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Curragh Race Analysis: 16 October 2025

Race 1: 13:15 Curragh

Irish EBF Median Sires Series Maiden (Smullen Series) (2yo, 1m, Yielding, Non Handicap)

Rank	Horse Name	TimeWise Master Total Rating
1	Ardad Ned (IRE)	265.3021
2	Acclamatic (IRE)	257.1407

Recent Form and Comments

• Ardad Ned (IRE): This horse is an E68,000 yearling. On debut at Navan, he met interference but stayed on well into third, a performance described as promising in the circumstances. He is considered to have a strong chance now.
• Acclamatic (IRE): He has been placed on all three career starts, though these have all been in small-field races. In his latest outing, he was beaten 5 1/2 lengths by a stable outsider at Tipperary 11 days ago, running in first-time cheekpieces. He is the apparent selected runner for Joseph Patrick O’Brien, who also saddles three newcomers.

Spotlight Verdict

The selection is Ardad Ned (nap), who produced a promising effort despite interference on debut. Acclamatic (second choice) is the obvious danger.

Race Statistics

• Age Groups: The race is restricted to 2yo only.
• Fate of Favourites: 1 win, 2 placed (1-2).
• Trainer Records (W-PL-R): Joseph Patrick O’Brien (1-1-2), Miss Natalia Lupini (1-0-2), Mrs John Harrington (0-1-1).

Assessment of Top Two Chances

Horse Name	Strengths	Weaknesses	Suitability
Ardad Ned (IRE)	Highly rated (265.3021); debut third showed promise despite interference; capable of improvement.	Only one prior run.	The extra furlong (1m) is expected to suit him.
Acclamatic (IRE)	Consistent, placed on all three starts; highly rated (257.1407); stable’s leading hope by experience.	Recent run saw him beaten 5 1/2l; previously restricted to small-field races.	Suitable for this maiden race, though recent form was disappointing.

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Race 2: 13:50 Curragh

Irish EBF Median Sires Series Maiden (2yo, 6f, Yielding, Non Handicap)

Rank	Horse Name	TimeWise Master Total Rating
1	Starred (IRE)	296.098
2	Port Arthur (IRE)	245.5156

Recent Form and Comments

• Starred (IRE): She showed considerable improvement from her first course and distance (C&D) run to her second. She is judged capable of success at the third attempt.
• Port Arthur (IRE): His debut performance at Naas was described as being full of promise. He is considered the obvious danger to the favourite.

Spotlight Verdict

Joseph O’Brien’s Starred showed considerable improvement from her first C&D run to her second and looks capable of success at the third attempt. The obvious danger is Port Arthur whose Naas debut was full of promise. The well-related Lumiere Des Etoile can improve from an initial outing on the same Naas card.

Race Statistics

• Age Groups: Restricted to 2yo only.
• Fate of Favourites: 23211101 (Source format).
• Trainer Records (W-PL-R): David Marnane (1-0-1), Joseph Patrick O’Brien (1-0-2), Kieran P Cotter (0-1-3).

Assessment of Top Two Chances

Horse Name	Strengths	Weaknesses	Suitability
Starred (IRE)	Highest rated (296.098); confirmed improvement over C&D; looks ready for a win.	Previous attempts failed to secure a win.	Excellent C&D form suggests high suitability.
Port Arthur (IRE)	High rating (245.5156); strong debut promise; perceived as the main threat.	Limited public form compared to Starred’s progression.	Distance (6f) likely suits based on debut promise.

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Race 3: 14:25 Curragh

DNG Handicap (3yo+, 6f, Yielding, Handicap)

Rank	Horse Name	TimeWise Master Total Rating
1	Sarahmae (IRE)	300.2806
2	Back Down Under (IRE)	277.8182

Recent Form and Comments

• Sarahmae (IRE): She holds the highest TimeWise Master rating. The Spotlight noted a doubt about her ability to stay the 6f trip.
• Back Down Under (IRE): No specific recent subjective form comments or context are provided in the sources, but her high rating indicates strong mathematical potential.

Spotlight Verdict

Cork specialist Gerrit’s Gem can now broaden his sphere of influence on the evidence of a C&D second behind Unique Journey who may struggle to uphold the form on altered terms. Germanese is dropped in class with good prospects. There is a doubt about the ability of Sarahmae to stay 6f but she should not be ruled out.

Race Statistics

• Age Groups: 3yo+. The breakdown is 3yo (0-3-14) and 4yo+ (3-5-44).
• Fate of Favourites: 0 wins, 0 placed (001).
• Trainer Records (W-PL-R): Edward Lynam (1-0-1), W McCreery (1-0-4).

Assessment of Top Two Chances

Horse Name	Strengths	Weaknesses	Suitability
Sarahmae (IRE)	Highest TimeWise rating (300.2806); merits consideration.	Major doubt raised regarding her ability to stay the full 6f distance.	Trip suitability is questionable (6f).
Back Down Under (IRE)	High TimeWise rating (277.8182).	No recent subjective comments to confirm current sharpness or form quality.	Runs in a 6f Handicap.

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Race 4: 15:00 Curragh

Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Apprentice Handicap (3yo+, 5f, Yielding, Handicap)

Rank	Horse Name	TimeWise Master Total Rating
1	Mickey The Steel	239.5295
2	Jordan Breeze (IRE)	237.5461

Recent Form and Comments

• Mickey The Steel: Four of his five career wins have been achieved over this 5f trip. He posted a creditable third over 6f at the Curragh 12 days ago, and a reproduction of this effort would place him firmly in contention.
• Jordan Breeze (IRE): No specific subjective form commentary is provided, but Tino Pai finished seventh behind him at Dundalk recently. His high TimeWise rating suggests strong historical performance.

Spotlight Verdict

Top of the list is Nouvel Espoir who improved on 6f form when dropped back to 5f at Navan last month. Mickey The Steel can also feature, having run well for third over 6f here 12 days ago.

Race Statistics

• Age Groups: 3yo+.
• Fate of Favourites: No summarised statistics are provided in the sources for this race.
• Trainer Records (W-PL-R): No summarised statistics are provided in the sources for this race.

Assessment of Top Two Chances

Horse Name	Strengths	Weaknesses	Suitability
Mickey The Steel	Proven winner over 5f (four wins); recent form is good (3rd over 6f); high TimeWise rating (239.5295).	None apparent based on the provided data.	Highly suited to the minimum trip of 5f.
Jordan Breeze (IRE)	Very high TimeWise rating (237.5461).	Lack of recent subjective form insight; expected to contest an Apprentice Handicap.	Suitable for the 5f Handicap.

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Race 5: 15:35 Curragh

DNG Handicap (3yo+, 1m 2f, Yielding, Handicap)

Rank	Horse Name	TimeWise Master Total Rating
1	Retracement (IRE)	314.1002
2	In My Teens (IRE)	296.9258

Recent Form and Comments

• Retracement (IRE): He won a maiden at Pontefract last year. His two best runs for his current yard have been over the C&D (1m 2f), including recently in a competitive premier handicap. He is expected to be a player despite being raised 3lb.
• In My Teens (IRE): This horse won impressively on his second start in a Down Royal maiden (similar trip). He followed this with a fine effort in a Roscommon conditions race on soft ground, where he was bumped near the finish. He is still progressing, considered the stable’s first-string, and must be taken seriously.

Spotlight Verdict

Just denied in a Roscommon conditions race last time when bumped by the winner, In My Teens has a high enough rating for her handicap debut but surely has more to offer. Retracement and Coeur D’Or have run well in premier handicaps at this course this term and are dangers.

Race Statistics

• Age Groups: 3yo+. The breakdown is 3yo (1-2-4) and 4yo+ (1-1-10).
• Fate of Favourites: 3 wins, 1 placed (31).
• Trainer Records (W-PL-R): D K Weld (0-1-1).

Assessment of Top Two Chances

Horse Name	Strengths	Weaknesses	Suitability
Retracement (IRE)	Highest TimeWise rating (314.1002); proven C&D form, recently in competitive company; expected to contend despite a 3lb rise.	None apparent, consistently performing well.	Excellent C&D form makes him highly suitable.
In My Teens (IRE)	Progressing rapidly; fine efforts in maiden and conditions race; yard’s first-string.	This is his handicap debut, carrying a rating considered “high enough”.	Proven ability over a similar distance and still improving.

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Race 6: 16:10 Curragh

Final Furlong Podcast With 1xbet.ie Maiden (3yo+, 1m 4f, Yielding, Non Handicap)

Rank	Horse Name	TimeWise Master Total Rating
1	Appeared (USA)	306.0089
2	Eroico (IRE)	270.8918

Recent Form and Comments

• Appeared (USA): Was soundly beaten on his debut. Showed a better effort subsequently, finishing third over 1m 2f here (a neck behind Portnahapple). Cheekpieces have been added, and the longer trip (1m 4f) is expected to suit.
• Eroico (IRE): Was well beaten on his sole two-year-old start. Has shown better efforts in both runs this term, finishing 0.5 lengths ahead of Carthusian over 1m 2f at the Curragh most recently.

Spotlight Verdict

Beaten 3l over 1m2f at this course on debut, Portnahapple was a neck in front of Appeared then and is bred to stay this trip, so looks the one to beat with improvement to come too. Carthusian may reverse form with Eroico from their course clash last time. Generous Support can be involved.

Race Statistics

• Age Groups: 3yo+. The breakdown is 3yo (5-8-62) and 4yo+ (0-2-19).
• Fate of Favourites: 0 wins, 3 placed/unplaced listed results (03101).
• Trainer Records (W-PL-R): A P O’Brien (2-3-8), Mrs John Harrington (2-1-8), Joseph Patrick O’Brien (1-2-7).

Assessment of Top Two Chances

Horse Name	Strengths	Weaknesses	Suitability
Appeared (USA)	Highest TimeWise rating (306.0089); showed clear improvement in second start; cheekpieces applied; bred to appreciate the longer trip.	May struggle to beat Portnahapple based on their last run; poor debut form.	Highly suited by the step up to 1m 4f.
Eroico (IRE)	Showed better form this season.	May have form reversed by Carthusian who was running for the first time since being gelded in their last encounter; poor 2yo debut.	Suitable for the distance, though facing rivals who may improve more.

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Race 7: 16:45 Curragh

DNG Gold Handicap (3yo+, 1m 6f, Yielding, Handicap)

Rank	Horse Name	TimeWise Master Total Rating
1	Billie Frechette (IRE)	273.2262
2	Granns Boy (IRE)	269.0919

Recent Form and Comments

• Billie Frechette (IRE): Won over 1m 5f in June. Was extremely unlucky when meeting a nightmare passage but still finished second in the Ulster Cesarewitch over 2m 2f last month. Ran slightly flat when third in a 1m 5f handicap later that month. Retains plenty of appeal, and Colin Keane takes the ride.
• Granns Boy (IRE): He won last week over 2m 1f at Thurles.

Spotlight Verdict

Plenty with chances, notably Billie Frechette, Grann’s Boy, Whats New and Lady Kai, while last year’s second Imarajan is also worth a look. However, there could be more improvement to come from Earthsong on just her second handicap start, and she can confirm Navan form with Far Eclipse.

Race Statistics

• Age Groups: 3yo+. The breakdown is 3yo (0-2-3) and 4yo+ (1-1-16).
• Fate of Favourites: No summarised statistics are provided in the sources for this race.
• Trainer Records (W-PL-R): Gavin Cromwell (1-2-4).

Assessment of Top Two Chances

Horse Name	Strengths	Weaknesses	Suitability
Billie Frechette (IRE)	Very high TimeWise rating (273.2262); exceptional form including an unlucky 2nd and a win over similar distances; retains plenty of appeal.	Recent third effort was ‘a bit flat’.	Proven form up to 2m 2f, suggesting 1m 6f is suitable.
Granns Boy (IRE)	High TimeWise rating (269.0919); recent winner over 2m 1f.	Not selected by the Spotlight.	Recent winning form over a slightly longer trip confirms suitability for staying distances.

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Race 8: 17:20 Curragh

1xbet.ie Supports Irish Racing Handicap (3yo+, 7f, Yielding, Handicap)

Rank	Horse Name	TimeWise Master Total Rating
1	Skippinandajumpin (IRE)	257.149
2	Mogwli (IRE)	243.7706

Recent Form and Comments

• Skippinandajumpin (IRE): Soundly beaten in maidens, but has shown improvement in both her handicap runs (6f and 8f). She has been slowly away in both handicap starts, but should get a suitable pace to run at today.
• Mogwli (IRE): Two of his eight wins came over 6f at the Curragh, but he is considered better over further nowadays. He won twice over 1m this term, including last time at Bellewstown, and needs more off a 5lb higher mark.

Spotlight Verdict

Having run well in handicaps over 6f and 8f, this trip (7f) might be optimum for Skippinandajumpin, though she could do with getting away a bit more alertly. Dagoda didn’t seem to stay 1m1f at Gowran last time and this dual course winner can do better back to this trip.

Race Statistics

• Age Groups: 3yo+. The breakdown is 3yo (4-8-54) and 4yo+ (5-17-119).
• Fate of Favourites: 2 wins, 0 placed (202001110).
• Trainer Records (W-PL-R): Gavin Cromwell (1-1-3), Gerard O’Leary (1-0-4), M C Grassick (1-0-4), M D O’Callaghan (1-0-1), Adrian McGuinness (0-1-3), J S Bolger (0-1-1), Mrs John Harrington (0-1-1), Ms Sheila Lavery (0-1-1).

Assessment of Top Two Chances

Horse Name	Strengths	Weaknesses	Suitability
Skippinandajumpin (IRE)	Highest TimeWise rating (257.149); progressing in handicaps; 7f may be her optimum distance.	Prone to being slowly away.	Expected to thrive at this 7f distance.
Mogwli (IRE)	Recent 1m winner; high TimeWise rating (243.7706).	Needs more off a 5lb higher mark; generally considered better suited to longer distances than 7f.	Trip suitability is questionable (better over further than 7f).