Listowel - Tue 22 Sep 2026
CHURCHILL BOND is steadily improving between runs and makes plenty of appeal in a maiden like this with a first-time visor a potential source of progression. Speakers Corner failed to build on a pleasing Curragh debut when down the field at Goodwood but he could easily bounce back in blinkers. Loughrea N Roll is another to bear in mind for an in-form yard.
SHE'S ON THE BALL wasn't winning out of turn at Cork latest following a pleasing third at Sligo and there could yet be more to come from this in-form three-year-old. She always looked in command that day and is expected to confirm form with the second Cisterna, while Tariff was third and it might be another supporting role for him.
Alissam is really interesting returning from an absence and given his unexposed profile. He sports a first-time tongue-tie on his handicap bow and the market may tell us more, but SHE'S TOO KOOL is race-fit following a recent Chester triumph and is preferred with Colin Keane booked. Roscommon third Mercurial also has the form in the book to win a race like this.
Jagged Edge returned to winning ways in a Listed contest at Killarney and the four-year-old is expected to play a leading role in proceedings once again. That said, the vote goes to MERIDEN. Denis Hogan's filly progressed nicely through the handicap ranks prior to winning at this level at Killarney in July. She wasn't at all disgraced in the Matron when beaten just over five lengths and the drop in grade gives her a strong chance to get her head back in front. Qualixia makes her first appearance for Joseph O'Brien and it will be interesting to see how the betting market reacts on her Irish debut.
OKLAHOMA hasn't quite gone on from his debut effort when runner-up to Giant Sequoia at the Curragh but this may be the time to catch him. Turned over at Killarney, he could only manage seventh in the Convivial at York last time but the son of Wootton Bassett faces easier opposition here and can get off the mark. Oristown Boy won a Galway maiden before finishing third at Roscommon and appears to be the main threat, while others to note are Banks Of The Boyne and Romance.
GALILEO NOIR shaped well at Naas on seasonal debut before winning a Curragh maiden over 1m1f. He's been off since a disappointing effort on a much sounder surface at Naas in May, but could be on a fair mark for his handicap debut. Son Of Beauty suffered a heavy defeat when last seen in June, but his earlier handicap form makes him worthy of respect. Victory Tip is another that lacks a recent outing and he has plenty of weight, but his second in a rated race over this trip at Naas in May was a smart effort. First and second over slightly shorter at Roscommon, Goal Exceeded and Morehampton are most effective at right-handed courses.
Impressive Galway winner Vantage Code and BAY OF STARS both finished down the field in the Melrose at York and the pair are entitled to bounce back. Preference, though, is for the latter, who had been running well in defeat with placed efforts at Leopardstown and Down Royal, shaping as though this trip would aid his cause. Handicap debutant Count Bezukhov commands plenty of respect with the likelihood of more to come on just his fourth start.
LOUGHREA N ROLL was given too much to do behind a more experienced rival on debut over 7f but finished strongly and could prove tough to beat if building on that. Churchill Bond has an experience edge and has proven consistent in her short career. She looks the chief threat ahead of Speakers Corner who looks the pick of the Aidan O'Brien pair on jockey bookings. He was undone by a poor draw last time but should be capable of better in first time blinkers.
Veteran BRAINS may be able to snap his long losing run here. He has dropped 7lb below his last winning mark but has been running back into form of late on ground quicker than ideal. Back on an easy surface he can defeat Cisterna who returned to form when runner up last time and is just 1lb above his last winning mark. The unexposed Oppenheimer failed to stay 1m last time but was progressing prior to that and can also make his presence felt in an open contest.
SHE'S TOO KOOL belatedly got off the mark in a UK novice last time and looks well treated returned to handicaps. That latest run proved she handles cut in the ground and the booking of Colin Keane suggests another big run is expected. She is picked to follow up at the expense of Nakamura who looks on a generous mark judged on his penultimate runner up effort but has to prove his stamina for this far. The steadily progressive La La Lucrative was only caught late recently at Galway and that form has been franked so he should also be on the premises.
JAGGED EDGE has to carry a penalty for his win in the Ruby Stakes last time but he isn't finished progressing at 1m and is fancied to follow up. He's proven himself versatile ground wise and is chosen ahead of a pair of fellow Listed winner in Meriden and Qualixia. The former has proven hugely progressive this term racking up a sequence and will find this much easier than the Group 1 she contested last time. The latter is yet to race on these shores or this year but she was a Listed winner on easy ground in France when last seen. She has joined a top stable which has done well with similar recruits and should have more to offer.
A tight contest can go to ROMANCE who sprung a surprise on her handicap debut last time over 7f. Her sire's progeny tend to improve with racing and she is also bred to relish this extra distance. Banks Of The Boyne has an experience edge and has been progressing steadily recently. Her latest run is worth marking up as she did too much too soon and although she will need to improve again to figure at this level she is respected. Maiden winner Oristown Boy was far from disgraced in a better race which has been boosted last time and can also play a part in an open contest.
HIGHBURY SEE SEE can take advantage of a light weight here. He remains 2lb below his last winning mark despite returning to form when placing last time stepped back up to 1m. A return to an easier surface will suit here and he can see off Eddie G who has been in career best form this summer completing a double. He looks well treated back in a handicap and can fill the places with in form Goal Exceeded who needed every yard when a winner over 7 1/2f last time and is only 3lb higher.
A hot contest where Sunrush looks the obvious place to start having shed his maiden tag when upped to 14f last time. That form has been franked by the runner up so he holds strong claims off 6lb higher. However one who could improve significantly for the step up in trip is COUNT BEZUKHOV who shaped like a stayer when placing under a penalty over 12f last time. His opening mark looks extremely lenient and if handling the softer ground he could be tough to beat. There wasn't much between Huff'n'puff and Bay Of Stars in the Ulster Derby earlier in the season where both did too much too soon. They can fight it out for the final place on the podium.
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