September 26 / 13.30 Down Royal

13.30

Yielding To Soft

Madri Excepcional Maiden

  • Prize money: £5949.58
  • 0m 5f 0y
  • 9 runners
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Madri Excepcional Maiden

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

3/1 (Won)

  • Win: £2.70
  • Place: £1.20

Form: 923882

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Looks highly unlikely his mark will suffice but is worth it and encouraging he took so well to this place on latest; alarming he seems averse to the stalls after all these runs and not certain to confirm that form with Aurora Nova.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16th

13

(12)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 180y

13:47 Navan

Gobi Star

8st 12lb

J: E E Ryan

T: James M Barcoe

Very little form of note on both AW and turf since December return; hard to fancy.

25/1

13th

9

(13)

22nd Apr 2026

Soft To Heavy

0m 7f 0y

19:18 Gowran Park

Gobi Star

9st 3lb

J: Declan McDonogh

T: James M Barcoe

Very weak form (turf/AW) since last July; sole turf win was in a 5f maiden in 2022; not an obvious contender.

33/1

17th

11

(21)

12th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 0f 0y

14:45 Leopardstown

Gobi Star

9st 3lb

J: Ben Coen

T: James M Barcoe

Very weak form (turf/AW) since last July; sole turf win was in a 5f maiden in 2022; not an obvious contender.

25/1

7/2

  • Place: £2.40

Form: 67-3

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Filly's best run was when third at 33s over C&D on latest, sticking to the inner and paying the price, passed by Gobi Star; must have a good chance of reversing that form and going well, albeit ground an unknown.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

14

(12)

31st May 2026

Good

0m 6f 60y

15:15 Listowel

Aurora Nova

9st 0lb

J: Wesley Joyce

T: Andrew McNamara

Made the breakthrough over 6f, but her three wins last term were all over 5f, two of them at Bellewstown where she had a good comeback run in April.

11/1

3rd

9

(11)

11th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

0m 5f 3y

18:30 Bellewstown

Aurora Nova

9st 2lb

J: Jamie Powell

T: Andrew McNamara

Won over C&D (good) on this card last year and gained third win of the year over C&D (good) in July off 69; tailed off at the Curragh on return; ground may be against her on this occasion.

16/1

12th

11

(4)

3rd Apr 2026

Soft

0m 6f 0y

13:57 Curragh

Aurora Nova

8st 9lb

J: Wesley Joyce

T: Andrew McNamara

Recorded back-to-back 5f wins at Down Royal and Bellewstown last summer but has been a little too high in the ratings since; back down to last winning mark now and won first time up last term so monitor the betting.

12/1

6/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 64

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Another who looks ill-suited to dropping in trip, she was just ahead of Echoing at Fairyhouse and doubtful she will confirm that form; both runs decent all told.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

(4)

22nd Apr 2026

Soft To Heavy

0m 7f 0y

17:48 Gowran Park

Greek Flower

8st 13lb

J: Gavin Ryan

T: John James Feane

On a 16-race losing streak but shaped well on a number of occasions, including on return 7 days ago when beaten 1.75l by Glory To Be at Leopardstown on yielding; has slipped to an attractive mark and a leading player if building on return.

8/1

3rd

10

(5)

15th Apr 2026

Yielding

0m 7f 0y

16:52 Leopardstown

Greek Flower

9st 8lb

J: Ronan Whelan

T: John James Feane

Back-to-back winner in 2023 in a 5f Navan maiden (soft) and a 6f Curragh handicap off 70 (heavy); nothing since then but creditable fifth at the Curragh in November on her first try at this trip in a first-time hood and tongue tie (left off now).

10/1

Form:

Last run: 118 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Top sire; only 7-2, despite yard hardly ever having maiden winners, at Tipperary in May; blew the start and evidently has ability despite no show then.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(6)

9th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

16:30 Ayr

Cavallo Pazzo

9st 12lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Daragh Bourke

6yo who has a regressive profile but he kept on into mid-division over 7f here (good to soft) three weeks ago and the return to 1m and more testing ground could be in his favour, with both wins having come on heavy going; interesting contender off an ever-falling mark.

9/1

1

(6)

18th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 50y

Class 6

16:45 Ayr

Cavallo Pazzo

9st 12lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Daragh Bourke

Gained his Irish wins on heavy ground and he produced a clear best effort for current yard on soft (now 9lb lower) when fourth of nine at Redcar last November; revival plausible when he returns to those conditions.

20/1

Form: -46360

Last run: 42 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Quite consistent and champion jockey booked so may have the pace to cope with reversion to 5f but it looks far from guaranteed; ground-versatile; cheekpieces look a reasonable move but pace is questionable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

8

(5)

16th Nov 2022

Standard

0m 6f 0y

17:30 Dundalk (AW)

Hector Berlioz

9st 11lb

J: Gavin Ryan

T: Ciaran Murphy

Nine-race maiden ran well over 7f at the Galway Festival but well held since and blinkers now tried.

14/1

12th

9

(33)

8th Oct 2022

Yielding To Soft

0m 6f 0y

17:30 Curragh

Hector Berlioz

9st 11lb

J: Chloe Lyons

T: Ciaran Murphy

raced near side, in touch with leaders, lost ground when shaken up over 2f out, no impression from over 1f out

25/1

5th

3

(5)

26th Sep 2022

Yielding To Soft

0m 5f 0y

13:30 Down Royal

Hector Berlioz

9st 8lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Ciaran Murphy

disputed lead, slight lead going okay over 2f out, pushed along when headed and edged right over 1f out, weakened gradually inside final furlong

10/1

OUR TIP
6th
7 (1)
Echoing

3/1

Form: 6

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Yard had smart maiden winner here not long ago; took the eye in pleasing 50s sixth at Fairyhouse, just behind Greek Flower; Lee takes over but far from convinced this trip is what she wants.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

6

(6)

25th Nov 2022

Standard

1m 0f 0y

19:30 Dundalk (AW)

Echoing

9st 3lb

J: W J Lee

T: W McCreery

Came home well over 7f on Fairyhouse debut; only 2l off today's rival Lizzy's Filly when third to facile winner Bua over that trip on heavy ground at the Curragh last month; fair third over 6f at Naas last time and may prove more effective at this trip.

6/1

3rd

8

(3)

6th Nov 2022

Heavy

0m 5f 205y

13:10 Naas

Echoing

9st 3lb

J: Nathan Crosse

T: W McCreery

in touch with leaders towards far side, ridden and switched right over 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong, went third towards finish

7/2

3rd

4

(5)

23rd Oct 2022

Soft

0m 7f 0y

14:35 Curragh

Echoing

9st 3lb

J: Nathan Crosse

T: W McCreery

held up in rear, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, went third inside final furlong, no match for first two

14/1

20/1

Form: -03070

Last run: 86 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Some sort of chance on Tipperary third (soft) in April; 14s or bigger, nothing since.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

16

(9)

27th May 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

17:10 Leicester

Wild Eyed Girl

9st 0lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: J R Jenkins

Yet to get her head in front and she offered little in two runs for her current yard either side of Christmas; others are much preferred.

66/1

15th

16

(9)

27th May 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

17:10 Leicester

Wild Eyed Girl

9st 0lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: J R Jenkins

Yet to get her head in front and she offered little in two runs for her current yard either side of Christmas; others are much preferred.

66/1

10th

7

(4)

9th Jan 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Wild Eyed Girl

9st 3lb

J: Ethan Tindall

T: J R Jenkins

dwelt start

40/1

16/1

Form: 5/4-

Last run: 605 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Seemed modest when last seen for George Boughey, very promising trainer; yard in form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

13

(4)

21st Dec 2022

Standard

0m 5f 0y

16:15 Dundalk (AW)

Lucys Max

8st 12lb

J: Mikey Sheehy

T: Andrew Kinirons

dwelt start, towards rear

12/1

11th

12

(8)

19th Oct 2022

Soft

0m 5f 0y

14:45 Navan

Lucys Max

9st 3lb

J: Gavin Ryan

T: Andrew Kinirons

slightly awkward start, in touch with leaders in centre of group, waiting for room when shaken up 2f out, ridden 1f out, weakened gradually inside final furlong

66/1

17

(16)

14th Oct 2022

Standard

0m 6f 0y

20:30 Dundalk (AW)

Lucys Max

9st 4lb

J: Gavin Ryan

T: Andrew Kinirons

Third reserve; poor form in a trio of maidens and bad draw here.

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Eur1,000 foal, Eur4,000 yearling half-sister to Czech 7f/1m winner Cawok; dam 7f 2yo winner (RPR 84), half-sister to numerous winners; cheap sire; unlikely at this belated stage.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

8

(1)

4th Apr 2026

Soft

0m 6f 0y

16:02 Cork

Magical Vision

9st 4lb

J: Chris Hayes

T: Aidan Anthony Howard

Four-time winner over 5f-6f and solid handicap efforts in defeat lately but is rated only 81 so has loads to find in this grade.

66/1

4th

15

(12)

28th Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

0m 5f 0y

13:55 Curragh

Magical Vision

8st 7lb

J: Jack Cleary

T: Aidan Anthony Howard

C&D winner off 75 in April 2024 but hasn't won since; decent fourth on seasonal return at Naas (6f, soft) last weekend but 8lb wrong here and looks up against it on these terms.

12/1

4th

1

(9)

22nd Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

0m 5f 205y

13:35 Naas

Magical Vision

10st 2lb

J: Jack Cleary

T: Aidan Anthony Howard

Course 5f winner on heavy in 2022; beat Mickey The Steel in this race in 2023 (heavy); also won in the early part of the 2024 season; ran only once last year; not ruled out given her ability to run well when fresh.

12/1

Non-runners

Magical Vision

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €19.00
Straight Forecast €18.89
Trifecta €47.20

Selections

RP Ratings (IRE):

Hector Berlioz

The Irish Sun:

Greek Flower

SPOTLIGHT:

Aurora Nova

POSTDATA:

Hector Berlioz