16:22 Gowran Park

Wednesday 12 August 2026

All14:2214:5215:2215:5216:2216:5217:2217:52

McEnery Cup Handicap

3YO plus | 1m 4f 100y | 11 Runners | Turf

(2)

Dallas Star⁵³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: Donagh O'Connor| T: Robson Aguiar| OR: 100

7/1

Very useful front-runner who is without a win since February 2025. Placed in minor events/listed race on first 4 starts this year but has struggled of late and ran badly at Royal Ascot when last seen in June. Back down in trip now and could bounce back tackling a handicap for the first time.

Form: 332547

(3)

Fixation^p¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Ben Coen| T: J P Murtagh| OR: 90

7/2

Improved when winning 12-runner handicap at the Curragh (1¼m, good to firm) in first-time cheekpieces in June, suited by a well-run race. Left poorly placed when well held tackling this trip at Galway 12 days ago and current mark demands further progress.

Form: 12-2710

(4)

Royal Hollow¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 9-4| J: Andrew Slattery| T: A Slattery| OR: 90| C

20/1

Ran as well as she ever has in this sphere when neck second of 8 to Deressa in handicap at Ballinrobe in June but below that level since, including back over hurdles last time. Well-run race and a career best likely needed if she's to feature here.

Form: 2104-26

(11)

Marazion^p⁴⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Shane Foley| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 89| D

13/2

Off the mark in May before good second of 24 on handicap debut over 1¾m at the Curragh later same month. Only sixth of 9 in a Group 3 at Cork next time and appeared to be undone by 10 lb rise reverting to handicap company back at the Curragh last time.

Form: 37-1266

(7)

War Rooms^p²³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Colin Keane| T: G Keane| OR: 89

13/2

Snapped lengthy losing run back in cheekpieces when winning 13f handicap at Ballinrobe last month, beating Truth Be Told by a neck. A 6 lb rise for that success makes life tougher, though.

Form: 670-801

(9)

Obscenity^v⁴⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Dylan Browne McMonagle| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 86| BF| CD

5/1

Dual winner this year, including when landing 16-runner C&D event in June by 1¾ lengths from Beauparc. Ran poorly switched to front-running tactics at the Curragh last time and will need to resume progress if he's to be involved.

Form: 4-31210

(10)

Star Harbour^v²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 9-0| J: Declan McDonogh| T: A McGuinness| OR: 86| D

10/1

Veteran who chased home a well-treated one at Carlisle in May but hasn't been in quite the same form on both outings since, though had excuses at Ripon last time. On a lengthy losing run but more than capable of being involved if on a going day.

Form: 504255

(8)

Navy Waters^v¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: Billy Lee| T: W McCreery| OR: 85

9/2

First past the post 3 times last season and in better heart than recent form figures suggest this season, again meeting trouble when 2½ lengths fifth of 18 to Thread Of Gold at Galway last time. She is one to be interested in.

Form: D8-3545

(6)

Daboya^b³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 8-8| J: Reese Holohan⁽⁷⁾| T: R Donohoe| OR: 80| D

11/2

Won at Ballinrobe in June and better than ever when following up in 6-runner handicap at Tramore (1½m, good) 15 days later, beating Marmeladova by 2¾ lengths. At the top of her game and recent 6 lb rise is offset by a useful 7 lb apprentice, but this represents a step up in grade.

Form: 5-05511

(5)

Sea Coral^p1,t²³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: Keithen Kennedy⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 80| D

11/1

Creditable efforts when placed last 2 starts, 2 lengths third of 9 to War Rooms at Ballinrobe on latest. Wears first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 20-0033

(1)

Ephesus^p,t¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: Jared Huggan⁽¹⁰⁾| T: D Hogan| OR: 76| D

40/1

Flat/hurdles winner who made a low-key start over fences in June and has made little impact in this sphere on his last 2 starts. Races from 3 lb out of the handicap.

Form: 5100-98

Forecasts

Daboya (7/2), War Rooms (5/1), Obscenity (11/2), Sea Coral (6/1), Navy Waters (7/1), Royal Hollow (8/1), Marazion (8/1), Dallas Star (10/1), Fixation (10/1), Star Harbour (14/1), Ephesus (33/1)

NAVY WATERS is in better form than her recent form figures suggest and can get off the mark for the season if avoiding the trouble she has met on her last couple of starts. Star Harbour had excuses last time and is feared most on the strength of his Carlisle effort in June, while Dallas Star is respected on handicap debut having raced almost exclusively at a higher level.