June 23 / 20.15 Down Royal

20.15

Good

Laura Nicholas Memorial Handicap

  • Prize money: £5221.24
  • 0m 7f 0y
  • 17 runners
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Laura Nicholas Memorial Handicap

Runners: 17 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £8.70
  • Place: £3.00

Form: 094028 D

Last run: 5 days

W: 9st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 56

Form & Verdict
Has won eight races and this is arguably his best trip; good run at Listowel when runner-up at the start of the month but lesser effort at Gowran since on slower ground and would probably prefer quicker ground here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

12

(14)

27th Sep 2024

Standard

1m 0f 0y

18:15 Dundalk (AW)

Sunset Nova

8st 12lb

J: Andrew Slattery

T: Andrew Slattery

Ten wins, including six at this track; has been below form last number of starts and need to see more spark before supporting.

22/1

10th

12

(2)

20th Sep 2024

Standard

1m 0f 0y

18:30 Dundalk (AW)

Sunset Nova

8st 12lb

J: Andrew Slattery

T: Andrew Slattery

Four of his 10 wins have come here, with last one over 7f last December; has a shout if back to form after a break.

12/1

2nd
13 (13)
Sadiqaa

10/1

  • Place: £3.00

Form: 008609 D BF

Last run: 32 days

W: 9st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 47

Form & Verdict
At his best over this trip but struggling back on turf this summer and was well held by Swiss Army Officer when last seen.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

9

(13)

22nd Jun 2024

Good To Firm

0m 7f 50y

Class 6

19:55 Ayr

Sadiqaa

9st 9lb

J: Archie Young

T: H D McGuigan

prominent on outer

12/1

7th

12

(6)

21st Jun 2024

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

20:10 Down Royal

Sadiqaa

9st 0lb

J: Keithen Kennedy

T: H D McGuigan

Dual winner came back to form when narrowly beaten in a Sligo handicap in May; not at that level in a claimer at the same venue since; excellent 7lb claimer on board here and could be a factor on ground which suits.

10/1

6th

8

(11)

15th May 2024

Good

0m 5f 206y

17:10 Sligo

Sadiqaa

9st 4lb

J: Wayne Hassett

T: H D McGuigan

midfield, headway 1f out, ran on final 110yds, not reach leaders

13/2

20/1

  • Place: £2.80

Form: 38-067

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 56

Form & Verdict
A 23-race maiden; fairly consistent this year without looking particularly well treated; needs to step up on last week's seventh at Cork.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

(5)

12th Sep 2023

Standard

0m 7f 0y

18:15 Laytown

I Know I Can

10st 3lb

J: Daniel King

T: Fergal Birrane

started quickly, led narrowly, headed and lost second over 1f out, soon no extra, no match for first two

25/1

15th

10

(8)

29th Aug 2023

Good

0m 7f 187y

16:35 Bellewstown

I Know I Can

9st 5lb

J: J M Sheridan

T: Fergal Birrane

soon led, headed but prominent halfway, weakened quickly 2f out

25/1

Form: 0-0087

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 49

Form & Verdict
Sole win came on AW in Britain back in 2020; hinted at return to form when seventh at Fairyhouse earlier this month; may be able to have a say from career-low mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

7

(4)

12th Sep 2023

Standard

0m 7f 0y

17:45 Laytown

Kratos

10st 3lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: John C McConnell

Only beaten just over a length when fourth over this trip at Down Royal in June and that run would give him claims; never involved last couple of outings over 1m.

12/1

13th

14

(15)

29th Aug 2023

Good

0m 7f 187y

16:35 Bellewstown

Kratos

8st 12lb

J: Shane Foley

T: John C McConnell

towards rear

25/1

Form: 90-192

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 54

Form & Verdict
Made a winning return at Roscommon and bounced back from a poor follow-up bid when runner-up at in 20-runner handicap at Cork last week; still very well treated on old form and looks like a big player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

14

(15)

12th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 31y

18:40 Killarney

Swiss Army Officer

8st 10lb

J: Julian Pietropaolo

T: Kevin Thomas Coleman

Went close over C&D (soft) in October but this veteran was down the field at Cork on last month's reappearance.

33/1

12th

16

(5)

24th Apr 2026

Yielding

1m 0f 0y

18:15 Cork

Swiss Army Officer

8st 10lb

J: Julian Pietropaolo

T: Kevin Thomas Coleman

Three career wins include over C&D way back; hasn't won in nearly three years but good second on final start last year at Killarney in October when 8lb out of the weights; hard to assess but on a nice mark and good draw.

10/1

15

(3)

30th Sep 2025

Good To Yielding

1m 0f 0y

17:20 Cork

Swiss Army Officer

8st 10lb

J: Julian Pietropaolo

T: Kevin Thomas Coleman

Infrequent winner not in the best of form and he's 8lb out of the weights.

50/1

5/1

Form: 000-

Last run: 191 days

W: 8st 7lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 48

Form & Verdict
Poor form in trio of maidens at this trip on AW; off 191 days and makes her handicap debut; may do better at some stage.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

26

(13)

6th Sep 2023

Good

0m 7f 0y

19:40 Cork

Miss Slovakia

8st 8lb

J: Leigh Roche

T: Edward Lynam

Best run was when second at Fairyhouse over 7f but was well below that form on soft at Gowran since; return to a sound surface can help, so can't be ruled out with a tongue-tie added.

16/1

7/1

Form: 49-006 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
A 7f specialist who is down to a very competitive mark but losing run goes back more than two years and he hasn't shown enough in three runs for his new yard; wears first-time visor.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

9

(7)

6th Jul 2023

Good

0m 7f 198y

17:25 Bellewstown

Wee Pablo

9st 6lb

J: Declan McDonogh

T: H Rogers

7f specialist down to a competitive mark but losing run goes back more than two years; wasn't beaten that far behind Sunset Nova at Down Royal last time in first-time visor so not one to rule out from a good draw (best forcing it).

12/1

7th

5

(3)

23rd Jun 2023

Good

0m 7f 0y

20:15 Down Royal

Wee Pablo

9st 9lb

J: Declan McDonogh

T: H Rogers

A 7f specialist who is down to a very competitive mark but losing run goes back more than two years and he hasn't shown enough in three runs for his new yard; wears first-time visor.

7/1

17

(15)

4th Jun 2023

Good

1m 0f 0y

16:37 Listowel

Wee Pablo

9st 10lb

J: Siobhan Rutledge

T: H Rogers

20/1

8th
7 (9)
Epaulawn

20/1

Form: 76/08-

Last run: 371 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 50

Form & Verdict
Eight-race maiden; promising start for this yard when runner-up at Fairyhouse but regressed and has been off 371 days.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

21th

16

(16)

22nd Oct 2024

Soft

0m 7f 0y

16:20 Curragh

Epaulawn

8st 12lb

J: James Ryan

T: Noel G Hynds

0-13 on turf; often travels well but doesn't find as much as expected; poor effort dropped to this trip at Dundalk last week; best turf form is on good or quicker; passed over.

16/1

14th

8

(8)

18th Oct 2024

Standard

0m 7f 0y

18:45 Dundalk (AW)

Epaulawn

9st 2lb

J: Seamie Heffernan

T: Noel G Hynds

Maiden has been placed several times, including twice over 10.5f in August and September; failed to see out 1m4f here last month but he's likely to get tapped for toe over this trip.

12/1

7th

7

(5)

27th Sep 2024

Standard

1m 4f 0y

20:15 Dundalk (AW)

Epaulawn

9st 5lb

J: Seamie Heffernan

T: Noel G Hynds

Maiden has been placed several times, including over 1m2f at this track last twice off this mark; seemed to stay this trip when not beaten far over C&D in February; a player.

7/1

OUR TIP

Form: 850000 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Has lost his way of late; back at his preferred trip but hard to recommend and would prefer the rain to stay away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

14

(12)

2nd Jul 2024

Good

0m 7f 96y

18:20 Roscommon

Above It All

9st 0lb

J: Shane Foley

T: Tom Dreaper

towards rear

20/1

Form: 642473

Last run: 44 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Probably didn't stay when third in a claimer last month; feasibly treated on all-weather form but needs to improve on his turf efforts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

(1)

9th Sep 2025

Heavy

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:50 Ffos Las

Redshore City

8st 9lb

J: Charlie Tucker

T: Bernard Llewellyn

1-38 and finished behind two of these when fifth of seven in a 0-50 classified event over C&D (good) 12 days ago; others preferred.

20/1

4

(5)

28th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

15:10 Ffos Las

Redshore City

9st 9lb

J: Aidan Keeley

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Denied a clear run when fourth in first-time visor (retained since) in Bath classified two starts ago; however, he didn't really build on that in a handicap at Chepstow last time and has won just one of his 37 starts.

12/1

7

(3)

14th Aug 2025

Good

0m 6f 16y

Class 6

14:30 Chepstow

Redshore City

8st 10lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Looked unlucky not to finish closer to the target when fourth in recent Bath classified (5.7f, good to firm; first-time visor) but has poor strike-rate (1-36) and makes only limited appeal on this handicap return.

10/1

11th
10 (5)
Black Bridie

20/1

Form: 05508-

Last run: 245 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 47

Form & Verdict
Completely tailed off in her last two starts and has a 245-day absence to defy; hard to fancy.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

16

(12)

29th Aug 2023

Good

0m 7f 187y

17:05 Bellewstown

Black Bridie

8st 12lb

J: Sean Bird

T: J Larkin

dwelt start, towards rear of midfield

12th
12 (1)
Helmet Star

25/1

Form: 000-00 D

Last run: 41 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 47

Form & Verdict
Losing run since winning over this trip at Gowran last summer; shown nothing in two runs this year; new headgear combination.
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.

20/1

Form: 0/746-

Last run: 405 days

W: 9st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 47

Form & Verdict
0-18 on the Flat; ran okay over hurdles last month but this trip looks too short for him these days on his return to the Flat.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

16

1st Jan 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 0y

13:15 Fairyhouse

Breagagh

10st 9lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: S Michael Millar

Long standing, dual-purpose maiden; 0-23 over hurdles but has run well on multiple occasions, including here over 2m off this mark; out of his depth in a Grade 3 when falling on latest; this more suitable and while he is hard to win with, he has each-way claims.

12/1

14th

16

1st Jan 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 0y

13:15 Fairyhouse

Breagagh

10st 9lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: S Michael Millar

Long standing, dual-purpose maiden; 0-23 over hurdles but has run well on multiple occasions, including here over 2m off this mark; out of his depth in a Grade 3 when falling on latest; this more suitable and while he is hard to win with, he has each-way claims.

12/1

5

1st Nov 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 190y

14:05 Down Royal

Breagagh

10st 11lb

J: Mr N Gault

T: S Michael Millar

raced in last, bad mistake and pecked on landing 1st, hampered by faller 3rd, outpaced when jumped slightly left 3 out

150/1

14th
15 (8)
Ledger

Form: 0060-

Last run: 184 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
First reserve; beaten roughly 2l in a Dundalk maiden on penultimate start but didn't build on that on handicap debut latest; hood on for return to turf after 184 days off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

8

(4)

26th May 2026

Standard

1m 0f 0y

17:07 Dundalk (AW)

Ledger

9st 5lb

J: Siobhan Rutledge

T: Paul Traynor

Won four times in Britain for Lucinda Russell, but form has fallen off a cliff since rejoining this yard.

100/1

9th

15

(12)

6th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 0f 0y

18:45 Dundalk (AW)

Ledger

8st 10lb

T: Paul Traynor

First reserve; all four Flat wins in Britain came at a low level; regressive for current yard; tailed off on hurdle debut.

6

1st Nov 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 190y

12:25 Down Royal

Ledger

11st 12lb

J: Mr W R Hamilton

T: Paul Traynor

All four Flat wins in Britain came at a low level; regressive this year for current yard and can only be watched now switched to hurdles.

66/1

Form: 704350

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 1lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(16)

26th Sep 2025

Standard

1m 0f 0y

18:15 Dundalk (AW)

The Bog Bank

10st 0lb

J: Sam Coen

T: T G McCourt

Dual C&D winner won her eighth race in total when got back to form at Gowran last time over this trip; runs off her 5lb lower AW mark and though has a tough draw should be involved again.

4/1

1st

3

(18)

2nd Sep 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

16:30 Gowran Park

The Bog Bank

10st 1lb

J: Sam Coen

T: T G McCourt

Seven wins between turf and AW; not a bad run at her beloved Bellewstown last time; down 1lb and has a chance; ran well enough here behind Sierra De Gredos in June.

6/1

4th

3

(6)

26th Aug 2025

Yielding

0m 7f 195y

17:25 Bellewstown

The Bog Bank

10st 2lb

J: Alyse Clarke

T: T G McCourt

Won a division of this race last year and Down Royal win in June was a seventh win in all; struggled since off revised mark so more needed.

14/1

Form: 0800-0

Last run: 156 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 47

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16

(7)

23rd Jun 2023

Good

0m 7f 0y

20:15 Down Royal

Carlas Kodi Bear

9st 1lb

J: Leigh Roche

T: Sarah Dawson

Form: 4-0000 D

Last run: 91 days

W: 9st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

7

(8)

11th Jan 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

14:35 Newcastle (AW)

Gidwa

9st 9lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Brian Ellison

prominent

20/1

11th

7

(8)

11th Jan 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

14:35 Newcastle (AW)

Gidwa

9st 9lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Brian Ellison

prominent

20/1

7th

7

(6)

10th Jan 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

18:15 Newcastle (AW)

Gidwa

9st 0lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Brian Ellison

Has won on both AW surfaces (0-1 here) but has been off his game in three runs since returning from a break, latterly in this new headgear combination; opposable.

10/1

Non-runners

The Bog Bank, Carla's Kodi Bear, Gidwa

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €112.00
Straight Forecast €85.33
Tricast €756.07
Trifecta €1035.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Swiss Army Officer

RP RATINGS (IRE):

I Know I Can

POSTDATA:

Sunset Nova

The Irish Sun:

Swiss Army Officer