August 05 / 16.50 Galway

16.50

Good To Yielding

Ardilaun Hotel Handicap

  • Prize money: £8876.11
  • 0m 7f 0y
  • 16 runners
TG4
View Course
Ardilaun Hotel Handicap

Runners: 16 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

6/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.40
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 30-663 CD

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Course winner who was only beaten 1l when third at Killarney last month; left on the same mark and both soft ground and this track should help bring his stamina into play dropping in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

(6)

10th Jun 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 0f 0y

18:20 Limerick

Dragon Of Malta

9st 5lb

J: Julian Pietropaolo

T: P F O’Donnell

Has recorded three of his seven wins at Listowel; poor effort there ten days ago, when last of 13; also failed to beat a single rival at Cork on first outing of the season.

20/1

13th

1

(7)

31st May 2026

Good

0m 6f 60y

15:15 Listowel

Dragon Of Malta

10st 0lb

J: Sylvia O’Donnell

T: P F O’Donnell

Course specialist won on successive days at last September's festival (7f/1m on heavy); well beaten on return; opposable at present.

10/1

8th

3

(3)

19th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

19:12 Cork

Dragon Of Malta

9st 6lb

J: Max Popan

T: P F O’Donnell

Seven-time winner at 7f/1m, last three wins coming at Listowel on soft/heavy; has tended to need his comeback run so probably best watched here on ground on the quick side.

16/1

8/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 0069-2 D

Last run: 105 days

W: 10st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Lost his way a little towards the back end of last season but produced a huge run on return when runner-up at Limerick; well treated but subsequent 105-day absence is a little disconcerting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(16)

23rd Sep 2025

Heavy

0m 7f 15y

14:50 Listowel

Shawaamekh

9st 12lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Maurice Andrew Ahern

On a long losing run and his two runs this season have not indicated that a return to winning ways is imminent; positive rider booking but others appeal more.

28/1

2

(13)

21st Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

15:27 Limerick

Shawaamekh

10st 1lb

J: Julian Pietropaolo

T: Maurice Andrew Ahern

All four wins have come over 7f and the veteran prefers softer ground than this; last win was in 2022; safe to rule out.

80/1

13

(1)

13th Jun 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

19:09 Cork

Shawaamekh

8st 11lb

J: Andrew Slattery

T: Maurice Andrew Ahern

Second runner for yard; all four wins have come over 7f, including at this track but the last was in 2022; this trip looks too sharp on debut for a new yard.

33/1

7/1

  • Place: £3.30

Form: 319405

Last run: 5 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Relished testing ground when winning at Sligo earlier in the campaign; several creditable efforts since including here earlier in the week but others are probably on better marks.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

5

(11)

16th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

16:55 Southwell (AW)

Little Keilee

9st 7lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: James Owen

Fairly treated on her back-to-back runner-up efforts over 7f on AW/turf in August but not quite at the same level in recent starts; Captain Parma is the more obvious of her prolific stable's pair.

15/2

5th

3

(6)

17th Sep 2025

Soft

0m 6f 3y

Class 5

17:40 Yarmouth

Little Keilee

9st 11lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: James Owen

Ex-Irish soft/heavy-ground winner; 0-10 for James Owen since June; has posted some good efforts in defeat but struggles for consistency and it was one of her lesser efforts when fifth of seven at Chester (7f, good) on Friday; first run at 6f for over two years.

7/2

5th

6

(1)

12th Sep 2025

Good

0m 7f 1y

Class 5

15:17 Chester

Little Keilee

9st 4lb

J: Ashley Lewis

T: James Owen

Ex-Irish 5yo who is 0-9 for James Owen since the spring; has posted some good efforts in defeat, most recently when third at Lingfield (7f, AW) last week, but her tendency to race too freely and/or start slowly is a nagging concern.

9/2

14/1

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 607765 D

Last run: 4 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Hasn't been at his best since joining this yard but signs of a return to form here on Tuesday; well treated on old form and ground has come in his favour.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

22

(12)

9th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 0y

19:38 Leopardstown

Half Nutz

8st 11lb

J: E E Ryan

T: James M Barcoe

Six wins to his name but on a losing run that stretches back to September 2022; not beaten far in two of four visits to Gowran in recent months; Limerick third offered renewed hope, confirmed by a C&D second that gives him a slight edge over William F Browne and Max Meridius.

9/1

2nd

16

(3)

18th Jun 2026

Yielding

1m 1f 0y

18:50 Leopardstown

Half Nutz

8st 10lb

J: E E Ryan

T: James M Barcoe

Six wins to his name but on a losing run that stretches back to September 2022; not beaten far in two of four visits to Gowran in recent months, and last week's Limerick third offers some hope.

10/1

3rd

12

(8)

10th Jun 2026

Good To Yielding

0m 7f 0y

19:20 Limerick

Half Nutz

8st 11lb

J: E E Ryan

T: James M Barcoe

Six wins to his name but on a losing run that stretches back to September 2022; not beaten far in two of her last four races (all at Gowran) but clearly needs to find extra; official rating has slumped from a peak of 85 to a lowly 38.

10/1

Form: D641317

Last run: 63 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Second reserve; has won two of his last four starts but struggled back at this trip when last seen.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

13

(8)

19th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

20:30 Down Royal

Rock Etoile

8st 11lb

J: Sadhbh Tormey

T: Patrick J McKenna

Third-place finish at Gowran was a rare positive recent effort (1m, yielding) on penultimate; didn't build on that in a similar contest there last time; three-time turf winner is well handicapped on his best form and cheekpieces go on now to try and recapture it.

25/1

11th

15

(7)

12th Jun 2026

Yielding To Soft

1m 0f 0y

17:58 Gowran Park

Rock Etoile

8st 11lb

J: Sadhbh Tormey

T: Patrick J McKenna

Won twice and placed a further six times from 13 visits here; benefitted from sliding mark when beaten 2.75l into third over C&D 11 days ago; handles soft and well handicapped on best form; second over C&D off 11lb higher in October.

6/1

3rd

14

(3)

1st Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

13:59 Gowran Park

Rock Etoile

8st 11lb

J: Sadhbh Tormey

T: Patrick J McKenna

Last turf win came over C&D in September 2024 off 18lb higher; finished last year in poor form, however, and no signs of a revival in two runs this term.

33/1

Form: 707654

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
1-24 and best run for this yard when beaten 4l at Cork last week; however, her mark has suffered back in handicap company and others appeal more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

(10)

10th Oct 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

20:15 Kempton (AW)

Soi Dao

9st 10lb

J: Taryn Langley

T: Adrian Wintle

Several good runs in Class 6 turf events this summer, winning at Chepstow (7f, good) in August; not at her best last time and others look stronger.

10/1

3

(8)

25th Aug 2025

Good

1m 0f 14y

Class 2

15:03 Chepstow

Soi Dao

9st 10lb

J: Taryn Langley

T: Adrian Wintle

Had been threatening for a while before winning for Taryn Langley over 7f here, back in the cheekpieces, off 4lb lower 11 days ago; there's little wiggle room off this mark but the extra furlong's fine round a course she likes, and she's a player.

7/1

3

(5)

14th Aug 2025

Good

0m 7f 16y

Class 6

16:45 Chepstow

Soi Dao

9st 8lb

J: Taryn Langley

T: Adrian Wintle

Largely consistent mare who was placed over 1m here (good to firm) last month and went down fighting when very close second to Romanovich over C&D (good) a fortnight later; wears headgear for first time since 2023; likely to make her presence felt again.

3/1

Form: -84749 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
In and out this term but ran well for a long way at Killarney last month when beaten 3l; probably wants quicker ground than this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

(7)

5th Aug 2023

Good To Yielding

0m 7f 0y

16:50 Galway

Silken Ladder

9st 11lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: Joseph G Murphy

In and out this term but ran well for a long way at Killarney last month when beaten 3l; probably wants quicker ground than this.

15/2

9th

11

(5)

18th Jul 2023

Yielding

1m 0f 30y

18:45 Killarney

Silken Ladder

9st 10lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: Joseph G Murphy

Went up 22lb for two wins last year, including over C&D; some encouragement in a couple of runs this season and 3lb below her last winning mark; respected.

10/1

4th

3

(1)

24th Jun 2023

Yielding To Soft

1m 0f 0y

19:00 Limerick

Silken Ladder

9st 11lb

J: W J Lee

T: Joseph G Murphy

started quickly, led, pushed along and headed 2f out

9/2

Form: 0-0355 D BF

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Won back-to-back last season and some good runs in defeat this term but probably still a bit high in the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

(2)

11th Sep 2025

Good To Yielding

1m 1f 130y

17:42 Clonmel

Dazzling Spirit

8st 10lb

J: Jimmy Dalton

T: Cian Collins

Last of her four wins was in September 2023; respectable fifth in handicap at Gowran (1m1f, good) in July but she missed the break and was tailed off in a classified event at Ayr last month (1m2f, good); 4lb wrong.

18/1

3

(13)

9th Aug 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

20:42 Ayr

Dazzling Spirit

9st 9lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Cian Collins

April's Gowran Park third (9.5f, yielding) is a sole podium finish in her last 18 runs, but she ran to that sort of level again back there last time, reaffirming she can still operate on sounder surfaces also.

16/1

6/1

Form: 131-02 CD

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 9lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
C&D winner who came on from her reappearance when beaten just half a length at Leopardstown last month; up 3lb but should give another good account and gets her ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

10

(8)

14th Jul 2026

Good

1m 3f 88y

19:10 Killarney

Speckled Meadow

8st 9lb

J: Julian Pietropaolo

T: Don Browne

Good servant to her connections; four-time winner from 7f to 1m2f, but very much at home on much softeer ground than she meets today; up against it taking on some promising fillies with younger legs today.

14/1

5th

9

(1)

11th Jun 2026

Soft

1m 1f 0y

20:00 Leopardstown

Speckled Meadow

9st 5lb

J: Julian Pietropaolo

T: Don Browne

Course winner; added her fourth handicap win at Naas in October (10.5f, yielding) off 63; out of her depth on return at Cork before midfield in Naas handicap last month; chance if near her best.

14/1

6th

13

(11)

17th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

14:26 Naas

Speckled Meadow

8st 9lb

J: Julian Pietropaolo

T: Don Browne

Added her fourth handicap win over 10.5f here in October off 63 (yielding); decent fourth in a higher grade next time at Leopardstown (1m4f, heavy) but disappointed at the Curragh on her final start of 2025; out of her depth on return at Cork; this more realistic but others preferred.

20/1

33/1

Form: 5180-0 D

Last run: 4 days

W: 9st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Just 1-23 on turf and only beat one home here earlier in the week; this trip is probably sharp enough for him these days.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16th

7

(14)

5th Oct 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

17:10 Curragh

The Mpex Kid

9st 12lb

J: Jack Cleary

T: Ciaran Murphy

midfield

50/1

7th

4

20th Sep 2024

Good

2m 1f 165y

14:15 Downpatrick

The Mpex Kid

11st 12lb

J: P J O’Hanlon

T: Ciaran Murphy

Four Flat wins (three on AW), well below his best on his last three starts; weak hurdles form, a long way behind Omniscient at Naas in April.

33/1

Form: 274037

Last run: 5 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
10-race maiden who produced a career best when third in a Bellewstown maiden last month; however, struggled in C&D handicap earlier in the week on similar ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

(11)

12th Apr 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

17:10 Curragh

Rathbranchurch

9st 9lb

J: Wesley Joyce

T: Michael Mulvany

prominent throughout, led inside final 110yds, headed post

5/1

6

(11)

12th Apr 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

17:10 Curragh

Rathbranchurch

9st 9lb

J: Wesley Joyce

T: Michael Mulvany

Last win came at Bellewstown (5f, good) last July off 74; tough sort was a beaten favourite when seventh over C&D on his return; hasn't looked like a winner in waiting in two starts since but is well treated now.

5/1

6th

5

(9)

5th Apr 2025

Good

0m 5f 3y

18:25 Bellewstown

Rathbranchurch

9st 2lb

J: Wesley Joyce

T: Michael Mulvany

C&D winner off 74 last July on good; 6lb lower now; course form figures of 32103; tough sort was a beaten favourite at the Curragh on return and was again strong in the betting when poor at Naas a week later; should improve on quicker ground.

11/2

Form: 32-006

Last run: 71 days

W: 10st 1lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Off the mark in a Curragh maiden last season; not at his best on first two runs this term but it was a step back in the right direction at the Curragh when last seen; good mark if he can build on that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

10

(7)

15th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 40y

19:30 Killarney

Secret Magician

9st 8lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Martin Hassett

Last turf win came at Naas nearly two years ago (off 63); standout run this term when C&D third (neck off second-placed Jasmine Affanalis) in May, most recently didn't seem to get home at Bellewstown; Colin Keane booking takes the eye.

15/2

6th

8

(3)

2nd Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 211y

18:10 Bellewstown

Secret Magician

9st 9lb

J: Shay Wallace

T: Martin Hassett

Last turf win came at Naas in August 2024 (7f, good); signs he could capitalise on sliding mark when close third at Killarney (1m, good) in May but disappointing favourite at Listowel next time; failed to see out 1m1f on soft at Leopardstown on latest but definite player at his best.

14/1

7th

8

(1)

11th Jun 2026

Soft

1m 1f 0y

20:30 Leopardstown

Secret Magician

9st 10lb

J: Paddy Harnett

T: Martin Hassett

Last turf win came at Naas in August 2024 over 7f on good; signs he could capitalise on sliding mark when close third at Killarney (1m, good) in May but disappointing favourite at Listowel 11 days ago; step up in trip should suit but becoming hard to predict.

14/1

13th
6 (15)
My Kurkum

40/1

Form: 290-00

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
2yo winner back in 2020 in France but has been struggling for this yard over timber and on the level; well treated but hard to fancy; new headgear combination.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

15

(4)

5th Jun 2026

Good

1m 1f 190y

20:19 Fairyhouse

My Kurkum

8st 10lb

J: Jack Cleary

T: R K Watson

On long losing run; best efforts for this yard have come over shorter than this; poor form so far in 2026; others hold more pressing claims.

28/1

7th

12

(3)

3rd May 2026

Good

0m 6f 61y

14:45 Sligo

My Kurkum

8st 10lb

J: Jack Cleary

T: R K Watson

Seasonal debut second in this race last year came from out of the blue, but he followed it up with another second at Roscommon before losing his form again; no show in two runs this year (excuse last time); different headgear tried.

20/1

Form: 6-5006

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Six-race maiden and no improvement for handicaps of late; unproven on the ground and others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

4

(18)

21st Oct 2024

Soft

1m 0f 75y

16:30 Gowran Park

Thefullbackline

9st 9lb

J: Robbie Colgan

T: Mark Fahey

Is 0-15; good effort on penultimate start when a 4l third off 58 at Down Royal (10.5f, soft); failed to back that up on latest at Navan; best form is over further than this and he's drawn wide; others are preferred.

14/1

11th

9

(11)

9th Oct 2024

Good

1m 2f 0y

17:27 Navan

Thefullbackline

9st 9lb

J: Tom Manley-Pender

T: Mark Fahey

15-race maiden who made the frame under Tom Manley-Pender in a 1m2f soft-ground handicap at Down Royal nine days ago; won't be far away with a repeat of that.

10/1

4

(9)

30th Sep 2024

Good To Yielding

1m 2f 138y

17:00 Down Royal

Thefullbackline

9st 12lb

J: Tom Manley-Pender

T: Mark Fahey

Often been well backed so notable he was 20s back to 1m at Gowran when safely below his best; never a factor then but stayed on and definite chance back up in yardage; rookie rider.

7/1

50/1

Form: 09060-

Last run: 322 days

W: 10st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Out of form for Gary Moore when last seen and this looks tough after 322 days off; new yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

12th May 2024

Good

2m 1f 0y

13:35 Killarney

Marks Bear

11st 12lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: W J Burke

Regressive on the Flat and just 2-26 in that sphere; best watched for future reference on hurdles debut.

50/1

3

12th May 2024

Good

2m 1f 0y

13:35 Killarney

Marks Bear

11st 12lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: W J Burke

Regressive on the Flat and just 2-26 in that sphere; best watched for future reference on hurdles debut.

50/1

10th

1

(8)

26th Mar 2024

Standard

1m 0f 0y

19:00 Dundalk (AW)

Marks Bear

10st 0lb

J: Chris Hayes

T: W J Burke

Two 6f AW wins in Britain; two recent C&D runs have been respectable, but held by Nibras Rainbow.

12/1

Form: 455-99

Last run: 51 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
First reserve; unplaced in six starts and below his best efforts in two runs for new yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

(5)

11th Apr 2025

Standard

0m 7f 0y

19:00 Dundalk (AW)

Allo Arry

9st 6lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: John C McConnell

slowly away, in rear

20/1

8th

7

(5)

11th Apr 2025

Standard

0m 7f 0y

19:00 Dundalk (AW)

Allo Arry

9st 6lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: John C McConnell

Third runner for yard; 1-23, the win coming on the sand at Laytown (7f); hasn't shown much in his most recent runs over this C&D; may have needed latest after almost a year off but would have liked to see a bit more spark; notable jockey booking but others preferred.

20/1

14th

10

(11)

28th Mar 2025

Standard

0m 7f 0y

18:00 Dundalk (AW)

Allo Arry

9st 6lb

J: Ruby Kinkaid

T: John C McConnell

in rear

25/1

Non-runners

Lady Arwen, Ms Eagleton, Pinball Wizard

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €33.70
Straight Forecast €28.49
Tricast €341.11
Trifecta €427.30

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Shawaamekh

POSTDATA:

Silken Ladder

SPOTLIGHT:

Half Nutz

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Dragon Of Malta

The Irish Sun:

Shawaamekh