17:55 Curragh

Saturday 23 May 2026

All13:2013:5514:3015:0515:4016:1516:5017:2517:55

O'Driscolls Irish Whiskey Irish European Breeders Fund Maiden

Off time: 17:57 | Winning time: 2m 6.36s

(2)

Amethyst Stone¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: James Ryan| T: G M Lyons

200/1

Showed more than first time up when sixth of 8 in maiden at Leopardstown (1½m) 13 days ago, though never landed a blow. Needs another run for a handicap mark.

Form: 06

(8)

Count Bezukhov^t1¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Dylan Browne McMonagle| T: J P O'Brien

10/11

Attracted some support and shaped well on debut when third of 8 in maiden at Leopardstown (1½m) 13 days ago, best work at the finish. Tongue strap added and he's a leading contender with improvement to come.

Form: 3

(4)

Echo Inferno²⁶⁵

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

16/1

Well-bred type (200,000 gns yearling) but possibly needed the run when tenth of 12 in maiden at Tipperary (9f) on debut last summer. Absent 8 months since (has been gelded), though he returns with his yard going well.

Form: 0-

(9)

Glen Echo¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Gary Carroll| T: G P Cromwell

125/1

Has looked one of the longer term in 2 outings this spring, never a threat when seventh of 8 in maiden at Leopardstown (1½m) 13 days ago.

Form: 07

(3)

Lonely Island¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Colin Keane| T: M O'Callaghan

14/1

Well backed and showed promise on debut, before shaping as if better for the run after 5 months off when fifth of 9 in 1m maiden at Killarney 11 days ago. Bred to be suited by this step up in trip.

Form: 7-5

(17)

Matada¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Robert Whearty| T: G P Cromwell

200/1

Has made little impression in his 2 starts to date, again finishing well held in 1m maiden at Gowran 18 days ago.

Form: 00

(14)

Niobite

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Donagh O'Connor| T: P J Flynn

125/1

Zoustar gelding. Brother to 2-y-o 7.4f winner Wholetthedogsout. Dam unraced half-sister to useful 6f winner Clear Impression out of useful 2-y-o 5f (Queen Mary Stakes)/5.7f winner Shining Hour. Has a fairly useful standard to aim at on debut.

Form:

(13)

Numantia

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Paddy Harnett⁽⁵⁾| T: Donnacha O'Brien

8/1

€180,000 yearling. St Mark's Basilica colt. Half-brother to several winners, including winner up to 1½m Pablo Escobarr and 10.2f-2m winner Roberto Escobarr (both smart), and useful 2-y-o 7f winner (stayed 1¼m) Oodnadatta. Dam winner up to 7f. Noteworthy newcomer.

Form:

(6)

Royal Bones

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Scott McCullagh| T: Mrs J Harrington

50/1

Lope de Vega gelding. Half-brother to several winners, including smart 6f-1¼m winner Laganore and 7f winner (stayed 9.5f) Lady Anner. Dam unraced. One of 2 in the line-up for in-form yard, so he's worth a market check.

Form:

(7)

Stabannon

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Robbie Colgan| T: D Kinsella

300/1

€3,500 foal, €4,000 yearling, Circus Maximus gelding. Closely related to 1½m winner Lady of Luxury and 2-y-o 7.4f winner Cosmic Luck, and half-brother to 3 winners. Dam 11.5f winner. Faces a tough ask first time up.

Form:

(10)

The Shandyman²¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: J M Sheridan| T: W P Mullins

3/1

Was strong in the betting both starts last year, leaving his debut form behind when runner-up in 16-runner maiden at this course (1m) in October. In good hands and he's much respected on reappearance.

Form: 72-

(12)

Theorist^t²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Declan McDonogh| T: J S Bolger| OR: 76

33/1

Promise both starts last year, improving from debut when third in 14-runner maiden at Dundalk (1m) in December. After 5 months off and fitted with tongue strap, well held at Cork in April but he could take a step forward from that outing.

Form: 53-9

(11)

Sakoku

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Ben Coen| T: J P Murtagh

15/2

Sea The Stars filly. Dam, unraced, closely related to useful 1¼m-2m winner Mahrajaan out of smart 9.2f-11f winner Lahudood. One of 3 debutantes for the yard in the race so the market could be informative.

Form:

(16)

Saxony Charms

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

25/1

€47,000 yearling, Saxon Warrior filly. Half-sister to 3 winners, including smart winner up to 1¼m Fajjaj and useful 6f winner Repartee. Dam unraced. Makes appeal on paper.

Form:

(1)

Vanir

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Seamie Heffernan| T: J P Murtagh

25/1

Teofilo filly. Half-sister to useful 1m winner Slick and winner up to 8.3f (stays 1½m) Rukaana. Dam twice-raced half-sister to smart winner up to 1m Mankib out of 1000 Guineas winner (stayed 10.5f) Natagora.

Form:

Non-Runners

(15)

Will You Stop¹⁸

Weight: 9-8| Age: 3

T: A Slattery J: Andrew Slattery

(5)

Walk In Provence

Weight: 9-3| Age: 3

T: J P Murtagh J: N G McCullagh

Forecasts

Count Bezukhov (10/11), The Shandyman (3/1), Sakoku (15/2), Numantia (8/1), Walk In Provence (12/1), Lonely Island (14/1), Echo Inferno (16/1), Saxony Charms (25/1), Vanir (25/1), Will You Stop (25/1), Theorist (33/1), Royal Bones (50/1), Glen Echo (125/1), Niobite (125/1), Amethyst Stone (200/1), Matada (200/1), Stabannon (300/1)

COUNT BEZUKHOV made a promising start when staying on for third at Leopardstown 13 days ago, beaten only by the pair clear at the head of the market, and he can build on that effort to open his account. The Willie Mullins-trained The Shandyman isn't taken lightly, though, while Numantia is of plenty of interest on debut.