19:12 Cork (IRE) 19 May 2026
Blackwater Apprentice Handicap
3YO plus
Winner €12,000 - 9 declared to run
Good
Draw Advantage: High
Forecast: Thunderstorm
Temperature: 9.9° - 12.9°
Rainfall: 2.84mm
Wind: 19.2 mph SW
Last Update: 18/05/2026 12:00
Bookies best price percentage = .09%
AT THE RACES is not liable for any services or information offered or provided by its bookmaker partners. Please note: Whilst every effort is made to ensure odds and information are up to date and correct, differences between these and actual odds/information available from bookmakers at time of placing a bet may occur.
Yard won this last year; step back in right direction when fourth beaten 5 1/4l in a handicap here latest; trainer in form; effective 7/8f, acts on any; chance if building on latest.
A winner at 1m on the all-weather, but that win was over two years ago. Finished 5l behind Key Witness when fourth of 12 at 13-2 on his latest outing over this course and distance (soft) earlier this month.
Yard won this last year; step back in right direction when fourth beaten 5 1/4l in a handicap here latest; trainer in form; effective 7/8f, acts on any; chance if building on latest.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Flat Races | 14 | 1 | 6 | 7.1% | |
| Flat (Turf) | 13 | 0 | 6 | 0% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Course | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| D | Distance | 8 | 0 | 5 | 0% |
| G | Similar Going | 8 | 0 | 4 | 0% |
| Headgear | |||||
| HG | Today (T & P) | 7 | 0 | 4 | 0% |
| HG | Cheek Pieces | 7 | 0 | 4 | 0% |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Class | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Hcp | This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 8 | 0 | 3 | 0% |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Jack Kearney | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| T | Stephen Thorne | 10 | 0 | 5 | 0% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Struggled back up in grade down the field in Mutamakina Stakes (Group 3) at Leopardstown most recent; effective 7/8f, acts on any; more chance back in a handicap.
She has won three times from 7f to 1m on good to firm and good ground and on the all-weather. Beaten 11l behind City Of Memphis at 66-1 when last of 10 on her latest outing in the Group 3 Al Shira'aa Racing 'Mutamakina' Stakes at Leopardstown over 7f (good) earlier this month.
Struggled back up in grade down the field in Mutamakina Stakes (Group 3) at Leopardstown most recent; effective 7/8f, acts on any; more chance back in a handicap.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Flat Races | 17 | 3 | 3 | 17.7% | |
| Flat (Turf) | 16 | 2 | 3 | 12.5% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Course | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| D | Distance | 6 | 1 | 0 | 16.7% |
| G | Similar Going | 13 | 2 | 2 | 15.4% |
| Headgear | |||||
| HG | Today (T only) | 6 | 2 | 1 | 33.3% |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Class | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Hcp | This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Nicola Burns | 0 | 0 | 0 | - |
| T | G M Lyons | 8 | 3 | 1 | 37.5% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Below form down the field in a handicap at Doncaster most recent; effective 7/8f, acts on heavy and good; bounce back needed.
Winner of seven races from 7f to 1m on ground varying from good to soft - heavy. Beaten 18l behind Lir Speciale at 22-1 when 15th of 21 on his latest outing at Doncaster over 7f (heavy) in November last year.
Below form down the field in a handicap at Doncaster most recent; effective 7/8f, acts on heavy and good; bounce back needed.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Flat Races | 60 | 7 | 15 | 11.7% | |
| Flat (Turf) | 58 | 7 | 15 | 12.1% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| C | Course | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| D | Distance | 26 | 5 | 5 | 19.2% |
| G | Similar Going | 26 | 1 | 5 | 3.9% |
| Headgear | |||||
| HG | Today (T & B) | 30 | 4 | 8 | 13.3% |
| HG | Blinkers | 55 | 7 | 15 | 12.7% |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Class | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Hcp | This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Max Popan | 0 | 0 | 0 | - |
| T | P F O'Donnell | 57 | 7 | 15 | 12.3% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Below form on deep ground beaten 7l in a handicap here last time; usually held up; effective at 7/8f, acts on heavy and AW; bounce back needed on drying ground.
Winner of six races from 6f to 7f on the all-weather. Beaten 7l behind Key Witness at 16-1 when 9th of 12 on his latest outing over this course and distance (soft) earlier this month.
Below form on deep ground beaten 7l in a handicap here last time; usually held up; effective at 7/8f, acts on heavy and AW; bounce back needed on drying ground.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Flat Races | 28 | 6 | 3 | 21.4% | |
| Flat (Turf) | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Course | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| D | Distance | 16 | 4 | 1 | 25% |
| Similar Going | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Headgear | |||||
| HG | Today (P only) | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Class | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Julian Pietropaolo | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| T | Kevin Coleman | 11 | 0 | 3 | 0% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Bit keen and didn't get home up in trip 11th beaten 5l off 78 last time, 1lb lower here; effective 5/6f, acts on heavy and good; stamina to prove still.
He has won three times at 6f on ground varying from good - yielding to soft - heavy. Beaten 4 1/2l behind Merisi Diamond at 16-1 when 11th of 17 on his latest outing at Curragh over 7f (soft) last month.
Bit keen and didn't get home up in trip 11th beaten 5l off 78 last time, 1lb lower here; effective 5/6f, acts on heavy and good; stamina to prove still.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Flat Races | 21 | 3 | 3 | 14.3% | |
| Flat (Turf) | 19 | 3 | 3 | 15.8% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| C | Course | 2 | 1 | 0 | 50% |
| Distance | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| G | Similar Going | 13 | 1 | 3 | 7.7% |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (No Headgear) | 18 | 3 | 3 | 16.7% | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Class | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Hcp | This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Sadhbh Tormey | 2 | 1 | 0 | 50% |
| T | T G McCourt | 21 | 3 | 3 | 14.3% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Needed run on return beaten 4 1/2l in a handicap at the Curragh last time; in good form prior; effective 6/7f, acts on yielding, good and AW; should come on for latest.
A winner at 7f on the all-weather. Beaten 4 1/2l behind Genesis at 16-1 when 10th of 20 on his latest outing at Curragh over 6f (good) earlier this month.
Needed run on return beaten 4 1/2l in a handicap at the Curragh last time; in good form prior; effective 6/7f, acts on yielding, good and AW; should come on for latest.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Flat Races | 14 | 1 | 6 | 7.1% | |
| Flat (Turf) | 10 | 0 | 5 | 0% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Course | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| D | Distance | 4 | 1 | 2 | 25% |
| G | Similar Going | 10 | 0 | 5 | 0% |
| Headgear | |||||
| HG | Today (T & H) | 3 | 1 | 1 | 33.3% |
| HG | Hood | 10 | 1 | 6 | 10% |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Class | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Jimmy Dalton | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| T | Miss E McCutcheon | 14 | 1 | 6 | 7.1% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Lacked pace beaten 4 1/4l in a handicap at Naas last time; usually held up; effective 7f, acts on sound surface; step back up in trip a plus.
A winner at 7f on good ground. Beaten 4 1/2l behind Bint Majestic Roi at 16-1 when seventh of 13 on his latest outing at Naas over 6f (good) earlier this month.
Lacked pace beaten 4 1/4l in a handicap at Naas last time; usually held up; effective 7f, acts on sound surface; step back up in trip a plus.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Flat Races | 12 | 1 | 3 | 8.3% | |
| Flat (Turf) | 12 | 1 | 3 | 8.3% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Course | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| D | Distance | 5 | 1 | 2 | 20% |
| G | Similar Going | 11 | 1 | 4 | 9.1% |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (No Headgear) | 10 | 0 | 3 | 0% | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Class | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Hcp | This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| Connections | |||||
| J | J Cleary | 0 | 0 | 0 | - |
| T | Richard O'brien | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Below form beaten 5l in a handicap at the Curragh last time; in good form prior; effective at 7f, acts on soft and good; bounce back needed.
Successful at 6f and 7f on good and soft ground. Beaten 4 1/2l behind Merisi Diamond at 10-3 when 10th of 17 on his latest outing at Curragh over 7f (soft) last month.
Below form beaten 5l in a handicap at the Curragh last time; in good form prior; effective at 7f, acts on soft and good; bounce back needed.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Flat Races | 22 | 2 | 2 | 9.1% | |
| Flat (Turf) | 21 | 2 | 2 | 9.5% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Course | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| D | Distance | 10 | 1 | 1 | 10% |
| G | Similar Going | 15 | 1 | 2 | 6.7% |
| Headgear | |||||
| HG | Today (T only) | 10 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Class | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Hcp | This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 14 | 1 | 1 | 7.1% |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Reese Holohan | 0 | 0 | 0 | - |
| T | A McGuinness | 11 | 1 | 1 | 9.1% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Ran to form back up in trip beaten 3 1/2l off a 2lb higher mark here last time; effective 6-8f, acts on soft to heavy and AW; drop in trip not sure to suit.
A winner at 6f on yielding - soft ground. Finished 3 1/2l behind Johnny Soda when fourth of 8 at 10-1 on his latest outing here over 1m (soft) earlier this month. Runs from 3lb out of handicap.
Ran to form back up in trip beaten 3 1/2l off a 2lb higher mark here last time; effective 6-8f, acts on soft to heavy and AW; drop in trip not sure to suit.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Flat Races | 5 | 1 | 1 | 20% | |
| Flat (Turf) | 4 | 1 | 0 | 25% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| C | Course | 2 | 1 | 0 | 50% |
| Distance | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| G | Similar Going | 2 | 1 | 0 | 50% |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (No Headgear) | 3 | 1 | 1 | 33.3% | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Class | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Rory Mulligan | 0 | 0 | 0 | - |
| T | John O'Donoghue | 5 | 1 | 1 | 20% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Verdict
GLENEAGLE BAY takes a slight drop in class and may be able to concede weight to these rivals. The Gleneagles gelding was fourth in a competitive contest over course and distance early this month and has been eased 2lb since. His sole win came on the all-weather so a nicer surface may suit now. L L Koulsty is 3lb out of the handicap but could play a big part. He ran a solid race when fourth here last time and dropping back to 7f may suit now. Smoke Them Out wasn't beaten far at the Curragh last time and is a previous course winner. He's another for the shortlist.
Expert View Verdict
This can go to the top weight GLENEAGLE BAY, who took a step back in the right direction when fourth over C&D last time and finds himself off quite an attractive mark now. It won't be easy, though, with Goal Exceeded respected on the form of his penultimate Leopardstown second, and Mallavelly, who predictably found Group 3 company hot too last time and now has a better chance back in a handicap off fair mark.
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Previous Winners
| Year | Going | Ran | Winner | Draw | Age | Weight | OR | Form | Last run | Trainer (Distance) | Jockey | SP | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Good | 6 | Hightimeyouwon | 2 | 9 | 10 0 | 82 | 4-21181 | 67 days | Stephen Thorne (155 miles) | Jack Kearney | 11/ 4 | 1:28.57 |
Race Favourite Stats
| Year | Favourite Finish Position | Winner Market Position |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4, 1 | 1 |
Race Record
| Distance | Record Time |
|---|---|
| 7f | 1:21.53 |