13:40 Curragh

Saturday 22 August 2026

All13:0513:4014:1514:5015:2516:0016:3517:08

Moloney's Bar And Music Venue Maiden

Off time: 13:40 | Winning time: 2m 6.09s

(10)

Ard Ri Na Heireann¹¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-1| J: Jessica O'Gorman⁽⁷⁾| T: Craig O'Neill

200/1

Half-brother to 3 winners on the Flat but offered little starting off in a bumper when well held at Punchestown (2m) in May. Looks to be up against it switched to this sphere.

Form:

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(8)

Zarenakarena¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Jamie Powell| T: E & P Harty

200/1

Made little impact on her belated debut when ninth of 17 in maiden at Naas (1m) 19 days ago, slowly away before late headway. Likely to need more time.

Form: 9

(11)

Giordano⁷⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Ronan Whelan| T: Dermot Kilmartin

200/1

Making his first start, finished well held when ninth of 13 in maiden at Fairyhouse in June. Looks one for further down the line.

Form: 9

(5)

Handani^p¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Chris Hayes| T: D K Weld

5/2

From an excellent family and has shown promise both starts so far, returning from 10 months off (gelded and fitted with cheekpieces) when second of 14 in maiden at Leopardstown (9f) 16 days ago. The one to beat with improvement to come.

Form: 2-2

(6)

Let's Smash It¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Ben Coen| T: Robson Aguiar| OR: 83

15/2

Went close in a Dundalk maiden on debut in December and, with this season's reappearance behind him, built on that promise when third of 14 at Leopardstown (9f) 16 days ago (Hamdani 1¼ lengths ahead in second). Could be in the mix.

Form: 2-33

(2)

Lord Darragh¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Luke McAteer| T: Rory Devine

12/1

After 7 weeks off from his first run, benefited from the experience and step up in trip when staying on for second in 12-runner maiden at Gowran (9.5f) 10 days ago. Likely to stay further still.

Form: 62

(7)

Montevetro¹⁵¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Seamie Heffernan| T: D Hogan

150/1

800,000 gns yearling who showed promise amidst inexperience when runner-up in maiden at Chelmsford on debut in March. Went backwards from that effort when third of 4 at Wolverhampton later the same month. First run for yard after leaving Charlie Appleby.

Form: 23

(1)

Royal Ballet Blue

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Adam Caffrey| T: Jack Foley

100/1

€18,000 foal, Elzaam colt. Dam unraced. Has a fairly useful standard to aim at on debut.

Form:

(12)

The Austrian⁸²

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

20/1

Needed the experience first time up when seventh of 15 in maiden at Gowran (9.5f) in June, very slowly away but fairing best of those held up. Entitled to take a step forward from that outing.

Form: 7

(4)

Will You Stop²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Andrew Slattery| T: A Slattery| OR: 80

16/1

Progressed with each of his first 3 starts, fourth of 11 in maiden over this C&D in June. Seemed stretched by 1½m when eighth of 18 at Galway 24 days ago, so he could fare better back down in trip.

Form: 5348

(14)

Acula¹⁹

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

11/8

Made plenty of appeal on paper and shaped encouragingly when finishing well for fourth in 17-runner maiden at Naas (1m) on debut 19 days ago. Respected with the step up in trip promising to suit.

Form: 4

(3)

Saxony Charms^p1⁵⁷

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

9/2

Shaped well when never-nearer third in maiden over C&D on debut in May. Wasn't able to justify her strength in the market when fifth of 11 here a month later, though the form has been boosted since. Worth another chance with cheekpieces added.

Form: 35

Non-Runners

(9)

Desert Swing²¹

Weight: 10-1| Age: 4

T: A Kinirons J: Robbie Colgan

(13)

Sunatia³⁴

Weight: 9-3| Age: 3

T: D K Weld J: Leigh Roche

Forecasts

Acula (11/8), Handani (5/2), Sunatia (7/2), Saxony Charms (9/2), Let's Smash It (15/2), Lord Darragh (12/1), Will You Stop (16/1), The Austrian (20/1), Desert Swing (50/1), Royal Ballet Blue (100/1), Montevetro (150/1), Giordano (200/1), Zarenakarena (200/1), Ard Ri Na Heireann (200/1)

HANDANI has made a promising start to his career, beaten only by one who had already shown useful form at Leopardstown on his return, and he is taken to get off the mark as he goes further up in trip. The main danger could be Acula, who offered plenty to work on making her recent debut, with Saxony Charms completing the shortlist.