June 24 / 17.40 Down Royal

17.40

Good To Yielding

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  • Prize money: £5743.36
  • 1m 4f 175y
  • 10 runners
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Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

15/8 (Won)

  • Win: £1.50
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 344/2-

Last run: 332 days

W: 9st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
0-4 on the Flat but was runner-up in an 18-runner maiden at last year's Galway Festival; useful winning hurdler as well, though well beaten in his two handicaps this year; now goes in cheekpieces; big chance if on his game.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

1st Aug 2024

Good

2m 2f 54y

14:45 Galway

Merlin Giant

11st 1lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Emmet Mullins

Twice a winner over hurdles and won a Down Royal Flat maiden last year; made a really encouraging reappearance after 10 months off when just worn down up the hill in a beginners chase here on Tuesday; very interesting runner if he pulls out again.

4/1

2nd

4

30th Jul 2024

Yielding

2m 2f 54y

17:25 Galway

Merlin Giant

11st 12lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Emmet Mullins

prominent, lost second before 4th, pushed along to lead after last, faced challenge and ridden home straight, headed final 110yds

2/1

3rd

6

(8)

24th Sep 2023

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 165y

16:45 Curragh

Merlin Giant

9st 8lb

J: Ben Coen

T: Emmet Mullins

prominent

11/2

2/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 4453-3

Last run: 39 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Placed over hurdles; 0-9 on the Flat but appeared to show much-improved form in a conditions race at Killarney (1m6f, good to yielding) and strong chance if taking that form at face value.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

24th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 51y

Class 2

15:03 Kelso

Impero

12st 0lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Cian Collins

Took this in good style 12 months ago; lightly raced since but advanced his form after nine months off when second of ten in 2m1f handicap at Killarney 15 days ago; up 4lb here but this Irish challenger rates a player.

3/1

2nd

1

9th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 0y

15:00 Killarney

Impero

11st 12lb

J: Carl Millar

T: Cian Collins

Five hurdle wins came on goodish ground at 2m-2m4; last success came when 10l in front at Kelso last May; not at his best at Stratford next time, nor on the Flat at Galway when last seen; has won after a break before.

5/1

20/1

  • Place: £2.90

Form: 77

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
The winner of a maiden hurdle in April; needs to improve on what he's shown in two Flat runs.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

(8)

11th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 189y

Class 6

15:30 Catterick

Wasthatok

9st 9lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Philip Kirby

Won over hurdles at Newcastle last November and when back on the Flat at Wolverhampton (2m, AW) in March; badly hampered and unseated over hurdles next time; still has mileage in his mark judged on old Flat form; respected.

5/1

16

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 189y

Class 2

13:30 Kelso

Wasthatok

10st 9lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Philip Kirby

Won easily at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft) in November and runner-up to progressive winner at Catterick (2m3f, good) in December; soundly beaten behind Judicial Deference at Haydock (2m5f, good to soft) in January but he's probably better than that and he won on the AW last week; not ruled out.

16/1

1st

4

(3)

10th Mar 2026

Standard

2m 0f 120y

Class 5

17:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Wasthatok

9st 5lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Philip Kirby

Better known as a hurdler but was having only his second start on the AW when second of six at Southwell (16.5f, Tapeta) in September; now 1lb lower and could go well.

7/2

10/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Useful chaser who had been running well before pulling up in a strong handicap at Fairyhouse's big April meeting; this is a belated Flat debut his ability needs respecting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

(2)

27th Aug 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 110y

19:45 Bellewstown

Barnacullia

11st 2lb

J: Mr Finian Maguire

T: Michael Mulvany

midfield, some headway under 2f out, in touch with leaders when switched left inside final furlong, kept on

22/1

10th

11

(2)

17th Aug 2024

Yielding

2m 0f 80y

19:30 Tramore

Barnacullia

9st 4lb

J: Wesley Joyce

T: Michael Mulvany

Useful dual-purpose performer had good form in staying handicaps last year; around 5l off Busselton at Galway and weighted to turn the tables; no show over fences later in the week at Ballybrit; ran well on sole previous outing here.

11/1

OUR TIP

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Interesting pedigree as a half-sister to smart stayers Lot Of Joy and Ebor winner Sonnyboyliston; market can guide.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

10

11th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

15:55 Cork

Dubeyeracingcraic

11st 10lb

J: Philip Byrnes

T: C Byrnes

Ready winner of 2m2f Downpatrick maiden last summer (good) and absent until disappointing favourite in Navan flat handicap last month when cheekpieces tried; remains a potential improver in first handicap hurdle with ground in her favour.

7/1

8th

10

11th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

15:55 Cork

Dubeyeracingcraic

11st 10lb

J: Philip Byrnes

T: C Byrnes

prominent

7/1

11th

14

(3)

27th Apr 2024

Yielding

1m 5f 0y

16:35 Navan

Dubeyeracingcraic

9st 5lb

J: Sean Davis

T: C Byrnes

Was one leg of a stable gamble when winning a Downpatrick maiden hurdle in August when last seen; the best of him could yet to be seen although he could well come on for whatever he does here.

12/1

Form: 6

Last run: 39 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Nice pedigree but was easy to back at Killarney (1m, good to yielding; 16-1) and was beaten 10l.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

10

(6)

24th Jun 2023

Good To Yielding

1m 4f 175y

17:40 Down Royal

Valkyrie Gray

9st 4lb

J: Nathan Crosse

T: Mrs John Harrington

in touch with leaders

14/1

6th

12

(4)

16th May 2023

Good To Yielding

1m 0f 31y

18:05 Killarney

Valkyrie Gray

9st 4lb

J: Shane Foley

T: Mrs John Harrington

midfield, nudged along over 3f out, soon ridden, outpaced under 2f out

4/1

Form: 3

Last run: 39 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Kept on well to make the frame in a modest 1m2f maiden at Sligo last month; will need more to take this but he's entitled to improve.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

(9)

12th Sep 2023

Standard

0m 7f 0y

18:15 Laytown

Knight Sleeper

10st 3lb

J: Donagh O’Connor

T: K J Condon

towards rear but in touch with leaders, headway on near side of group from 3f out, went fourth over 1f out, soon no extra, lost fourth final strides

6/1

6th

3

(6)

24th Jul 2023

Yielding

1m 4f 126y

20:10 Ballinrobe

Knight Sleeper

9st 9lb

J: W J Lee

T: K J Condon

Fair third in a weak maiden at Sligo on debut; faded to finish seventh in a 1m5f Down Royal event in which Westahok finished third; needs to improve.

8/1

7th

3

(4)

24th Jun 2023

Good To Yielding

1m 4f 175y

17:40 Down Royal

Knight Sleeper

9st 9lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: K J Condon

prominent, led after 1f

8/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Eleventh foal; half-sister to winners Tiz The Shot (1m/1m1f 2yo inc Listed; RPR 97), Green Fees (9.5f-1m4f; 90), Gleaming Silver (1m; 77) and Recollection (1m4f; 66); dam 1m5f/1m6f winner (87); others appeal more on this belated debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

5th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 188y

Class 5

15:05 Sedgefield

Spring Wind

10st 5lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tristan Davidson

in touch with leaders

16/1

8th

8

5th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 188y

Class 5

15:05 Sedgefield

Spring Wind

10st 5lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tristan Davidson

in touch with leaders

16/1

9th

12

17th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 66y

Class 5

14:30 Catterick

Spring Wind

10st 10lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tristan Davidson

towards rear throughout

12/1

100/1

Form:

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 4lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Always behind when 150-1 for a 7f maiden at Fairyhouse (also hooded); soon raised in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

(3)

16th May 2024

Soft To Heavy

1m 3f 55y

16:05 Limerick

Lough Alina

10st 2lb

J: Sean Bird

T: M M Rice

dwelt start, in touch with leaders, dropped to last halfway

200/1

6th

1

(3)

16th May 2024

Soft To Heavy

1m 3f 55y

16:05 Limerick

Lough Alina

10st 2lb

J: Sean Bird

T: M M Rice

Has beaten a total of three rivals in five starts and looks of little account.

200/1

12th

3

(16)

1st Mar 2024

Standard

0m 6f 0y

17:10 Dundalk (AW)

Lough Alina

10st 2lb

J: Robert Whearty

T: M M Rice

Has beaten one rival in four starts and makes no appeal.

150/1

Form: 96

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Ran a better race second time out at Fairyhouse (1m4f, good) to finish in midfield; the RPR of 72 that he posted hints at limitations in this company.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16th

12

(17)

7th Aug 2023

Soft

1m 2f 110y

17:45 Naas

Moon Over Claddagh

9st 1lb

J: Ben Coen

T: Henry De Bromhead

Dropped in trip after a poor run over 1m7f at Leopardstown in his first handicap; best watched for now.

20/1

14th

2

(12)

27th Jul 2023

Yielding To Soft

1m 7f 0y

20:22 Leopardstown

Moon Over Claddagh

9st 12lb

J: Donagh O’Connor

T: Henry De Bromhead

in touch with leaders

16/1

5th

4

(2)

11th Jul 2023

Good

1m 4f 0y

17:50 Tramore

Moon Over Claddagh

9st 9lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Henry De Bromhead

towards rear, pushed along and headway over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong

14/1

Non-runners

Moon Over Claddagh

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €9.00
Straight Forecast €7.77
Trifecta €88.60

Selections

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Impero

SPOTLIGHT:

Merlin Giant

The Irish Sun:

Merlin Giant

TOPSPEED:

Impero

POSTDATA:

Impero