July 27 / 19.50 Galway

19.50

Good To Yielding

Gra Chocolates Handicap

  • Prize money: £10243.48
  • 1m 4f 84y
  • 15 runners
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Gra Chocolates Handicap

Runners: 15 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

6/1 (Won)

  • Win: £6.60
  • Place: £2.40

Form: 13-271

Last run: 37 days

W: 10st 0lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Consistent apart from a poor Navan run on penultimate start; bounced back to win the Ulster Derby over 1m5f at Down Royal last month; stamina assured, new mark is demanding.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

(1)

20th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

18:30 Leopardstown

Madbadanddangerous

9st 7lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: Noel Meade

Consistent apart from a poor Navan run in May; bounced back from that reverse to win the Ulster Derby over 1m5f at Down Royal in June; maintained progress with a Galway festival win, defying a big burden in a lower handicap grade; stays well.

11/2

1st

1

(1)

27th Jul 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 4f 84y

19:50 Galway

Madbadanddangerous

10st 0lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Noel Meade

Consistent apart from a poor Navan run on penultimate start; bounced back to win the Ulster Derby over 1m5f at Down Royal last month; stamina assured, new mark is demanding.

6/1

1st

8

(7)

20th Jun 2026

Good

1m 4f 207y

16:33 Down Royal

Madbadanddangerous

8st 9lb

J: Gavin Ryan

T: Noel Meade

Had been consistent before an inexplicable poor run at Navan; needs to bounce back from that; others preferred in the circumstances.

12/1

2nd
5 (10)
Sharkeyboy

6/1

  • Place: £2.60

Form: 52-5

Last run: 56 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Promise when fifth on debut at the Curragh (1m1f, yld-sft) last September; denied by a head over 1m at Leopardstown in October; should be near peak fitness now after a run at Gowran eight weeks ago; dam won over 1m4f, trip should suit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

9

(2)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Soft

1m 5f 188y

Class 2

14:25 York

Sharkeyboy

8st 6lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: W P Mullins

Improved upon his three maiden runs (1m-9.5f) when upped to 12.3f on handicap debut at the Galway festival (yielding), beaten just a neck in that big field; he's trained by Willie Mullins and wears first-time cheekpieces today, and there can be optimism that he will continue to progress; respected.

10/1

2nd

5

(10)

27th Jul 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 4f 84y

19:50 Galway

Sharkeyboy

9st 9lb

J: W J Lee

T: W P Mullins

Promise when fifth on debut at the Curragh (1m1f, yld-sft) last September; denied by a head over 1m at Leopardstown in October; should be near peak fitness now after a run at Gowran eight weeks ago; dam won over 1m4f, trip should suit.

6/1

5th

15

(17)

1st Jun 2026

Good

1m 1f 120y

16:19 Gowran Park

Sharkeyboy

9st 8lb

J: Colin Keane

T: W P Mullins

Promise when fifth on debut at the Curragh (1m1f, yld-sft) last September; denied by a head at Leopardstown when last seen in October and the fourth from that race has since gone close in a Group 3; fascinating runner for champion jumps trainer.

9/2

9/2

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 67-072

Last run: 27 days

W: 8st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Ordinary form in maidens; little impact in his first two handicaps; took a step in the right direction when second to Nermal at Roscommon; bound to be fully primed for this; fair chance that this trip will prove close to his optimum.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

15

(14)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Soft

1m 5f 188y

Class 2

14:25 York

Vantage Code

8st 2lb

J: Rory Cleary

T: Emmet Mullins

Third of 15 on the Monday of the Galway festival last month (12.3f, yielding) and found a surge of improvement in a first-time hood to demolish a big field there (1m6f, yielding to soft) four days later; hit with a whopping 15lb rise but that may not stop him given his dominance last time.

11/1

1st

16

(10)

31st Jul 2026

Yielding

1m 6f 14y

20:10 Galway

Vantage Code

9st 2lb

J: Ben Coen

T: Emmet Mullins

Ordinary form in maidens; little impact in his first two handicaps; took a step in the right direction when second to Nermal at Roscommon; staying on well when third here on Tuesday; longer trip and hood may help.

7/2

3rd

14

(11)

27th Jul 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 4f 84y

19:50 Galway

Vantage Code

8st 8lb

J: Wayne Lordan

T: Emmet Mullins

Ordinary form in maidens; little impact in his first two handicaps; took a step in the right direction when second to Nermal at Roscommon; bound to be fully primed for this; fair chance that this trip will prove close to his optimum.

9/2

Form: 045-60

Last run: 29 days

W: 8st 10lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Some promise at two; hard to be confident after his opening handicap attempts at Leopardstown and the Curragh.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

16

(12)

31st Aug 2026

Good

1m 4f 17y

19:25 Roscommon

Ryefield Dasher

8st 9lb

J: Chris Hayes

T: Thomas Gibney

Some promise at two; moderate form in his opening handicap attempts at Leopardstown and the Curragh; Galway fifth was a step in the right direction; more is needed to open his account.

16/1

5th

13

(4)

27th Jul 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 4f 84y

19:50 Galway

Ryefield Dasher

8st 10lb

J: Nicola Burns

T: Thomas Gibney

Some promise at two; hard to be confident after his opening handicap attempts at Leopardstown and the Curragh.

33/1

14th

18

(15)

28th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 0y

17:15 Curragh

Ryefield Dasher

8st 7lb

J: Wesley Joyce

T: Thomas Gibney

Some promise at two, including in maidens at this venue; beaten 13l when sixth of seven behind Hows'thebai on handicap/seasonal debut; 3lb out of the handicap.

40/1

Form: 616444

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Landed a Dundalk maiden early in the year; has found life a little tougher in handicaps; out of her depth in Listed company before a fair fourth at Killarney; stable's best hope is probably Themis.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(12)

27th Jul 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 4f 84y

19:50 Galway

So Must I

9st 5lb

J: Shay Wallace

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Landed a Dundalk maiden early in the year; has found life a little tougher in handicaps; out of her depth in Listed company before a fair fourth at Killarney; stable's best hope is probably Themis.

16/1

4th

9

(5)

14th Jul 2026

Good

1m 3f 88y

19:10 Killarney

So Must I

8st 9lb

J: Shay Wallace

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Landed a Dundalk maiden early in the year; has found life a little tougher in handicaps since and was out of her depth in Listed company last time; others preferred here.

10/1

4th

4

(4)

4th Jun 2026

Yielding

1m 4f 0y

18:30 Leopardstown

So Must I

9st 0lb

J: Declan McDonogh

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Winner of a middle-distance Dundalk conditions race in February; subsequent form in turf handicaps does not inspire confidence at this level.

25/1

Form: 5-6205

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Eight-race maiden; ran poorly when favourite for a maiden here 12 months ago; mixed signals from this year's form; second to Darius Dark at Cork in April, close fifth behind the same rival at the Curragh; no surprise if she is in the mix.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

28th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

2m 1f 87y

16:30 Down Royal

Nod Of Approval

10st 12lb

J: Simon Torrens

T: Mrs John Harrington

Maiden on the Flat but rated 75 and has ability; sent off at 9-2 for hurdling debut at Ballinrobe but finished well beaten behind Nicky Larson; new tongue tie needs to have a dramatic effect.

15/2

7th

8

10th Aug 2026

Good

2m 0f 109y

17:26 Ballinrobe

Nod Of Approval

11st 0lb

J: Simon Torrens

T: Mrs John Harrington

Fair 75-rated maiden on the Flat; interesting juvenile hurdle prospect on pedigree, being a half-brother to useful jumpers Puturhandstogether and Showurappreciation.

15/8

7th

10

(13)

27th Jul 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 4f 84y

19:50 Galway

Nod Of Approval

9st 0lb

J: Keithen Kennedy

T: Mrs John Harrington

Eight-race maiden; ran poorly when favourite for a maiden here 12 months ago; mixed signals from this year's form; second to Darius Dark at Cork in April, close fifth behind the same rival at the Curragh; no surprise if she is in the mix.

8/1

Form: 509-0

Last run: 93 days

W: 8st 12lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Towards the rear and well beaten in three maidens; failed to improve at Limerick on handicap/seasonal debut; on account of his connections, premature to write off all the same
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

12

(7)

27th Jul 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 4f 84y

19:50 Galway

Fits Perfect

8st 12lb

J: J M Sheridan

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Towards the rear and well beaten in three maidens; failed to improve at Limerick on handicap/seasonal debut; on account of his connections, premature to write off all the same

12/1

12th

11

(16)

25th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

1m 0f 50y

15:50 Limerick

Fits Perfect

9st 5lb

J: Gary Halpin

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Towards the rear and well beaten in opening three maidens; gelded since last seen at Galway in October; has shown nothing to date to recommend him but may improve now handicapping.

16/1

4

(2)

27th Oct 2025

Heavy

0m 7f 0y

13:35 Galway

Fits Perfect

9st 7lb

J: J M Sheridan

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Slow to break and failed to feature at Tipperary; in rear at Leopardstown; will need more time and experience.

33/1

Form: 877-71

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Ordinary form in three maiden runs last season; similar story on seasonal/handicap debut at Roscommon in May; battled well to win at Navan on first outing for the stable; 9lb rise may anchor him
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

(2)

16th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

15:55 Curragh

Admiral Will Brown

9st 5lb

J: Wesley Joyce

T: Patrick Magee

Nicely improved on yard debut to win over this trip at Navan last month, didn't appear to stay 1m4f at Galway 16 days later; could still have more to offer at this trip.

8/1

9th

8

(8)

27th Jul 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 4f 84y

19:50 Galway

Admiral Will Brown

9st 3lb

J: Wesley Joyce

T: Patrick Magee

Ordinary form in three maiden runs last season; similar story on seasonal/handicap debut at Roscommon in May; battled well to win at Navan on first outing for the stable; 9lb rise may anchor him

10/1

1st

11

(7)

11th Jul 2026

Good

1m 2f 40y

16:40 Navan

Admiral Will Brown

8st 7lb

J: Wesley Joyce

T: Patrick Magee

Didn't show much in three maiden runs last season; similar story on seasonal return and handicap debut at Roscommon in May; has moved to a new yard; 5lb wrong and likely best watched.

25/1

Form: -70911 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 13lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Has turned a corner after four undistinguished runs; backed up Limerick maiden win with emphatic handicap success at the same venue; up a punitive 14lb for winning that six-runner contest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

3

(5)

27th Jul 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 4f 84y

19:50 Galway

Themis

9st 13lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Has turned a corner after four undistinguished runs; backed up Limerick maiden win with emphatic handicap success at the same venue; up a punitive 14lb for winning that six-runner contest.

7/1

1st

1

(5)

11th Jul 2026

Firm

1m 4f 65y

20:30 Limerick

Themis

10st 0lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Did hold an Irish Oaks entry but had shown little over 7f/1m until ready winner of a restricted C&D maiden on soft ground last month; bred for this trip, saw it out well and would probably stay farther if asked; up 9lb and faster ground to contend with, but she's probably just getting going now.

15/8

1st

12

(2)

19th Jun 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 4f 70y

19:37 Limerick

Themis

9st 2lb

J: J M Sheridan

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Second runner for yard; four runs have amounted to little and again ran poorly on handicap debut at Leopardstown 15 days ago; Irish Oaks entry is unrealistic but evidently held in some regard so could make an impact taking a sizeable step up in trip.

6/1

12th
6 (14)
Darius Dark

6/1

Form: 9-0111 D

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Has reeled off a hat-trick of 1m4f handicap wins at Cork, Leopardstown and the Curragh; further progress is feasible; however, an aggregate 19lb rise may bring the sequence to an end; not guaranteed to confirm Cork form with Nod Of Approval.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

(11)

20th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 5f 0y

19:00 Leopardstown

Darius Dark

9st 7lb

J: Ben Coen

T: J P Murtagh

Much improved when upped to 1m4f, rattling off a hat-trick of wins, at Cork, here and the Curragh; didn't do himself justice at Galway when keen but remains of interest.

13/2

12th

6

(14)

27th Jul 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 4f 84y

19:50 Galway

Darius Dark

9st 7lb

J: Ben Coen

T: J P Murtagh

Has reeled off a hat-trick of 1m4f handicap wins at Cork, Leopardstown and the Curragh; further progress is feasible; however, an aggregate 19lb rise may bring the sequence to an end; not guaranteed to confirm Cork form with Nod Of Approval.

6/1

OUR TIP

Form: 414

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 13lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 88

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

Form: 135

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 10lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 85

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

Form: 52231

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 78

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

Form: 4-310

Last run: 59 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 74

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

Form: 778

Last run: 31 days

W: 8st 7lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 67

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

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €36.80
Straight Forecast €46.60
Tricast €157.42
Trifecta €180.90

Selections

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Sir Benji

The Irish Sun:

Confused

SPOTLIGHT:

Vantage Code

POSTDATA:

So Must I

TOPSPEED:

Sir Benji