July 03 / 19.42 Bellewstown

19.42

Good

McNallys Pharmacy Apprentice Handicap

  • Prize money: £4876.03
  • 1m 6f 109y
  • 10 runners
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McNallys Pharmacy Apprentice Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

Form: 40-547 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 10st 2lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Versatile five-time winner at an early stage of his career; hasn't won in over four years, okay runs in better-class handicaps of late; drops in grade now so can't be ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

13

25th May 2026

Good

2m 6f 100y

17:35 Ballinrobe

Make Good

10st 13lb

J: Kevin Healy

T: Cian Collins

Two wins on the Flat in 2025 but losing run over hurdles stretches back to a Grade 2 win at Cheltenham in December 2020; new yard now and has been off since October; may need this run.

33/1

9th

7

25th Oct 2025

Yielding

2m 5f 200y

16:13 Galway

Make Good

10st 10lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Joseph Anthony Murray

Veteran has had a good season on the Flat, recording 2m wins at Tramore and Clonmel; decent run back at 1m4f on latest and now reverts to hurdles for first time since January 2024 (Grade 2 Cheltenham novice winner in his day).

9/1

OUR TIP

Form: 6406-0

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 11lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
Dual-purpose maiden but couple of good efforts on the Flat last summer, including fourth in a division of this race off 63; every chance when falling two out on Tipperary hurdles return in May but never counted back on the Flat at Navan last month; needs to improve.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

18th Sep 2026

Good

2m 1f 165y

14:47 Downpatrick

Whispering Hopes

11st 7lb

J: Mr E P Powell

T: Liam Lennon

Dual-purpose maiden placed over hurdles for Gordon Elliott; poor first two runs for this yard before fair third of 15 in Down Royal maiden hurdle (2m4f) in April; needs improvement returning from a break.

12/1

3rd

12

12th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 170y

13:55 Down Royal

Whispering Hopes

10st 13lb

J: Mr E P Powell

T: Liam Lennon

Dual-purpose maiden had been placed over hurdles for Gordon Elliott but has been poor in two starts for this yard (both here) and needs improvement on her best form anyway.

20/1

8th

19

17th Mar 2026

Yielding

2m 1f 105y

13:18 Down Royal

Whispering Hopes

10st 11lb

J: Mr E P Powell

T: Liam Lennon

Placed three times in nine attempts hurdling for Gordon Elliott, all on decent ground; down the field over C&D on stable debut eight weeks ago.

66/1

Form: 709-54

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 6lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 50

Form & Verdict
A 16-race maiden, most recently staying on fourth over 1m4f at Fairyhouse suggests she may be ready for this step up in trip; ideally wants it a bit softer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

26th Sep 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

14:33 Listowel

Randall Poets Lass

11st 1lb

J: Benjamin P Kennedy

T: Seamus Fahey

0-16 on the Flat; best effort over timber came in a 2m maiden hurdle here last year but was still beaten 13.5l in that contest; not obviously well treated for handicap debut and best watched.

25/1

9th

9

22nd Aug 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

16:50 Kilbeggan

Randall Poets Lass

10st 11lb

J: Benjamin P Kennedy

T: Seamus Fahey

Regressive Flat maiden wasn't beaten far on hurdling debut last year before falling; will be better suited to handicaps.

33/1

7th

6

(9)

16th Aug 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

20:10 Tramore

Randall Poets Lass

9st 4lb

J: Nicola Burns

T: Seamus Fahey

Maiden's best efforts have been over much shorter trips; tame recent Killarney effort doesn't augur well.

20/1

Form: 380-54

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 5lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 49

Form & Verdict
Dual hurdle winner on good ground is 0-18 on the Flat although recent efforts at Navan and Down Royal give her place claims at least.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

24th Sep 2026

Good

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

16:34 Perth

Steps In The Sand

11st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Ciaran Murphy

Irish-trained mare; placed in two big fields in August (2m2f/2m4f, good) and posted another good effort when close seventh of 16 at Kilbeggan (2m3f, good to yielding; refitted cheekpieces) three weeks ago; has Sean Bowen booked for first attempt at this new trip; likely contender.

7/2

7th

7

3rd Sep 2026

Good

2m 3f 0y

17:15 Kilbeggan

Steps In The Sand

10st 10lb

J: E Walsh

T: Ciaran Murphy

Took a step in the right direction when fourth at Sligo (2m2f, good); built on that when narrowly denied at Bellewstown (20.5f, gd-yld) on latest; nudged up 2lb but is 4lb below her last win and handles any ground; big chance.

13/2

Form: 340-80 CD

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 3lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 47

Form & Verdict
Dual-purpose performer whose last win came in this race last year off 47; two recent comeback runs should have put him straight for this although plenty to find with a couple of these on Navan form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

30th Oct 2025

Good

2m 5f 80y

14:30 Thurles

Futurum Regem

10st 11lb

J: Eoghan Finegan

T: Hugh Paul Finegan

Flat/hurdles winner; unplaced in five consecutive handicap chase outings since July; failed to make an impact in a Flat handicap last week.

16/1

13

30th Oct 2025

Good

2m 5f 80y

14:30 Thurles

Futurum Regem

10st 11lb

J: Eoghan Finegan

T: Hugh Paul Finegan

Flat/hurdles winner; unplaced in five consecutive handicap chase outings since July; failed to make an impact in a Flat handicap last week.

16/1

14th

20

(24)

22nd Oct 2025

Soft

1m 6f 0y

17:32 Navan

Futurum Regem

9st 0lb

J: J M Sheridan

T: Hugh Paul Finegan

Two hurdle wins and sole Flat win came in 1m6f Bellewstown handicap last summer (good); recent chase form not encouraging.

20/1

Form: 800-52

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 44

Form & Verdict
Modest performer is 0-15 under rules but some good runs off lowly marks in Navan handicaps, including latest when staying on second over 1m5f last month; one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(5)

1st Oct 2026

Yielding To Soft

1m 4f 77y

16:30 Bellewstown

Maxwell Smart

9st 6lb

J: James Ryan

T: T G McCourt

C&D second on soft a year ago; quite consistent but only 1-30 on the Flat, placed seven times; every chance of being in the money.

4/1

6th

5

(15)

4th Sep 2026

Good

1m 4f 194y

19:00 Down Royal

Maxwell Smart

9st 6lb

J: James Ryan

T: T G McCourt

Sole win came in this race last year off this mark; eyecatching efforts on both recent starts, at Sligo and when coming from way back to finish fourth behind Miss Australie at Navan last week; looks primed for a bold repeat bid.

5/1

4th

16

(3)

27th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

17:24 Navan

Maxwell Smart

9st 7lb

J: James Ryan

T: T G McCourt

Sole win came off 1lb lower at Down Royal (1m5f, good) last September; close third behind Anightaway and Eastern Wind at Sligo on latest and his good run over 1m5f here in June wasn't his first solid effort at this track (fourth in this last year); chance.

9/1

Form: 699-0

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 57

Form & Verdict
Unexposed 3yo didn't feature on recent handicap debut at Gowran (1m1f); upped in trip now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

11

17th Oct 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 188y

13:10 Limerick

Trubshaw

11st 7lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Front-runner has won three times on the Flat at around 1m6f, each time in headgear (none on today); no match for an impressive winner when second of 12 on Listowel hurdles bow three weeks ago; can improve for in-form yard.

5/1

2nd

10

26th Sep 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

14:45 Listowel

Trubshaw

11st 7lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Front-runner has won three times on the Flat, over around 1m6f, each time in headgear; rated 74 in that discipline; will need farther in due course over hurdles, but a leading player if he takes to jumping; goes without any aids this time.

9/4

5th

4

(4)

4th Sep 2026

Good

2m 2f 141y

18:00 Down Royal

Trubshaw

9st 8lb

J: Gabriella Hill

T: Henry De Bromhead

Won twice last year, including 1m6f Curragh handicap in October; had found revised mark beyond him this year until recording a third win for this rider at Killarney two weeks ago, making all to score readily in first-time blinkers; raised 8lb and may be vulnerable as a result.

10/1

Form: 307/0- CD

Last run: 253 days

W: 8st 13lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 43

Form & Verdict
Last win came over C&D in April 2022 (good) off 52 (for Ado McGuinness) but comeback hurdles second at Listowel in late May augurs well off this reduced mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

12

19th Sep 2026

Good

2m 3f 0y

15:26 Navan

Lariat

10st 8lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: Liam P Cusack

Losing run stretches back to April 2022 on the Flat and winless over flights; good second on the Flat at Tramore in July but well beaten since.

16/1

Form: /960/9 C

Last run: 26 days

W: 8st 12lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 42

Form & Verdict
Two Flat wins include 1m handicap here back in 2019, later added two hurdle wins; on a long losing run although last month's comeback run (after 561-day absence) should have brought her on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

12th Sep 2025

Yielding

2m 7f 6y

18:30 Ballinrobe

Ally Cay

11st 10lb

J: Eoghan Finegan

T: Paul Mulligan

Minor promise over fences in 2023; missed 2024 and shown nothing in four starts since for new yard on the Flat or over timber.

100/1

1

5th Sep 2025

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 200y

17:37 Kilbeggan

Ally Cay

12st 0lb

J: Eoghan Finegan

T: Paul Mulligan

Flat winner won the last of two hurdle scores in 2021; poor on the Flat recently and pulled-up over hurdles since; not easy to fancy.

50/1

4

22nd Jul 2025

Yielding

2m 1f 89y

17:42 Ballinrobe

Ally Cay

11st 8lb

J: Mr K P Healy

T: Paul Mulligan

Four-time winner, two on Flat, two over hurdles; has had two Flat runs after a long absence; first run at Navan a lot better than more recent Bellewstown outing.

25/1

Form: 0-8006

Last run: 12 days

W: 8st 10lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 40

Form & Verdict
A 21-race maiden didn't run too badly at Down Royal recently but still hard to see him making the long-waited breakthrough here (2lb lower in future).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

25

(20)

22nd Oct 2025

Soft

1m 6f 0y

17:32 Navan

Highland Bells

8st 10lb

T: Michael Mulvany

Second reserve; best efforts have come on good ground, including C&D second last season off 47; soft ground against him of late and similar scenario here.

16

(4)

13th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 4f 46y

17:05 Roscommon

Highland Bells

8st 10lb

J: Terry Casey

T: Michael Mulvany

0-22; best efforts have come on good ground and well beaten on soft on latest; yard in form but underfoot conditions a big concern.

25/1

9th

12

(7)

2nd Oct 2025

Good To Yielding

1m 4f 77y

16:45 Bellewstown

Highland Bells

9st 0lb

J: Wesley Joyce

T: Michael Mulvany

Wasn't beaten far here on penultimate start over further; didn't build on that at Sligo subsequently and tough race to break the maiden tag.

20/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €40.50
Straight Forecast €31.01
Tricast €219.35
Trifecta €572.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Maxwell Smart

The Irish Sun:

Lariat

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Maxwell Smart

POSTDATA:

Maxwell Smart