fairyhouse (7f, good to soft) on debut 5 days ago. Lots more is needed.

Form: 9

(6)

Loma Larnee¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Billy Lee| T: A Oliver

25/1

Twice-raced filly, much better effort when fourth of 11 in maiden at Down Royal (5f, good to firm) 15 days ago. May do better still so she needs considering.

Form: 04

Forecasts

Yosemite Valley (5/6), Vera's Secret (5/2), First Gentleman (11/2), Alexander John (14/1), Never Cry Never (20/1), Loma Larnee (25/1), Un Bacio Ancora (50/1), Charlie Brow'n (50/1), Nouvel Espoir (80/1), A Day In Deauville (200/1)

YOSEMITE VALLEY made an encouraging return from a long absence when runner-up at Navan last month and should prove a tough nut to crack here. Vera's Secret also shaped well though when a debut second at Punchestown so should ensure that Donnacha O'Brien's colt doesn't have things all his own way. Newcomer Never Cry Never catches the eye on pedigree so is worth monitoring in the betting too.