2:30 Curragh
The Coolmore Sioux Nation Concorde Stakes is a Listed race over seven furlongs at the Curragh on yielding to soft ground. A field of ten runners lines up, with the KTB Fit ratings headed by Loughrea on 64 and Big Gossey just behind on 63, indicating a competitive heat where recent form, course records and stamina for the trip will all come into play. The official ratings cluster tightly between 99 and 105 for the principals, underlining that this is a race of useful and smart performers rather than one dominated by a single standout.
How the race shapes up
With a strong pace confidently predicted, the presence of at least two habitual front-runners sets up a test where the speed could collapse in the closing stages. Loughrea and Carolina Jetstream are both noted as tending to make the running or race prominently, which should ensure an honest gallop. That scenario would play to the strengths of the hold-up performers such as Big Gossey, King Cuan and Princess Child, posing the key question of whether any prominent runner can withstand the late challenge of those coming from off the pace.
The KTB Fit ranking
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1Loughrea KTB Selection64/100
Loughrea arrives with strong recent form, recording three wins from his last four starts, and boasts a perfect record at this track having won both previous starts here. A useful performer rated 103, he tends to make the running or race on the pace, which will be significant given the anticipated strong pace. The drop back to 7f introduces a fresh question having been successful over further, while he remains unproven on yielding to soft ground. Trainer A. Slattery operates at a 7% strike rate at the Curragh from 404 runs, with jockey Andrew Slattery showing a similar 7% record from 367 rides at the venue. Overall this progressive four-year-old looks to have the tools to play a leading role.
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2Big Gossey63/100
Big Gossey is a useful performer with a rock-solid record at the Curragh, including seven wins from 34 starts. Rated 104, he has won on yielding to soft ground and boasts five wins from 11 starts at this trip, though he steps back up from 6f today. Usually held up and producing his effort late, his run-style aligns well with the expected strong pace that could collapse late. The trainer's modest 7% strike rate at the Curragh from 648 runs tempers expectations somewhat, despite the yard's 13% record when teaming up with Robert Whearty. This nine-year-old retains plenty of ability and his course form makes him a major player once more.
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3King Cuan60/100
King Cuan is a smart performer who has shown consistent placed form at this track, finishing second, third and fourth from three runs here without winning. Rated 105, he steps up from 5f to a trip he has already won over, though he remains unproven on yielding to soft ground. Usually held up and producing his effort late with high confidence in that assessment, he is well suited to the likely strong pace. Trainer P. Twomey holds an 18% strike rate at the Curragh from 193 runs, while jockey W. J. Lee has a 9% record from a large sample. His consistency at the venue gives him a solid chance in a race that should suit his style.
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4Carolina Jetstream56/100
Carolina Jetstream is a useful performer who has placed twice from five runs at the Curragh and drops back to a trip where she is one from four. Rated 103, her recent form is mixed and she has never tackled yielding to soft ground. Tending to make the running or race on the pace, she will help ensure the strong gallop that is anticipated. The trainer operates at a 7% strike rate at the Curragh from 71 runs, with jockey Donagh O'Connor showing a 4% record from 241 rides at the track. While she has course placings to her name, the combination of ground and recent inconsistency leaves her with questions to answer.
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5Princess Child55/100
Princess Child is a useful performer who has run well at this track on occasions without winning, most notably when second here over a mile last season. Rated 99, she drops back to 7f today having won twice at the trip earlier in her career, and she has already shown she handles yielding to soft ground by placing on her only attempt. Usually held up and producing her effort late with high confidence, her style should be favoured if the strong pace materialises. Trainer Joseph Patrick O'Brien has a solid 12% strike rate at the Curragh from 1394 runs, with jockey J M Sheridan at 7% from 340 rides. Her course placings and proven ability on the ground make her an interesting contender.
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6Sindagan53/100
Sindagan is a useful performer with solid recent form that includes a win and three places from his last six starts. He has course experience here at the Curragh where he finished fourth on his only run and has won at this trip, though he is only placed without winning on yielding to soft ground. The trainer has a 9% strike rate from 885 runs at this track while jockey Ben Coen adds his own record at the venue.
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7Wannabe Royal52/100
Wannabe Royal is a useful performer who has shown consistent placed form at this track without winning. He has two wins from nine starts at this trip and arrives in reasonable heart judged on recent runs. Trainer's modest 1% strike-rate at Curragh is a concern and the horse remains unproven on yielding to soft ground.
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8Unauthorized51/100
Unauthorized is a fair performer who has shown his best at this trip with two wins from five attempts and a solid placed effort on yielding to soft ground. He has been placed once from four runs at the Curragh but has otherwise struggled here. The trainer holds a 10% strike rate from 10 runs at the track.
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9Lewis Carroll48/100
Lewis Carroll is a fair performer who has already won at this track and at today's trip. He has only three career runs so far and the latest two efforts were ordinary. Aidan O'Brien has a strong 19% strike-rate at Curragh while the going remains an unknown on this small sample.
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10Dmaniac45/100
Dmaniac is a fair performer who has won twice at this track from nine runs and has solid placed form on yielding to soft ground. Recent form has been patchy with a best of second in a similar race but he often runs creditably here. Trip looks about right though he has yet to win over it.
KTB verdict
Loughrea is the KTB Selection. He has won both starts at the Curragh, brings strong recent form with three wins from his last four outings, and his prominent run-style will ensure he is not far away in a race with a strong pace likely. The drop to 7f is the main unknown, yet his course record and progressive profile give him the clearest chance. Big Gossey, with his excellent Curragh record and proven ability on the ground, King Cuan, whose placed course form and hold-up style look ideal, and Princess Child, who handles conditions and has placed here before, are the main dangers in a race where the pace shape could be decisive.
KTB Selection Loughrea
This is the narrative read of the 2:30 Curragh. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Curragh racecard. Every result we hold for the track is on the Curragh results & records page. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horses are likely to set the strong pace?
Loughrea and Carolina Jetstream are both noted as tending to make the running or race on the pace.
Which runners are unproven on yielding to soft ground?
Loughrea, King Cuan, Carolina Jetstream, Wannabe Royal and Lewis Carroll have no runs on yielding to soft ground.
Who has the best strike rate at the Curragh among the trainers?
Aidan O'Brien has a 19% strike rate at Curragh from 4490 runs, while P. Twomey has 18% from 193 runs.
Which horses have won at the Curragh?
Loughrea has won both starts here, Big Gossey has seven wins from 34 runs, Lewis Carroll has won here, and Dmaniac has won twice from nine runs.
How does the pace shape influence the hold-up horses?
A strong pace that could collapse late would favour hold-up horses such as Big Gossey, King Cuan, Princess Child, Sindagan, Wannabe Royal and Dmaniac.
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