December 22 / 18.00 Dundalk (AW)

18.00

Standard

Irishinjuredjockeys.com Apprentice Rated Race

  • Prize money: £6526.55
  • 1m 0f 0y
  • 12 runners
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Irishinjuredjockeys.com Apprentice Rated Race

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Polytrack

Weather: Showers

16/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.10
  • Place: £2.60

Form: 124900 CD

Last run: 141 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Won both starts here a year ago but took a bik hike as a result and his form tailed off in the summer; probably best watched on his first run for over four months.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(9)

10th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 0f 0y

19:30 Dundalk (AW)

Cheers Again

9st 3lb

J: Robert Whearty

T: Paul W Flynn

Has a record of 3-5 at this track and ran well enough over 1m2.5f in a premier handicap last time; probably didn't get home over that trip after a wide passage and can do better today.

10/1

10

(8)

15th Aug 2025

Standard

1m 2f 150y

17:10 Dundalk (AW)

Cheers Again

9st 0lb

J: Jack Cleary

T: Paul W Flynn

Three course wins over 1m; best run this term when third at Leopardstown last time over 1m1f; this trip is a query but can be involved if staying.

12/1

7/1

  • Place: £2.40

Form: 3-8121 CD

Last run: 51 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
In good form in a light campaign this year, winning over seven at Leopardstown in August and convincingly landing a C&D handicap early last month; up 8lb for that but comes in here fresh and could be the answer to a difficult puzzle.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

18

(22)

23rd May 2026

Good To Yielding

0m 6f 0y

17:25 Curragh

Barbapapa

8st 11lb

J: Conor Cusack

T: Henry De Bromhead

Three-time AW winner, whose sole turf win came over 7f at Leopardstown; absent since November but ran well on seasonal return when third in this race last year (to Moltophino) off today's mark; 7lb claim could prove useful.

16/1

11

(8)

31st Oct 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

18:30 Dundalk (AW)

Barbapapa

9st 1lb

J: Adam Grant

T: Henry De Bromhead

Two-time course winner at 1m; weakened over 7f here on latest and hasn't been beaten far on last two starts at 6f (including a 2.25l fifth at Wolverhampton in July off 4lb higher); not dismissed.

16/1

1st

11

(8)

31st Oct 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

18:30 Dundalk (AW)

Barbapapa

9st 1lb

J: Adam Grant

T: Henry De Bromhead

Two-time course winner at 1m; weakened over 7f here on latest and hasn't been beaten far on last two starts at 6f (including a 2.25l fifth at Wolverhampton in July off 4lb higher); not dismissed.

16/1

8/1

  • Place: £2.20

Form: 056442 CD BF

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Held by Chavajod on their clash here two weeks ago; retains ability but needs everything to go right and others look more reliable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

11

(12)

15th Mar 2024

Standard

1m 2f 150y

17:15 Dundalk (AW)

Pierre Lapin

9st 8lb

J: Adam Caffrey

T: Adrian McGuinness

Smart at his best, once had a rating of 110; nothing like the horse he was but has found plenty of excuses not to win as well; didn't fare that well on his claimer debut last month but capable of better.

6/1

7th

2

(11)

16th Feb 2024

Standard

1m 0f 0y

16:22 Dundalk (AW)

Pierre Lapin

9st 10lb

J: Cian MacRedmond

T: Adrian McGuinness

High class horse at his best, once had a rating of 110; nothing like the horse he was but has found plenty of excuses not to win as well; first time in claiming company.

4/1

8th

5

(17)

2nd Feb 2024

Standard

1m 0f 0y

18:00 Dundalk (AW)

Pierre Lapin

9st 13lb

J: Cian MacRedmond

T: Adrian McGuinness

took keen hold, midfield on outer

10/1

12/1

Form: 230873 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Both wins in Britain came on Polytrack; yet to score here but some respectable efforts including when third from the front over seven last month; each-way chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

2

(12)

18th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 94y

17:50 Roscommon

Free Solo

10st 0lb

J: Conor Cusack

T: P J F Murphy

Has been out of form since C&D win last August; signs of a revival with a prominent showing at the Curragh a fortnight ago.

14/1

7th

1

(2)

4th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

16:45 Curragh

Free Solo

10st 2lb

J: Sam Coen

T: P J F Murphy

Has been out of form since Roscommon win last August; better ground may prompt a revival; however, Methgal is a more obvious contender for the stable.

20/1

11th

8

(11)

15th Apr 2026

Yielding

0m 7f 0y

16:52 Leopardstown

Free Solo

9st 10lb

J: Chris Hayes

T: P J F Murphy

Added his sixth win when landing a Roscommon handicap in August (7.5f, good) off 6lb lower; not at his best in runs since and finished last of 13 at Dundalk last time.

33/1

Form: 155014 CD BF

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 10lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Maiden winner here back in March and returned from a break to land mile handicap here last month; drop back to seven might not have suited last time; could go well here back at this trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

(4)

7th Oct 2024

Yielding To Soft

1m 0f 30y

15:30 Killarney

Sea Chariot

9st 6lb

J: Colin Keane

T: John Joseph Murphy

Two 2023 wins on AW; excellent second on good ground at Navan last time; does not need to improve much to win a turf handicap but the prospect of testing ground is a concern.

5/1

2nd

11

(19)

29th Aug 2024

Good

1m 0f 20y

16:30 Navan

Sea Chariot

9st 10lb

J: Shane Foley

T: John Joseph Murphy

held up in rear

10/1

3rd

2

(16)

5th Aug 2024

Good

0m 7f 0y

15:50 Naas

Sea Chariot

10st 2lb

J: Shane Foley

T: John Joseph Murphy

Dual AW winner last year (7f-8f) and ran a solid race at Killarney last time; can improve from that but needs more down 2lb.

10/1

Form: 033132 C

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Won over seven here in October and again returned to his best over the same trip when touched off here late last month; ran okay behind Barbapapa over this trip in between but is more effective over the shorter trip; opposable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

7

(12)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 3

15:50 Lingfield (AW)

Exquisite Acclaim

9st 4lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Adrian McGuinness

Multiple winner on the Dundalk AW; outran odds of 80-1 when a 2.5l fourth at Wolverhampton (8.6f) but he did benefit from a good position from stall 1 and he's out in 12 this time; others preferred.

16/1

4th

12

(1)

20th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 3

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Exquisite Acclaim

9st 0lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Adrian McGuinness

7-28 on the Dundalk AW, with his latest win this January and that's his clear highlight this winter; the last year suggests that others will be a bit better handicapped.

16/1

10th

9

(6)

20th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 0f 0y

17:45 Dundalk (AW)

Exquisite Acclaim

9st 3lb

J: Adam Caffrey

T: Adrian McGuinness

Seven wins here include this race last year (beating Final Voyage) and last month off 82 under a positive ride (beating Brewing) over 7f; 4lb rise okay and one for the shortlist.

7/1

9/2

Form: 260671 CD

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Earned his first win on this surface when comfortably accounting for Pierre Lapin over C&D two weeks ago; 7lb worse off here but generally reliable and should at least make the frame.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

19th

5

(23)

12th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 0f 0y

14:45 Leopardstown

Chavajod

9st 10lb

J: Ross Coakley

T: D P Coakley

Inconsistent on turf last season; capable in this grade when on song but out of form at Dundalk during the winter campaign.

25/1

12th

8

(2)

6th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 0y

19:45 Dundalk (AW)

Chavajod

9st 13lb

J: Ross Coakley

T: D P Coakley

Has won twice at this venue; very hard to fancy on the evidence of recent form; others preferred.

25/1

8th
11 (2)
Dabana

14/1

Form: 445305 CD

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Course winner over 1m at the start of the year; reportedly hung left throughout but didn't run badly in a 1m2f handicap here last month; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

1

(5)

18th Oct 2024

Standard

0m 7f 0y

19:15 Dundalk (AW)

Dabana

10st 0lb

J: Siobhan Rutledge

T: John C McConnell

Sole victory here last year in 1m maiden when trained by Dermot Weld; went close over 1m2f at Down Royal in June but down the field in three subsequent starts; return to AW needs to spark a revival.

16/1

13th

1

(13)

9th Oct 2024

Good

1m 2f 0y

17:27 Navan

Dabana

10st 2lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: John C McConnell

Went close over this far at Down Royal in June but down the field in her two subsequent runs; has become hard to predict.

14/1

Form: 382321 CD

Last run: 37 days

W: 9st 12lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Readily got off the mark in a C&D maiden last month; looks to have a workable mark and one of the likelier ones here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

1

(2)

11th Oct 2024

Standard

0m 7f 0y

18:30 Dundalk (AW)

Not Forgotten

10st 1lb

J: Ronan Whelan

T: M Halford & T Collins

midfield

6/1

2nd

10

(5)

16th Sep 2024

Standard

0m 6f 0y

16:35 Laytown

Not Forgotten

10st 10lb

J: Ronan Whelan

T: M Halford & T Collins

dwelt start

14/1

1

(18)

3rd Sep 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

17:05 Gowran Park

Not Forgotten

10st 0lb

J: Keithen Kennedy

T: M Halford & T Collins

An AW maiden winner over 1m last winter; has run well on turf but not the last twice; others are in better nick.

16/1

OUR TIP
10th
1 (10)
Brains

8/1

Form: 061284 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Prominent racer was prolific AW winner in Britain; claimed after a poor run when 1-2 favourite for a C&D claimer last month and ran respectably in a C&D handicap on his stable debut two weeks ago; might not be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

(10)

1st Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

13:59 Gowran Park

Brains

10st 2lb

J: Shay Wallace

T: R Donohoe

Veteran has shaped very nicely the last twice at Leopardstown (7f, yld-sft) and Roscommon (7.5f, good); close third off 3lb higher over C&D last summer; big chance with the step back up to 1m sure to suit.

11/4

2nd

2

(5)

11th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 111y

17:23 Roscommon

Brains

9st 12lb

J: Shane Foley

T: R Donohoe

Veteran won over C&D at this meeting two years ago; ran well under Foley, successful on him the only other time he rode him, on seasonal debut at Leopardstown.

4/1

Form: 894167 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Four-time winner in Britain for the Johnstons, including on Tapeta; not disgraced on his Irish debut here two weeks ago but more needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

(7)

4th Jun 2026

Yielding

1m 1f 0y

20:00 Leopardstown

Pillar Of Hope

9st 11lb

J: Patrick McGettigan

T: P Sweeney

Five turf wins, most recently here over 1m2f last October off 70; yet to hit form this season however and remains opposable.

16/1

18th

20

(21)

23rd May 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 2f 0y

14:30 Curragh

Pillar Of Hope

8st 8lb

J: Rory Mulligan

T: P Sweeney

Five turf wins include a 1m4f course success during a solid 2025 campaign; below his best in two outings this term; mid-field behind today's Perry Mason on the first occasion.

33/1

8th

1

(3)

8th May 2026

Yielding To Soft

1m 4f 183y

20:22 Ballinrobe

Pillar Of Hope

10st 2lb

J: Luke McAteer

T: P Sweeney

Five turf wins include last year at the Curragh and when bolting up off 70 at Leopardstown in October; didn't count on seasonal return at the Curragh over a short enough trip; drops in class and upped to more suitable trip so has to be considered.

10/1

12th
13 (4)
Helmet Star

100/1

Form: 0-0000

Last run: 114 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 30

Form & Verdict
Poor performer these days; rated 30 and no chance at these weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

13

(4)

22nd Dec 2023

Standard

1m 0f 0y

18:00 Dundalk (AW)

Helmet Star

9st 1lb

J: Sean Bird

T: J Larkin

Poor performer these days; rated 30 and no chance at these weights.

100/1

17th

20

(1)

30th Aug 2023

Good

0m 7f 0y

17:20 Cork

Helmet Star

8st 12lb

T: J Larkin

Second reserve; no realistic chance on recent form.

Non-runners

General Idea

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €30.60
Straight Forecast €31.28
Trifecta €242.10

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Sea Chariot

The Irish Sun:

Not Forgotten

SPOTLIGHT:

Barbapapa

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Exquisite Acclaim

POSTDATA:

Pierre Lapin