*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
The 2023 Flat turf season in Ireland starts with a bang courtesy of the Paddy Power Irish Lincolnshire at the Curragh.
A maximum field of 27 runners and riders will tackle the Premier Handicap, and the Brits could strike gold with a couple of raiders in the form of Lattam and Totally Charming – boasting the eye-catching booking of Irish champion jockey Colin Keane – among the leading contenders.
The globetrotting I Am Superman heads the weights off a mark of 106 for Saturday’s 15:25, while trainer Adrian McGuinness saddles nine runners including last year’s runner-up Comfort Line.
Paddy Power Irish Lincolnshire odds can be found on the Paddy Power website, Paddy Power app or via our snazzy betting widgets, otherwise Timeform’s horse-by-horse guide to the runners and betting tips from the racing boffins are below.
Paddy Power Irish Lincolnshire tips
Timeform: Johnny Murtagh took this prestigious event 12 months ago and can repeat the feat with his dual C&D scorer CARRYTHEONE, who still has relatively few miles on the clock and can build on his good fifth in 2022 with promising 10 lb claimer Yudish Geerdharry an eye-catching booking. Adrian McGuinness comes here mob-handed and his handily-weighted Comfort Line (second last season) could emerge as the pick on his yard debut. English-trained duo Totally Charming and Lattam complete the shortlist.
Paddy Power Irish Lincolnshire runners
I Am Superman
Trainer: M. D. O’Callaghan Jockey: William James Lee Age: 7 Weight: 10st 1lbs Draw: 3
Seventeen runs since last win in 2019. 7¼ lengths ninth of 14 to Alfareeq in Jebel Hatta at Meydan (9f, good, 40/1) 21 days ago. Merits consideration if shrugging off latest effort.
***
Totally Charming
Trainer: George Boughey Jockey: C. T. Keane Age: 5 Weight: 9st 13lbs Draw: 22
One of the most progressive handicappers around last season and bagged a fourth success in 15-runner handicap at Doncaster (7f, heavy) in October, well on top at the finish. Player back at 1m with more to offer for excellent yard.
****
Fastnet Crown
Trainer: M. D. O’Callaghan Jockey: J. Coen Age: 6 Weight: 9st 12lbs Draw: 16
C&D winner. Creditable 6¼ lengths seventh of 14 to Global Storm in Dubai City of Gold (66/1) at Meydan (12f, good) 21 days ago, having hopeless task from position. Cheekpieces back on and well in the mix.
***
Carrytheone
Trainer: John Patrick Murtagh Jockey: C. Geerdharry Age: 6 Weight: 9st 11lbs Draw: 30
Dual C&D winner but not seen out in 2022 after posting a good sixth of 18 over C&D in June when needing stronger gallop. Fifth in this last year and interesting with talented 10 lb claimer in the saddle now for last year’s winning yard.
*****
Current Option
Trainer: Adrian McGuinness Jockey: S. McCullagh Age: 7 Weight: 9st 11lbs Draw: 18
11/2, below form third of 6 in minor event at Dundalk (8f) 15 days ago. Yard having good spell so could easily bounce back.
***
Cosmic Vega
Trainer: M. Halford & T. Collins Jockey: R. P. Whelan Age: 5 Weight: 9st 10lbs Draw: 27
Career best when winning 7-runner minor event at Naas (8f, heavy, 15/2) by ¾ length from Emporio. Off 139 days but still needs considering.
***
Good Heavens
Trainer: Joseph Patrick O’Brien Jockey: D. B. McMonagle Age: 4 Weight: 9st 9lbs Draw: 11
14/1, not disgraced when fourth of 6 to Irish Point in Kingsfurze Novices’ Hurdle at Naas (15.4f, soft) 13 days ago, going in snatches. Can give a good account back in this sphere.
***
Big Gossey
Trainer: Charles O’Brien Jockey: D. E. Sheehy Age: 6 Weight: 9st 8lbs Draw: 26
Course winner. Respectable 3¾ lengths second of 10 to Moss Tucker in listed race at this course (6f, heavy, 14/1). Off 153 days. Significantly up in trip and not discounted with tongue strap back on.
***
Emporio
Trainer: Donnacha Aidan O’Brien Jockey: P. A. Harnett Age: 5 Weight: 9st 8lbs Draw: 21
C&D winner. Creditable ¾-length second of 7 to Cosmic Vega in minor event at Naas (8f, heavy, 15/8). Off 139 days. Can make his presence felt.
***
Saltonstall
Trainer: Adrian McGuinness Jockey: Adam Caffrey Age: 9 Weight: 9st 8lbs Draw: 20
C&D winner. Improved on recent efforts to win 14-runner handicap (6/1) at Leopardstown (8f, soft), suited by way race developed. Off 154 days. Stable going well so likely to continue in form.
***
Casanova
Trainer: Adrian McGuinness Jockey: J. J. G. Ryan Age: 7 Weight: 9st 6lbs Draw: 6
Fourth of 6 in minor event (9/1) at Dundalk (10.7f) 29 days ago, not knocked about on his first outing for four months. Came in fourth in this event 12 months ago and yard in good form too so very much one to consider.
****
Mashhoor
Trainer: John Patrick Murtagh Jockey: S. B. Kelly Age: 5 Weight: 9st 5lbs Draw: 29
Impressive course winner last May but he came in last of 18 in handicap at Royal Ascot (12f, good to firm) 9 months ago. Well worth another chance back on this softer surface with few miles still on the clock.
****
Dha Leath
Trainer: Gavin Patrick Cromwell Jockey: G. F. Carroll Age: 5 Weight: 9st 4lbs Draw: 15
Four wins from 8 runs last year. Career best when winning 16-runner handicap at Naas (10f, heavy, 4/1), responding well. Off 139 days. Not dismissed.
***
Finans Bay
Trainer: Adrian McGuinness Jockey: Declan McDonogh Age: 6 Weight: 9st 1lbs Draw: 1
5/1, first run since leaving M. Halford when respectable third of 8 in handicap at Dundalk (10.7f) 15 days ago. Back down in trip. Trainer going well so not taken lightly.
****
Maud Gonne Spirit
Trainer: Mrs J. Harrington Jockey: Shane Foley Age: 6 Weight: 9st 1lbs Draw: 9
One win from 2 runs last year. Latest win at Gowran in September. 16/1, 20¼ lengths eleventh of 13 to Statement in Concorde Stakes at Tipperary (7.4f, soft). Off 174 days. Not easy to make a case for.
**
Miss Mirabell
Trainer: John Patrick Murtagh Jockey: J. A. Powell Age: 4 Weight: 9st 1lbs Draw: 25
Below-form fifth of 8 in handicap (7/2) at Dundalk (8f) 29 days ago. Cheekpieces refitted and needs to bounce back.
**
Star Harbour
Trainer: Adrian McGuinness Jockey: G. M. Ryan Age: 5 Weight: 9st 1lbs Draw: 10
Excellent third of 13 in novice hurdle (16/1) at Leopardstown (16f, good to soft) 19 days ago. Yard in good form and can make presence felt once again in this event (3rd in 2022).
****
Cordouan
Trainer: Adrian McGuinness Jockey: Jack Cleary Age: 5 Weight: 8st 13lbs Draw: 23
One win from 3 runs last year. Latest win at Laytown in September. 4/1, respectable third of 14 in handicap at Dundalk (8f), having to pick way through. Off 141 days. Considered for his in-form handler.
***
Laelaps
Trainer: Andrew McNamara Jockey: J. Kearney Age: 5 Weight: 8st 13lbs Draw: 17
First run since leaving Mrs J. Harrington when seventh of 21 in novice hurdle at Naas (15.5f, good to soft, 28/1) on NH debut 27 days ago. Significantly back down in trip with more needed.
***
Celtic Crown
Trainer: Adrian McGuinness Jockey: C. J. MacRedmond Age: 6 Weight: 8st 12lbs Draw: 2
C&D winner. 14/1, first run since leaving Joseph G. Murphy when good third of 12 in handicap at Dundalk (8f) 15 days ago. Can go well again for her new yard.
***
Joe Masseria
Trainer: Noel Meade Jockey: L. F. Roche Age: 4 Weight: 8st 11lbs Draw: 28
13/2, good 2 lengths fourth of 14 to Saltonstall in handicap at Leopardstown (8f, soft). Off 154 days but he’s one for the shortlist.
***
Lattam
Trainer: William Haggas Jockey: C. D. Hayes Age: 4 Weight: 8st 10lbs Draw: 24
Lope De Vega gelding who landed first 2 starts in novice company at up to 1m last July. Eleventh of 16 in handicap at York (10.2f, good to soft) in October but highly likely there’s still more to come from this lightly-raced gelding.
****
Comfort Line
Trainer: Adrian McGuinness Jockey: M. P. Sheehy Age: 6 Weight: 8st 8lbs Draw: 5
18/1, respectable sixth of 14 in handicap at Leopardstown (8f, soft) in October on his final run for Michael Mulvany. Starts out for new stable off a handy-looking mark and runner-up in this contest 12 months ago so merits serious consideration.
****
Eastern Wind
Trainer: T. G. McCourt Jockey: R. Whearty Age: 4 Weight: 8st 8lbs Draw: 8
Visored for 1st time, 9 lengths last of 14 to Juncture in listed race at Dundalk (8f, 125/1). Off 141 days. Cheekpieces back on. Enters calculations if producing her A-game.
***
No More Porter
Trainer: Adrian McGuinness Jockey: W. M. Lordan Age: 5 Weight: 8st 8lbs Draw: 14
Creditable second of 20 in handicap at this course (6f, heavy, 6/1). Off 6 months. First run for yard after leaving J. J. Feane. Tongue strap on 1st time. Should continue to give a good account.
***
Inchturk
Trainer: M. Halford & T. Collins Jockey: N. G. McCullagh Age: 4 Weight: 8st 7lbs Draw: 13
Last of 10 in handicap at Navan (10f, heavy, 25/1). Off 157 days with work to do.
**
San Aer
Trainer: Thomas Mullins Jockey: N. M. Crosse Age: 5 Weight: 8st 7lbs Draw: 19
Course winner. Latest win at Galway in October. Below form 12¾ lengths fourth of 16 to Dha Leath in handicap at Naas (10f, heavy, 17/2), never nearer. Off 139 days. Others more persuasive.
**
Sirjack Thomas
Trainer: Adrian McGuinness Jockey: Reserve Age: 8 Weight: 8st 7lbs Draw: 4
RESERVE
C&D winner. Fourteenth of 16 in handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse (16f, heavy, 12/1) 94 days ago. Off 94 days. Trainer going well. Fifteen runs since last win in 2021.
***
Vocal Studies
Trainer: J. S. Bolger Jockey: Reserve Age: 4 Weight: 8st 7lbs Draw: 7
RESERVE
Lightly-raced winner. Winner at Galway in October. Well-beaten tenth of 16 to Dha Leath in handicap at Naas (10f, heavy, 4/1). Off 139 days. Plenty to find on form.
**
Smooth Tom
Trainer: A. Slattery Jockey: Reserve Age: 4 Weight: 8st 7lbs Draw: 12
RESERVE
Course winner. Respectable fourth of 10 in handicap (6/1) at Navan (10f, heavy). Off 157 days and no forlorn hope.
***
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