15:25 Curragh

Saturday 18 July 2026

All13:1013:4014:1514:5015:2516:0016:3517:1017:45

Tulfarris Hotel And Golf Resort Sapphire Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 15:25 | Winning time: 57.35s

(9)

Bucanero Fuerte⁵⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Donagh O'Connor| T: Robson Aguiar| OR: 106| CD

14/1

Smart performer who won Group 3 Phoenix Sprint over 6f here last summer but not quite at his best in 3 outings this spring, albeit having stepped forward slightly with each run. Player if back to his peak, though yard form remains a bit of a concern.

Form: 137-754

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(8)

Cover Up^t³²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: James Doyle| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 108| D

7/1

Had a productive spell at Meydan during the winter/spring, winning listed event and Group 2 Blue Point Sprint, both at 5f. Wasn't seen to best effect on return to European action when 3 lengths thirteenth of 26 in the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot last month, lacking room late on. Player.

Form: 41-1380

(5)

Jakajaro³²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: J P Spencer| T: R M H Cowell| OR: 110| C| D

7/2

Returned from 5 months off with back-to-back handicap victories at Newmarket and York, the latter saw him run out a most impressive winner of a 21-runner contest away from the main action. Further good efforts up in grade in the Temple Stakes/King Charles III since and he makes plenty of appeal.

Form: 57-1145

(4)

Kendall Roy^p,t³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Chris Hayes| T: Miss K McGivern| OR: 103| CD

40/1

C&D winner who took a handicap in Bahrain in December but down the field there next 2 starts. Career-best when winning an 8-runner listed race (28/1) at Cork (5f, good) 34 days ago by ½ length from Likedbymike, but suited by the way race developed and more is needed in this company.

Form: 021-001

(2)

Partisan Hero^p¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: Colin Keane| T: D Loughnane| OR: 104| D

14/1

Proved better than ever when landing 16-runner handicap at York (5f) in May. Backed that up when third at Epsom (6f) next time and produced a career best upped to Group 3 company when a length third of 9 to Rumstar in Sprint Stakes at Sandown (5f, good to firm) 14 days ago. Worth his place here.

Form: 827133

(7)

Rosy Affair³²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Billy Loughnane| T: G Boughey| OR: 108| D

5/2

Ended 2025 on the up with 6f victories in Pontefract listed event and Group 3 at Deauville. Good head second in listed race at Newmarket on return before scoring at Haydock (both 6f). Ran a stormer when 1¼ lengths fourth of 26 in King Charles III Stakes last month, so holds strong claims here.

Form: 411-214

(1)

Brussels^p,t²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 101| C

40/1

Runner-up 3 times in pattern races last autumn but below the pick of his form this spring, sporting first-time cheekpieces when 12¼ lengths nineteenth of 22 to Venetian Sun in Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot (6f, good to firm) 29 days ago.

Form: 222-640

(6)

Charles Darwin^b²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 107| BF| D

12/1

Highly progressive and exciting at 2, completing a hat-trick in the Norfolk at Royal Ascot. Picked up where he left off when winning 6f Navan listed race on return but has underperformed both outings since and suddenly has something to prove.

Form: 111-180

(3)

Havana Anna²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Gavin Ryan| T: Donnacha O'Brien| OR: 110| D

3/1

Listed winner over 5f at Naas last summer prior to finishing second in the Group 1 Cheveley Park at Newmarket. Didn't need to be at her best when taking the Lacken Stakes at Naas (6f) on return and backed that up with a good 1¾ lengths fourth of 22 in Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot last time.

Form: 1220-14

(10)

Ipanema Queen²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Dylan Browne McMonagle| T: Robson Aguiar| OR: 93| CD

22/1

Won 3 times for Adrian Murray in 2025, including listed races at C&D and at Dundalk. Not disgraced having tried to keep tabs on an impressive winner when sixth of 27 in handicap (22/1) at Royal Ascot (5f, good to firm) 29 days ago but difficult to fancy in this stronger company.

Form: 91-2746

Forecasts

Rosy Affair (5/2), Havana Anna (3/1), Jakajaro (7/2), Cover Up (7/1), Charles Darwin (12/1), Partisan Hero (14/1), Bucanero Fuerte (14/1), Ipanema Queen (22/1), Brussels (40/1), Kendall Roy (40/1)

JAKAJARO was the impressive winner of 2 significant handicaps prior to running well in leading 5f events on his last 2 starts and can gain a breakthrough Pattern level success. Cover Up was better than the result in the King Charles III and is also shortlisted, whilst the progressive Rosy Affair produced a career best to make the frame in that race and also merits consideration.