September 23 / 16.20 Listowel

16.20

Good To Yielding

John McGuire Handicap (Premier Handicap)

  • Prize money: £23086.96
  • 1m 4f 0y
  • 9 runners
TG4
View Course
John McGuire Handicap (Premier Handicap)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.50
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 0-8304

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Not really one these days to put good runs together; faded close home when an otherwise very good fourth in a premier handicap at the Curragh last Sunday; each-way claims on a good day.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

7

(1)

22nd Sep 2025

Yielding To Soft

1m 3f 15y

16:20 Listowel

Soaring Monarch

8st 13lb

J: Jack Cleary

T: James M Barrett

Last year's winner has dropped to 4lb below that winning mark following some poor runs in the interim; but has also run with credit, including when keeping on for a 4.25l fourth at Galway on his penultimate run; not ruled out back to the scene of his victory.

10/1

6th

4

(2)

13th Aug 2025

Good

1m 4f 100y

19:05 Gowran Park

Soaring Monarch

9st 5lb

J: Nicola Burns

T: James M Barrett

Five-time winner; shaped quite well at the Curragh three runs back (1m2f); badly hampered at the same venue in race won by Fleetfoot; stayed on from off the pace in Galway event in which Fleetfoot was fourth; may get closer.

12/1

13

(18)

1st Aug 2025

Soft

1m 4f 0y

18:35 Galway

Soaring Monarch

9st 1lb

J: Nicola Burns

T: James M Barrett

Exposed five-time winner who was quite eyecatching at the Curragh two runs back (1m2f) and met with further trouble in Fleetfoot's race back there a month ago; has a tricky draw to contend with.

14/1

8/1

  • Place: £2.70

Form: -29720

Last run: 55 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
In good form this season, finishing a close second in the 1m2f Ladies Derby at the Curragh and was not beaten far over too short a trip in the Galway Mile; having his first try over the trip and another interesting runner if he stays; one of two for the stable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

(10)

20th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 4f 0y

16:45 Leopardstown

Scholarship

8st 13lb

J: Nicola Burns

T: Gerard O’Leary

midfield, keeping on when repeatedly short of room from over 1f out, ran on well and went second inside final 110yds, no match for winner

12/1

3

(5)

17th Oct 2024

Yielding

1m 2f 0y

15:35 Curragh

Scholarship

9st 9lb

J: Declan McDonogh

T: Gerard O’Leary

Only beaten half a length over C&D in June and bounced back from a lesser effort when runner-up over 1m4f at Listowel last month; drop back in trip on slower ground looks ideal and has to be high on the shortlist.

11/4

2nd

7

(3)

23rd Sep 2024

Good To Yielding

1m 4f 0y

16:20 Listowel

Scholarship

9st 2lb

J: Declan McDonogh

T: Gerard O’Leary

took keen hold, midfield, towards rear after 3f

8/1

7/2

  • Place: £1.30

Form: -21342 BF

Last run: 29 days

W: 8st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Some useful form last year and landed a 1m soft ground maiden at Killarney in May; stepped up to 1m2f to good effect when second in a Naas handicap last month and looked as though stepping up to 1m4f would suit; should make his presence felt.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

(2)

13th Oct 2024

Yielding

1m 2f 84y

17:10 Naas

Thors Hammer

9st 7lb

J: Ben Coen

T: J P Murtagh

pressed winner, briefly led soon after start, challenging when ridden under 2f out

9/2

3rd

12

(4)

23rd Sep 2024

Good To Yielding

1m 4f 0y

16:20 Listowel

Thors Hammer

8st 7lb

J: Jamie Powell

T: J P Murtagh

slightly awkward start, took keen hold, prominent, pressed leader before halfway

7/2

2nd

8

(4)

25th Aug 2024

Yielding

1m 2f 84y

17:27 Naas

Thors Hammer

8st 10lb

J: Declan McDonogh

T: J P Murtagh

chased clear leader, headway 2f out, lost second over 1f out, rallied and went second again final 110yds, no match for winner

11/2

5/1

Form: -40221 D

Last run: 47 days

W: 9st 5lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Eight-time winner and possibly produced a career-best when accounting for subsequent Listed winner Beechwood at Sligo; consistent mare should run her race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(6)

29th Sep 2025

Good

1m 4f 194y

14:39 Down Royal

No Niki No

9st 10lb

J: Colin Keane

T: E J O’Neill

Won her ninth race when winning over 1m4f at Tramore in July; below that form behind Mo Ghille Mar here and over 2m back at Tramore since; has worn different headgear before but first time with a visor today.

14/1

1

(11)

16th Aug 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

19:37 Tramore

No Niki No

10st 4lb

J: Chris Hayes

T: E J O’Neill

Was recording a ninth career win when making all for decisive success here over 1m4f last month (good); capitulated tamely however at Down Royal 10 days later so needs to bounce back and unproven over this far.

15/2

6th

1

(5)

18th Jul 2025

Good

1m 5f 0y

20:00 Down Royal

No Niki No

10st 0lb

J: Chris Hayes

T: E J O’Neill

Was recording a ninth career win when making all for decisive success at Tramore 10 days ago (1m4f, good); 4lb rise returns her to a career-high mark and this stiffer stamina test could stretch her.

6/1

Form: 933099 D

Last run: 9 days

W: 8st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Probably should have won a valuable handicap at Epsom in May; not beaten far in a premier handicap over 1m5f at Leopardstown nine days ago; should be competitive if producing his best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

10

(7)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

20:30 Leopardstown

Derry Lad

9st 4lb

J: Jessica O’Gorman

T: Kevin Thomas Coleman

Four-time Flat winner at up to 1m4f but not for nearly three years; tried over various trips of late without success; handicapper giving him every chance but others preferred.

16/1

12th

12

(5)

15th Apr 2026

Yielding

1m 2f 0y

14:32 Leopardstown

Derry Lad

8st 11lb

J: Jamie Powell

T: Kevin Thomas Coleman

Four-time Flat winner at up to 1m4f; no sign of his old form in two outings at Dundalk since rejoining his original trainer

25/1

6/1

Form: 158331

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Two-time winner; just did enough in the first-time blinkers in a 1m2f rated contest at Roscommon last time and is left on the same mark here; surprisingly running in his first handicap and has the ability to get involved if he lasts out the trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

(11)

23rd Sep 2024

Good To Yielding

1m 4f 0y

16:20 Listowel

Vestigia

9st 5lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: Ms Sheila Lavery

carried right start, took keen hold, soon midfield

6/1

1st

2

(2)

2nd Sep 2024

Soft To Heavy

1m 2f 63y

17:45 Roscommon

Vestigia

9st 8lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: Ms Sheila Lavery

in touch with leaders, disputing third before halfway, challenging when ridden 2f out, led and edged right over 1f out, faced challenge but kept on well towards far side final 110yds

9/4

Form: 40-076 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 8st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Has twice run well hurdling this summer, too free over 2m on AW in between; probably failed to stay in the 2m2f Ulster Cesarewitch last time; others more likely.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

12

15th Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 87y

Class 3

16:00 Cheltenham

Belgoprince

11st 1lb

J: Daniel King

T: A J Martin

Close up when placed in two run-of-the-mill handicap hurdles this season (2m2f/2m) but he's 0-12 in this sphere now and his two Flat runs in September were disappointing; needs to raise his game.

10/1

Form: 815704

Last run: 34 days

W: 8st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Last of his seven wins came in a 1m1f handicap for Paul Flynn at Leopardstown in June; changed hands after he was well held in a heavy ground claimer at Roscommon; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

17

21st Dec 2024

Good

2m 0f 15y

14:30 Thurles

Timourid

10st 10lb

J: Philip Donovan

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Regressive on the Flat and well beaten in a 2m handicap on his only recent start over hurdles; safe to look elsewhere.

40/1

14th

17

21st Dec 2024

Good

2m 0f 15y

14:30 Thurles

Timourid

10st 10lb

J: Philip Donovan

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Regressive on the Flat and well beaten in a 2m handicap on his only recent start over hurdles; safe to look elsewhere.

40/1

12/1

Form: -09080

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Six-time winner, four on the Flat, but has really struggled to find his best form this season on the Flat or over hurdles; down to his lowest mark since winning at Galway last year but others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

9

1st May 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 45y

19:10 Punchestown

Teed Up

11st 11lb

J: Ricky Doyle

T: Emmet Mullins

Galway specialist, four of his five Flat wins and both hurdle wins came there; way below his best away from his beloved track and has been tailed off in his last two outings.

50/1

12th

9

8th Mar 2026

Heavy

2m 3f 10y

15:30 Naas

Teed Up

11st 3lb

J: Ricky Doyle

T: Emmet Mullins

Galway specialist, four of his five Flat wins and both hurdle wins came there; long way below his best in hurdle runs since fourth at his favourite track at last year's festival.

25/1

Non-runners

Saltwell, Weston, Jabbar

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €38.60
Straight Forecast €41.11
Tricast €130.57
Trifecta €150.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

No Niki No

TOPSPEED:

Thor's Hammer

The Irish Sun:

Saltwell

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Derry Lad

POSTDATA:

No Niki No