Fairyhouse - Thu 28 May 2026
With the benefit of a run to his name, Paddy Twomey's JOGA BONITO should be hard to beat. A warm-order favourite on his debut at Roscommon, he shaped up quite nicely when finishing fourth behind Dancing Destiny, only weakening inside the final furlong. It's no surprise to see him coming back in distance for his second start and he looks the one to beat. Tatianna took third spot over 5f at Cork and should take a step forward from that effort. Lars Soldier won over 5f in testing conditions at the Curragh last month and wasn't beaten all that far at Group 3 level at the same course subsequently. He could yet rate as big a danger as the newcomers Citrus Springs and Pisiffik Ginger.
GLORIOUSLY GLAM is likely to be all the rage to follow up last week's Gowran Park success in a similar contest to this. On that occasion, she notched up her fourth career win when edging out the maiden Profit Surge by half a length and the pair reoppose on identical terms. The latter is tried in blinkers for the first time, but has it all to do to turn the tables on her younger rival. Mehmar was rated 91 after winning back-to-back races in the summer of 2024 but hasn't shown anything like that form since, while Tawaazon was a winner at Naas around this time last year off 65, having once boasted a handicap mark of 92. However, he hasn't run in 10 months.
BAIANA made a winning seasonal reappearance in a maiden at Sligo and can score again on her handicap debut. In action for the first time since October, she made most of the running to win at the beginning of the month, again finishing ahead of Jackie Jump Up, who now takes her on for the third time. Stone Bear has two wins over 6f at Dundalk to her name and was a close-up third over 5f at Naas last time. She is sure to appreciate the step back up in trip and is certainly another to note along with top-weight Treasured Royal, who ran a big race of her own at Naas on her most recent outing.
I'M SPARTACUS, a six-time winner over this distance on the all-weather, can land his first success on turf. With a clearer run inside the final furlong, he would have finished closer to the leaders in a stronger race at the Curragh earlier in the month and if in the same form, he shouldn't be all that far away. There are any number in with chances, with the consistent Happy Henry among them on the back of a couple of placed efforts. Whatswrongnow arrives having run well when second at Cork, while Jazzy Dancer has a two-month absence to overcome but has a chance on the pick of his winter all-weather form.
FORTUITY ran her best race so far when runner-up at Roscommon and could well go a place better. She led over a furlong from the finish but couldn't match race favourite Substance when challenged late on. Back down in distance slightly, she will surely play a leading role once again and is just preferred to Kc Bear, who was a winner over 6f at Dundalk in December and narrowly lost out when tried over a mile at the same venue in March. Top-weight Venetian Star also drops back to 7f after two decent efforts over a mile at the Curragh and is fancied along with Royal County Glory, who won over this trip at Dundalk last month.
SMITHFIELD looks up to winning a race of this nature off his current mark. The Dark Angel gelding lost out narrowly on his debut at Galway last summer and hasn't really reproduced that level of form since. However, he showed more when finishing a solid fourth over a mile at Limerick on his return and this step back up in trip looks the right move. She's Ideal has produced two fair efforts the last twice, most recently sporting first-time cheekpieces when fourth at Cork, and she should remain competitive. Recent Roscommon winner Doctor Grace is another for the shortlist.
MAI DAHLIA could prove the one to beat after a very promising debut effort at Naas 11 days ago. The Too Darn Hot filly had to angle out for a run before finishing off really well when just touched off in third behind Totally Puzzled. She may again hold Guardian Of Realm, who finished sixth that day, after running freely early on. Mathoura was runner-up to a smart-looking sort in Dark Lucinda on her debut at Gowran Park earlier in the month and could play a big role now. Money for the Paddy Twomey-trained newcomer Mandara Mist would be noteworthy.
Citrus Springs cost a few quid at the breeze-ups and is with a top yard so it would be no surprise to see him strike on debut, but JOGA BONITO made a promising debut despite looking to be stretched by an extended 7f at Roscommon on debut - he was also green in front - and improvement on that can see him off the mark at the second attempt. Lars Soldier is respected down in grade and needs considering also, while High King could do much better at the second attempt for his good yard.
A weak claimer that can go to GLORIOUSLY GLAM, who collected at this level last time at Gowran Park. She's the clear selection at the weights, although Profit Surge fared well enough last time also and now gets first-time blinkers which could boost her. Third choice is Mehmar, another who gets first-time headgear.
Treasured Royal is coming off a good run at Naas when tried in a first-time hood, finishing third, and she can again go well but the better option might be BAIANA. Joseph O'Brien's filly has improved with each start, winning a Sligo maiden last time, and surely has more to offer from an opening mark of 76. All Hail is third choice having shown improved form on her third and final outing in qualifying. She could be open to improvement now handicapping.
Loads to consider here but it's RODEEVE whpo appeals most with the drop to sprinting an interesting move. Her mark continues to fall and she's preferred to Happy Henry as the selection, though that one is a consistent sort again likely to give his running. Of the others both Jazzy Dancer, well treated on the pick of his AW efforts, and Whatswrongnow, back to form at Cork last time, others to consider.
It's hard to knock the claims of KC BEAR in this given he's been most progressive on the AW from 6-8f and could prove ideally suited by the 7f trip here now on turf. His mark still looks fair. Royal County Glory, another in good form on the AW, looks the main danger back on turf for the first time since year, while top weight Venetian Star has been in fair enough form and could benefit from a return to sound surface.
Je Suis Celebre is a possible improver upped in trip, having only had a few runs and still being open to improvement, but MOYASSR fared better on turf last time at Leopardstown and the step up in trip could suit him ideally, so he's got a good chance. Smithfield is coming off an improved fourth at Limerick and, like the selection, could raise his game now upped in trip, while Doctor Grace is a last-time-out winner still on a competitive mark.
Guardian Of Realm hasn't progressed as expected and there's a doubt about how well she'll settle now upped in trip - she was too keen last time over 1m. This should go to either MAI DAHLIA or Mathoura, with a slightly preference for the Joseph O'Brien runner. She shaped well when third over 1m at Naas on debut and ought to relish the exra yardage of today's contest, although Mathoura ran to a decent level on debut herself and it would be no surprise were she to get off the mark.
Whilst studying the form, we have a dedicated horse racing free bets page where you can find offers on all today's racing, as well as offers to use for races on our Ante-Post Prices page, which has markets available for upcoming major meetings as well as the Grand National 2026, Royal Ascot 2026 and Cheltenham Festival 2026.
