17:25 Curragh

Sunday 16 March 2025

All13:4014:1014:4015:1015:4516:2016:5517:25

Tote.ie Irish European Breeders Fund Maiden

Off time: 17:25 | Winning time: 1m 20.13s

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Selected odds by:

(14)

Alfred Tennyson²⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 87

5/1

Finished last season with his best effort to date in 4 starts, finishing creditable third of 11 in maiden at Leopardstown (6.5f, good), although didn't look the most straightforward under pressure (wore sheepskin noseband). Nevertheless, much respected on return for this trainer/jockey combination.

Form: 4553-

(15)

Ballintogher¹⁵⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: R P Whelan| T: K P Cotter

6/1

Speedily-bred son of Greogorian improved on debut form when third of 21 in maiden at this C&D (good to soft), deserving of extra credit for faring best of those who raced against the far rail. Could well be more progress to come.

Form: 63-

(1)

Chester Nimitz¹³⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: C T Keane| T: N Meade| OR: 85| BF

8/1

Profitable colt shaped with promise when second on debut at Navan (5.8f) last October, only bettered by a fairly useful sort. Bit disappointing that he didn't build on that effort when switched to the AW, third of 12 at Dundalk (6f) later that month, but remains of interest returning to the turf.

Form: 23-

(9)

Dmaniac¹⁵⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: M W Hassett⁽⁵⁾| T: M Hassett

14/1

Half-brother to a smart 6f winner and posted an encouraging effort over that distance on second start at the Curragh, clearly having learned from his debut experience. Since gelded and there could well be more to come.

Form: 72-

(10)

Far Above Dream⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: A J Casey⁽¹⁰⁾| T: D Hogan

200/1

Far Above gelding was too green to do himself justice in a claiming race on debut but he'll need to take his form to another level to cope with this marked step up in class.

Form: 5

(5)

Glen To Glen²³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Gabriella Hill⁽¹⁰⁾| T: J S Bolger

25/1

Failed to improve for his debut run when fourth of 8 in maiden (50/1) at Leopardstown (8f, good to soft). Is bred more for stamina than speed so this drop in distance isn't guaranteed to suit.

Form: 64-

(12)

Iceford¹⁵⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: B M Coen| T: J P Murtagh

6/1

Stepped forward from respectable debut when second of 11 in maiden at Naas (5.9f, good to soft) in October, pulling clear of the rest. Entitled to improve.

Form: 42-

(13)

Mathan¹⁴⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: D McMonagle| T: J P O'Brien| BF

6/4

Cost 215,000 gns as a yearling and built on encouraging racecourse bow when second of 19 in a maiden at Naas 144 days ago, pulling clear with another progressive sort. Merits strong consideration.

Form: 42-

(4)

Passing Phase¹⁶⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: S Foley| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 84| BF

11/1

Runner-up in a pair of a maidens, latest (having sweated up beforehand) when too keen behind a useful one, second of 8 in maiden at Cork (5f, soft). Has been gelded and should run well stepping back up in trip.

Form: 3622-

(6)

Teffian Warrior

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: C D Hayes| T: Ciaran Murphy

10/1

Starspangledbanner gelding fetched 50,000 gns as a yearling, dam was a winner up to 1m (2-y-o 7f winner). Stable not prolific with first time out 2-y-o winners.

Form:

(3)

Amavasya¹⁵⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: D E Sheehy| T: M C Grassick

100/1

Failed to improve for debut when twelfth of 21 in maiden at this C&D (good to soft). Could be one for handicaps and others have stronger claims on this occasion.

Form: 70-

(2)

Faye Presto¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: J J G Ryan⁽³⁾| T: J Davison

200/1

Gleneagles filly has finished down the field in a couple of Dundalk maidens and may do better when switched to handicaps. Best to look elsewhere.

Form: 00

(11)

Lady Mary Heath^h1

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: J A Powell⁽³⁾| T: A A Howard

80/1

Dragon Pulse filly, sister to 2-y-o 7f winner Lady Jane Wilde: dam twice-raced half-sister to smart winner up to 10.7f Jackaroo out of useful winner up to 1m (2-y-o 7f winner) Ardbrae Lady. May find this test on the sharp side and looks up against it on debut.

Form:

Non-Runners

(7)

Pedro Nunes

Weight: 9-8| Age: 3

T: A Murray J: D Egan

(8)

Pinmoney⁶⁰

Weight: 9-8| Age: 3

T: Daniel Murphy J: K J Leonard

(16)

Ze Do Asfalto¹⁶

Weight: 9-8| Age: 3

T: A Murray J: W J Lee

Forecasts

Mathan (6/4), Alfred Tennyson (5/1), Ballintogher (6/1), Iceford (6/1), Chester Nimitz (8/1), Teffian Warrior (10/1), Ze Do Asfalto (10/1), Pedro Nunes (10/1), Passing Phase (11/1), Dmaniac (14/1), Glen To Glen (25/1), Pinmoney (33/1), Lady Mary Heath (80/1), Amavasya (100/1), Far Above Dream (200/1), Faye Presto (200/1)

An expensive purchase, MATHAN has shown plenty on the track having only been bettered by a useful-looking rival when runner-up on his second start, and he is taken to make a winning return. Alfred Tennyson has already shown a fair level of ability and may improve as a 3-y-o, as might Passing Phase following a gelding operation, while Chester Nimitz could be a different proposition returned to the turf.