Joseph O’Brien fires seven darts at Sunday’s 16:25 at the Curragh in a bid to land the Irish Cesarewitch for the second season in a row.
The dual-purpose handler saddled Magellan Strait to a shock 150/1 success in last year’s renewal and the reigning champion will attempt to defend his hard-earned crown.
Galway Hurdle hero Nurburgring appears to be the pick of the stable’s septet, however, and last season’s third Dawn Rising is also in the mix for the yard.
In fact, the top five from the renewal of 12 months ago are all back for another crack as the second (Falcon Eight), fourth (Jesse Evans) and fifth (My Mate Mozzie) take their place in the line-up.
Aidan O’Brien landed the Irish Cesarewitch spoils with Waterville in 2022 and the Ballydoyle maestro relies on The Euphrates, who was last seen finishing a creditable fourth in the Irish St Leger last time out, for Sunday’s big race.
The latest Irish Cesarewitch odds are on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise Timeform’s guide to the runners as well as betting tips from the racing boffins can be found below.
Irish Cesarewitch 2024 verdict
Timeform: A highly competitive renewal of the Irish Cesarewitch but THE EUPHRATES looks to have got in lightly for his handicap debut on the back of his excellent Irish St Leger fourth so gets the vote. Gavin Cromwell’s improving filly Sixandahalf could emerge as the main danger to Aidan O’Brien’s 3-y-o, although lots of others need factoring in, chiefly Nurburgring, Spasiba, Chally Chute and Dawn Rising.
*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
Irish Cesarewitch 2024 runners and riders
The following horses have been declared for the Irish Cesarewitch 2024.
Tashkhan
Trainer: Brian Ellison Jockey: Ben Robinson Age: 6 Weight: 10st 2lbs Draw: 12
Visored for 1st time, creditable third of 11 in handicap (9/2) at Chester (15.9f, soft) 15 days ago, needing stiffer test. Claims.
***
Naqeeb
Trainer: William Haggas Jockey: Jim Crowley Age: 4 Weight: 9st 12lbs Draw: 14
Fifteenth of 20 in handicap at York (13.8f, good to firm, 10/1) 36 days ago, slowly away. Back up in trip. Tongue strap back on. Needs a couple of these to falter.
**
Falcon Eight
Trainer: D. K. Weld Jockey: C. D. Hayes Age: 9 Weight: 9st 11lbs Draw: 19
Course winner. 40/1, below form eleventh of 18 in handicap at Galway (12f, soft) 58 days ago, merely closing up late. Significantly back up in trip. Blinkers back on. Can make presence felt if shrugging off latest effort.
***
Chally Chute
Trainer: M. Halford & T. Collins Jockey: R. P. Whelan Age: 6 Weight: 9st 10lbs Draw: 28
Course winner. Fifth of 14 in novice hurdle at Killarney (16.4f, good to soft, 6/4) on NH debut 36 days ago. Significantly up in trip. Trainer going well. Solid each-way chance.
***
Dawn Rising
Trainer: Joseph Patrick O’Brien Jockey: Declan McDonogh Age: 7 Weight: 9st 9lbs Draw: 26
3/1, respectable third of 9 in minor event at Royal Ascot (21.6f, good to firm). Off 99 days. Down in trip. Looks competitive on form.
***
Divine Comedy
Trainer: Harry Eustace Jockey: Richard Kingscote Age: 6 Weight: 9st 9lbs Draw: 11
Six wins from 21 Flat runs. Latest win at Haydock in May. 10/1, respectable eighth of 15 in handicap at Haydock (14f, good) 22 days ago. No forlorn hope.
***
Taipan
Trainer: Mrs J. Harrington Jockey: Shane Foley Age: 6 Weight: 9st 9lbs Draw: 15
1 win from 2 runs this year. Latest win at Galway in August. Eighth of 12 in handicap at Killarney (14.4f, good to soft, 9/2) 37 days ago so needs to bounce back.
***
A Piece Of Heaven
Trainer: Joseph Patrick O’Brien Jockey: L. T. McAteer Age: 6 Weight: 9st 7lbs Draw: 3
1 win from 3 runs this year. 6/1, 25 lengths third of 5 to Grosvenor Square in Irish St Leger Trial at this course (14f, good to firm) 43 days ago. Enters calculations.
***
Derida
Trainer: Joseph Patrick O’Brien Jockey: N. M. Crosse Age: 5 Weight: 9st 6lbs Draw: 18
100/1 and tongue strap on for 1st time, 10¾ lengths eighth of 15 to Beechwood in listed race at Galway (12f, good) 19 days ago. Blinkers on 1st time. Makes handicap debut. Others have achieved more.
**
Jesse Evans
Trainer: Noel Meade Jockey: Oisin James Orr Age: 8 Weight: 9st 6lbs Draw: 23
Improved on recent efforts to win 11-runner novice chase (5/2) at Galway (18.2f, good to soft) 20 days ago. Useful on the Flat so can’t be discounted.
***
Countess Of Tyrone
Trainer: P. Twomey Jockey: William James Lee Age: 4 Weight: 9st 5lbs Draw: 20
Lightly-raced winner. Latest win at Down Royal in May. 5/1, 7¾ lengths eighth of 10 to Grateful in Stanerra Stakes at Fairyhouse (14f, good) 81 days ago. Cheekpieces on 1st time. Much respected on her handicap debut.
***
My Mate Mozzie
Trainer: Gavin Patrick Cromwell Jockey: G. F. Carroll Age: 8 Weight: 9st 5lbs Draw: 6
Tongue strap on for 1st time in this code, creditable ninth of 20 in handicap (12/1) at York (13.8f, good to firm) 36 days ago. Up in trip. Ought to be in the shake-up.
***
Enfranchise
Trainer: John Joseph Hanlon Jockey: G. M. Ryan Age: 6 Weight: 9st 4lbs Draw: 21
Ninth of 15 to Beechwood in listed race (22/1) at Galway (12f, good) 19 days ago, left with too much to do. Significantly back up in trip and not ruled out.
***
Magellan Strait
Trainer: Joseph Patrick O’Brien Jockey: H. J. Horgan Age: 5 Weight: 9st 4lbs Draw: 9
Good second of 15 in novice hurdle (11/4) at Kilbeggan (25f, good) 37 days ago. Took this 12 months ago so needs considering back in this sphere.
***
My Lyka
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: J. J. G. Ryan Age: 5 Weight: 9st 4lbs Draw: 32
Fairly useful maiden over jumps. Eleventh of 22 in handicap (33/1) at Leopardstown (13f, good) 15 days ago. Back up in trip. Possibilities.
***
Boher Road
Trainer: Jarlath P. Fahey Jockey: S. McCullagh Age: 5 Weight: 9st 3lbs Draw: 4
Course winner. 2 wins from 3 runs this year. Fourteenth of 20 in handicap at Royal Ascot (20f, good to firm, 13/2), ridden too aggressively. Off 103 days. Not discounted.
***
Zeeband
Trainer: Paul John Gilligan Jockey: L. F. Roche Age: 7 Weight: 9st 3lbs Draw: 25
Tongue strap on for 1st time in this code, tailed-off last of 5 to Grosvenor Square in Irish St Leger Trial at this course (14f, good to firm, 66/1) 43 days ago. Must improve.
**
The Euphrates
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Jockey: Ryan Moore Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 27
40/1, excellent 3¾ lengths fourth of 6 to Kyprios in Irish St Leger at this course (14f, good) 14 days ago. Blinkers replace uusal visor. Makes handicap debut off an attractive mark so ought to go close.
*****
Prairie Dancer
Trainer: Joseph Patrick O’Brien Jockey: M. P. Sheehy Age: 6 Weight: 9st 1lbs Draw: 7
15/8, career best when winning 6-runner novice chase at Downpatrick (19.4f, good) 34 days ago. Useful on the Flat so can’t be dismissed.
***
Zanndabad
Trainer: Mrs C. O’Leary Jockey: C. T. Keane Age: 5 Weight: 9st 1lbs Draw: 16
Respectable sixth of 20 in handicap at Royal Ascot (20f, good to firm) 103 days ago. Much respected after a break.
***
Plontier
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: David Egan Age: 8 Weight: 9st 0lbs Draw: 10
First run since leaving Tadeusz Debowski when easily landing novice hurdle at Sligo (20.5f, soft). Only 15th at Leopardstown since but this useful 14f scorer on the Flat in France is well worth another chance.
***
Zoffee
Trainer: Hugo Palmer Jockey: Andrew Joseph Slattery Age: 8 Weight: 9st 0lbs Draw: 17
Won Chester Cup in May. Creditable fourth of 11 in handicap there (15.9f, soft, 12/1) 15 days ago. Shortlisted.
***
Enniskerry
Trainer: Barry Connell Jockey: Seamie Heffernan Age: 10 Weight: 8st 13lbs Draw: 23
Lightly-raced winner on Flat. Smart winner at 18f in chases. Tenth of 20 in handicap (6/1) at Galway (16.8f, good to soft) 62 days ago, doing too much too soon. Needs considering.
***
Dartan
Trainer: Matthew J. Smith Jockey: Wesley Joyce Age: 7 Weight: 8st 12lbs Draw: 31
Course winner. 20/1, below form eleventh of 18 in handicap hurdle at Galway (22.5f, soft) 57 days ago. Significantly up in trip. Useful on the Flat but others more persuasive.
**
Bialystok
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: J. A. Powell Age: 6 Weight: 8st 11lbs Draw: 29
Useful winner at 16f over hurdles. Nineteenth of 22 in handicap (18/1) at Leopardstown (13f, good) 15 days ago. Up in trip. No forlorn hope.
***
Nurburgring
Trainer: Joseph Patrick O’Brien Jockey: D. B. McMonagle Age: 4 Weight: 8st 11lbs Draw: 13
Landed Galway Hurdle before shaping well when fourth of 22 in handicap at Leopardstown (13f, good) 15 days ago, having hopeless task from position. Interesting stepping back up in trip.
***
Comfort Zone
Trainer: Joseph Patrick O’Brien Jockey: M. W. Hassett Age: 5 Weight: 8st 9lbs Draw: 5
Cheekpieces on for 1st time in this code, twentieth of 22 in handicap at Leopardstown (13f, good, 9/1) 15 days ago, left poorly placed. Up in trip. Blinkers on 1st time.
**
Sixandahalf
Trainer: Gavin Patrick Cromwell Jockey: R. Whearty Age: 4 Weight: 8st 9lbs Draw: 22
Lightly-raced winner on Flat. Career best when winning 7-runner handicap at Newmarket (14f, good to firm, 11/4) 43 days ago. Carries 7 lb penalty but she’s not taken lightly.
****
Spasiba
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: W. M. Lordan Age: 5 Weight: 8st 9lbs Draw: 2
14/1, respectable seventh of 22 in handicap at Leopardstown (13f, good) 15 days ago. Back up in trip. Merits consideration.
***
Alphonse Le Grande
Trainer: Mrs C. O’Leary Jockey: N. G. McCullagh Age: 5 Weight: 8st 8lbs Draw: 8
3 wins from 5 runs this year. Below form eleventh of 20 in handicap at Galway (16.8f, good to soft, 16/1) 62 days ago. Needs to get back on track.
***
Lot Of Joy
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: Reserve Age: 6 Weight: 8st 8lbs Draw: 1
Respectable twelfth of 22 in handicap (12/1) at Leopardstown (13f, good) 15 days ago, left poorly placed. Back up in trip and in the mix.
***
Reserve.
Busselton
Trainer: Joseph Patrick O’Brien Jockey: Reserve Age: 7 Weight: 8st 7lbs Draw: 24
1 win from 3 runs this year. Eleventh of 17 in handicap chase at Listowel (23.8f, soft, 20/1) 4 days ago. Can give a good account if shrugging off latest effort.
***
Reserve.
Jacovec Cavern
Trainer: Emmet Mullins Jockey: Reserve Age: 5 Weight: 8st 7lbs Draw: 30
First run since leaving Paul Hennessy when good ¾-length second of 17 to Busselton in handicap at Galway (16.5f, good to soft, 11/4) 60 days ago. Has more to offer for new yard.
***
Reserve.
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