Curragh 18:45 RESULTED
26 Jun 2026

Friday 26 June Fitzpatrick's Mercedes-Benz Apprentice Derby Handicap

Fitzpatrick's Mercedes-Benz Apprentice Derby Handicap · 1m4f

Official Result

Fitzpatrick's Mercedes-Benz Apprentice Derby Handicap

Confirmed
  1. Winner Darius Dark (IRE) Rory Mulligan · J P Murtagh
    3/1F
  2. 7/2
  3. 18/1
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Settled
  • 22 declared
  • 0 picked
  • 1 NR
Saturday Draw Updated 2 weeks, 6 days ago
No.
Horse
Form
Jockey / Trainer
OR
SR?
RPR/OR
Age
Wgt
AI
Votes
Odds
Pick
Comment
?
Pillar Of Hope silks
Pillar Of Hope Non-Runner
Age 8 · 9-9
4-8804
75
75OR
8
9-9
SP FCST 14/1
This stable has taken this race before and he has distance and going form, having placed at nine to thirteen furlongs on heavy and good. He ran to form at Leopardstown most recently, beaten seven lengths off a higher mark; still 5lb above his last winning mark and will need to find extra to get involved.
1
Sea Eagle silks
Sea Eagle
Age 6 · 10-2
6/600-
82
47
82OR
6
10-2
33/1 25/1 33/1
Unplaced on the Flat in his last four runs and most recently unseated in a hurdle, he is effective at eight to ten furlongs with cut and returns off a short break. Hard to make a case on this evidence; his recent form suggests he is struggling to find his best level back on the Flat.
AI verdict

A Saturday Rating of 47, outsider odds of 28/1, and a form string of 6/600- offer no winning case for Sea Eagle.

2
Quatre Bras silks
Quatre Bras
Age 5 · 10-0
204088
80
62
80OR
5
10-0
16/1 12/1 16/1
Well held at Limerick last time from off the pace and his mark has been easing, but three unplaced finishes in recent starts have not suggested a turn for the better. Usually held up over eight to twelve furlongs on soft, good and all-weather; needs more to be competitive here.
AI verdict

Quatre Bras carries top weight of 10-0 with a weak Saturday Rating of 62, poor recent form of 204088, and drifting 16/1 odds.

4
Cracking Cloud silks
Cracking Cloud
Age 4 · 9-8
356
74
49
74OR
4
9-8
28/1 28/1 25/1
Down to debut-level form at Gowran Park last time, beaten seven lengths in a maiden over nine furlongs. The move to a mile and a half on handicap debut could unlock more; he is effective around nine furlongs on soft and yielding, and there is a case to be made if he takes to the longer trip.
AI verdict

A Saturday Rating of 49, weak 356 form, and 28/1 odds signal this 9-8 weighted outsider holds minimal winning prospects.

5
Kool One silks
Kool One
Age 5 · 9-7
14-517
73
62
73OR
5
9-7
14/1
Seventh last time when running to his fair-mark level of 74, a pound lower here with a first-time tongue-tie. He has taken two races over twelve to fourteen furlongs and acts on heavy and good; the conditions suit and he is respected with course experience at the trip.
AI verdict

A Saturday Rating of 62, 16/1 odds, and inconsistent form of 14-517 offer no winning case.

6
Granville Street silks
Granville Street
Age 8 · 9-6
06-254
72
56
72OR
8
9-6
16/1 18/1 12/1
Fourth at Fairyhouse last time beaten eight lengths and with first-time cheekpieces now fitted, he is effective at twelve to fourteen furlongs on soft and good and can go well again. His mark of 72 looks exploitable and the headgear change could help; his lack of a win in recent starts is the main concern.
AI verdict

A Saturday Rating of 56, outsider odds of 18/1, and recent form showing no wins make Granville Street an unconvincing contender.

7
Eastern Peace silks
Eastern Peace
Age 4 · 9-5
9419-3
71
70
71OR
4
9-5
10/1 10/1 9/1
She ran to form at Leopardstown last time, beaten two lengths off a slightly higher mark in her most recent placed effort. She has landed a race and acts at seven to eleven furlongs on good and all-weather; a step up to twelve furlongs is well worth trying and she can be competitive.
AI verdict

Rated just 70 with patchy form (9419-3) and carrying 9-5 at 10/1, Eastern Peace lacks the market confidence or consistency to merit more.

8
Devine Genius silks
Devine Genius
Age 2 · 9-4
36/60-
70
42
70OR
2
9-4
66/1 40/1 66/1
Returning from a 277-day layoff and well beaten most recently when left with too much to do, he has form at the distance and going but there is plenty to prove after such an absence. Hard to make a strong case without more recent evidence, and the form in his last four runs has been patchy.
AI verdict

Rated just 42 with 50/1 odds and a form reading of 36/60-, Devine Genius shows no compelling Saturday market case.

9
Derry Lad silks
Derry Lad
Age 8 · 9-2
-99055
68
41
68OR
8
9-2
25/1 22/1 25/1
He ran to his recent form at Naas last time, beaten three lengths off this mark. He acts at ten to twelve furlongs on heavy and good and runs just two days after his previous outing, which is unusual; first-time tongue-tie and cheekpieces are added. Hard to be confident, though his recent form has been honest.
AI verdict

Derry Lad's dismal form of -99055, long-shot 25/1 odds, and low Saturday Rating of 41 make him an unlikely contender.

10
Party Dress silks
Party Dress
Age 6 · 9-2
29700-
68
38
68OR
6
9-2
33/1 22/1 33/1
She is all to prove back on the Flat after being pulled up in a chase at Clonmel most recently and is off a short break. She is effective at ten to seventeen furlongs on good and soft with a first-time tongue-tie; the jumps form is not a pointer here and the return to the Flat needs a significant step forward.
AI verdict

A Saturday Rating of 38, poor form of 29700-, and 28/1 odds signal no realistic winning chance.

11
Faro Island silks
Faro Island
Age 4 · 9-1
310-41
67
76
67OR
4
9-1
5/1 4/1 9/2
He landed a race at Gowran Park last time by a short-head and has been in good form across his recent runs. Effective at eight to eleven furlongs on soft and good, first-time cheekpieces could help him maintain his recent momentum; a genuine contender who can go well again.
AI verdict

Faro Island's inconsistent form (310-41) and mid-range Saturday Rating of 76 limit confidence despite fair 9/2 odds.

12
Celtic Druid silks
Celtic Druid
Age 5 · 8-13
7-1147
65
52
65OR
5
8-13
14/1 16/1 14/1
Seventh on his latest start off this mark and effective at nine to fourteen furlongs on soft, good and all-weather with two successes in recent form. He has won at the distance and going and can be involved down in trip, though his last effort was uninspiring.
AI verdict

A Saturday Rating of 52, 16/1 odds, and inconsistent form reading 7-1147 make Celtic Druid a low-confidence outsider.

13
Tatum silks
Tatum
Age 5 · 8-13
121-75
65
59
65OR
5
8-13
12/1
She has two wins in recent form and ran to form over seventeen furlongs at Limerick last time, beaten five and a half lengths. She acts at ten to seventeen furlongs on soft and good; adding first-time blinkers should be fine down in trip and she can go well with further improvement possible.
AI verdict

Tatum's inconsistent form (121-75), low Saturday Rating of 59, and dismissive 12/1 odds signal limited winning prospects here.

14
Royal Alliance silks
Royal Alliance
Age 4 · 8-11
00-003
63
61
63OR
4
8-11
10/1 8/1 9/1
His best form in well over a year came last time when staying on to be third over a longer trip, beaten a half-length off a slightly lower mark. Effective at seven to thirteen furlongs on soft and all-weather, a first-time tongue-tie is added; if he builds on that latest effort he can be placed.
AI verdict

A Saturday Rating of 61, weak form reading 00-003, and 9/1 odds signal limited winning prospects despite a manageable 8-11 weight.

15
Covert Legend silks
Covert Legend
Age 6 · 8-10
46442-
62
42
62OR
6
8-10
28/1
He is back on his last winning mark after a 239-day absence and usually races from the rear; form at nine to eleven furlongs and acts best on all-weather. A first-time tongue-tie is added; he ran to his current form at Southwell last time but the track switch and lengthy layoff are both questions.
AI verdict

A Saturday Rating of 42, 28/1 odds, and uninspiring form figures of 46442 make Covert Legend a weak market outsider.

16
Keepsgettingbetter silks
Keepsgettingbetter
Age 3 · 8-10
0-0113
76
86
76OR
3
8-10
15/2 15/2 7/1
Third off 74 last time, a length behind the winner, she has two recent wins and remains on a fair mark — up just 2lb here. Effective at a mile to a mile and a quarter on good and all-weather, she handles turf too and a first-time tongue-tie adds only a mild query. She is the horse to beat.
AI verdict

Recent form shows three consecutive placed efforts, but a Saturday Rating of 86 and 15/2 odds suggest limited winning confidence at 8-10.

17
Cooley's Mist silks
Cooley's Mist
Age 4 · 8-9
747-83
TBA
H Rogers 18%
61
47
61OR
4
8-9
22/1 18/1 22/1
Third at Leopardstown most recently, beaten five and a half lengths over nine furlongs, and acts at nine to ten furlongs on heavy and good. He can build on that effort which was his best recent run; yet to score in recent starts but the form is consistent enough for a chance here.
AI verdict

Outsider at 20/1 with a weak Saturday Rating of 47, poor recent form of 747-83, and no market support makes Cooley's Mist a very unlikely winner.

18
Darius Dark silks
Darius Dark
Age 3 · 8-8
09-011
74
88
74OR
3
8-8
4/1 7/2 4/1
Two wins in a row including at Leopardstown off a lower mark, with first-time cheekpieces added here. He has been progressive over twelve furlongs on a sound surface and the trainer is in form; continuing that upward trend is very possible.
AI verdict

Recent form (09-011) shows promise but a Saturday Rating of 88 and 7/2 odds suggest market respect without elite status.

19
Nod Of Approval silks
Nod Of Approval
Age 3 · 8-8
55-620
74
77
74OR
3
8-8
8/1 15/2 8/1
Unplaced most recently over seventeen furlongs where he failed to see out the trip, the return to twelve furlongs is an obvious plus. Effective at the trip and capable of getting further eventually; a well-held mark of 74 and the drop back in trip suggest he is not out of it here.
AI verdict

Recent form of 55-620 and a Saturday Rating of 77 make 15/2 odds hard to justify at 8-8 weight.

20
Gaelic Drills silks
Gaelic Drills
Age 3 · 8-7
547
73
67
73OR
3
8-7
12/1
Well beaten at Roscommon most recently, he is yet to score in recent starts but has been competitive at ten furlongs with cut. The stable has a strong record in this race and he could have a say now on his first handicap attempt.
AI verdict

Outsider odds of 12/1, a modest Saturday Rating of 67, and uninspiring form figures of 547 make Gaelic Drills an unconvincing each-way proposition.

21
Tassarolo silks
Tassarolo
Age 5 · 8-8
-93558
60
55
60OR
5
8-8
12/1 10/1 11/1
Below form at Fairyhouse last time and in need of a bounce-back, he is effective at twelve to sixteen furlongs on the Flat on soft and good to firm. A first-time tongue-tie and cheekpieces added; the form before his most recent run was more promising but a reversal is needed.
AI verdict

A Saturday Rating of 55 and poor recent form of -93558 at 12/1 make Tassarolo an unconvincing outsider.

22
Folly Beach silks
Folly Beach
Age 8 · 8-7
/74-72
TBA
59
57
59OR
8
8-7
12/1
She was beaten a neck at Down Royal most recently off a slightly lower mark and ran to form; effective at twelve to thirteen furlongs on soft and good. Her mark looks workable at 59 and she has been consistent; a genuine chance if building on her latest run.
AI verdict

Outsider odds of 12/1, a modest Saturday Rating of 57, and uninspiring form figures of /74-72 combine to undermine confidence.

23
Avoca Woods silks
Avoca Woods
Age 3 · 8-7
809
TBA
73
51
73OR
3
8-7
33/1 25/1 33/1
Well beaten in each of his last three runs including a maiden at Dundalk, running to a moderate level throughout. He needs significant improvement now tackling handicap company for the first time; the profile does not suggest the ability to threaten in this grade.
AI verdict

A Saturday Rating of 51, 33/1 odds, and a form line of 809 mark Avoca Woods as a rank outsider with no winning prospects.

Horse Bet365 Paddy Power Coral Ladbrokes William Hill Betfred Best
0 Pillar Of Hope 14/1 14/1 14/1 14/1 14/1 Coral
1 Sea Eagle 33/1 open 29.00 33/1 open 26.00 33/1 open 26.00 33/1 open 26.00 33/1 open 29.00 33/1 Bet365
2 Quatre Bras 16/1 18/1 open 13.00 18/1 open 13.00 18/1 open 13.00 18/1 open 15.00 18/1 Coral
4 Cracking Cloud 28/1 25/1 open 41.00 25/1 open 41.00 25/1 open 41.00 25/1 open 29.00 28/1 Bet365
5 Kool One 14/1 open 17.00 14/1 open 17.00 14/1 open 17.00 14/1 open 17.00 14/1 14/1 Bet365
6 Granville Street 16/1 open 19.00 16/1 open 21.00 16/1 open 21.00 12/1 open 21.00 14/1 open 19.00 16/1 Bet365
7 Eastern Peace 10/1 11/1 open 15.00 11/1 open 15.00 9/1 open 15.00 11/1 open 13.00 11/1 Coral
8 Devine Genius 66/1 open 51.00 66/1 open 41.00 66/1 open 41.00 66/1 open 41.00 66/1 open 51.00 66/1 Bet365
9 Derry Lad 25/1 25/1 open 23.00 25/1 open 23.00 25/1 open 23.00 25/1 open 29.00 25/1 Bet365
10 Party Dress 33/1 open 29.00 33/1 open 23.00 33/1 open 23.00 33/1 open 23.00 33/1 open 29.00 33/1 Bet365
11 Faro Island 5/1 open 5.50 5/1 open 5.00 5/1 open 5.00 5/1 open 5.00 9/2 5/1 Bet365
12 Celtic Druid 14/1 open 17.00 14/1 open 17.00 14/1 open 17.00 14/1 open 17.00 14/1 open 17.00 14/1 Bet365
13 Tatum 12/1 14/1 open 13.00 14/1 open 13.00 14/1 open 13.00 12/1 14/1 Coral
14 Royal Alliance 10/1 open 10.00 10/1 open 9.00 10/1 open 9.00 10/1 open 9.00 9/1 open 9.00 10/1 Bet365
15 Covert Legend 28/1 33/1 open 29.00 33/1 open 29.00 33/1 open 29.00 33/1 open 29.00 33/1 Coral
16 Keepsgettingbetter 15/2 15/2 15/2 7/1 open 8.50 7/1 open 8.50 15/2 Bet365
17 Cooley's Mist 22/1 open 21.00 22/1 open 19.00 22/1 open 19.00 22/1 open 19.00 22/1 open 19.00 22/1 Bet365
18 Darius Dark 4/1 open 4.50 4/1 open 4.50 4/1 open 4.50 4/1 open 4.50 4/1 open 4.50 4/1 Bet365
19 Nod Of Approval 8/1 open 8.50 8/1 8/1 17/2 open 9.00 8/1 open 8.50 17/2 William Hill
20 Gaelic Drills 12/1 12/1 12/1 12/1 12/1 12/1 Bet365
21 Tassarolo 12/1 12/1 open 11.00 12/1 open 11.00 12/1 open 11.00 11/1 12/1 Bet365
22 Folly Beach 12/1 14/1 open 13.00 14/1 open 13.00 14/1 open 13.00 14/1 open 13.00 14/1 Coral
23 Avoca Woods 33/1 33/1 open 26.00 33/1 open 26.00 33/1 open 26.00 33/1 open 29.00 33/1 Bet365

Prices update each odds sync. Green ▼ = shortened (steamer), Red ▲ = drifted, Blue = = unchanged since last sync. Best column highlights the bookmaker offering the longest price.

Chamber Verdict

Balanced lens

Darius Dark

Speculative

Darius Dark owns one of the strongest chamber scores in this field. The Balanced lens likes the blend of SR strength (49) and market confidence (82). The profile stays composed even after the chamber introduces race-day variance.

4/1 J P Murtagh Rory Mulligan(2)
71% Confidence
⚠ Danger Runner

Faro Island

Nearest rival if the simulation drifts off the primary path.

5/1 · A Oliver
✓ Value Signal

Covert Legend

Strongest upside if you want a less obvious route through the field.

28/1 · Maurice Andrew Ahern
◈ Chamber Memory

Balanced

Even weighting across form, market confidence and race-day volatility.

Change lens →
Chamber Signals

How the chamber read the race

Why this horse Live cards showing how the active lens weighted each signal for this outcome.
Speed rating Speculative
49 / 100
⚖ Weight 38% +18.6 pts

Base ability signal derived from the runner's best available speed figure.

Market confidence High conviction
82 / 100
⚖ Weight 22% +17.9 pts

Transforms live price respect into a confidence signal inside the chamber.

Pace profile Low conviction
44 / 100
⚖ Weight 12% +4.8 pts

How cleanly the runner's engine fits the projected rhythm and pressure map.

Value edge Speculative
45 / 100
⚖ Weight 10% +4.5 pts

Shows whether the current price still leaves enough upside in the pick.

Chaos factor Dominant
55 / 100
⚖ Weight 10% +5.5 pts

Controlled volatility that keeps the simulation realistic and stress-tests the profile.

Favourite bias Speculative
54 / 100
⚖ Weight 8% +4.4 pts

Extra certainty applied when the active lens wants to trust the obvious market leader.

Top chamber signals Top 5 ranked by the active lens.
1 18. Darius Dark
54.4 4/1
2 11. Faro Island
51.1 5/1
3 19. Nod Of Approval
50.2 8/1
4 16. Keepsgettingbetter
49.7 15/2
5 7. Eastern Peace
47.1 10/1
YOUR DECISION

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🤖 AI view
Darius Dark
Medium

When the models line up, pay attention. When they split, the value may be elsewhere.

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The Race Engine combines three independent signals to help you see the race clearly
📊
SR

Saturday Rating

Proprietary ability score 0–200. How good the horse actually is — independent of market opinion.

Ability
🤖
★★★★★

AI Stars

A race-day probability signal for today's conditions — form trajectory, going, suitability and weight.

Today's Chance
🐾
0

Cub Votes

One Cub. One horse. One shot. Follow the crowd — or fade it.

Community Signal

Market Movers Horses at 20/1 or shorter

18
Age 3 · 8-8
4/1
★★★☆☆ SR 88 🐾

Recent form (09-011) shows promise but a Saturday Rating of 88 and 7/2 odds suggest market respect without elite status.

11
Age 4 · 9-1
5/1
★★★☆☆ SR 76 🐾

Faro Island's inconsistent form (310-41) and mid-range Saturday Rating of 76 limit confidence despite fair 9/2 odds.

16
Age 3 · 8-10
15/2
★★★☆☆ SR 86 🐾

Recent form shows three consecutive placed efforts, but a Saturday Rating of 86 and 15/2 odds suggest limited winning confidence at 8-10.

19
Age 3 · 8-8
8/1
★★☆☆☆ SR 77 🐾

Recent form of 55-620 and a Saturday Rating of 77 make 15/2 odds hard to justify at 8-8 weight.

7
Age 4 · 9-5
10/1
★★☆☆☆ SR 70 🐾

Rated just 70 with patchy form (9419-3) and carrying 9-5 at 10/1, Eastern Peace lacks the market confidence or consistency to merit more.

14
Age 4 · 8-11
10/1
★★☆☆☆ SR 61 🐾

A Saturday Rating of 61, weak form reading 00-003, and 9/1 odds signal limited winning prospects despite a manageable 8-11 weight.

13
Age 5 · 8-13
12/1
★★☆☆☆ SR 59 🐾

Tatum's inconsistent form (121-75), low Saturday Rating of 59, and dismissive 12/1 odds signal limited winning prospects here.

20
Age 3 · 8-7
12/1
★★☆☆☆ SR 67 🐾

Outsider odds of 12/1, a modest Saturday Rating of 67, and uninspiring form figures of 547 make Gaelic Drills an unconvincing each-way proposition.

21
Age 5 · 8-8
12/1
★★☆☆☆ SR 55 🐾

A Saturday Rating of 55 and poor recent form of -93558 at 12/1 make Tassarolo an unconvincing outsider.

22
Age 8 · 8-7
12/1
J: TBA
T: M A Molloy
★★☆☆☆ SR 57 🐾

Outsider odds of 12/1, a modest Saturday Rating of 57, and uninspiring form figures of /74-72 combine to undermine confidence.

5
Age 5 · 9-7
14/1
★☆☆☆☆ SR 62 🐾

A Saturday Rating of 62, 16/1 odds, and inconsistent form of 14-517 offer no winning case.

12
Age 5 · 8-13
14/1
★★☆☆☆ SR 52 🐾

A Saturday Rating of 52, 16/1 odds, and inconsistent form reading 7-1147 make Celtic Druid a low-confidence outsider.

2
Age 5 · 10-0
16/1
★☆☆☆☆ SR 62 🐾

Quatre Bras carries top weight of 10-0 with a weak Saturday Rating of 62, poor recent form of 204088, and drifting 16/1 odds.

6
Age 8 · 9-6
16/1
★☆☆☆☆ SR 56 🐾

A Saturday Rating of 56, outsider odds of 18/1, and recent form showing no wins make Granville Street an unconvincing contender.

🤖AI Intelligence Saturday Racing's analytical engine

Saturday Racing AI
Darius Dark
Confidence: Medium

Darius Dark (SR 88, 7/2) is the highest-rated horse in the field and carries a featherweight 8-8 — a decisive advantage over heavier rivals in a competitive 22-runner handicap. His form string of 09-011 shows a sharp upward trajectory, with back-to-back wins in his most recent outings confirming he is at peak form. At 7/2 he is the market leader, and that confidence is justified not merely by price but by the combination of top SR, light weight, progressive profile from trainer J P Murtagh, and recent winning form on comparable good ground over middle distances. The 3-year-old allowance further flatters his weight-adjusted edge versus older rivals carrying more. Each-way alternative: Faro Island. Main danger: Keepsgettingbetter — Keepsgettingbetter (SR 86, 15/2) carries only 8-10, sits just 2lbs below Darius Dark in weight, and his form of 0-0113 mirrors a similarly progressive trajectory — three consecutive finishes of 1-1-3 suggest a horse hitting top form at the right time, and Donnacha Aidan O'Brien's yard commands respect in apprentice contests.

Shortlist Darius Dark, Keepsgettingbetter, Faro Island, Eastern Peace, Nod Of Approval
Each-way: Faro Island Danger: Keepsgettingbetter

🗺 The Course Race conditions

1m4f Distance to cover
Good Expected going
22 Confirmed runners
Curragh Track and setting