15:45 Curragh

Saturday 26 September 2026

All13:3014:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:5517:25

Izuzu Ireland Handicap

3YO plus | 7f | 11 Runners | Turf

(8)

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Colin Keane| T: Stephen Thorne| OR: 99| D

Useful sort, placed several times at Group 3/listed level, and shaped well on debut for current yard when seventh of 17 behind Krasimir at Leopardstown, beaten only 2 lengths despite trouble. Colin Keane is an eye-catching booking, but others look better treated.

Form: 2-33007

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(2)

Unique Journey^p¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Ben Coen| T: Daniel Murphy| OR: 95| C

Dual C&D winner last year. Winless this time around but has found only one too good on 2 occasions, including when chasing home Dunum in a valuable 7f handicap at Galway in August. Still 6 lb above last successful mark but any rain will be firmly in his favour.

Form: 1-24027

(1)

Rahmi^p¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: Rory Mulligan⁽⁵⁾| T: J P Murtagh| OR: 90| C| D

Produced a smart effort when winning at Leopardstown last year but has largely struggled and been hindered by slow starts since. Very well handicapped if staging a revival but hard to make a compelling case unless the market strongly suggests one is on the cards.

Form: 806260

(6)

City House^t⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Adam Caffrey| T: A McGuinness| OR: 88| D

Without a win this year but some good runs in defeat for Ado McGuinness, though failed to justify support tackling a 7f minor event at Gowran last time.

Form: 484072

(5)

Dmaniac¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Billy Lee| T: M Hassett| OR: 87| C

Dual 6f winner here, the latest in March when beating Unique Journey by 3¼ lengths. Failed to justify favouritism back over 5f here next time, but bounced back to form when a neck second in a 7f event at Cork in May. Probably needed the run after 4 months off 2 weeks ago. One to consider.

Form: 31-1520

(9)

Headmaster^t¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Reese Holohan⁽⁷⁾| T: E Lynam| OR: 87| C| D

Improved model for current connections. Successful in useful 6f course handicap/solid second in a valuable 7f Cork event in early-summer. Not so good last 3 starts but now just 1 lb above last winning mark with a good-value 7-lb claimer booked. Fancied to go close back at 7f.

Form: 712000

(4)

Love Billy Boy^v1¹⁰⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Gary Carroll| T: Gerard O'Leary| OR: 86| D

Make big strides in 2025, winning twice and also finishing second on another 2 occasions. Ended that year on a low note, however, and little encouragement from last 2 starts. However, he's now below his last winning mark for a yard going much better. Capable of being in the mix.

Form: 1290-95

(7)

Temperance^b⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: Chris Hayes| T: Miss K McGivern| OR: 80

Sole success came in a 6f Naas handicap last spring. Has found things tough in listed races/Group 3 this season and wasn't sparked back to form by a return to handicapping company last time. Still 5 lb above last winning mark.

Form: 8-60778

(10)

Eddie G^t⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 8-8| J: Declan McDonogh| T: A McGuinness| OR: 79| D

Dual 7f handicap scorer at Naas and Galway later in July. Not at the same level since, though took a step back in the right direction when 4¼ lengths third of 7 to Morehampton at this course 4 days ago.

Form: 911853

(3)

Uncle Goalie³⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: Rory Cleary| T: Rory Devine| OR: 79

Stepped up on previous performances when winning 13-runner 1m Leopardstown maiden in August by nose from My Shayla. Got first run on that occasion and drop back to 7f not an obvious given pedigree. Makes handicap debut from 2 lb out of the weights.

Form: 431

(11)

Punica Granatum²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: Keithen Kennedy⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 74

Looked unlucky not to win when a short-head second in a premier handicap at the Curragh in May. Things haven't gone to plan since but has shaped as if back in form last 2 starts, 3½ lengths sixth of 12 to Goal Exceeded at Roscommon on latest. Plenty to do from 7 lb out of the handicap.

Form: 0-20U36

Forecasts

Uncle Goalie (7/2), Excellent Believe (9/2), Unique Journey (6/1), City House (7/1), Eddie G (7/1), Punica Granatum (10/1), Rahmi (10/1), Headmaster (12/1), Dmaniac (12/1), Temperance (14/1), Love Billy Boy (20/1)

HEADMASTER wasn’t seen to best effect last time, but the return to 7f, a further 2 lb drop and a useful claimer taking over all suggest a bold bid is on the cards. Dmaniac won twice here on heavy ground in March and rates the main danger, with a quick return to his favoured venue likely to suit. Love Billy Boy returns to handicaps in a first-time visor from below his last winning mark and is respected.