August 05 / 20.25 Tipperary

20.25

Yielding

GAIN The Advantage Series (Ladies) Handicap

  • Prize money: £7436.97
  • 1m 4f 115y
  • 16 runners
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GAIN The Advantage Series (Ladies) Handicap

Runners: 16 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

9/2 (Won)

  • Win: £4.40
  • Place: £1.30

Form: 421061 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 7lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Enjoying a fine season with wins at Navan and last time at Down Royal (Storm Steps third); only beaten 4l in the Ladies Derby at the Curragh in the interim; only up 3lb for that Down Royal success and she looks a leading player once again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

9

(11)

26th Jun 2023

Good

1m 4f 169y

19:50 Ballinrobe

Five Zeros

9st 5lb

J: Amy Jo Hayes

T: Nigel Thomas Slevin

No sign that she can recapture the form that delivered three wins last season; showed a liking for good ground at distances between 1m2f and 1m5f.

14/1

11th

4

(14)

11th Jun 2023

Good

1m 2f 0y

17:10 Navan

Five Zeros

9st 12lb

J: Kevin A Murphy

T: Nigel Thomas Slevin

took keen hold, soon prominent

12/1

7th

13

(5)

22nd May 2023

Good To Yielding

1m 4f 10y

20:25 Roscommon

Five Zeros

9st 4lb

J: Amy Jo Hayes

T: Nigel Thomas Slevin

Three wins last year before form her dipped; should have improved from Sligo comeback but still 3lb higher than last winning mark.

12/1

20/1

  • Place: £3.10

Form: 044-90

Last run: 10 days

W: 10st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Sole win from 12 starts came in a Limerick maiden back in 2020; soundly beaten on both starts so far this year; plenty of improvement needed to play a part here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

(2)

11th Jul 2023

Good

1m 4f 0y

18:50 Tramore

Blackpoint

9st 13lb

J: Shane Foley

T: John E & Thomas Kiely

soon in touch with leaders, went third 5f out, pushed along and outpaced under 2f out, ridden and went third inside final furlong, no match for first two

7/2

2nd

2

(14)

5th Jul 2023

Good

1m 4f 120y

19:45 Tipperary

Blackpoint

10st 2lb

J: W J Lee

T: John E & Thomas Kiely

midfield, headway under 2f out, ridden and went third 1f out, ran on and went second towards finish, no match for winner

8/1

7th

7

(8)

24th Jun 2023

Yielding To Soft

1m 4f 70y

20:30 Limerick

Blackpoint

9st 3lb

J: W J Lee

T: John E & Thomas Kiely

Won 1m3f maiden here on second start in 2020; yet to add a handicap success to his tally but twice placed over this trip at Tipperary last August; first run since October; Lee's second time to ride him.

15/2

6/1

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 931823

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Four-time winner with his only turf success coming at Fairyhouse in June; good run at that venue on penultimate start and was only half a length third behind Five Zeros at Down Royal last time; 1lb extra here and should produce another good showing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

12

4th Oct 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

14:25 Gowran Park

Storm Steps

11st 4lb

J: Jack Kearney

T: Patrick Martin

Four-time flat winner is 0-3 over hurdles; well-beaten at triple figure odds in a trio of maidens; blinkers replaced the hood for his handicap debut; potential improver and worth a market check.

22/1

19th

8

9th Sep 2024

Soft

2m 0f 160y

15:20 Galway

Storm Steps

11st 12lb

J: Jack Kearney

T: Patrick Martin

Flat recruit; won four times on the level (best RPR 79) but beaten a long way in both hurdle runs to date at 100-1; will be of more interest when tackling handicaps.

100/1

11th

3

23rd Aug 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

16:50 Kilbeggan

Storm Steps

11st 12lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Patrick Martin

slowly away, in rear

50/1

Form: 49-750 CD

Last run: 42 days

W: 10st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
C&D winner last August off 1lb lower; two Flat outings this term have been okay but good run over hurdles last time at Cork when second behind Just Jacob; chance if building on that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

(1)

12th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 182y

19:40 Killarney

Sequoiaspirit

11st 7lb

J: Mr L Hackett

T: Ray Hackett

Strong stayer with the form to feature off this mark but he has been very quiet in two runs over hurdles this year.

10/1

14

5th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 0y

15:00 Cork

Sequoiaspirit

10st 10lb

J: Liam Quinlan

T: Ray Hackett

Is just 1-27 over hurdles and was well beaten here last time after a break; can improve on that but plenty others preferred.

40/1

8th

1

19th Mar 2026

Yielding To Soft

3m 0f 45y

16:30 Cork

Sequoiaspirit

11st 12lb

J: Liam Quinlan

T: Ray Hackett

Last three runs in 2025 were over shorter trips; best form has been at 2m6f, including when second at Killarney last August; each-way chance.

13/2

Form: 542075

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 9lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Only the one win from 25 starts so far which came at Dundalk last December; good second at Leopardstown in June but failed to build on that in three starts since; needs to bounce back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

10

(4)

15th Mar 2024

Standard

1m 2f 150y

17:50 Dundalk (AW)

Arctic Blaze

8st 7lb

J: Danny Sheehy

T: John C McConnell

C&D winner in 2021 but on a long losing run and she weakened tamely here (1m4f) latest; 5lb wrong here.

12/1

7th

9

(9)

23rd Feb 2024

Standard

1m 4f 0y

18:15 Dundalk (AW)

Arctic Blaze

9st 7lb

J: Dylan Kidd

T: John C McConnell

soon prominent behind clear leader, brief headway up the centre under 2f out, weakened final 110yds

14/1

14/1

Form: 92517-

Last run: 284 days

W: 10st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Has won three times on the Flat with his only turf win coming from his days in France; showed a slight return to form over hurdles at Leopardstown in March but both runs since have been poor; should fare better now back on the Flat but will need to be at his very best to feature.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

(13)

18th Oct 2024

Standard

1m 2f 150y

16:35 Dundalk (AW)

Firstman

9st 1lb

J: Sam Coen

T: Mrs C O’Leary

Six wins include this event back in 2021; ran well in C&D handicap back in March but nothing since on turf; definite chance if reproducing March run here.

11/2

2

(12)

30th Sep 2024

Good To Yielding

1m 4f 180y

17:35 Down Royal

Firstman

9st 13lb

J: James Ryan

T: Mrs C O’Leary

Began the season brightly but not sure what happened since; at least down markedly in grade after being not disgraced at Leopardstown and 4lb further in weights but not sure what to expect.

25/1

17th

20

(18)

14th Sep 2024

Good

1m 5f 0y

16:35 Leopardstown

Firstman

8st 7lb

J: Siobhan Rutledge

T: Mrs C O’Leary

towards rear

66/1

Form: /4083- CD

Last run: 283 days

W: 10st 12lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Veteran with nine wins on his CV, last of which came at the Curragh in 2020; good run at that venue on his last start in October when third behind Crassue (1m2f, yielding to soft); return to 1m4f should suit but this is a tough ask on first start for 283 days.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

5

(12)

4th Jan 2023

Standard

1m 4f 0y

17:15 Dundalk (AW)

El Tren

9st 12lb

J: James Ryan

T: Dermot A McLoughlin

Nine-time turf winner, limited AW experience; good run when second at the Curragh on penultimate start; asking a lot now at the age of 12.

14/1

3

(5)

31st Oct 2022

Heavy

1m 3f 180y

17:35 Galway

El Tren

9st 13lb

J: Robert Whearty

T: Aidan Anthony Howard

Veteran mudlark capable of taking a hand on this ground if returning to form of Curragh second over this trip; tailed off at Navan since and has become hard to predict.

12/1

40/1

Form: 0/00-0

Last run: 83 days

W: 10st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 54

Form & Verdict
Pulled-up and tailed off in two maiden hurdle runs this season before finishing down the field in a Navan handicap, 50s, in May; best watched on stable debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

13

(14)

10th Oct 2022

Soft

1m 3f 80y

16:55 Killarney

Cardinal Rule

8st 13lb

J: Joe Doyle

T: L Young

midfield, headway and in touch with leaders after 2f, ridden and outpaced under 2f out, no impression and edged left over 1f out

33/1

8th

14

(3)

5th Aug 2022

Yielding

1m 4f 115y

20:25 Tipperary

Cardinal Rule

10st 1lb

J: Katelyn Young

T: L Young

slowly into stride, awkward start, in rear throughout, in touch with leaders when nudged along home turn, pushed along from 2f out, no extra inside final furlong

40/1

OUR TIP

Form: 482 BF

Last run: 50 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Two-time bumper winner last summer; bounced back to form when just denied at Leopardstown last time (1m7f, good to firm); should go well but may find this trip on the short side; though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

4th May 2023

Good

1m 7f 170y

17:20 Tipperary

Hi Stranger

11st 7lb

J: Mr J L Gleeson

T: John E & Thomas Kiely

Looked useful when winning two summer bumpers in 2021, also second twice; beaten only a neck in a 1m7f maiden at Leopardstown last June; out of form on her last three Flat runs, two last August and the other at Naas in March; hurdling debut now.

10/1

13th

4

(1)

29th Mar 2023

Soft To Heavy

1m 5f 0y

15:25 Navan

Hi Stranger

9st 13lb

J: Emmet McNamara

T: John E Kiely

Looked useful when winning two summer bumpers in 2021; beaten only a neck in a 1m7f maiden at Leopardstown last June; doubts raised by her failures in handicap on her final two starts; suited by good ground.

14/1

11th

9

(2)

24th Aug 2022

Good

2m 1f 22y

19:40 Bellewstown

Hi Stranger

11st 0lb

J: Mr J L Gleeson

T: John E Kiely

midfield early, dropped to last before halfway, minor headway after halfway, towards rear of midfield when ridden over 3f out, soon no extra, weakened and eased from under 2f out, tailed off

10/1

Form: 0842-1

Last run: 88 days

W: 11st 4lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Former Irish Cesarewitch winner; game winner at Rosommon last time, the form of which has been franked with runner-up Sionnach Eile winning in great style at Galway last Friday; best form is on testing ground; should go well off 3lb higher.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

28th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 132y

15:40 Punchestown

Lord Erskine

10st 7lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: H Rogers

Admirable dual-purpose veteran is a winner of 14 races; 6-34 over hurdles but time may be catching up with him based on the evidence of his last two runs and was well beaten in this in 2024 off 2lb lower.

40/1

10th

7

4th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 0y

17:00 Fairyhouse

Lord Erskine

10st 11lb

J: Patrick M O’Brien

T: H Rogers

Fine dual-purpose performer won this last year (beating Helvic Dream) off 9lb lower; won twice on Flat afterwards, back from a break when well held back over hurdles at DRF in February; 13yo probably needs a career-best over hurdles to follow up here.

16/1

11th

6

1st Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

15:52 Leopardstown

Lord Erskine

11st 1lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: H Rogers

Fine dual-purpose performer is a credit to himself and his stable; won this two years ago but disappointing last year; however, was in good form over the summer and has a chance again.

14/1

Form: 6-0130

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
3-32 with most recent victory coming at Roscommon in May; three runs since haven't been as good and was soundly beaten at the Curragh last time; stable holds more leading chance with Lord Erskine.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

19th

19

(12)

23rd Oct 2024

Yielding

1m 6f 0y

16:50 Navan

Final Endeavour

8st 12lb

J: Chris Hayes

T: H Rogers

Three Flat wins on soft/heavy but has deteriorated in recent years, running no sort of race at Bellewstown latest; 4lb wrong here and hard to fancy.

33/1

11th

11

(10)

3rd Oct 2024

Soft

1m 4f 37y

16:45 Bellewstown

Final Endeavour

8st 13lb

J: Siobhan Rutledge

T: H Rogers

towards rear throughout

18/1

Form: -39133

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
In good form this season; backed up Sligo win with two good showings at Ballinrobe and the Curragh, only beaten 1l in the latter behind Extensio in the Ladies Derby; up 1lb for that and is sure to be on the premises again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

10

(7)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

20:30 Leopardstown

Derry Lad

9st 4lb

J: Jessica O’Gorman

T: Kevin Thomas Coleman

Four-time Flat winner at up to 1m4f but not for nearly three years; tried over various trips of late without success; handicapper giving him every chance but others preferred.

16/1

12th

12

(5)

15th Apr 2026

Yielding

1m 2f 0y

14:32 Leopardstown

Derry Lad

8st 11lb

J: Jamie Powell

T: Kevin Thomas Coleman

Four-time Flat winner at up to 1m4f; no sign of his old form in two outings at Dundalk since rejoining his original trainer

25/1

Form: 744514 CD

Last run: 9 days

W: 10st 12lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Got off the mark at the eighth time of asking in C&D handicap in May (yielding to soft); good run off 6lb higher when fourth at Galway (2m) nine days ago; another 1lb to contend with here and no surprise if right there again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

21st Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 2f 0y

15:45 Fairyhouse

Whatcouldhavebeen

11st 2lb

J: Peter Smithers

T: Jarlath P Fahey

Dual hurdles winner has shown poor form in five runs over fences, including on handicap chase debut at Down Royal last time when beaten by 29l; others bring more pressing claims.

25/1

4th

3

20th Jan 2026

Yielding To Soft

3m 0f 0y

15:50 Down Royal

Whatcouldhavebeen

11st 12lb

J: Aidan Kelly

T: Jarlath P Fahey

Two wins over hurdles, rated 132; nowhere near her best over fences; beaten a long way in three starts in beginners' races and out of her depth in a Grade 2 event at Limerick last time; 12lb below her hurdles rating, but does not appear well handicapped.

8/1

4th

8

25th Apr 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 200y

18:25 Kilbeggan

Whatcouldhavebeen

11st 7lb

J: Aidan Kelly

T: Jarlath P Fahey

towards rear, not fluent and dropped to rear 3rd, detached 3 out, kept on and went remote fourth towards finish

4/1

12 (14)
Fattan

22/1

Form: 834756

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Winless in 16 starts; two good placed efforts earlier in the season but has failed to feature much since; blinkers replaced by the visor here; needs to improve.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

(14)

5th Aug 2022

Yielding

1m 4f 115y

20:25 Tipperary

Fattan

10st 5lb

J: Miss R Hogan

T: D Broad

Winless in 16 starts; two good placed efforts earlier in the season but has failed to feature much since; blinkers replaced by the visor here; needs to improve.

22/1

25/1

Form: 4930-0

Last run: 36 days

W: 9st 9lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 48

Form & Verdict
0-11 and failed to show much on seasonal reappearance at Ballinrobe 36 days ago; should be better for the run but this is competitive; hard to fancy.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

9

(7)

4th Jul 2024

Good

1m 6f 109y

19:10 Bellewstown

Bolero

8st 12lb

J: Nathan Crosse

T: H Rogers

Longstanding maiden has run well at this track but her form went downhill last autumn and others are preferred on return.

25/1

50/1

Form: 687/9-

Last run: 283 days

W: 9st 8lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 47

Form & Verdict
0-28 and very hard to make a case for him based on recent form; stable debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16th

5

4th May 2024

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

18:30 Punchestown

Balaclava

12st 0lb

J: Ms N Di Brita

T: D J Bunyan

Tailed off in amateur riders' Derby at the Curragh 6 months ago; shown little in recent years.

50/1

16th

5

4th May 2024

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

18:30 Punchestown

Balaclava

12st 0lb

J: Ms N Di Brita

T: D J Bunyan

Tailed off in amateur riders' Derby at the Curragh 6 months ago; shown little in recent years.

50/1

7th

6

(5)

31st Oct 2023

Heavy

1m 4f 0y

15:07 Curragh

Balaclava

11st 4lb

J: Ms M Kelly

T: D J Bunyan & G O’Leary

dwelt start, midfield

200/1

Non-runners

Lord Erskine, Final Endeavour, Derry Lad, Whatcouldhavebeen, Fattan, Bolero, Balaclava

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €66.30
Straight Forecast €58.77
Tricast €311.77
Trifecta €403.20

Selections

POSTDATA:

Derry Lad

RP Ratings (IRE):

Sequoiaspirit

SPOTLIGHT:

Lord Erskine

The Irish Sun:

Derry Lad