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

2nd

4

(2)

18th Sep 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

19:30 Dundalk (AW)

Merlin The Wizard

9st 8lb

J: Julian Pietropaolo

T: R P Cody

Three wins in Britain in 2023 at up to 1m; second over 1m here in March; took advantage of a drop in grade when winning a claimer over this trip at Limerick in June and followed up in a Ballinrobe handicap; held since, but back on a fair mark.

10/1

6th

7

(2)

31st Aug 2026

Good

1m 4f 17y

19:25 Roscommon

Merlin The Wizard

9st 10lb

J: Sam Coen

T: R P Cody

Three wins in Britain in 2023 at up to 1m; regressive in 2024 and 2025 seasons; took advantage of a drop in grade when winning a claimer at Limerick and backed that up in a Ballinrobe handicap; two fair runs at the Galway festival; moderate display at Tramore; cheekpieces on now.

12/1

5th

3

(3)

15th Aug 2026

Yielding

1m 4f 0y

18:55 Tramore

Merlin The Wizard

10st 1lb

J: Reese Holohan

T: R P Cody

Three wins in Britain in 2023 at up to 1m; regressive in 2024 and 2025 seasons; took advantage of a drop in grade and forceful tactics when winning a claimer over this trip at Limerick and backed that up in a Ballinrobe handicap off 72 (1m2f, yielding); not too bad in two runs at the Galway festival; good claimer takes off weight and this track may suit.

6/1

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

3rd

1

(2)

2nd Sep 2026

Good

1m 0f 20y

19:10 Navan

Daler

10st 2lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: G M Lyons

Found out off higher marks since his Leopardstown win (1m1f, soft; in this new headgear combination) but has continued to run well, from 1m1f to 1m3f; consistent and rates a solid contender.

6/1

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

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

13th

16

(15)

12th Sep 2026

Good

1m 0f 60y

18:10 Leopardstown

Marmeladova

8st 7lb

J: Gavin Ryan

T: K J Condon

In good form in the early part of the summer; progress has stalled since a 1m2f victory here in July; questions to answer at this stage.

25/1

12th

8

(4)

2nd Sep 2026

Good

1m 0f 20y

19:10 Navan

Marmeladova

9st 10lb

J: W J Lee

T: K J Condon

Both wins (maiden/handicap) were over slightly longer distances but she kept on for a close fifth over this far at Leopardstown two weeks ago; in the mix.

12/1

5th

6

(7)

20th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

20:00 Leopardstown

Marmeladova

9st 2lb

J: Donagh O’Connor

T: K J Condon

Added to her Ballinrobe maiden win when landing a 1m2f handicap here last month off 75; both runs since have been disappointing however, getting worked up beforehand at the Curragh and never landing a blow upped to 1m4f at Tramore five days ago; back down in trip here.

8/1

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

9th

4

(5)

10th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

1m 3f 197y

Class 3

17:20 Doncaster

Mocking

9st 7lb

J: Ben Coen

T: J P Murtagh

Sole win (13 races) was in a soft-ground maiden at Roscommon last October; mixed form in handicaps, respectable fourth of ten at Ballinrobe (9.7f, yielding; stays 1m4f) in June last time but others look more solid.

6/1

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

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

21

(19)

12th Sep 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

14:10 Leopardstown

Dark Viper

8st 8lb

J: Shane Foley

T: Mrs John Harrington

Third reserve; has only ever won here, but not easy to catch right and probably wants further these days.

6th

1

29th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

17:25 Curragh

Dark Viper

12st 9lb

J: Tara Hayes

T: Mrs John Harrington

Three wins have come at Leopardstown up to 1m1f; this trip is likely to stretch him.

10/1

6th

5

(5)

9th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

17:10 Curragh

Dark Viper

9st 8lb

J: Shane Foley

T: Mrs John Harrington

All three wins have come at Leopardstown, including last time over 1m1f (good) when a comfortable victor after being allowed to dictate the pace; 5lb rise for that seems fair enough and he's in good form but must win away from his preferred track.

5/1

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

2nd

2

(9)

16th Sep 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 1f 168y

17:35 Clonmel

Lough Leane

9st 10lb

J: Adam Browne-Souza

T: Maurice Andrew Ahern

Six-time AW winner in Britain; first turf success at Ballinrobe in May; strong-finishing fourth over 7f at Naas last month prefaced a recent 1m2f win in an apprentice contest at Down Royal, when he had the returning Areana back in third; same rider can claim 7lb this time.

3/1

1st

11

(14)

4th Sep 2026

Good

1m 2f 145y

18:30 Down Royal

Lough Leane

9st 10lb

J: Adam Browne-Souza

T: Maurice Andrew Ahern

Six-time AW winner in Britain; first turf success at Ballinrobe (beating Hexagonal over 9.5f, good) in May and much the best effort since on latest when strong-finishing fourth over 7f at Naas last month; trip could stretch him, but contender if seeing it out.

7/1

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

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

2nd

5

(1)

30th Aug 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 4f 0y

17:15 Cork

Justenzia

9st 12lb

J: J M Sheridan

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Started the season with a couple of solid efforts but recent form has been below par; beaten 9.5l at Galway on latest and remains 9lb above last win.

25/1

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

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

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: 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