December 22 / 18.30 Dundalk (AW)

18.30

Standard

Botanica International Handicap

  • Prize money: £6004.42
  • 2m 0f 0y
  • 14 runners
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Botanica International Handicap

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Polytrack

Weather: Showers

5/1 (Won)

  • Win: £7.40
  • Place: £2.40

Form: 089215 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Bolted up in C&D claimer on first try at 2m and ran with credit when beaten roughly 2l a fortnight ago; should relish the step back up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

9

23rd Aug 2024

Good

2m 2f 120y

17:55 Kilbeggan

Riyami

11st 8lb

J: Daniel King

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Thrice a winner over 2m on AW last winter and decent second in Leopardstown amateur handicap recently; 0-6 hurdling, standout run when runner-up in 2m handicap here in June on good ground; missed an engagement at Sligo on Wednesday due to soft ground so forecasted rain a concern.

10/1

2nd

3

(12)

8th Aug 2024

Good

1m 7f 0y

20:22 Leopardstown

Riyami

11st 11lb

J: Mr D Poggi

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

midfield, raced wide home turn, headway from over 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong, went second post, no match for winner

5/1

13/2

  • Place: £4.30

Form: 619928

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 0lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Bounced back to form when runner-up at Navan on her penultimate run and the drop in trip was probably against her here last month; not ruled out back up in trip (sole win came at 1m7f).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

8

5th Aug 2024

Good

2m 1f 0y

14:05 Cork

Folly Beach

11st 7lb

J: Liam McKenna

T: M A Molloy

Decent stayer on the Flat (best RPR 70); went down by a neck on hurdling debut at Tipperary over 2m4f; beaten 12L into fourth over 2m7f at Killarney three weeks ago; drop to this trip not sure to suit but has the best hurdling form in the race; could be the one to take advantage if the favourite falters.

5/2

4th

1

19th Jul 2024

Good

2m 6f 180y

14:30 Killarney

Folly Beach

11st 7lb

J: Liam McKenna

T: M A Molloy

Fair staying handicapper on the level and took well to hurdles when just denied by experienced 108-rated gelding at Tipperary (2m4f).

4/1

6/1

  • Place: £3.70

Form: 517584

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 9lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
1m5f winner at Sligo in August; while he's only 1-18, he stayed on well for fourth when beaten roughly 1l here a fortnight ago and he's on a fair mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

23rd Aug 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

16:50 Kilbeggan

Glyde Ranger

11st 9lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: T G McCourt

towards rear, not fluent 4th

33/1

10th

4

(6)

7th Aug 2024

Yielding

1m 5f 98y

20:02 Sligo

Glyde Ranger

9st 13lb

J: James Ryan

T: T G McCourt

slowly into stride, towards rear, brief headway on outer under 2f out, weakened final furlong

10/1

OUR TIP

Form: /862-4 C BF

Last run: 91 days

W: 10st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Went close over 1m4f here last winter and sole Flat success came in a 1m4f maiden here back in February 2021; below form over hurdles last time but ran okay here previously and he's interesting stepping up to this trip on the level for the first time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

24th Aug 2024

Good

2m 1f 0y

16:15 Killarney

Palace Rock

11st 12lb

J: Ben Harvey

T: Francis Casey

midfield, outpaced from 2 out, kept on run-in, never near to challenge

14/1

33/1

Form: 650098

Last run: 9 days

W: 8st 10lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
Really struggling for form since joining this yard and step up in trip not sure to suit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

26th Apr 2024

Yielding

2m 2f 185y

16:50 Downpatrick

Mille Miglia

11st 5lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: C A McBratney

towards rear, headway after 2 out, keeping on when sprawled on landing and unseated last

50/1

3

26th Apr 2024

Yielding

2m 2f 185y

16:50 Downpatrick

Mille Miglia

11st 5lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: C A McBratney

towards rear, headway after 2 out, keeping on when sprawled on landing and unseated last

50/1

7th

12

(15)

26th Mar 2024

Standard

2m 0f 0y

17:30 Dundalk (AW)

Mille Miglia

9st 2lb

J: Ben Coen

T: C A McBratney

Regressive mare has been soundly beaten on AW lately up to this trip and needs much more.

20/1

Form: 3/4/05 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Losing run since 2m win at Kempton in June 2020; missed most of 2022 and needed his belated return but some encouragement when fifth here last month; well treated and step back up in trip should suit; Keane booked.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

(8)

6th Sep 2024

Good

1m 4f 187y

19:10 Down Royal

Red Secret

9st 12lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: Kevin Michael Smith

took keen hold, soon led, headed over 2f out

6/1

3rd

6

(18)

29th Aug 2024

Good

1m 6f 0y

17:35 Navan

Red Secret

9st 12lb

J: Seamie Heffernan

T: Kevin Michael Smith

in touch with leaders

9/1

3rd

5

(6)

17th Aug 2024

Yielding

2m 0f 80y

20:00 Tramore

Red Secret

9st 13lb

J: Seamie Heffernan

T: Kevin Michael Smith

towards rear

14/1

9/1

Form: 575106 CD

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Ended a long losing run over 1m6f at Killarney but lesser efforts over 1m4f here since; has run well over this trip previously so can't be ruled out; wears first-time hood.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

1

(2)

17th Aug 2024

Yielding

2m 0f 80y

20:00 Tramore

Jake Peter

10st 4lb

J: Alan Persse

T: M A Cahill

midfield, dropped to rear 6f out

7/1

2nd

8

1st Jun 2024

Good

2m 4f 80y

16:10 Listowel

Jake Peter

11st 10lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: M A Cahill

Six-time winner and consistent performer at his best; solid efforts in handicap hurdles this Spring at Naas and Clonmel; should go well off the same mark.

6/1

3rd

12

16th May 2024

Good

2m 3f 0y

19:00 Clonmel

Jake Peter

11st 3lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: M A Cahill

prominent throughout, disputing second 2 out, went second when hit last, lost second towards finish

9/1

Form: 293867

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Losing run since a 1m5f success in France in 2021; went close in the summer but has been below form of late and others appeal more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

(5)

22nd Dec 2023

Standard

2m 0f 0y

18:30 Dundalk (AW)

Zileo

9st 5lb

J: Ronan Whelan

T: M Halford & T Collins

pushed along briefly, soon in touch with leaders, led after 4f

16/1

7th

3

(8)

29th Nov 2023

Standard

1m 4f 0y

19:00 Dundalk (AW)

Zileo

9st 13lb

J: W J Lee

T: M Halford & T Collins

Three runner-up finishes on turf this year, two of them over further than this; has failed to show his best form at this venue and it looked as if he needed further when sixth over C&D four weeks ago; on a positive note, his yard is in excellent form.

5/1

6th

4

(15)

1st Nov 2023

Standard

1m 4f 0y

17:05 Dundalk (AW)

Zileo

10st 1lb

J: Ronan Whelan

T: M Halford & T Collins

Stays a lot further and plenty of placed form on turf, including three runner-up finishes this year; not shown his best at this venue albeit not had that many goes here.

12/1

20/1

Form: -71240

Last run: 113 days

W: 8st 10lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
All three wins have come on turf and was tailed off a long way out at Navan when last seen; probably best watched returning from 113 days off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

6

23rd Jan 2024

Yielding To Soft

2m 1f 33y

13:45 Down Royal

Franno

11st 3lb

J: Ricky Doyle

T: Gerard Keane

Triple Flat winner was poor in that sphere when last seen; maiden after five starts over hurdles and her best form is on better ground.

16/1

9th

12

(14)

22nd Dec 2023

Standard

2m 0f 0y

18:30 Dundalk (AW)

Franno

8st 10lb

J: Robert Whearty

T: Gerard Keane

All three wins have come on turf and was tailed off a long way out at Navan when last seen; probably best watched returning from 113 days off.

20/1

17th

8

(1)

31st Aug 2023

Good

1m 6f 0y

16:40 Navan

Franno

9st 7lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Gerard Keane

midfield on inner early, weakened and dropped to last over 5f out

6/1

12/1

Form: 848004

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Hasn't won on the Flat since a 1m4f success on turf back in 2021; ran okay over 1m4f here a fortnight ago on all-weather debut and well worth another go at this trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

1

(4)

22nd Dec 2023

Standard

2m 0f 0y

18:30 Dundalk (AW)

Vultan

10st 2lb

J: Siobhan Rutledge

T: A J Martin

Hasn't won on the Flat since a 1m4f success on turf back in 2021; ran okay over 1m4f here a fortnight ago on all-weather debut and well worth another go at this trip.

12/1

4th

6

(2)

8th Dec 2023

Standard

1m 4f 0y

20:30 Dundalk (AW)

Vultan

8st 7lb

J: Siobhan Rutledge

T: A J Martin

Useful handicapper on turf in 2021 when he also won over hurdles; unable to make much impact under either code this year and now makes AW debut.

12/1

6/1

Form: 925654

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
0-8; good run on handicap debut (1m) in June and good runs in defeat over further since, including here on his last two runs; not certain to stay this trip but he should be firmly in the mix if he can see it out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

(3)

5th Aug 2024

Good

1m 2f 84y

17:20 Naas

Free Flow

9st 8lb

J: Luke McAteer

T: James M Barrett

raced in second, lost position but prominent after 4f

10/1

2nd

2

(5)

16th Jul 2024

Good

1m 0f 30y

17:45 Killarney

Free Flow

9st 9lb

J: Luke McAteer

T: James M Barrett

Several solid runs in maidens and handicaps in 15 starts but obviously not progressive; runner-up in maidens over C&D and 1m2f at Down Royal last twice; a repeat will see him get involved.

4/1

2nd

2

(3)

31st May 2024

Good

1m 2f 0y

20:00 Down Royal

Free Flow

9st 9lb

J: Luke McAteer

T: James M Barrett

Twice runner-up over a mile including in similar contest at Killarney last time; 69-rated gelding may find a few too good.

12/1

14/1

Form: 978306 CD

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Sole win in 21 starts came over C&D last winter and back on that last winning mark; needs to step up on his sixth in a claimer here last week.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

15

30th Aug 2024

Yielding

2m 0f 190y

16:30 Wexford

Chutzpal

12st 7lb

T: Henry De Bromhead

First reserve; won impressively on the Flat at Killarney (1m6f) last month; strong stable and would have a big chance if he gets a run; romped home by 12l on handicap hurdle debut at Bellewstown on Wednesday; 7lb penalty.

1st

1

28th Aug 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 40y

18:48 Bellewstown

Chutzpal

12st 0lb

J: Rachael Blackmore

T: Henry De Bromhead

travelled strongly, prominent, disputed lead after 1st, led clearly before 3rd, joined before 6th, went clear going easily 3 out, not fluent 2 out, easily

10/11

25/1

Form: 4-4260

Last run: 260 days

W: 9st 0lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Losing run since turf success in 2021 in Britain and has stamina to prove at this trip; off 203 days.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

24th Apr 2024

Yielding

2m 1f 0y

17:55 Bellewstown

Deep Sigh

10st 0lb

J: Simon Torrens

T: John C McConnell

towards rear

20/1

5th

7

24th Apr 2024

Yielding

2m 1f 0y

17:55 Bellewstown

Deep Sigh

10st 0lb

J: Simon Torrens

T: John C McConnell

towards rear throughout, badly hampered by faller 2 out, kept on

20/1

11th

4

17th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 0f 190y

13:07 Down Royal

Deep Sigh

11st 5lb

J: Ben Harvey

T: John C McConnell

towards rear

100/1

Form: 33150R CD

Last run: 91 days

W: 9st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
C&D winner in March before a good run at Lingfield but it was a poor comeback run and he refused to race here last time; risky.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

6th Jul 2024

Good

2m 1f 40y

17:28 Bellewstown

Khadaash

11st 12lb

J: Simon Torrens

T: John C McConnell

Flat winner (but tricky, refusing to race twice) has been tailed off on both runs in maiden hurdles this term; blinkers now tried.

50/1

18th

8

8th Jun 2024

Good

2m 0f 170y

15:07 Punchestown

Khadaash

11st 12lb

J: Dylan Kidd

T: John C McConnell

reluctant to race, in rear and detached

100/1

11th

2

10th May 2024

Good

2m 2f 165y

18:10 Downpatrick

Khadaash

11st 12lb

J: Dylan Kidd

T: John C McConnell

AW winner last year refused to race on comeback run at Dundalk in March; probably best watched on hurdles debut.

33/1

Non-runners

Honketonk Angel, Mosaaheb, Tenth Amendment

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €83.30
Straight Forecast €91.07
Tricast €857.70
Trifecta €908.70

Selections

POSTDATA:

Zileo

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Glyde Ranger

SPOTLIGHT:

Palace Rock

The Irish Sun:

Zileo