19:55 Curragh

Friday 26 June 2026

All16:3317:0517:3518:1018:4519:2019:5520:30

O'Driscolls Irish Whiskey Irish European Breeders Fund Stayers Handicap

Off time: 19:55 | Winning time: 3m 30.26s

(10)

Poetic Sound²³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons| OR: 102| C

5/1

Back to best when winning 12-runner handicap at the Curragh by 1½ lengths from Factual Fact. Career-high mark makes life tougher but still relatively low mileage for a 5-y-o and, though he's failed to give his running on 2 previous tries at this trip, he shapes as if he should stay.

Form: 3706-31

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(8)

Delta^p1,t³³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Oisin Murphy| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 92

9/4

Shaped well when 5½ lengths fourth of 24 to Westminster Moon at this course on return from 8-months off and appeals as the type to be suited by this stiffer test. Takes a bit of stoking up so likely to benefit from first-time cheekpieces. One to be interested in.

Form: 6/2315-4

(7)

Kilmeaden^t³³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Paddy Harnett⁽⁵⁾| T: Donnacha O'Brien| OR: 91| D

4/1

Ran up to best when 3½ lengths third of 24 to Westminster Moon at this course last month, coming from further back than the pair that beat him. Shapes as if this step up in trip should suit, though meets Delta on slightly worse terms after 2 lb rise.

Form: 4102-73

(3)

Reverend Hubert^p³³

Age: 8| Weight: 9-2| J: Adam Caffrey| T: C Byrnes| OR: 88| D

28/1

Useful hurdler who didn't see out his race under more positive tactics when fifth in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket last October. Never dangerous on return from 8-months off last time and market is likely to prove the best guide as to connections' expectations.

Form: 8/0915-0

(13)

Too Bossy For Us²³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Dylan Browne McMonagle| T: W P Mullins| OR: 88| D

9/2

Placed in 2 big-field handicaps up to 2m last season, including when runner-up in this race off 1 lb higher. Recent return should have cleared away any cobwebs and it's not hard to see him featuring now up and running for the season.

Form: 4/2030-6

(9)

Highwind^p³³

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: Ben Coen| T: W P Mullins| OR: 85| D

14/1

Fairly useful sort that has been lightly raced on the Flat in recent seasons but shaped as if retaining all ability when 6 lengths sixth of 24 to Westminster Moon at Curragh. This assignment requires improvement, though.

Form: 330/84-6

(5)

Ballyadam^t²⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 8-11| J: Ronan Whelan| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 83| D

9/1

Smart hurdler who confirmed previous promise in this sphere when readily winning 2m handicap at Listowel last month, beating 3 lengths from Cala Gracioneta. Up 9 lb but still looks feasibly handicapped on hurdling form and no surprise were he to make up into a useful stayer in this sphere.

Form: 3-321

(12)

Happy Jacky^p³²

Age: 12| Weight: 8-7| J: Gavin Ryan| T: M Fahey| OR: 78| D

28/1

Thorough stayer who returns to this sphere on the back of a poor chasing effort. Was third in this race last year off same mark but others preferred and races from 1 lb out of the handicap this time around.

Form: 031/389-

(1)

Cock And Bull⁷³

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: Rory Cleary| T: E Mullins| OR: 77

33/1

Inconsistent stayer who hasn't made much impact over hurdles for this yard, though was prominent in the betting prior to disappointing on handicap hurdle debut. On a handy mark now switched to the Flat for the first for this yard, though strength in betting will reveal plenty. Just out of handicap.

Form: 702629-

(6)

Hatim^p1,t1²²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: Nathan Crosse| T: Ms M McDowall| OR: 76

50/1

Consistent 3-time winner in Fance for previous connections, including on 2025 return: Questions to answer now starting for new yard from 3 lb out of the handicap.

Form: 066388-

(2)

Carthusian^b¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: Keithen Kennedy⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 73

11/1

Didn't kick on as expected in 2025 and looks summed up by current mark judged on all 3 outings last month. Races from 6 lb out of the handicap.

Form: 356-707

Non-Runners

(4)

The Shunter²³⁶

Weight: 9-13| Age: 13

T: E Mullins J: Jamie Powell

(11)

Robbies Rock³³

Weight: 8-11| Age: 5

T: G P Cromwell J: Robert Whearty

Forecasts

Delta (9/4), Kilmeaden (4/1), Too Bossy For Us (9/2), Poetic Sound (5/1), The Shunter (8/1), Ballyadam (9/1), Carthusian (11/1), Highwind (14/1), Robbies Rock (25/1), Reverend Hubert (28/1), Happy Jacky (28/1), Cock And Bull (33/1), Hatim (50/1)

DELTA appeals as the type to improve for this move up to 2m and is taken to build on his encouraging reappearance in first-time cheekpieces. Ballyadam, a reliable servant over the years, remains capable in this sphere and rates the chief threat, with Too Bossy For Us respected on last year’s showing in this contest.