September 05 / 19.24 Down Royal

19.24

Good

Grant Thornton Handicap

  • Prize money: £4876.03
  • 1m 4f 194y
  • 14 runners
RTV
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Grant Thornton Handicap

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

Form: -67000

Last run: 17 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 57

Form & Verdict
Second in a Perth bumper a year ago on debut; minor promise in Flat maidens but has struggled off harsh opening mark; down 13lb since run here in June and able to drop in grade here with tongue-tie refitted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(17)

5th Jun 2026

Good

1m 1f 190y

20:19 Fairyhouse

Milverton

9st 4lb

J: Robbie Colgan

T: Karl Thornton

Placed in a Perth bumper in 2024 but yet to make much of an impact in handicaps on the Flat; 33-1 and beaten 19l when last seen at Dundalk in November; eased 5lb and yard flying, but hard to fancy on form.

25/1

5

(13)

29th Sep 2025

Good

1m 3f 10y

16:55 Down Royal

Milverton

9st 11lb

J: Robbie Colgan

T: Karl Thornton

Has failed to build on promise shown on debut in a Perth bumper; mark continues to tumble but he hasn't shown enough in recent starts to be of interest here.

20/1

OUR TIP

Form: -66040

Last run: 17 days

W: 10st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 56

Form & Verdict
1m4f Fairyhouse winner last summer and won over the extended 1m2f on Dundalk AW last November; pick of three runs this summer when third over C&D, too keen at Roscommon latest; don't rule out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

(5)

26th May 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

19:48 Dundalk (AW)

Numidia

9st 11lb

J: Rory Cleary

T: Peter Lawlor

Beaten a long way on turf in his last two races but he's much better on the AW and wasn't beaten far here in March; considered.

13/2

13th

7

(5)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 180y

19:57 Leopardstown

Numidia

9st 11lb

J: Rory Cleary

T: Peter Lawlor

Has a much better record on AW; three-time Dundalk winner, most recently over 2m last November; 1-28 on turf; towards the rear at Gowran last month.

20/1

12th

5

(16)

22nd Apr 2026

Soft To Heavy

1m 5f 160y

19:48 Gowran Park

Numidia

9st 11lb

J: Rory Cleary

T: Peter Lawlor

More effective at Dundalk; not beaten far in fourth in a 2m handicap there on latest; 1-27 record on turf is a negative.

10/1

Form: 719-00 CD

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 10lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 51

Form & Verdict
33-1 winner on handicap debut over C&D last summer; has run only three times since, soundly beaten both times this summer at Navan; tongue-tie now tried.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(4)

5th Sep 2025

Good

1m 4f 194y

19:24 Down Royal

Calmafterthestorm

9st 10lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: John C McConnell

33-1 winner on handicap debut over C&D last summer; has run only three times since, soundly beaten both times this summer at Navan; tongue-tie now tried.

12/1

Form: 806662

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 51

Form & Verdict
AW winner (1m4f) at the end of 2024 and March return was promising; back to form in first-time blinkers at Tipperary last month when second to a stablemate and 25-1 shot over this trip; one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

(5)

11th Feb 2026

Standard

2m 0f 0y

14:38 Dundalk (AW)

Gallo Dell Cielo

9st 6lb

J: Robyn Donaghue-Leahy

T: Patrick J Flynn

Added his second course win in December when making virtually all over 1m4f and made light work of a 6lb rise when comfortably scoring over C&D last time, with Black Gem 3l behind; hit with a 7lb hike, but he may not be finished improving.

9/2

1st

3

(1)

16th Jan 2026

Standard

2m 0f 0y

17:15 Dundalk (AW)

Gallo Dell Cielo

9st 9lb

J: Robyn Donaghue-Leahy

T: Patrick J Flynn

Dual course winner at 1m4f, including on latest when making virtually all to score under this rider, with Power Of Prayer back in fifth; first crack at 2m so has stamina to prove.

5/2

7th

1

(7)

10th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 2f 150y

20:00 Dundalk (AW)

Gallo Dell Cielo

10st 2lb

J: Robyn Donaghue-Leahy

T: Patrick J Flynn

Course winner over 1m4f; C&D form figures of 322 and this rider has been on board for both his previous wins; not beaten that far on latest and he is considered dropped in grade.

15/2

Form: 1/0049

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 51

Form & Verdict
Best form is on soft, hasn't had that of late; hood now tried but needs plenty of rain.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17th

16

(13)

22nd Oct 2025

Soft

1m 6f 0y

17:32 Navan

Viceregent

9st 3lb

J: Sadhbh Tormey

T: H D McGuigan

Both wins have been on soft including this race two years ago when with Charles Byrnes; much lower mark nowadays and just okay runs of late; more needed.

25/1

17

(1)

13th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 4f 46y

17:05 Roscommon

Viceregent

9st 4lb

T: H D McGuigan

First reserve; two-time soft ground winner but on a long losing run; not the worst effort at Bellewstown latest and he's on a dangerous mark; could go well if getting a run.

6th

7

(9)

2nd Oct 2025

Good To Yielding

1m 4f 77y

16:45 Bellewstown

Viceregent

9st 8lb

J: Nicola Burns

T: H D McGuigan

Struggled for form since leaving Charles Byrnes in 2023 and no signs of a revival at Down Royal last month; return to slower ground may help and on a career-low mark but he's hard to recommend.

25/1

20/1

Form: 510/00 D

Last run: 90 days

W: 9st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 50

Form & Verdict
Dual-purpose performer whose two Flat wins came in Sligo claimers some time ago; winning hurdler here but recent Flat form doesn't augur well; career-low mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

16th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 0y

15:15 Wexford

Gamigin

11st 13lb

J: Mr O McGill

T: Noel C Kelly

Three-time hurdles winner returned to form when runner-up at Down Royal (2m1, soft, 7-2 fav') in final start for Gary McGill in January; unfancied and well beaten in two runs for new yard; may go well back in 0-100 company now.

10/1

6th

4

29th Mar 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 1f 165y

15:17 Downpatrick

Gamigin

11st 3lb

J: Carl Millar

T: Noel C Kelly

Three-time hurdles winner returned to form when second of 11 finishers at Down Royal (2m1f, soft) in January off 3lb lower; weak in the market for Ayr run last time, weakening quickly to finish last of six finishers; in the mix at his best.

9/2

6th

6

7th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:20 Ayr

Gamigin

11st 2lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Noel C Kelly

Has won three times, including over C&D two years ago when trained by current handler, who has taken over once more after eight starts for Gary McGill; returned to form when second of 11 finishers at Down Royal (2m1f, soft) in January and this Irish-trained challenger should be in the firing line.

7/2

Form: 09B9-0

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 50

Form & Verdict
24-race maiden (0-13 on Flat) whose recent Navan run leaves him with lots to find.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(3)

2nd Oct 2025

Good To Yielding

1m 4f 77y

17:20 Bellewstown

Hangry

9st 7lb

J: Donagh O’Connor

T: John C McConnell

25-race maiden; one of his better efforts when fourth of 14 at Down Royal last month; needs to prove himself on slower ground.

6/1

7

(15)

5th Sep 2025

Good

1m 4f 194y

19:24 Down Royal

Hangry

9st 9lb

J: Donagh O’Connor

T: John C McConnell

24-race maiden (0-13 on Flat) whose recent Navan run leaves him with lots to find.

20/1

Form: 522284

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 50

Form & Verdict
19-race maiden has finished runner-up this summer at Navan and Bellewstown (twice), good effort at former venue on latest; in between below-par C&D effort though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(6)

29th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

19:25 Down Royal

Maxwell Smart

9st 8lb

J: James Ryan

T: T G McCourt

Sole win came here last September (1m5f, good) but numerous placings include this term at Sligo; not much luck in running at Leopardstown on latest so remains of interest, especially given his record here.

8/1

9th

10

(13)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 180y

19:57 Leopardstown

Maxwell Smart

9st 10lb

J: James Ryan

T: T G McCourt

1-28 record is a concern; compiled a sequence of seconds; placed seven times in all, including at Sligo 12 days ago; senior rider aboard, with a very capable apprentice on the stable's other runner Eastern Wind; hard to be sure which one will prove best.

10/1

3rd

6

(2)

3rd May 2026

Good

1m 5f 190y

15:22 Sligo

Maxwell Smart

9st 11lb

J: Sadhbh Tormey

T: T G McCourt

Decent performer over this kind of trip; had four seconds (three for this rider) and a win last year and he's had a spin over hurdles to warm up; ground doesn't matter to him and should be thereabouts.

7/1

Form: 30-095

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 48

Form & Verdict
Sole win was on AW in 2022; lightly raced this year, most recently in first-time cheekpieces when okay run after slow start at Roscommon last month; more needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

26th Oct 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 145y

13:40 Wexford

Tomahawk King

11st 12lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: Thomas Coyle

One win from 26 attempts on the Flat gives him a rating in that sphere of 50; he wasn't far away at Down Royal but lesser efforts in two runs since; makes hurdles debut now and hard to see him winning.

50/1

10

(11)

13th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 4f 46y

17:05 Roscommon

Tomahawk King

9st 7lb

J: Chris Hayes

T: Thomas Coyle

Sole success came on AW in October 2022; close second at Down Royal (1m5f, good) on penultimate but very different ground to deal with here.

16/1

7th

6

(8)

26th Sep 2025

Standard

1m 4f 0y

20:15 Dundalk (AW)

Tomahawk King

9st 7lb

J: Robert Whearty

T: Thomas Coyle

Sole win in 24 starts came as a 2yo at Wolverhampton; best run this year came when just denied over 1m5f at Down Royal last time; can start slowly but has a shout up 3lb.

6/1

Form: /408-0

Last run: 41 days

W: 9st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 47

Form & Verdict
Dual hurdles winner but more effective as a chaser these days; 0-28 on the Flat, never sighted at Gowran latest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

19th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 50y

16:50 Limerick

Walnut Beach

11st 3lb

J: Aidan Kelly

T: Patrick J Flynn

Dual hurdle winner has also won twice over fences including a Listed handicap at Killarney in 2024; some good runs in defeat after and is now just 2lb higher than that mark; mostly below form on the Flat and over hurdles this year but not ignored.

12/1

10th

7

25th Sep 2025

Yielding

2m 4f 0y

16:35 Listowel

Walnut Beach

11st 7lb

J: Peter Smithers

T: Patrick J Flynn

Fair effort on the Flat 20 days ago but was tailed off in his final hurdle race and seems better over fences these days.

20/1

10

(6)

5th Sep 2025

Good

1m 4f 194y

19:24 Down Royal

Walnut Beach

9st 6lb

J: Alan Persse

T: Patrick J Flynn

Dual hurdles winner but more effective as a chaser these days; 0-28 on the Flat, never sighted at Gowran latest.

12/1

Form: 06990

Last run: 62 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 53

Form & Verdict
Slow starts on 3yo's first two handicap efforts left him with plenty to find; step up in trip needs to bring marked improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

12

(13)

20th Oct 2025

Yielding

1m 0f 75y

16:19 Gowran Park

Blackjack Hills

9st 3lb

J: Robbie Colgan

T: Matthew J Smith

Yet to show winning potential in first three handicaps; failed to beat a rival at Down Royal latest (1m5f, good); drops markedly in trip; blinkers need to spark something.

33/1

11

(13)

5th Sep 2025

Good

1m 4f 194y

19:24 Down Royal

Blackjack Hills

9st 4lb

J: Leigh Roche

T: Matthew J Smith

Slow starts on 3yo's first two handicap efforts left him with plenty to find; step up in trip needs to bring marked improvement.

16/1

Form: 070673

Last run: 42 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 53

Form & Verdict
Mild promise in maidens; best handicap run was a staying on third (second won at Roscommon on Monday) over 1m4f at Cork last time in tongue-tie/cheekpieces combination; blinkers replace cheekpieces now; one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

10

(12)

16th Jan 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

19:15 Dundalk (AW)

Mischief Man

9st 3lb

J: Yudish Geerdharry

T: J P Murtagh

Maiden ran well in turf handicaps last year but well below that level in two tries on the AW to date; still lightly raced but percentage call is to oppose.

20/1

12

(8)

5th Sep 2025

Good

1m 4f 194y

19:24 Down Royal

Mischief Man

9st 4lb

J: Ben Coen

T: J P Murtagh

Mild promise in maidens; best handicap run was a staying on third (second won at Roscommon on Monday) over 1m4f at Cork last time in tongue-tie/cheekpieces combination; blinkers replace cheekpieces now; one to consider.

9/2

Form: 756601

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
Had shown very little this summer until breakthrough win at Navan last week, appreciating step up to 1m6f when rallying well (yielding); 5lb rise, no guarantee she can back that up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

14

(6)

3rd May 2026

Good

1m 5f 190y

15:22 Sligo

Share The Treasure

8st 10lb

J: Jack Cleary

T: T Hogan

Got a win on the board over 1m6f at Navan in August but well held afterwards, and is probably going to need this first run of the year.

16/1

9th

21

(11)

27th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 3f 180y

16:25 Galway

Share The Treasure

8st 11lb

J: Wesley Joyce

T: T Hogan

Unplaced in six runs since a 1m6f Navan win in August; midfield behind Charlie Brow'n at the same venue last week; third reserve.

25/1

Form: 363/00 D

Last run: 41 days

W: 9st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 43

Form & Verdict
Four-time winner (three in France), sole win here was on the AW; off for the guts of two years until July, well held twice within 10 days; hard to be confident in right now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

15

(15)

18th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 17y

20:20 Roscommon

Deluca Chop

8st 10lb

J: Patrick McGettigan

T: S M Duffy

Three turf wins in France back in the day; sole Irish win came on AW over three years ago; found his form again in recent months at Dundalk, placed three times over this trip and when beaten a length over 2m last time; rated lower on turf.

8/1

3rd

10

(4)

27th Mar 2026

Standard

2m 0f 0y

18:45 Dundalk (AW)

Deluca Chop

9st 5lb

J: Patrick McGettigan

T: S M Duffy

Last win came over 10.5f here in 2023 off 58; didn't race in 2024; signs of return to form in recent runs, placing in his last three starts; has shown a tendency to hang but big player upped to this trip for first time since 2022

9/2

Non-runners

Echinacea, Amavasya, Highland Harvey

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €66.90
Straight Forecast €50.72
Tricast €164.50
Trifecta €319.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Mischief Man

POSTDATA:

Gallo Dell Cielo

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Mischief Man

The Irish Sun:

Gallo Dell Cielo