July 19 / 20.30 Down Royal

20.30

Good

Freixenet Handicap

  • Prize money: £5386.96
  • 1m 5f 0y
  • 9 runners
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Freixenet Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

100/30 (Won)

  • Win: £6.50
  • Place: £1.80

Form: 650851

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 56

Form & Verdict
Got off the mark when a cosy winner of a Naas handicap over 1m2.5f last time; raised 6lb and up in trip but German damline suggests she could stay, so looks a big player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

12

(12)

5th Sep 2025

Good

2m 2f 141y

18:24 Down Royal

Empress Alma

9st 4lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: Gavin Cromwell

Won three good ground handicaps at up to 2m1f last year (including here); running okay in defeat this year without much respite from the handicapper until dropped 3lb after recent Killarney run; back to last winning mark so don't rule out.

7/1

1

(11)

22nd Aug 2025

Good

1m 6f 80y

19:41 Killarney

Empress Alma

10st 0lb

J: Robert Whearty

T: Gavin Cromwell

Won three good ground handicaps at up to 2m1f last year but yet to hit top form in this campaign, recent Galway run in this grade was ordinary (three of today's rivals ahead); needs a bit more respite from the handicapper.

12/1

20/1

  • Place: £2.40

Form: 07-457

Last run: 4 days

W: 8st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 48

Form & Verdict
Maiden has run well at times in defeat but was well beaten at Killarney four days ago and has to do much better from 1lb out of the handicap
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

25

(20)

22nd Oct 2025

Soft

1m 6f 0y

17:32 Navan

Highland Bells

8st 10lb

T: Michael Mulvany

Second reserve; best efforts have come on good ground, including C&D second last season off 47; soft ground against him of late and similar scenario here.

16

(4)

13th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 4f 46y

17:05 Roscommon

Highland Bells

8st 10lb

J: Terry Casey

T: Michael Mulvany

0-22; best efforts have come on good ground and well beaten on soft on latest; yard in form but underfoot conditions a big concern.

25/1

9th

12

(7)

2nd Oct 2025

Good To Yielding

1m 4f 77y

16:45 Bellewstown

Highland Bells

9st 0lb

J: Wesley Joyce

T: Michael Mulvany

Wasn't beaten far here on penultimate start over further; didn't build on that at Sligo subsequently and tough race to break the maiden tag.

20/1

11/2

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 07-623

Last run: 6 days

W: 9st 12lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Best efforts have come on last two handicap starts, over 1m4f at Limerick and 1m2f at Naas; the cheekpieces worn last time are retained and is a player if she stays; raised 3lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

14

(11)

22nd Oct 2024

Soft

1m 2f 0y

15:45 Curragh

Question Of Class

9st 6lb

J: Rory Cleary

T: J S Bolger

Maiden has run well several times in defeat this year but has been below form the last twice; unproven on this sort of ground but a chance if handling it.

12/1

5th

5

(9)

9th Oct 2024

Good

1m 2f 0y

17:27 Navan

Question Of Class

9st 12lb

J: Rory Cleary

T: J S Bolger

started quickly, led

14/1

7th

2

(9)

23rd Sep 2024

Good To Yielding

1m 4f 0y

15:45 Listowel

Question Of Class

9st 13lb

J: Rory Cleary

T: J S Bolger

soon raced in second, briefly disputed lead after 2f

14/1

Form: 6-0066

Last run: 13 days

W: 8st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 51

Form & Verdict
Similar efforts in defeat the last twice in 1m2.5f handicaps here and at Naas; down another 1lb but needs to improve up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(16)

29th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

19:25 Down Royal

Fine Print

9st 13lb

J: Siobhan Rutledge

T: John C McConnell

AW winner went close at Wolverhampton (1m6f) 18 days ago; due to run over hurdles at Wexford on Wednesday.

9/1

4th

7

27th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 0y

18:19 Wexford

Fine Print

11st 3lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: John C McConnell

AW winner went close at Wolverhampton 16 days ago; 0-4 hurdling in the space of as many weeks last summer but clearly in good heart and could go well.

8/1

2nd

9

(1)

11th May 2026

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 6

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Fine Print

8st 12lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: John C McConnell

Dual course winner last spring who was well fancied over C&D on Friday, only to overrace in a messy affair; needs considering under Oisin Murphy, who's taking a first ride for the trainer (always to be respected with runners here).

7/2

Form: 657-93 BF

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 13lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
A solid effort on second handicap start when third in a 1m1f Tipperary handicap, keeping on; a steep rise in trip now but can go well off the same mark if staying.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

3

(13)

20th Sep 2024

Standard

1m 2f 150y

20:00 Dundalk (AW)

Glimmerglass

9st 11lb

J: W J Lee

T: John James Feane

Third over 1m1f at Tipperary but lesser efforts twice since, including over this trip last time; cheekpieces need to work.

14/1

14th

16

(14)

5th Aug 2024

Good

1m 2f 84y

17:20 Naas

Glimmerglass

8st 10lb

J: Nathan Crosse

T: John James Feane

midfield

14/1

5th

2

(9)

19th Jul 2024

Good

1m 5f 0y

20:30 Down Royal

Glimmerglass

9st 13lb

J: Hugh Horgan

T: John James Feane

towards rear

15/2

8/1

Form: 747

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 11lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Showed some ability in three maidens up to 1m4f and is of some interest on handicap debut for a yard in fine form, more so if market strength.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

12

19th Sep 2025

Yielding

2m 1f 165y

16:26 Downpatrick

Mickey Cohen

11st 2lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Noel Meade

Maiden on the Flat has run well in defeat over hurdles at times, including at this track; capable of a good run on chase debut but best form is on a sound surface.

13/2

3rd

5

27th Aug 2025

Good

2m 4f 110y

17:55 Bellewstown

Mickey Cohen

11st 7lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Noel Meade

Placed twice over hurdles; not a bad effort when fourth over 2m6f at Downpatrick last time; needs to find a little extra.

7/1

2

10th Aug 2025

Good

2m 5f 180y

16:52 Downpatrick

Mickey Cohen

11st 12lb

J: Neil Ryan

T: Noel Meade

Dual-purpose maiden; middling maiden form but good third in handicap hurdle debut at Down Royal in April off 104 (2m4f, good); less promising upped to 3m at Wexford in May; not a bad run in a maiden hurdle at Kilbeggan last month when staying on for third (18.5f, good); not discounted.

5/1

OUR TIP
7th
1 (10)
Benvoy

11/2

Form: 48-973

Last run: 42 days

W: 10st 0lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Some promise in maidens and the best of two handicap starts came at Fairyhouse over 1m4f last time, though still beaten nearly 5l; down 1lb and blinkers added; likely capable of better
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

16th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

19:00 Hereford

Benvoy

11st 10lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jo Davis

In the reapplied blinkers he beat a fair yardstick at Huntingdon just before Christmas (2m, good to soft) but no shows since then, in a visor and blinkers; looks risky with cheekpieces now turned to.

25/1

7

6th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 161y

Class 4

15:10 Exeter

Benvoy

11st 9lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jo Davis

Back from wind surgery and the blinkers returned when a length winner at Huntingdon (2m, good to soft; 3lb lower) just before Christmas; those aids are reapplied after last time but still not certain to be as good again.

12/1

10

11th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 2

16:00 Chepstow

Benvoy

10st 12lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Jo Davis

Displayed considerable improvement when switched to handicap hurdles in March, more notably when drawing 10l clear to collect good prize at Ascot (1m7f, good) in March; not in same form on sole appearance during the summer but further progress is not yet out of the question.

8/1

Form: 580037

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
Best effort when beaten 1l into third over 1m2.5f here but a lesser effort over the same trip at Naas behind Empress Alma; visor could help up in trip
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

(16)

26th Sep 2025

Standard

1m 2f 150y

19:45 Dundalk (AW)

Dancing Steve

9st 6lb

J: Ronan Whelan

T: Adrian McGuinness

Both wins have come on turf but plenty of solid AW runs in defeat; however, has been poor the last twice and needs to get back to his best.

22/1

13th

2

(17)

5th Sep 2025

Good

1m 2f 145y

18:54 Down Royal

Dancing Steve

9st 13lb

J: Conor Cusack

T: Adrian McGuinness

C&D second in June before winning at Navan off 64, didn't count over 1m4f at the Curragh latest but can't be safely ruled out.

8/1

14th

6

(14)

23rd Aug 2025

Good

1m 4f 0y

16:37 Curragh

Dancing Steve

9st 9lb

J: Sam Coen

T: Adrian McGuinness

2-21, doubling his tally in a 1m2f good-ground handicap at Navan in July; led but dropped out to be sixth in a Racing League handicap at Wolverhampton (9.4f); he's better than that and stays 1m4f; each-way claims.

10/1

Form: 000-5

Last run: 25 days

W: 8st 12lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 54

Form & Verdict
Not a bad effort on seasonal/handicap debut over 1m1.5f at Ballinrobe, beaten 5l; cheekpieces added and could be involved if staying this trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

(3)

12th Jul 2025

Standard

1m 0f 0y

15:02 Dundalk (AW)

Seas And Oceans

9st 0lb

J: Shane Foley

T: E J O’Neill

0-14 overall and no wins from five at this track; best run came here last October over 7f from a mark of 53; well behind on return here in February and 21l behind at Leopardstown recently over 1m; Foley on board now.

16/1

19th

11

(12)

30th Mar 2025

Yielding

1m 0f 0y

17:30 Leopardstown

Seas And Oceans

9st 6lb

J: Wayne Lordan

T: E J O’Neill

Thirteen race maiden is 0-8 on turf; ran well over this trip at Killarney off 50 in August and again over 7f at Listowel off 51 the following month; has had a sharpener at Dundalk and Lordan is back on board; interesting.

10/1

Non-runners

Waystar

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €60.00
Straight Forecast €54.04
Tricast €202.38
Trifecta €328.20

Selections

POSTDATA:

Dancing Steve

SPOTLIGHT:

Waystar

The Irish Sun:

Benvoy

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Question Of Class