Portnahapple has ability to build on promising start with Curragh win
The Curragh Racecourse. Pic: Laszlo Geczo/Inpho
Two more meetings this afternoon, as the month of October continues towards its completion of 48 cards, and on the competitive programme in the Curragh, the Andy Oliver-trained Portnahapple looks the type to build upon a promising start to his career by taking the Final Furlong Podcast With 1XBET.ie Maiden.
Unraced at two, he made a belated debut late last month at this venue and was noted making good late progress into second place behind impressive winner Simurgh. He was just a neck in front of Appeared, who re-opposes, as do fourth-placed Seti One and ninth-placed Dior Noir.
That was over 10 furlongs and the way he finished that day and a look at his breeding suggests he will really appreciate the step up to a mile and a half.
By 2018 Epsom Derby winner Masar, he is out of a Mark Of Esteem mare, Shenir, who has already produced two smart sorts in the shapes of Mountain Bell (peaked at 105) and Future Investment (peaked at 97), both of which won over distances in excess of two miles.
Today’s conditions are unlikely to be as testing as they were last time, which should also help, and the promising sort can confirm debut form with those who finished behind him. Eroico and Carthusian are closely matched on recent form and have frame claims.
The DNG Handicap is a competitive sprint but Sarahmae has been a star for connections this season and can continue the fine run of Denis Hogan and Joey Sheridan.
The filly has won three times in 2025, all over five furlongs, but her runs over today’s six-furlong trip have been better than her finishing positions might suggest. Likely to be held on to for as long as possible, she can arrive late to land the spoils.
Tropical Retreat isn’t entirely straightforward but remains feasibly well treated off 83 and is respected, as is Staysound Susie, who ran so well in defeat on her most recent spin.
It will be good to see Hewick back in Thurles, and the former King George Winner should have little trouble seeing off his two rivals in the www.thurlesraces.ie Hurdle.
While he is ten years old and his best days are likely behind him, it was as recently as March that he won a hurdle over this course and distance, and he wasn’t disgraced in either the Grand National, after which he went to Auteuil and finished a well-beaten seventh in the French Champion Hurdle.
He is returning from a five-month absence now but with Paddy Hanlon’s 7lb claim, he is in receipt of that much from Run For Oscar, who is officially rated 20lbs inferior and is also a 10-year-old.
The latter has race fitness on his side but was well beaten on his most recent outing and faces an even tougher task now.
1:15 Ardad Ned
1:50 Starred
2:25 Sarahmae (nb)
3:00 Dontspoilasale
3:35 Isambard Brunel
4:10 Portnahapple (nap)
4:45 Lady Kai
5:20 Skippinandajumpin
1:15 Acclamatic
1:50 Lumiere Des Etoile
2:25 Tropical Retreat
3:00 Steel Magnolia
3:35 In My Teens
4:10 Appeared
4:45 Earthsong
5:20 Prime Sign
2:12 Qualimita
2:47 Wing Back
3:22 Nelson Muntz
3:55 Additional Time
4:27 Hewick
5:00 That's All
5:35 Get It Girl
2:12 Run For Mahler
2:47 The Border Boy
3:22 Tatateo
3:55 Heron’s Butler
4:27 Run For Oscar
5:00 Ladies Well
5:35 Long Goodbye
