17:05 Curragh

Saturday 27 June 2026

All13:4514:1514:4515:2015:5516:3017:0517:40

Fitzpatrick's Garage Group Handicap

3YO plus | 6f | 17 Runners | Turf

(7)

Valiant Force³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: Donagh O'Connor| T: Robson Aguiar| OR: 89| D

Smart performer on all-weather but remains opposable on turf.

Form: 150099

(13)

Bishopton¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Wayne Lordan| T: N Lupini| OR: 83

Comeback win at Dundalk probably as good as he is but latest fifth in Premier Handicap at Cork was perfectly respectable and he'll appreciate this ease in class.

Form: 672-105

(3)

Sommelier^b,t²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Paddy Harnett⁽⁵⁾| T: K P Cotter| OR: 83| BF| CD

One-time useful sprinter for Marco Botti and took advantage of a much-reduced mark in this headgear when making all in 20-runner event over C&D early this month. Shaped as if still in form under a penalty at Navan 4 days later, faring best of those drawn high. Remains of plenty of interest.

Form: 048715

(5)

Unauthorized²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Rory Cleary| T: Aidan Melia| OR: 86| D

Progressive sort who beat his elders in good style at Listowel 4 weeks ago. 7 lb higher now but he's not yet fully exposed.

Form: 7851-71

(14)

Go Athletico^t¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 9-3| J: Ronan Whelan| T: A McGuinness| OR: 78| CD

C&D winner last summer who returned to form away from testing ground when third at Naas in April. Not seen to best effect next 2 starts but needs to raise his game in any case.

Form: 7-70300

(8)

Flaming Rib⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: James Ryan| T: A McGuinness| OR: 75| D

Stepped up on return when fourth at Down Royal last week but on a long losing run and more needed on balance of form for the yard.

Form: 4940-54

(6)

Inishfallen^p²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Colin Keane| T: Stephen Thorne| OR: 75| D

Expensive to follow since joining the yard and disappointed behind Unauthorized at Listowel last time, but has been eased a further 3 lb and Colin Keane is a positive booking.

Form: 442460

(11)

Morehampton^p1²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Rory Mulligan⁽⁵⁾| T: J P Murtagh| OR: 82

Gowran maiden winner (7f) last summer but no progress since and down the field all 3 starts this season. Headgear now applied.

Form: 350-405

(4)

Nakamura^b¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Patrick McGettigan⁽⁵⁾| T: J P Murtagh| OR: 82| BF| D

Recorded back-to-back nursery wins over 6f last year. Taken a while to get going this time around but he was right back to his best when ½-length second to Midnight Dusk at Fairyhouse 2 weeks ago and 3 lb better off with the winner here.

Form: 14-8782

(16)

The Piper's Call²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Ben Coen| T: Daniel McLoughlin| OR: 82| CD

Made a highly encouraging start when second in strong C&D maiden over a year ago. Disappointed next time but defied an 11-month absence when narrow winner of C&D maiden 24 days ago and remains with potential heading into handicaps.

Form: 23-1

(17)

Clonmacash^v⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: Declan McDonogh| T: A McGuinness| OR: 74| BF| C| D

Held form well during a busy spell on all-weather over the winter but just the one respectable effort from his last 4 starts.

Form: 419535

(2)

Midnight Dusk¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Billy Lee| T: Jack Foley| OR: 81| D

Quickly back on track when winning at Fairyhouse (6f, good to soft) 15 days ago by ½ length from Nakamura but was seen to good effect that day and this harder from 4 lb higher.

Form: 1-33591

(15)

Real Encounter²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Shane Foley| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 81| BF

Opened her account at Dundalk (5f) in April and much better effort in handicaps when only just failing over the same trip here early this month, the 2 lb overweight put up by her rider probably the difference between winning and losing. Can go well again with the return to 6f no issue.

Form: 44-2162

(10)

Fox In Flight¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Luke McAteer| T: D Marnane| OR: 80

Off the mark at Dundalk (5f) in December and proved he's just as effective on turf when second at Cork 2 weeks ago. That form is working out well but he needs more from 6 lb higher here.

Form: 313-802

(9)

Mary Shoelaces⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-8| J: Jessica O'Gorman⁽⁷⁾| T: E & P Harty| OR: 69| C

Ended last season with a career-best win in 16-runner handicap here (5f) but has failed to beat a rival both starts this campaign.

Form: 1491-06

(1)

Joyful Tidings¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: Chris Hayes| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 74

Winless since debut. Close to best when making the frame last 2 starts, 1½ lengths fourth of 12 to Midnight Dusk at Fairyhouse 2 weeks ago on second of them, though was better placed than most.

Form: 7-75024

Non-Runners

(12)

Heavenly Power⁶¹

Weight: 9-7| Age: 8

T: E Lynam J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Unauthorized (11/2), Real Encounter (6/1), Nakamura (13/2), The Piper's Call (7/1), Sommelier (7/1), Midnight Dusk (7/1), Fox In Flight (12/1), Bishopton (14/1), Heavenly Power (16/1), Flaming Rib (16/1), Joyful Tidings (16/1), Morehampton (20/1), Inishfallen (20/1), Go Athletico (20/1), Valiant Force (25/1), Clonmacash (25/1), Mary Shoelaces (25/1)

SOMMELIER has responded well to blinkers and still has scope off his current mark on old form. Inishfallen is becoming well handicapped, while 3-y-os The Piper's Call, Real Encounter and Unauthorized all look progressive.