2/10/25 Bellewstown & Clonmel

 On Wednesday both my picks finished 2nd. At Sligo Clonshire River led early having a  10 length advantage at halfway, that was reduced from 4 out and the 2/1 favourite was strongly pressed being passed on the run-in by Sayitfirst who won by 3 1/2 lengths. In the race at Bellewstown Escaping Thejungle led for a second time two out but the 5/2 favourite was passed soon after by Nezeeh who won by 1/2 a length. 

 There are 8 races at Bellewstown and 7 at Clonmel on Thursday with 2 features. 

Bellewstown 4.15: Kilsaran Race.

2: Angelo Pio: A useful colt who's last win came at Down Royal in June. He was a good 3rd at The Curragh 40 days ago where he sat 4th at halfway making progress from 2 out, he still had a chance in the final 100 yards but couldn't reach the front two. He just gets the vote here and can achieve a 3rd career win.

Clonmel 5.00: Irish Stallion Farms EBF Captain Christy Rated Novice Chase. 

2: Queen Of Mercy: A good horse who won on fences debut at Kilbeggan 27 days ago. She was 4th approaching halfway making progress into 2nd two out, she led at the last keeping on well and coming home by 7 1/2 lengths. A repeat of that performance should be enough to complete a hat-trick here.

1/10/25 Sligo & Bellewstown

 Tuesday's winner at Cork was Purview. The 11/5 favourite was 5th approaching halfway improving into 3rd two out, he led in the final 150 yards keeping on well to beat Cadogan by 1 1/4 lengths. The other pick Joyful Tidings was 5th in a race won by Nakamura who beat Cisterna by 2 1/4 lengths. 

 October begins on Wednesday with 7 races at both Sligo and Bellewstown with 2 main events. 

Sligo 3.00: Eddie McAllister Memorial Novice Handicap Chase. 

2: Clonshire River: A decent horse who finally opened his account at Limerick in May. He was a good second when last seen at Kilbeggan 26 days ago where he disputed the lead getting to the front approaching the last, he was passed in the final 100 yards making no further impression. The drop in trip here isn't a worry and he can go one better. 

Bellewstown 3.58: WTW Willis Handicap. 

7: Escaping TheJungle: A 3 time course and distance winner her latest coming 36 days ago. She led early being strongly pressed from 2 out, she stayed on well in the closing stages leading for a second time at the line coming home by a short head. She is a big player who should follow up here. 

30/9/25 Cork

 Monday's winner came at Roscommon where Westport Cove made all the running and despite a mistake the 4/6 favourite kept on well from 2 out beating Special Cadeau by 1 1/4 lengths. Over at Down Royal Running Point was 3rd in a race won by Stars Will Shine who beat Celestial Siren by 4 3/4 lengths. 

 On Tuesday there are 8 races at Cork with 2 standing out. 

2.15: Irish Stallion Farms EBF Nursery Handicap. 

2: Joyful Tidings: A useful horse who after winning on debut at Tipperary was fifth at The Curragh 2 weeks ago. He was in midfield early coming under pressure from a furlong out, he kept on at the same pace close to home having no extra. There is more to come and he can taste victory again here on nursery debut. 

4.15: Irish Stallion Farms EBF Navigation Stakes.

4: Purview: A smart horse who was 2nd in a pair of group three's at Leopardstown earlier this year. He was last seen finishing 5th at Deauville in a listed race 44 days ago but if he can reproduce his form from the beginning of this season then he is the one to beat here. 

29/9/25 Down Royal & Roscommon

 The best on a very poor Sunday at The Curragh came from My Mate Alfie who was 5th in a race won by Art Power who beat King Cuan by a neck. In the Irish Cesarewitch Ascending was 6th with the contest going to Puturhandstogether who beat Chally Chute by 1/2 a length. 

 A Monday double header sees 7 races at Down Royal and 8 at Roscommon with 2 highlights. 

Down Royal 3.14: Irish EBF Auction Series Fillies Maiden. 

11: Running Point: A promising horse who was a good second at Naas five weeks ago. She was 7th a furlong out making headway to take 2nd in the closing stages. She should progress further here and can open her account at the 3rd attempt. 

Roscommon 4.35: Ballymore Group Irish EBF Kilbegnet Novice Chase (Grade 3.)

4: Westport Cove: A good horse who has improved over fences winning at Ballinrobe in May and then finishing 2nd behind Gold Dancer in a Grade 3 at Galway when last seen 60 days ago. He had a five length lead at halfway but that was reduced and he was passed close to home. He can build on that here and go one better

28/9/25 The Curragh

 Saturday's best came at The Curragh where Geryon was 2nd. The 9/4 shot was 4th at halfway improving into 3rd early in the final furlong, he kept on at one pace taking 2nd close to home. Hawk Mountain won by 3 1/4 lengths. In the Goffs Million Composing was 3rd with the contest going to Dorset who beat August George by 1 1/4 lengths while at Listowel Antrim Coast was 5th in a race won by El Champo who beat General Clermont by 1/2 a length. 

 There are 8 races at The Curragh on Sunday with 2 features. 

3.12: Tote Guaranteed Never Beaten By Sp Renaissance Stakes (Group 3.)

4: My Mate Alfie: A three-time course and distance winner including this race 12 months ago who got back on track with two runner-up efforts here in the summer. A change of tactics didn't pay off in the sprint Cup at Haydock last time but he can win this again.

4.22: Friends Of The Curragh Irish Cesarewitch. 

7: Ascending: A horse having a good year who after winning at Cork and Royal Ascot was an excellent 2nd in the Ebor at York 36 days ago. He led from 2 out but was passed soon after, he kept on well without troubling the winner. He goes back up in trip here and can pick up a 5th career win. 

27/9/25 The Curragh & Listowel

 The best on a poor Friday came at Listowel where Spy finished 4th in a race won by Casheldale Lad who beat Lord Erskine by 1 1/4 lengths. Over at Dundalk You Got To Me was 12th with the contest going to Phantom Flight who beat Ameerat Jumaira by 2 1/2 lengths. 

 Eight races at The Curragh take centre stage on Saturday where there are 2 main events. 

2.35: Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club Beresford Stakes (Group 2.)

2: Geryon: A decent horse who showed improvement when 2nd in the Futurity Stakes on this course five weeks ago. He travelled well tracking the leader but made no impression inside the final furlong. The longer trip here will definitely suit and he is the one to beat. 

3.45: Goffs Million.

23: Composing: A promising horse who has been a course and distance winner her last being a group 2 in August. She wasn't seen at her best when 4th in the Moyglare Stud Stakes here 2 weeks ago but that should be discounted and she sets a high standard  giving her an excellent chance to quickly get back to winning ways. 

There are also 7 races at Listowel where in the 4.30 my pick is number 10 Antrim Coast.

26/9/25 Listowel & Dundalk

 Thursday's winner at Listowel was Carrigmoornaspruce. The 8/13 favourite led early going 3 lengths clear before the last, she kept on well on the run-in comfortably beating Run For Mahler by 5 1/2 lengths. The days other pick Shaboozee was 4th in a race won by Last Kingdom who beat Puturhandstogether by 2 1/4 lengths. 

 A Friday double header sees 8 races at both Listowel and Dundalk with 2 standing out. 

Listowel 3.08: William Hill Each Way Extra Handicap Hurdle. 

11: Spy: A smart horse who was last seen  winning at Killarney 36 days ago. He challenged 4 out being left in the lead after a faller soon after, he was 3 lengths clear 2 out keeping on well and comfortably beating the reopposing Come On The Lads by 2 3/4 lengths. He should cope with a weight rise and follow up here. 

Dundalk 7.15: Bar One Racing Best Odds Guaranteed Diamond Stakes. 

7: You Got To Me: A good horse who won the Irish Oaks last summer and then finished 2nd in a Group 1 at York. She has disappointed in her last two starts including a 7th in the Coronation Cup. Despite those performances she is hard to look past here on her first start for a new yard and she can pick up a 4th career win.