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

9th

15

(2)

28th Sep 2026

Good

0m 7f 26y

15:44 Down Royal

Barbapapa

10st 4lb

J: Adam Grant

T: Henry De Bromhead

First reserve; 6lb lower than when winning at Dundalk last October (6f) and encouraging effort over this trip at Naas when last seen in July; likely to front run and should go well if getting in.

3rd

2

(6)

22nd Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

20:00 Naas

Barbapapa

9st 9lb

J: Adam Grant

T: Henry De Bromhead

Three-time AW winner who sole turf success from nine starts came over this trip at Leopardstown in 2023 off 65; two runs in premier handicaps this season leave him with a bit to find although was out of the handicap last time; down in grade here and runs off his correct mark so don't rule out.

9/1

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

4th

13

(3)

15th Oct 2026

Yielding

0m 7f 0y

17:07 Curragh

Free Solo

9st 4lb

J: Chris Hayes

T: P J F Murphy

Fully exposed 9yo with three wins apiece on turf and AW; second at Leopardstown in August, three starts ago; other than that, 2026 form does not amount to much.

16/1

8th

15

(8)

18th Sep 2026

Standard

0m 7f 0y

18:30 Dundalk (AW)

Free Solo

9st 6lb

J: Ben Coen

T: P J F Murphy

First reserve; fully-exposed 9yo, but goes well here, back on a good mark and and best run of the year last time.

2nd

7

(19)

20th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

18:00 Leopardstown

Free Solo

9st 7lb

J: Ben Coen

T: P J F Murphy

Gained the sixth win of his career at Roscommon this time last year; 7lb lower now, but this season's form offers limited hope.

16/1

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

5th

8

(4)

16th Oct 2026

Standard

0m 7f 0y

19:30 Dundalk (AW)

Exquisite Acclaim

9st 6lb

J: Adam Caffrey

T: Adrian McGuinness

Eight wins on this surface and returned to his best when just overhauled late in a C&D handicap last week; leading contender.

5/1

4th

8

(3)

22nd Sep 2026

Yielding

1m 0f 0y

16:41 Listowel

Exquisite Acclaim

9st 1lb

J: Conor Cusack

T: Adrian McGuinness

One of three runners for his yard; all bar one of his nine wins have come on sand, including the Laytown race in which he was third 12 days ago (beaten just under 5l); wears new headgear combination; others appeal more.

14/1

3rd

11

(11)

10th Sep 2026

Standard

0m 7f 0y

19:20 Laytown

Exquisite Acclaim

11st 9lb

T: Adrian McGuinness

First reserve; won off 7lb higher at Dundalk (7f) in January, his eighth AW win; is 3lb lower than when winning this race last year and didn't run too badly over 1m at Navan on latest; could be a danger to all if getting a run.

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

13th

9

(15)

30th Sep 2026

Yielding To Soft

0m 7f 205y

14:40 Bellewstown

Chavajod

9st 7lb

J: Ross Coakley

T: D P Coakley

Yard stalwart handles any ground and back to winning ways on the beach at Laytown; at this stage of his career, not the most obvious candidate to follow up.

10/1

1st

8

(6)

10th Sep 2026

Standard

0m 7f 0y

18:50 Laytown

Chavajod

10st 2lb

J: Ross Coakley

T: D P Coakley

Back from a break to finish well behind Reponse Finale at Gowran last month (9.5f, gd-fm); ran well on only previous visit to this venue in 2022 off a much higher mark but out of form for some time so needs to revive.

20/1

7th

12

(17)

12th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 100y

17:52 Gowran Park

Chavajod

9st 5lb

J: Paddy Harnett

T: D P Coakley

Inconsistent on turf last season; out of form at Dundalk last winter; never in contention at Leopardstown in April on his only turf start this year.

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

4th

6

(11)

29th Sep 2026

Yielding To Soft

0m 6f 0y

15:25 Cork

Brains

9st 12lb

J: Sam Coen

T: R Donohoe

Prolific veteran yet to score this season but has run well in defeat at times including a week ago at Listowel when staying on third over 7f; entitled to be thereabouts again, although this trip on the short side.

8/1

3rd

4

(11)

22nd Sep 2026

Yielding

0m 7f 15y

14:22 Listowel

Brains

9st 10lb

J: Shane Foley

T: R Donohoe

Prolific veteran yet to score this season but has run well in defeat at times including when a close third in a Laytown handicap last time; same mark here and can get involved once more.

8/1

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

7th

5

(11)

18th Oct 2026

Good

1m 3f 150y

16:42 Leopardstown

Pillar Of Hope

9st 10lb

J: Patrick McGettigan

T: P Sweeney

Won easily at Down Royal (1m5f, good) and nicely on top last week at Roscommon (1m4f, yielding to soft) when defying a 9lb rise; now has the same hike to deal with in what is a stronger race; however, he is riding on the crest of a wave.

14/1

1st

15

(9)

28th Sep 2026

Good

1m 4f 194y

17:25 Down Royal

Pillar Of Hope

9st 6lb

J: Patrick McGettigan

T: P Sweeney

First reserve; knows how to win and ran well over 1m4f at Galway before a midfield finish back at 1m; chance if getting a run.

8th

12

(1)

15th Sep 2026

Good

1m 0f 30y

14:40 Punchestown

Pillar Of Hope

9st 5lb

J: Patrick McGettigan

T: P Sweeney

5-27 on turf; now just 1lb higher than when winning at Leopardstown last October (1m2f, heavy); best run of the season when fourth of 16 over 1m4f at Galway last month; trip-versatile, but probably best at around 1m2f.

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