June 22 / 18.55 Ballinrobe

18.55

Yielding

Michael Joyce Memorial Handicap

  • Prize money: £7682.61
  • 1m 1f 163y
  • 10 runners
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Michael Joyce Memorial Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.50
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 025381

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Three wins in Britain in 2023 at up to 1m; regressive in 2024 and 2025 seasons; produced best run for some time at Dundalk in March when good second over 1m; finished third to Lough Leane over C&D three starts ago; took advantage of a drop in grade when winning a claimer at Limerick 12 days ago; mark left unchanged.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

10

(14)

30th Jul 2026

Yielding

1m 0f 98y

17:05 Galway

Merlin The Wizard

9st 2lb

J: Gavin Ryan

T: R P Cody

Three wins in Britain in 2023 at up to 1m; regressive in 2024 and 2025 seasons; produced best run for some time at Dundalk in March when good second over 1m; after three more runs, took advantage of a drop in grade when winning a claimer at Limerick; backed that up in a Ballinrobe handicap; was 4lb wrong when ninth in the big handicap here on Tuesday.

8/1

9th

19

(13)

28th Jul 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 0f 123y

18:45 Galway

Merlin The Wizard

8st 7lb

J: Gavin Ryan

T: R P Cody

Three wins in Britain in 2023 at up to 1m; regressive in 2024 and 2025 seasons; has found a new lease of life, recording back-to-back wins in a Limerick claimer and a handicap at Ballinrobe; 4lb wrong, so needs to raise his game another notch; first reserve.

1st

8

(6)

22nd Jun 2026

Yielding

1m 1f 163y

18:55 Ballinrobe

Merlin The Wizard

9st 6lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: R P Cody

Three wins in Britain in 2023 at up to 1m; regressive in 2024 and 2025 seasons; produced best run for some time at Dundalk in March when good second over 1m; finished third to Lough Leane over C&D three starts ago; took advantage of a drop in grade when winning a claimer at Limerick 12 days ago; mark left unchanged.

4/1

OUR TIP
2nd
1 (2)
Daler

4/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 64-871

Last run: 18 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Got first career win with a comfortable 1m Dundalk handicap success last October off 72; mixed form on AW during the winter; unplaced at Naas last month before winning at Leopardstown, his first turf win at the ninth attempt; 7lb rise may anchor him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

(3)

3rd Aug 2026

Good

1m 2f 184y

16:17 Naas

Daler

10st 3lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: G M Lyons

Solid and consistent, but has plenty of weight; 1m1f Leopardstown win came on soft, but his latest third back there over 1m2f was on good and he ran his race; has his chance, but Keane's preference for stablemate wouldn't encourage support.

11/2

3rd

2

(8)

16th Jul 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

19:45 Leopardstown

Daler

10st 3lb

J: Colin Keane

T: G M Lyons

AW winner surprised his trainer when handling soft ground here last month, beating Monday's ready Killarney winner Molto Amichi over 1m1f in first-time cheekpieces; winner got first run on him at Ballinrobe over almost this far, where he kept on well along with third-home Marmeladova.

15/8

2nd

1

(2)

22nd Jun 2026

Yielding

1m 1f 163y

18:55 Ballinrobe

Daler

10st 2lb

J: Colin Keane

T: G M Lyons

Got first career win with a comfortable 1m Dundalk handicap success last October off 72; mixed form on AW during the winter; unplaced at Naas last month before winning at Leopardstown, his first turf win at the ninth attempt; 7lb rise may anchor him.

4/1

3rd
6 (1)
Marmeladova

7/2

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 208-14 CD

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Went close in a 1m Navan maiden on the third of five starts last season; a revelation on reappearance over C&D, winning a maiden very easily from an 85-rated gelding; has since faced a stiff task when the outsider of four in a conditions race won by the subsequent Group 3 winner Sparan Nua; could be a handicap blot here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(2)

16th Jul 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

19:45 Leopardstown

Marmeladova

9st 9lb

J: W J Lee

T: K J Condon

Ballinrobe maiden winner was a length off Daler back there last month (now 1lb better off); seemingly outstayed over 1m4f last time; touched off at Navan last year, so she goes left-handed; handicapped to win when everything falls into place.

11/4

2nd

3

(6)

7th Jul 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

18:30 Tramore

Marmeladova

10st 0lb

J: W J Lee

T: K J Condon

Ballinrobe maiden winner in May (9.5f, gd-yld); stayed on well for a 2.25l third of 10 on handicap debut back there on latest (9.5f, yielding); good ground fine and this step up in trip looks the right move; big chance.

2/1

3rd

6

(1)

22nd Jun 2026

Yielding

1m 1f 163y

18:55 Ballinrobe

Marmeladova

9st 9lb

J: W J Lee

T: K J Condon

Went close in a 1m Navan maiden on the third of five starts last season; a revelation on reappearance over C&D, winning a maiden very easily from an 85-rated gelding; has since faced a stiff task when the outsider of four in a conditions race won by the subsequent Group 3 winner Sparan Nua; could be a handicap blot here.

7/2

4th
3 (3)
Mocking

6/1

Form: 301-66 BF

Last run: 50 days

W: 10st 0lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Fair placed form early last season and won at Roscommon in the autumn; two 2026 runs can be upgraded a little, has met trouble in running both times.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

(3)

22nd Jun 2026

Yielding

1m 1f 163y

18:55 Ballinrobe

Mocking

10st 0lb

J: Ben Coen

T: J P Murtagh

Fair placed form early last season and won at Roscommon in the autumn; two 2026 runs can be upgraded a little, has met trouble in running both times.

6/1

6th

14

(11)

3rd May 2026

Yielding

1m 4f 30y

15:43 Cork

Mocking

8st 10lb

J: Patrick McGettigan

T: J P Murtagh

Fair placed form early last season and won at Roscommon in the autumn; did not get the best of runs over 1m2f on seasonal debut,; probably more effective at this trip.

12/1

6th

15

(2)

3rd Apr 2026

Soft

1m 2f 0y

16:17 Curragh

Mocking

8st 11lb

J: Ben Coen

T: J P Murtagh

Can be a tricky ride but justified market support when notching first win narrowly at Roscommon in October (10.5f, soft); wasn't beaten far in C&D handicap last summer from 2lb higher and ran well on return last season; considered.

14/1

Form: 0-0688

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 11lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Has recorded his only two wins over 1m at Leopardstown; his record of finishing second ten times strikes a note of caution; below best in four 2026 appearances.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(2)

23rd Jul 2026

Good

1m 1f 0y

19:18 Leopardstown

Dark Viper

9st 2lb

J: Shane Foley

T: Mrs John Harrington

Both wins have come at this track over 1m in varying ground conditions; cracking effort back here last time over that trip; up 3lb but the extra furlong is a question.

6/1

2nd

4

(7)

9th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

18:28 Leopardstown

Dark Viper

9st 9lb

J: Keithen Kennedy

T: Mrs John Harrington

Two C&D wins last season on good and heavy ground; yet to hit top gear this term but has slipped 4lb below his last success and hinted that he might be coming back to form at Ballinrobe on latest; not discounted.

11/1

5th

5

(4)

22nd Jun 2026

Yielding

1m 1f 163y

18:55 Ballinrobe

Dark Viper

9st 11lb

J: Shane Foley

T: Mrs John Harrington

Has recorded his only two wins over 1m at Leopardstown; his record of finishing second ten times strikes a note of caution; below best in four 2026 appearances.

12/1

Form: -27410 CD

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 2lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
All six wins in Britain came on the AW; first success on turf came last month over C&D, quickening off a slow pace, despite racing keenly; put a blot on his record when running no sort of race in a Leopardstown event in which Daler finished fifth.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(18)

3rd Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

15:47 Naas

Lough Leane

9st 12lb

J: Jessica O’Gorman

T: Maurice Andrew Ahern

Six-time AW winner in Britain; first turf success at Ballinrobe (9.5f, good) in May, quickening well to score by 2.5l; not in the same form the last twice and drop in trip needs to spark a bounce-back.

16/1

6th

11

(11)

22nd Jun 2026

Yielding

1m 1f 163y

18:55 Ballinrobe

Lough Leane

9st 2lb

J: Leigh Roche

T: Maurice Andrew Ahern

All six wins in Britain came on the AW; first success on turf came last month over C&D, quickening off a slow pace, despite racing keenly; put a blot on his record when running no sort of race in a Leopardstown event in which Daler finished fifth.

10/1

Form: 5-2200 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Now 13lb higher than winning at Clonmel last September; runner-up in her first two starts this term; tailed off at Gowran; no reassurance from her more recent Leopardstown run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

4

(20)

30th Jul 2026

Yielding

1m 4f 0y

17:40 Galway

Justenzia

10st 0lb

J: Chris Hayes

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Third runner for yard; runner-up at Gowran (9.5f) and Ballinrobe (1m5f) early in the season but her last three runs have been well below that level so needs a return to best.

25/1

7th

7

(9)

22nd Jun 2026

Yielding

1m 1f 163y

18:55 Ballinrobe

Justenzia

9st 6lb

J: Chris Hayes

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Now 13lb higher than winning at Clonmel last September; runner-up in her first two starts this term; tailed off at Gowran; no reassurance from her more recent Leopardstown run.

14/1

25/1

Form: 150-00

Last run: 58 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Five-time winner for Joe Murphy; tailed off on debut for this stable in the Irish Lincoln; again struggled when dropped in class at Limerick; trainer/rider combined for a win at Limerick last Friday.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17th

3

(9)

28th Jul 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 0f 123y

20:15 Galway

Grey Leader

10st 0lb

J: Nicola Burns

T: R P Burns

Won over C&D at this meeting in 2024 off 15lb higher; that win came on yielding and his last win came on heavy so while well handicapped, could probably do with a drop of rain.

18/1

7th

8

(2)

13th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 20y

19:00 Killarney

Grey Leader

9st 1lb

J: Nicola Burns

T: R P Burns

Five wins for Joe Murphy, latest of them over 1m1f at Tipperary in October; big prices and has shown little in four starts for this yard; mark tumbling, but prefers it soft and will be of more interest when the rain returns.

20/1

10th

7

(1)

30th Jun 2026

Good

1m 2f 63y

19:30 Roscommon

Grey Leader

9st 12lb

J: Nicola Burns

T: R P Burns

Five-time winner for Joe Murphy; yet to find his form for this stable; reduced rating now (4lb below his last winning mark) but needs to show some spark before becoming a betting proposition again.

14/1

Form: 41874-

Last run: 244 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Has shown her best form at Galway; lacks the benefit of a recent run and may need this on seasonal/stable debut; might be one for the Galway festival in due course.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

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

9th

9

(8)

22nd Jun 2026

Yielding

1m 1f 163y

18:55 Ballinrobe

Storm Averted

9st 5lb

J: Nathan Crosse

T: Maurice Andrew Ahern

Has shown her best form at Galway; lacks the benefit of a recent run and may need this on seasonal/stable debut; might be one for the Galway festival in due course.

12/1

4th

9

(10)

21st Oct 2025

Soft

0m 6f 0y

14:42 Curragh

Storm Averted

9st 7lb

J: Wesley Joyce

T: Michael Mulvany

Thrived in handicaps at the Galway festival when tongue-tie fitted, notably bolting up over 7f (yielding); has looked held by the handicapper since however (1m) and now takes a drop in trip.

16/1

Form: 7-8000

Last run: 43 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Non-runners

Flying Fortress

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €13.00
Straight Forecast €22.24
Tricast €42.61
Trifecta €57.60

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Marmeladova

The Irish Sun:

Mocking

TOPSPEED:

Storm Averted

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Grey Leader

POSTDATA:

Merlin The Wizard