August 02 / 17.35 Galway

17.35

Soft

Ardilaun Hotel Handicap

  • Prize money: £8289.26
  • 0m 7f 0y
  • 15 runners
TG4
View Course
Ardilaun Hotel Handicap

Runners: 15 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

OUR TIP

Form: -15748

Last run: 18 days

W: 10st 0lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Got off the mark at the Curragh in March when winning a handicap by a head off 68 (1m, soft); best form has come in softer conditions so he would like to see some rain; new headgear combination tried.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

(12)

16th Oct 2026

Standard

1m 2f 150y

17:00 Dundalk (AW)

Goldrush Kid

8st 12lb

J: Paddy Harnett

T: Adrian McGuinness

Claimed out of Patrick Magee's after winning at Laytown (6f); no impression in two turf handicaps since joining this yard and not bred to stay this far.

14/1

10th

8

(9)

30th Sep 2026

Yielding To Soft

0m 7f 205y

15:15 Bellewstown

Goldrush Kid

9st 8lb

J: Adam Caffrey

T: Adrian McGuinness

Has won over 1m on soft; claimed after 6f win at Laytown and on a decent mark.

7/1

1st

6

(1)

10th Sep 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

16:39 Laytown

Goldrush Kid

10st 3lb

J: Jack Kearney

T: Patrick Magee

Stable won this race last year; won a Curragh handicap in March of last year (1m, soft); no joy since and went wrong when pulled up at Bellewstown when last seen in April (sent off favourite); market can guide after a break.

9/1

Form: 2-3009

Last run: 48 days

W: 10st 0lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Sole win from 19 starts came at Naas in April last year off 66 (6f, yielding); some okay runs following that, including her comeback run at the Curragh in March when a 1.75l third (6f, soft); her three most recent runs leave a lot to be desired.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

18

(14)

15th Oct 2026

Yielding

0m 7f 0y

17:07 Curragh

Tai Tam Bay

9st 0lb

J: Jessica O’Gorman

T: Eddie & Patrick Harty

Second over 6f at this venue on heavy in March; was well fancied for a 6f handicap here in May, lost her action after hanging to the right; 1-30 record is a negative, placed ten times; lacks a recent run.

14/1

16th

12

(16)

4th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

17:20 Curragh

Tai Tam Bay

9st 5lb

J: Jessica O’Gorman

T: Eddie & Patrick Harty

Second over C&D on heavy three starts ago, 1-29 record is a negative, placed ten times; visor replaces the usual blinkers.

12/1

9th

16

(12)

3rd Apr 2026

Soft

0m 6f 0y

13:57 Curragh

Tai Tam Bay

8st 7lb

J: Chris Hayes

T: Eddie & Patrick Harty

Won 6f Naas handicap off 1lb higher in April 2024; best form last season was on seasonal debut when third over C&D off 78; went close on C&D return last month and fair effort after a slow start at Naas 12 days ago; player despite being 5lb wrong.

14/1

Form: 386057 D

Last run: 4 days

W: 9st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
9-96; winner on the AW back in March over this trip off 72; some poor turf runs since but his run here on Tuesday was a step back in the right direction when he finished a 1.75l seventh of 18 (1m, yielding); declared to run here on Thursday.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

3

(17)

16th Oct 2026

Standard

1m 2f 150y

20:00 Dundalk (AW)

Comfort Line

9st 10lb

J: Cillian Rowan

T: Adrian McGuinness

Busy as ever this year, winning over 1m here and at the Curragh (beat Avec Grand Plaisir); a bit below par at Fairyhouse last time; not tried very often over this trip but does stay; shouldn't be far away.

8/1

8th

3

(12)

21st Sep 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

16:57 Fairyhouse

Comfort Line

9st 11lb

J: Cillian Rowan

T: Adrian McGuinness

11-time winner approaching the veteran stage; has kept his form very well this year, gaining a deserved win at the Curragh and running well twice since; goes well for this claimer and every chance that he will be on the premises once more.

10/1

5th

4

(15)

9th Sep 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

19:15 Cork

Comfort Line

9st 11lb

J: Cillian Rowan

T: Adrian McGuinness

Has held his form well in recent months; two wins in 2026 have brought his career tally to 11; backed up a narrow Curragh success (Sherekiya, third) with another solid display in taking third at Navan 13 days ago; has won and twice finished second for 10lb claimer Cillian Rowan.

6/1

15/2

Form: -96974 CD BF

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 13lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Winner over this trip at last year's festival off 78 (yielding); not at the same level since but there was some promise in his Cartmel effort last time when finishing fourth despite not getting a clear run (7f, good to soft); down to an attractive mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(6)

27th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 16y

Class 6

20:35 Chepstow

Reidh

9st 8lb

J: Tom Queally

T: Adam Kirby

Won twice over 7f for Richard Fahey in 2024; not added to that tally since, and has been below-par in three starts for new yard; tries a new trip and runs with first-time tongue-tie and blinkers which need to have a positive impact.

7/1

7th

6

(2)

8th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 3y

Class 6

18:30 Pontefract

Reidh

9st 6lb

J: Alexandra Egan

T: Adam Kirby

Won twice over 7f for Richard Fahey in 2024; not added to that tally since, and has been below-par on both starts for new yard (7f); takes a marked drop in trip.

7/1

9th

9

(10)

19th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

16:45 Lingfield

Reidh

9st 2lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Adam Kirby

Won twice for Richard Fahey in the summer of 2024 but lost his way; sold for 10,000gns to join new yard in October; gambled on but well held on stable debut at Thirsk (7f, good) last month in first-time cheekpieces (now removed); may be worth another chance off sliding mark.

6/1

Form: 63-385

Last run: 4 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Good effort here on Tuesday for new yard when a 1l fifth of 18 (Comfort Line and Loingseoir behind); some okay runs in maidens; the drop in trip here seems fine; he is one of the likelier ones.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

(4)

10th Sep 2026

Standard

0m 7f 0y

18:20 Laytown

Convincing

10st 3lb

J: Jack Kearney

T: Ciaran Murphy

Gained breakthrough win over hurdles at Kilbeggan (2m, good) last month before creditable fourth at Bellewstown; rated just 52 on the Flat, though, so has plenty to find back in this sphere.

25/1

4th

5

26th Aug 2026

Good

2m 1f 40y

18:38 Bellewstown

Convincing

11st 7lb

J: Eoghan Finegan

T: Ciaran Murphy

Gained breakthrough win off 6lb lower at Kilbeggan earlier this month (2m, good) with Surviving Murmansk 5.5l back in sixth; extra furlong here should be fine for him; player again.

9/2

1st

7

8th Aug 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

17:48 Kilbeggan

Convincing

11st 1lb

J: Eoghan Finegan

T: Ciaran Murphy

Three runs in maiden hurdles over the winter were nott devoid of promise; decent effort in first-time blinkers in a 1m handicap at Naas last month; cheekpieces tried for the first time over hurdles today; could go well at a big price.

14/1

Form: 2-6074

Last run: 4 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
0-9 but his run on Tuesday on return from a break sporting a first-time tongue-tie was one of his best efforts (1m, yielding); had a couple of today's rivals behind him on that occasion; his second in a maiden here in October was also up there with his best (7f, heavy); may improve again with tongue-tie retained.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

12

(6)

21st Sep 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

13:53 Listowel

Storm Averted

9st 7lb

J: Sadhbh Tormey

T: Maurice Andrew Ahern

Galway festival winner last season when trained by Mick Mulvany; her new trainer aimed her at the same race this year, but she never showed with a chance and was tailed off; better at Cork recently, but held by Wegotogether.

14/1

9th

7

(6)

9th Sep 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

19:15 Cork

Storm Averted

9st 10lb

J: Adam Browne-Souza

T: Maurice Andrew Ahern

Galway festival winner last season when trained by Mick Mulvany; her new trainer aimed her at the same race this year, but she never showed with a chance and was tailed off; that was too bad to be true; worth a market check.

12/1

13th

5

(10)

1st Aug 2026

Yielding To Soft

0m 7f 0y

17:35 Galway

Storm Averted

10st 0lb

J: Leigh Roche

T: Maurice Andrew Ahern

Won this race last year off 4lb lower for Mick Mulvany; has run well on all three previous visits to this venue and should be sharper for her seasonal reappearance and stable debut at Ballinrobe 40 days ago; visor added to tongue tie; could go well.

17/2

Form: 259-64 CD

Last run: 52 days

W: 9st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Winner of this in 2023 off 70 (heavy); won again the following month at Listowel (7f, soft) but winless since then; returned here last year and finished last of all (7f, soft); some encouragement in his last two runs, so can't be completely ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

(5)

18th Oct 2026

Good

1m 0f 100y

15:12 Leopardstown

Dragon Of Malta

10st 0lb

J: Julian Pietropaolo

T: P F O’Donnell

Prolific winner whose last five wins have all been at Listowel, notably on successive days last month (yielding) under today's rider, over 1m1f and under mandatory 7lb penalty over 7f; aggregate 15lb rise takes him to a career-high but has to be respected being in such good form.

10/1

1st

6

(6)

22nd Sep 2026

Yielding

0m 7f 15y

14:57 Listowel

Dragon Of Malta

9st 10lb

J: Julian Pietropaolo

T: P F O’Donnell

Had been running respectably in handicaps at Galway and Roscommon before winning over 1m1f here yesterday; would carry a 7lb penalty if taking up this engagement to bid for his third win in four years in this contest.

10/1

1st

7

(9)

21st Sep 2026

Good

1m 1f 0y

14:55 Listowel

Dragon Of Malta

9st 8lb

J: Julian Pietropaolo

T: P F O’Donnell

Veteran has a fine record at this venue, three wins and three places from nine visits; won twice at last year's festival; recent form offers hope he is ready to strike again; however, he is best suited by testing conditions.

13/2

Form: 7-0874

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Placed three times in Britain for Karl Burke at up to 1m3f; form in Ireland has not been at the same level, although his fourth in a Kilbeggan claimer last time was his best effort (1m, soft).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

12

(13)

13th Aug 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

17:05 Gowran Park

Temple City

9st 0lb

J: Seamie Heffernan

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

14-race maiden and arrives on the back of a poor run at the Galway Festival; return to further will suit and now tried with first-time blinkers but others are more appealing; drawn wide.

66/1

Form: 107034

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 8lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Winner of a big field Leopardstown handicap in March off 60 (1m, good); down the field in three runs following that but his recent runs at Kilbeggan and Gowran over 1m when finishing close behind the winner have been more like it; he was mowed down late on last time when looked to have stolen it from the front; chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

(11)

29th Sep 2026

Yielding To Soft

0m 6f 0y

15:25 Cork

Brains

9st 12lb

J: Sam Coen

T: R Donohoe

Prolific veteran yet to score this season but has run well in defeat at times including a week ago at Listowel when staying on third over 7f; entitled to be thereabouts again, although this trip on the short side.

8/1

3rd

4

(11)

22nd Sep 2026

Yielding

0m 7f 15y

14:22 Listowel

Brains

9st 10lb

J: Shane Foley

T: R Donohoe

Prolific veteran yet to score this season but has run well in defeat at times including when a close third in a Laytown handicap last time; same mark here and can get involved once more.

8/1

Form: -52069

Last run: 5 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Maiden has been placed five times up to 1m; second in a Gowran maiden in May was one of his best efforts (1m, good); not at the same level in three runs since; hard to have faith in him putting his best foot forward.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(7)

8th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

20:00 Fairyhouse

Bishopton

8st 9lb

J: Chris Hayes

T: Miss Natalia Lupini

2-7 on the AW but is 1-13 on turf (win came on yielding); won at Dundalk in March off 3lb higher; the best of three turf runs since then came over 7f at Cork on penultimate; not as good dropped back to 6f at the Curragh on latest; moves back up in trip now and might prefer an ease in the ground.

6/1

6th

2

(13)

27th Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

17:05 Curragh

Bishopton

9st 8lb

J: Wayne Lordan

T: Miss Natalia Lupini

Progressed well last year over 7f, winning twice; resumed progress on return in March when defying top-weight at Dundalk; towards the rear over C&D before more like his best when fifth of 15 over 7f at Cork 13 days ago; probably lacks the pace of several of the 6f winners in this field.

16/1

5th

12

(5)

14th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

14:37 Cork

Bishopton

8st 7lb

J: Leigh Roche

T: Miss Natalia Lupini

Progressed well last year over 7f, winning twice; resumed progress on return in March when defying top-weight at Dundalk off 84; cheekpieces worn when well beaten behind some of these rivals at the Curragh (6f, good) have been abandoned.

25/1

Form: 770-09

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Four-time winner at 5f/6f; out of form since winning at Pontefranct last year; hasn't beaten a rival in two starts this term for new stable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

10

(5)

11th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

14:08 Dundalk (AW)

Cavalier Approach

9st 10lb

J: Adam Caffrey

T: Paul W Flynn

Won four times in Britain; weak form in Ireland last year; best watched on stable debut, and first run since last of 14 behind Sovereign Banter here in October.

25/1

14th

5

(14)

24th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

18:15 Dundalk (AW)

Cavalier Approach

9st 12lb

J: Julian Pietropaolo

T: Maurice Andrew Ahern

Won four times in Britain for Ed Bethell; poor form in three turf runs in Ireland this season; failed to land a blow at Newcastle three days ago; the jury is out at present.

25/1

5

(4)

21st Oct 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

18:30 Newcastle (AW)

Cavalier Approach

9st 8lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Maurice Andrew Ahern

One of his four wins for earlier trainers came over C&D; poor form in three turf runs in Ireland this season but he ran off 68 on the first of them and gets in here off just 54; interesting to see if there is any market support with headgear returning.

8/1

Form: 5-4000 CD

Last run: 36 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Won a C&D maiden last year (yielding); has struggled in handicaps since then; well beaten at the Curragh last time (1m, good); maybe the return to this track will spark something.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

15

(7)

22nd Sep 2025

Yielding To Soft

1m 0f 0y

14:02 Listowel

Lucky Out

9st 2lb

J: Paddy Harnett

T: Miss Tara Lee Cogan

Won 7f Galway maiden last year; regressive this term; unappealing despite career-low mark; well held by Racing Royalty on Galway running.

20/1

11th

11

(10)

9th Sep 2025

Soft

0m 7f 0y

18:05 Galway

Lucky Out

9st 5lb

J: Seamie Heffernan

T: Miss Tara Lee Cogan

Won a C&D maiden last year on yielding; has struggled in handicaps since then, but had no luck in running last time in C&D event in which Goldrush Kid was second; cheekpieces now; not a lost cause.

10/1

13

(10)

2nd Aug 2025

Soft

0m 7f 0y

17:35 Galway

Lucky Out

9st 7lb

J: Keithen Kennedy

T: Miss Tara Lee Cogan

Won a C&D maiden last year (yielding); has struggled in handicaps since then; well beaten at the Curragh last time (1m, good); maybe the return to this track will spark something.

33/1

Form: 0-4511 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Seeking a three-timer after good ground 7f wins at Limerick and Fairyhouse; slapped with an 8lb rise for his easy win last time; has ability and it remains to be seen if his revised mark is enough to stop him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

(9)

18th Oct 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

17:12 Leopardstown

Zaraahmando

10st 1lb

J: Jimmy Dalton

T: Andrew Slattery

Admirably consistent in defeat this year and remains on a fair mark, especially with Jimmy Dalton taking away 7lb; fine at 7f or 1m, so has a solid chance.

6/1

2nd

2

(7)

21st Sep 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

13:53 Listowel

Zaraahmando

10st 1lb

J: Sam Coen

T: Andrew Slattery

Four consecutive places in June/July; in the frame again when fourth of 15 behind Sonoran at Navan early this month; not one of his better efforts at Punchestown last week; overall consistency still makes him an appealing candidate here.

5/1

6th

11

(10)

15th Sep 2026

Good

1m 0f 30y

14:40 Punchestown

Zaraahmando

9st 6lb

J: Andrew Slattery

T: Andrew Slattery

Four consecutive places, and in the frame again when fourth of 15 behind Sonoran (first reserve) at Navan 13 days ago; could go close.

9/2

Form: 9-7384

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
First reserve; ran keenly at Fairyhouse when last seen to finish fourth (7f, good); prior to that his best run was at Gowran in April when finishing third of 16 (1m, heavy); non-runner here on Friday
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

2

(7)

30th Sep 2026

Yielding To Soft

0m 7f 205y

14:40 Bellewstown

Ohmali

10st 2lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Miss Natalia Lupini

Won on heavy a year ago; second at Leopardstown in May and some okay keeping-on runs since; Keane up.

17/2

10th

1

(13)

15th Sep 2026

Good

1m 1f 30y

16:40 Punchestown

Ohmali

10st 2lb

J: Ruby Kinkaid

T: Miss Natalia Lupini

Has shaped well on a couple of occasions at Leopardstown this season, over 1m and 1m1f; below best on latest at Cork (1m4f, yielding) but is now just 1lb above his last win, his rider takes off 10lb and has to be taken seriously dropped in grade.

14/1

10th

15

(14)

30th Aug 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 4f 0y

17:15 Cork

Ohmali

9st 7lb

J: Ben Coen

T: Miss Natalia Lupini

1m heavy ground winner last year; a couple of decent efforts this season, including when a never nearer fifth of 22 at Leopardstown on latest (1m1f, good); rain no issue but has never raced over this far so stamina to prove but dam won over 1m4f so not dismissed.

15/2

Form: 509612 D BF

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Second reserve; easy winner of a 7f Limerick handicap on penultimate start off 52 (good); neck second in a Bellewstown claimer when last seen (1m, good); clearly in good form; declared to run here on Friday.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

11th Sep 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 5f 208y

16:34 Ballinrobe

In The Minus

11st 5lb

J: Shane Fitzgerald

T: Brian Francis Cawley

Won Galway 3yo maiden last summer and back to form in Sligo handicap (2m5f, good) last month, relishing longer trip to win going away under a patient ride; went down fighting at the same track 13 days later from 8lb higher; up another 1lb but respected.

7/1

3rd

2

19th Aug 2026

Good

2m 4f 148y

19:18 Sligo

In The Minus

11st 9lb

J: Shane Fitzgerald

T: Brian Francis Cawley

Won Galway 3yo maiden last autumn and back to form in C&D handicap 13 days ago, relishing longer trip to win going away under a patient ride; 8lb rise but can go well.

13/2

1st

5

6th Aug 2026

Good

2m 4f 168y

19:30 Sligo

In The Minus

11st 2lb

J: Shane Fitzgerald

T: Brian Francis Cawley

Won Galway 3yo maiden in October; no impact in conditions races over hurdles since and never sighted in competitive Galway handicap last week; handicapper relenting.

12/1

Non-runners

Loingseoir, Racing Royalty, Pinball Wizard

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €146.30
Straight Forecast €153.00
Tricast €2491.08
Trifecta €946.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Reidh

TOPSPEED:

Comfort Line

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Reidh

POSTDATA:

Reidh

The Irish Sun:

Reidh