Curragh · 5:05pm

Fitzpatrick's Garage Group Handicap

Flat (Turf) 6f GOOD TO FIRM 3yo+ 14 runners

Solid read Midnight Dusk is our pick, with Nakamura the main danger. Field updated — 3 non-runners removed.

No confirmed front-runner — likely a muddling, tactical gallop, where a handy early pitch and tactical speed matter. On recent form Valiant Force sets the standard (RPR 115). By our composite read Midnight Dusk shapes as the one they all have to beat — is proven at the trip. Note Bishopton for an in-form yard.

How it played out: Midnight Dusk won. Our top composite read Midnight Dusk finished 1st.

The key questions

How will the race be run?

No confirmed front-runner — likely a muddling, tactical gallop, where a handy early pitch and tactical speed matter.

Does the draw matter?

Low draws are favoured over sprint at Curragh (impact value 1.38, beating 48% of rivals on average).

Any unexposed improver?

The Piper's Call is lightly-raced with a profile to progress — the type to respect on potential.

Who's the main danger?

Nakamura is the chief threat to Midnight Dusk, met trouble last time.

Pace map — who goes forward, who waits

Leads 0

—

Prominent 11

2Midnight Dusk

4Nakamura

7Valiant Force

3Sommelier

16The Piper's Call

13Bishopton

15Real Encounter

5Unauthorized

10Fox In Flight

11Morehampton

9Mary Shoelaces

Mid-pack 2

17Clonmacash

6Inishfallen

Held up 1

14Go Athletico

Pace confidence: 100%

Draw & pace bias — impact value >1.0 = favoured

Low draws are favoured over sprint at Curragh (impact value 1.38, beating 48% of rivals on average).

Low draw

IV 1.38

48% rivals beaten · n=373

Mid draw

IV 1.06

48% rivals beaten · n=397

High draw

IV 1.02

53% rivals beaten · n=494

What the data likes (our composite read — not tips)

No. 1 read Midnight Dusk Races prominently Finished 1

Stall 2 · Trainer Jack Foley · Jockey W J Lee

Reliable and on the up — placed in 4 of his last 6, with the form figures climbing. The stable is in good heart at the track.

Ability rating

108 improving

Racing Post Rating, recent form

This track

Trainer 25% · Jockey 12%

strike rate at Curragh

Last time out

RPR 108

most recent run

Last 6 starts — oldest to most recent

133591 last time ←

DistanceEffective at the trip — won 2 of 5 around 6f

ConnectionsAt this course: trainer 25%, jockey 12%

DrawDrawn 2 (low third) — favoured here (impact value 1.38)

2 Nakamura Races prominently Finished 12

Stall 4 · Trainer J P Murtagh · Jockey Patrick McGettigan(5)

Going the right way — the form figures are on the climb. Met trouble in running last time, so he's better than that result looks; first-time blinkers could sharpen him up.

Ability rating

105 improving

Racing Post Rating, recent form

This track

Trainer 10% · Jockey 10%

strike rate at Curragh

Last time out

RPR 105

most recent run

Last 6 starts — oldest to most recent

148782 last time ←

DistanceEffective at the trip — won 2 of 8 around 6f

Course3 runs at the track without winning

ConnectionsAt this course: trainer 10%, jockey 10%

DrawDrawn 4 (low third) — favoured here (impact value 1.38)

First-time blinkers

Met trouble in running last time — better than the bare result

3 Valiant Force Races prominently Finished 13

Stall 7 · Trainer Robson De Aguiar · Jockey Donagh O'Connor

Holds solid claims on these figures. The stable is in good heart at the track.

Ability rating

115 steady

Racing Post Rating, recent form

This track

Trainer 25% · Jockey 10%

strike rate at Curragh

Last time out

RPR 76

most recent run

Last 6 starts — oldest to most recent

15101099 last time ←

GroundProven on firm — won 1 of 4

DistanceHas won around 6f — 1 from 9

Course1 run at the track without winning

ConnectionsAt this course: trainer 25%, jockey 10%

DrawDrawn 7 (mid third) — a fair draw (impact value 1.06)

Weakened in the closing stages last time

4 Sommelier Races prominently Finished 14

Stall 3 · Trainer Kieran P Cotter · Jockey Paddy Harnett(5)

Going the right way — the form figures are on the climb. Met trouble in running last time, so he's better than that result looks; first-time tongue-tie+blinkers could sharpen him up.

Ability rating

94 improving

Racing Post Rating, recent form

This track

Trainer 9% · Jockey 7%

strike rate at Curragh

Last time out

RPR 94

most recent run

Last 6 starts — oldest to most recent

1148715 last time ←

DistanceEffective at the trip — won 3 of 9 around 6f

CourseCourse winner — 1 from 3 here

ConnectionsAt this course: trainer 9%, jockey 7%

DrawDrawn 3 (low third) — favoured here (impact value 1.38)

First-time tongue-tie+blinkers

Met trouble in running last time — better than the bare result

5 The Piper's Call Races prominently Finished 5

Stall 16 · Trainer Daniel McLoughlin · Jockey Ben Coen

Going the right way — the form figures are on the climb.

Ability rating

93 improving

Racing Post Rating, recent form

This track

Trainer 10% · Jockey 10%

strike rate at Curragh

Last time out

RPR 93

most recent run

Last 3 starts — oldest to most recent

231 last time ←

DistanceEffective at the trip — won 1 of 3 around 6f

CourseCourse winner — 1 from 2 here

ConnectionsAt this course: trainer 10%, jockey 10%

DrawDrawn 16 (high third) — a fair draw (impact value 1.02)

Weakened in the closing stages last time

6 Bishopton Races prominently Finished 6

Stall 13 · Trainer Miss Natalia Lupini · Jockey Wayne Lordan

Holds solid claims on these figures. The stable is in good heart at the track.

Ability rating

91 steady

Racing Post Rating, recent form

This track

Trainer 13% · Jockey 10%

strike rate at Curragh

Last time out

RPR 84

most recent run

Last 6 starts — oldest to most recent

6721195 last time ←

DistanceUnproven at 6f (0 from 4)

Course1 run at the track without winning

ConnectionsAt this course: trainer 13%, jockey 10%

DrawDrawn 13 (high third) — a fair draw (impact value 1.02)

Stable hot (2/8, 25%)

Weakened in the closing stages last time

7 Real Encounter Races prominently Finished 3

Stall 15 · Trainer Mrs John Harrington · Jockey Shane Foley

A model of consistency — placed in 3 of his last 6.

Ability rating

83 steady

Racing Post Rating, recent form

This track

Trainer 9% · Jockey 10%

strike rate at Curragh

Last time out

RPR 81

most recent run

Last 6 starts — oldest to most recent

442162 last time ←

DistanceUnproven at 6f (0 from 3)

Course1 run at the track without winning

ConnectionsAt this course: trainer 9%, jockey 10%

DrawDrawn 15 (high third) — a fair draw (impact value 1.02)

Kept on last time — a stronger gallop or longer trip may suit

8 Unauthorized Races prominently Finished 8

Stall 5 · Trainer Aidan Melia · Jockey Rory Cleary

Going the right way — the form figures are on the climb.

Ability rating

84 improving

Racing Post Rating, recent form

This track

Trainer 0% · Jockey 5%

strike rate at Curragh

Last time out

RPR 84

most recent run

Last 6 starts — oldest to most recent

785171 last time ←

DistanceEffective at the trip — won 1 of 2 around 6f

Course2 runs at the track without winning

ConnectionsAt this course: trainer 0%, jockey 5%

DrawDrawn 5 (mid third) — a fair draw (impact value 1.06)

Weakened in the closing stages last time

9 Clonmacash Settles midfield Finished 4

Stall 17 · Trainer Adrian McGuinness · Jockey Declan McDonogh

Going the right way — the form figures are on the climb. Met trouble in running last time, so he's better than that result looks; first-time visor could sharpen him up.

Ability rating

91 improving

Racing Post Rating, recent form

This track

Trainer 11% · Jockey 12%

strike rate at Curragh

Last time out

RPR 83

most recent run

Last 6 starts — oldest to most recent

419535 last time ←

DistanceHas won around 6f — 2 from 21

CourseCourse winner — 1 from 4 here

ConnectionsAt this course: trainer 11%, jockey 12%

DrawDrawn 17 (high third) — a fair draw (impact value 1.02)

First-time visor

Met trouble in running last time — better than the bare result

10 Fox In Flight Races prominently Finished 9

Stall 10 · Trainer David Marnane · Jockey Luke McAteer

Reliable and on the up — placed in 4 of his last 6, with the form figures climbing.

Ability rating

83 improving

Racing Post Rating, recent form

This track

Trainer 12% · Jockey 10%

strike rate at Curragh

Last time out

RPR 83

most recent run

Last 6 starts — oldest to most recent

3138122 last time ←

DistanceUnproven at 6f (0 from 3)

Course3 runs at the track without winning

ConnectionsAt this course: trainer 12%, jockey 10%

DrawDrawn 10 (high third) — a fair draw (impact value 1.02)

Weakened in the closing stages last time

11 Go Athletico Held up, comes late Finished 2

Stall 14 · Trainer Adrian McGuinness · Jockey Ronan Whelan

Holds solid claims on these figures. First-time tongue-tie could sharpen him up.

Ability rating

81 steady

recent best — career high 113 in 2023

This track

Trainer 11% · Jockey 14%

strike rate at Curragh

Last time out

RPR 71

most recent run

Last 6 starts — oldest to most recent

771031512 last time ←

DistanceEffective at the trip — won 2 of 11 around 6f

CourseCourse winner — 1 from 8 here

ConnectionsAt this course: trainer 11%, jockey 14%

DrawDrawn 14 (high third) — a fair draw (impact value 1.02)

First-time tongue-tie

Weakened in the closing stages last time

12 Inishfallen Settles midfield Finished 11

Stall 6 · Trainer Stephen Thorne · Jockey Colin Keane

Form has dipped a little of late, so needs to bounce back. First-time cheekpieces could sharpen him up; the stable is in good heart at the track.

Ability rating

86 regressing

recent best — career high 100 in 2024

This track

Trainer 22% · Jockey 17%

strike rate at Curragh

Last time out

RPR 69

most recent run

Last 6 starts — oldest to most recent

4424610 last time ←

GroundYet to win on firm (0 from 7)

DistanceHas won around 6f — 1 from 16

ConnectionsAt this course: trainer 22%, jockey 17%

DrawDrawn 6 (mid third) — a fair draw (impact value 1.06)

First-time cheekpieces

Weakened in the closing stages last time

13 Morehampton Races prominently Finished 10

Stall 11 · Trainer J P Murtagh · Jockey Rory Mulligan(5)

Form has dipped a little of late, so needs to bounce back.

Ability rating

82 regressing

recent best — career high 94 in 2025

This track

Trainer 10% · Jockey 7%

strike rate at Curragh

Last time out

RPR 70

most recent run

Last 6 starts — oldest to most recent

35104115 last time ←

DistanceUnproven at 6f (0 from 3)

Course1 run at the track without winning

ConnectionsAt this course: trainer 10%, jockey 7%

DrawDrawn 11 (high third) — a fair draw (impact value 1.02)

Weakened in the closing stages last time

14 Mary Shoelaces Races prominently Finished 7

Stall 9 · Trainer Eddie & Patrick Harty · Jockey Jessica O'Gorman(7)

Form has dipped a little of late, so needs to bounce back.

Ability rating

75 regressing

Racing Post Rating, recent form

This track

Trainer 8% · Jockey 5%

strike rate at Curragh

Last time out

RPR 42

most recent run

Last 6 starts — oldest to most recent

1491106 last time ←

DistanceUnproven at 6f (0 from 6)

CourseCourse winner — 1 from 5 here

ConnectionsAt this course: trainer 8%, jockey 5%

DrawDrawn 9 (mid third) — a fair draw (impact value 1.06)

Figures from results history (RPR/TS), pace from running-style history, connections from trainer/jockey stats, breeding from sire aptitude. Shrunk for small samples. Information only, not betting advice. 18+. BeGambleAware.org.