Away from the ITV cameras at York, there are two Irish meetings at Killarney and Curragh on Saturday. Here’s Alan Marron’s lucky 15.
Saturday Irish Lucky 15
- 13:25: Killarney: Reaching High
- 13.40 Curragh: Handani
- 14.15 Curragh: Jon Riggens
- 17.30 Killarney: Emergency Man
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13:25 2m½f ML Lynch Civil Engineering Ltd. Maiden Hurdle (Div I) (4yo+)
A royal runner is the highlight in the opening maiden hurdle at Killarney on Saturday. REACHING HIGH has kept some very good form on the level and is intriguing if able to transfer that to obstacles for Danny and Willie Mullins. Formerly trained by Sir Michael Stoute, the first start for the Closutton team was a nice run when he was just nabbed close home at Leopardstown in the hands of Jody Townend. He arrived at Royal Ascot in 2025 for the Ascot Stakes and was a well-backed favourite but couldn’t oblige under Ryan Moore. He was off for a year and returned in the same race this year, weakening quickly and becoming tailed off. His class should get him through this assignment.
Selection: Reaching High
13:40 1m2f Moloney’s Bar And Music Venue Maiden (3yo+)
Dermot Weld has his team in good form of late and HANDANI will be looking to make it third time lucky here. He finished second on debut at Naas when he was 33/1 behind Cape Cod and showed similar form when second again behind Hard Promises at Leopardstown on August 6. The form of the race has worked out well with the fourth Magnum Cor improving and winning on next start at Roscommon. Let’s Smash It will reoppose and was behind Hanndani last time. A similar level of form from Handani should be enough to oblige.
Selection: Handani
14:15 6f Mitsubishi Electric Handicap (3yo+)
JON RIGGENS has a love affair with this race and will be looking to retain his crown having last won the race in 2023. He finished fourth in 2024 and third in 2025 and Reese Holohan taking seven pound off his back will increase his chances. He travelled sweetly when coming home in front in the hands of Ben Coen at Navan last time out off a mark of 71 and has been raised four pounds in the handicap. Reese will take seven off his back as we have mentioned, so that leaves him nicely weighted even if he is out of the handicap. If he travels as sweet this time, you will expect a big run.
Selection: Jon Riggens
17.30 2m½f (2m100y) Laurels Pub (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race (4yo+)
EMERGENCY MAN was an eye-catching runner-up when second to Caislean Gear on the 16th of July. Trained by Paul Nolan, he will be the mount of Barry Stone, and this combination teamed up for Cheltenham success back in 2025 when Daily Present landed the Kim Muir. Emergency Man was a length and a half behind Caislean Gear, who followed up at Galway, and they were five lengths clear of the third. He would likely have learnt plenty from that run and with improvement to come, will take all the beating.
Selection: Emergency Man
Saturday Irish Lucky 15
- 13:25: Reaching High
- 13.40 Curragh: Handani
- 14.15 Curragh: Jon Riggens
- 17.30 Killarney: Emergency Man
