16:20 Curragh

Sunday 27 September 2026

All13:2514:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:5517:30

Friends Of The Curragh Irish Cesarewitch (0-110) (Premier Handicap)

Off time: 16:23 | Winning time: 3m 50.42s

(21)

Chally Chute⁸⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Sam Coen⁽⁵⁾| T: R O'Sullivan| OR: 109| C| D

16/1

Won a listed event and C&D Group 3 here either side of finishing ½-length second in 2025 renewal of this race. Seemingly retains all that ability judged on a couple of starts in 1½m listed races in June, though is 5 lb higher than last year.

Form: 0/121-25

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

(8)

Absurde¹⁴⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: Daniel King| T: W P Mullins| OR: 107| D

66/1

Admirable dual-purpose performer who finished eighth in the Melbourne Cup when last seen on the Flat. Subsequent 3 runs over hurdles were miles from his best (possibly feeling the effects of his globetrotting). Feasibly treated if back on song following 4 months away.

Form: 5/32378-

(33)

Tennessee Stud^p¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Hugh Horgan⁽⁵⁾| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 107

50/1

Smart Group 2 winner over 15f in France last year. Again flying too high when well beaten in first-time cheekpieces in Irish St Leger here latest. Hard to rule out a revival on return to calmer waters, especially if the forecast rain arrives.

Form: 41-0367

(4)

Leinster^t¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: Seamie Heffernan| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 105| BF| C

25/1

Borderline smart performer who hit the frame in the Ascot Stakes/Chester Cup last season. Finished third in an Irish St Leger Trial prior to running as well as could be expected when well-held fifth in the main event here (1¾m, 100/1) last time. Could well make more impact back in a handicap.

Form: 9-44535

(1)

A Piece Of Heaven^t⁹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-11| J: Luke McAteer| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 104

28/1

Ground-versatile stayer. Things fell right when landing Chester Cup in May. Didn't last out the marathon distance under a typically positive ride in Queen Alexandra at Royal Ascot subsequently. Should fare better back down in trip, while probably needing a career best to land another big prize.

Form: 2/3-2216

(18)

The Reverend^t¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: Billy Lee| T: W P Mullins| OR: 103| D

9/2

Progressive handicapper for William Haggas last autumn. Showed bundles of potential in a couple of hurdle starts prior to running a cracker when 1-length fourth in a Premier Handicap at Leopardstown on return. In excellent hands for first tilt at 2m on the Flat and likely has a valuable pot in him.

Form: 49/511-4

(17)

Uxmal⁵⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-9| J: Scott McCullagh| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 102| BF

66/1

Hasn't stood much racing since his victory in 2024 Queen Alexandra at Ascot. Didn't build on the promise of his comeback run at Galway (1¾m) last time. Will likely need to be back to his very best to defy his mark in a race this competitive, for all he'll relish the greater stamina test here.

Form: 11/75-34

(28)

Holy See¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Jamie Orr⁽⁷⁾| T: W Durkan| OR: 101

100/1

Lightly raced in this sphere. Back on the up when runner-up in a 2m Premier Handicap at Galway Festival (arguably unlucky not to win). Still looked unexposed as a stayer prior to trailing the field at Chester 2 weeks ago, more to it than his poor position.

Form: 24/1020

(32)

Comfort Zone^v1¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: Julian Pietropaolo⁽⁷⁾| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 98| D

14/1

Finished well when 7½ lengths behind his stablemate in this corresponding event 12 months ago. Ran well when beaten 2 lengths in a very condensed finish at Leopardstown (13f, good to firm) latest. Tried in another change of headgear and will at least be suited by this stiffer test of stamina.

Form: 3-0P019

(5)

Valiancy^p⁵⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: James Doyle| T: W J Haggas| OR: 97

10/1

Sole British raider. Completed a double in stylish fashion on return at Hamilton (13f). Better than he could show when sixth in Copper Horse at Royal Ascot (1¾m) and again asked to come from a long way back when a non-stayer at Goodwood (2½m). Has potential but softer ground would be an unknown.

Form: 321-169

(24)

Bunting³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: Ben Coen| T: W P Mullins| OR: 96| D

18/1

Useful dual-purpose performer. Personal best when third in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket last autumn. Hadn't been pulling up any trees over hurdles prior to never threatening in the Ascot stakes. Makes only second Flat start of the year following confidence-boosting win on chasing debut last time.

Form: 13/453-0

(13)

Blake¹⁵²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Colin Keane| T: N Meade| OR: 94| D

10/1

Smooth traveller who posted a career-best Flat success at Leopardstown (1½m) on second start for present yard last autumn. Ended novice hurdle season with cracking second Grade 1 Champion Novice at Punchestown in April. Good record fresh and could be very interesting if he stays this longer trip.

Form: 14156/1-

(12)

Tim Toe¹⁰³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Ronan Whelan| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 94

10/1

Bred for jumps but has proved remarkably versatile regards ground trip. Added to his bumper/1½m maiden wins when successful in a 1m conditions event at Listowel in May. Travelled as well as any when well-backed third over significantly further in Ascot Stakes (2½m) latest. Can go well again.

Form: 1313

(31)

Immutable¹⁵^{(ex 7)}

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: Gary Carroll| T: J G Murphy| OR: 86| D

25/1

Fairly useful hurdle winner (2m, heavy). Runner-up in top-end handicap at Galway before gamely going one better in a similar event at Leopardstown (13f). No easy task to defy a 7-lb penalty in a race this competitive and into uncharted territory over this far on the Flat.

Form: 35-9221

(2)

Sky Captain¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: J M Sheridan| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 93

9/2

Low-mileage 5-y-o. Winner of a Roscommon maiden (1½m) on debut last summer. Useful form to finish runner-up on each of his 3 subsequent outings for Paddy Twomey. Shaped well returning over much shorter when sixth on stable debut here (1¼m) latest. Another completely unexposed over this sort of trip.

Form: 12-226

(11)

Eagle Fang^b³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: Sadhbh Tormey⁽⁷⁾| T: W Durkan| OR: 92| BF

33/1

Smart hurdler. Much-improved fourth behind Comfort Zone in 2m Premier Handicap at Galway Festival on penultimate start. No obvious excuses for his subsequent disappointment at Killarney, for all he's still relatively early-on in his Flat career.

Form: 3/2148

(29)

Galileo Dame^p¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: Chris Hayes| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 92

25/1

Sole Flat success came in a Leopardstown maiden in 2024. Has acquitted herself with plenty of credit in ultra-competitive staying handicaps this season. Arrives on the back of a creditable 2-length third in 1½ listed event at Galway and stiffer test certainly no harm for this versatile mare.

Form: 477033

(16)

Glenroyal^v1¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Keithen Kennedy⁽⁵⁾| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 92

80/1

Hasn't entirely proved his stamina in a handful of starts over staying trips, latterly when eighth behind stable Comfort Zone at Galway. Now back up in trip sporting more headgear, having not been disgraced in 13f handicap at Leopardstown. Doesn't look the obvious hope for yard with strong hand.

Form: 011-080

(9)

Granite Bay^p1¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: Reese Holohan⁽⁷⁾| T: J P Fahey| OR: 92| BF

25/1

Forward-going handicapper who's been admirably consistent despite not winning for over 2 years. As good as ever when 1-length second at Chester (2m) last time. Likely needs to improve for the addition of cheekpieces, if he's to snap his losing run in a race of nature.

Form: 42-4372

(6)

Port Of Spain³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 101

10/1

Useful juvenile who's developed into a smart performer this year. Suited by well-run race when narrowly denied in handicap at Naas (11f). Certainly bred for longer trips (half-brother to Park Hill winner) and very interesting contender for stable who've won this with 3-y-os in recent years.

Form: 37-5072

(23)

Sirius^h⁶²

Age: 7| Weight: 8-11| J: Andrew Slattery| T: W P Mullins| OR: 90| C| D

28/1

Smooth-travelling mare who's been lightly raced since 2024. Looked as good as ever when successful in Amateur Riders Derby here (1½m) last October. Didn't get the gaps on return at Galway (2m) and type who'll be ridden to pick up the pieces late here.

Form: 014/01-0

(7)

Cornelienne⁵³

Age: 5| Weight: 8-10| J: Jamie Powell| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 89

50/1

Useful for Christophe Ferland in France in 2024. Hasn't stood much racing recently, hitting the frame in couple of maiden hurdles and probably needing her comeback (10.5f) at Sligo last month. On handy mark if recapturing her best on third Flat start for excellent yard.

Form: 4312/0-5

(27)

Kingstonian^v1³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: Nathan Crosse| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 89

16/1

Chester Plate runner-up who improved when 2 lengths fourth in valuable Galway handicap in July. Returns to Flat in first-time visor following promising third on hurdling debut last month. Potentially well treated and still far from exposed as a stayer.

Form: 413-294

(20)

Light Up The Dark^p1³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-10| J: Declan McDonogh| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 89| BF

16/1

Low-mileage 5-y-o who returned with a cosy win at Gowran. Back on the up when runner-up in a useful handicap at Killarney (14.5f). Could well be more to come with cheekpieces added back up in trip, and looks one of the stable's better fancied runners on jockey bookings.

Form: 34-1492

(15)

Shosholoza^t1⁹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Wayne Lordan| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 98

40/1

Hasn't matched the pick of his useful juvenile form in trio starts this season. Did at least run a bit better when beaten 4¾ lengths on handicap bow at Down Royal (13f, soft) in June. Another unexposed Joseph O'Brien runner tackling a markedly longer trip in new headgear (tongue strap).

Form: 15-866

(10)

Zanndabad^t³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 8-10| J: James Ryan| T: A J Martin| OR: 89

40/1

Flat maiden who shaped well when sixth in the 2024 renewal of this race. Hasn't been at the peak of his powers in 3 starts on the Flat this year, however, he's dropped to a reasonable mark for a yard more than capable of producing one to land a big pot.

Form: 049-880

(3)

Shoda^t⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: Shay Wallace⁽⁷⁾| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 88| D

25/1

Successful in 2m Clonmel handicap on latest Flat start this time last year. Reverts to the level on the back of a breakthrough success in a mares maiden hurdle at Downpatrick latest. Another who needs a career best.

Form: 40/5221-

(14)

Madbadanddangerous¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: Gavin Ryan| T: N Meade| OR: 96

80/1

This race mooted as a target following a second success of the year at Galway in July. Finished 6 lengths off Highwayman prior to finishing well beaten at Leopardstown (13f, 25/1) last time. At least worth noting for each-way support on first crack over 2m.

Form: 271160

(19)

Too Bossy For Us^p¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: N G McCullagh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 88

50/1

Shaped well when sixth to Comfort Zone in 2m Galway handicap in July. Again ran well when close third to Immutable at Leopardstown (13f) latest. Contrasting conditions will hold no fears and while weighted to be competitive, he'll need to settle better back up in trip. RESERVE

Form: 30-6663

(22)

Alphonse Le Grande^t⁵⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 8-8| J: Rory Cleary| T: A J Martin| OR: 87

33/1

Back down to the mark he landed the Cesarewitch from in 2024. Hasn't won since but not disgraced when beaten 10½ lengths at Goodwood (2½m) latest. Considered, especially if supported RESERVE.

Form: 87-0054

Non-Runners

(26)

Puturhandstogether⁵⁹

Weight: 8-12| Age: 5

T: J P O'Brien J: N G McCullagh

(30)

Truth Be Told¹⁵

Weight: 8-12| Age: 4

T: M C Grassick J: Robbie Colgan

(25)

Michonne¹¹

Weight: 8-7| Age: 4

T: Mrs J Harrington J: Reserve 3

Forecasts

Sky Captain (9/2), The Reverend (9/2), Blake (10/1), Tim Toe (10/1), Port Of Spain (10/1), Valiancy (10/1), Comfort Zone (14/1), Chally Chute (16/1), Kingstonian (16/1), Light Up The Dark (16/1), Truth Be Told (16/1), Bunting (18/1), Galileo Dame (25/1), Shoda (25/1), Leinster (25/1), Immutable (25/1), Granite Bay (25/1), Sirius (28/1), A Piece Of Heaven (28/1), Eagle Fang (33/1), Alphonse Le Grande (33/1), Puturhandstogether (33/1), Shosholoza (40/1), Zanndabad (40/1), Tennessee Stud (50/1), Too Bossy For Us (50/1), Cornelienne (50/1), Absurde (66/1), Michonne (66/1), Uxmal (66/1), Madbadanddangerous (80/1), Glenroyal (80/1), Holy See (100/1)

An ultra-competitive renewal of this valuable handicap and it may well go the way of Willie Mullins' THE REVEREND. Aidan O'Brien has enjoyed recent success in this race with 3-y-os and his Port Of Spain has to enter calculations. Blake looks a fascinating contender back on the Flat, while Tim Toe, Truth Be Told, Kingstonian and Sky Captain also appeal.