13:37 Curragh

Thursday 15 October 2026

All13:0213:3714:1214:4715:2215:5716:3217:07

DNG Nationwide Handicap

Off time: 13:37 | Winning time: 1m 16.41s

(1)

Unique Journey^p¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Terry Casey⁽⁷⁾| T: Daniel Murphy| OR: 94| CD

15/2

Dual C&D winner last year (including this race) who has finished runner up twice this season and again ran well when seventh in 24-runner C&D handicap on penultimate start. Faded out of things when eighth over 7f here 3 weeks ago and better showing anticipated returned to sprinting.

Form: 240278

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(2)

Keke^p,t⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-13| J: Shane Foley| T: E Lynam| OR: 93| CD

9/1

C&D winner who has tasted success twice this year and having shaped better than the distance beaten suggests both starts here last month, he ran well when 2 lengths third of 11 in handicap at Naas (5f, soft) on Saturday. On a handy mark and possibilities returned to 6f.

Form: 444093

(11)

Staysound Susie⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: Jimmy Dalton⁽⁷⁾| T: A Slattery| OR: 92| CD

16/1

Added to fine record in the mud when landing a C&D handicap in April. Has often come good in the autumn and not been disgraced either start in 6f listed contests this month. Return to handicaps in her favour now.

Form: 160754

(5)

The Highway Rat^b¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 9-9| J: Billy Lee| T: A Oliver| OR: 89

25/1

Isn't the easiest to win with but took a step back in the right direction when fifth of 20 at the Curragh (5f) and matched that when third in Dundalk minor event 2 weeks ago. Respected back in a handicap from a tempting mark.

Form: 609053

(6)

Dmaniac¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Paddy Harnett⁽³⁾| T: M Hassett| OR: 87| CD

12/1

Dual C&D winner who was fourth over 7f here in September. Found listed company too much over same C&D 11 days ago and he returns to a more suitable level fresher than most for this time of year.

Form: 152048

(3)

Amiata³²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons| OR: 87| C| D

14/1

Has gone from strength to strength this year, taking his form up a notch when adding to his tally at Navan (6f) in August. Far from disgraced in face of stiffest task to date when eighth of 24 in a C&D contest (strong form) 32 days ago and another good showing looks on the cards.

Form: 418148

(8)

Unauthorized^v1⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Reese Holohan⁽⁵⁾| T: Aidan Melia| OR: 87| D

18/1

Better for return when landing a Listowel handicap (6.3f) in May and best effort yet (hooded) when second over 7f here in September. However, not operating at same level in 2 subsequent starts. Visor now reached for.

Form: 718270

(12)

Chicago Pope^p³²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Ben Coen| T: J P Murtagh| OR: 86| D

8/1

Both wins over 6f at Naas, latterly a 14-runner handicap in May. Good fourth of 22 in strong 3-y-o handicap at York (6f) and possible his first start for 3 months was needed in the Bold Lad over C&D 32 days ago. Operating just 1 lb above last winning mark.

Form: 01-2140

(4)

Dark Ace¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Adam Caffrey| T: A McGuinness| OR: 85| BF| D

9/2

All 3 victories this year gained on all-weather but he emerged with plenty of credit having been less-than-ideally placed when sixth in C&D Bold Lad 2 runs back. Easy to overlook sole start since (worst of the draw) and the assessor has given him a chance.

Form: 300160

(7)

Moltophino^b,t¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Chris Hayes| T: J A Kinsella| OR: 84| CD

9/2

C&D winner who has returned to form in a refitted visor of late, cashing in off a reduced mark at Navan (5f) prior to posting a very good third in 20-runner handicap here (5f) 3 weeks ago, sure to have finished closer with a trouble-free run. One to be interested in back at 6f.

Form: 799213

(10)

Nouvel Espoir¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-12| J: Julian Pietropaolo⁽⁷⁾| T: J Barcoe| OR: 78| CD

7/1

Has proved a model of consistency of late, building on a string of seconds when readily taking 22-runner C&D handicap 11 days ago. Career-high mark demands more in this tougher affair but he's evidently better than ever.

Form: 432221

(9)

Smoke Them Out¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: Sadhbh Tormey⁽⁷⁾| T: T G McCourt| OR: 77| CD

16/1

Dual C&D winner who justified support from a slipping mark at Bellewstown (5f) 2 starts back. Matched that form following a 7 lb rise when 1½ lengths third of 22 to Nouvel Espoir in handicap at this C&D (soft) 11 days ago but needs more in this company.

Form: 307713

(13)

Go Athletico^t¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 8-8| J: Gavin Ryan| T: A McGuinness| OR: 74| CD

11/1

C&D winner who has posted plenty of creditable efforts in defeat since his last success and he dispelled a couple of lesser displays when 2¼ lengths fourth of 22 to Nouvel Espoir in handicap at this C&D (soft, 16/1) 11 days ago, nearest finish. Losing run tempers enthusiasm to a degree, though.

Form: 256004

Forecasts

Moltophino (9/2), Dark Ace (9/2), Nouvel Espoir (7/1), Unique Journey (15/2), Chicago Pope (8/1), Keke (9/1), Go Athletico (11/1), Dmaniac (12/1), Amiata (14/1), Smoke Them Out (16/1), Staysound Susie (16/1), Unauthorized (18/1), The Highway Rat (25/1)

Successful at Navan on his penultimate start, MOLTOPHINO subsequently shaped very well when third over 5f here 3 weeks ago. The return to this trip will hold no fears and he could well be ready to strike again. Keke, last year's winner Unique Journey and Amiata head up the dangers, with Dark Ace another to consider in a highly-competitive handicap.