December 20 / 19.15 Dundalk (AW)

19.15

Standard

HRI Best Turned-Out Flat League Handicap (Div II)

  • Prize money: £5386.96
  • 1m 4f 0y
  • 14 runners
RTV
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HRI Best Turned-Out Flat League Handicap (Div II)

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Polytrack

Weather: Scattered showers

OUR TIP

Form: 720223 BF

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 0lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Yet to win beyond 1m but touched off in a 10.5f handicap here last month; didn't quite run up to that level over the same trip the following week; claims if he stays.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(10)

27th Jan 2025

Standard

1m 4f 0y

17:45 Dundalk (AW)

Koniag

9st 7lb

J: Paddy Harnett

T: Kieran P Cotter

Yet to win on this surface but has gone close on a few occasions before the turn of the year; stays this trip and is a leading contender here.

100/30

1st

4

(10)

27th Jan 2025

Standard

1m 4f 0y

17:45 Dundalk (AW)

Koniag

9st 7lb

J: Paddy Harnett

T: Kieran P Cotter

Yet to win on this surface but has gone close on a few occasions before the turn of the year; stays this trip and is a leading contender here.

100/30

Form: 316008 C

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Belatedly off the mark over 10.5f here in March but still above that winning mark and has been in poor form recently.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

23th

12

(16)

22nd Oct 2025

Soft

1m 6f 0y

17:32 Navan

Highland King

9st 7lb

J: Chris Hayes

T: Edward Buckley

AW winner but 0-16 on turf, just fair effort at Down Royal last time; concerns over both trip and ground.

25/1

15

(11)

29th Sep 2025

Good

1m 3f 10y

16:55 Down Royal

Highland King

9st 9lb

T: Edward Buckley

First reserve; AW winner; sent off favourite over hurdles on debut for this yard at Kilbeggan last month but let his backers down; well-treated on old form so not totally ruled out.

Form: 050639

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 13lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Won twice on turf in Britain in 2023 and some big runs in defeat on AW last winter; failed to fire over this trip here two weeks ago; first-time headgear reached for here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(14)

15th Aug 2025

Standard

1m 0f 0y

16:40 Dundalk (AW)

Obama Army

9st 12lb

J: Shane Foley

T: Adrian McGuinness

Best form was in Britain in 2023; steadily working his way into form of late, although slow starts haven't helped his cause the last twice; wide draw a negative.

13/2

3

(9)

26th Jul 2025

Good To Yielding

1m 1f 110y

17:07 Gowran Park

Obama Army

9st 12lb

J: Julian Pietropaolo

T: Adrian McGuinness

Best form was in Britain in 2023; steadily working his way into form of late, although slow start didn't help at Naas on Tuesday when 4.25l off Roderick; this trip his limit.

8/1

5th

7

(4)

23rd Jul 2025

Yielding To Soft

1m 0f 0y

19:10 Naas

Obama Army

9st 11lb

J: Sam Coen

T: Adrian McGuinness

Best form was in Britain in 2023; recent fourth placings at Tipperary and Dundalk provide grounds for optimism.

7/1

Form: 005255 BF

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Most convincing recent effort over this sort of trip when run out of it close home behind Just Another Eagle two weeks ago; probably more effective over shorter but respected all the same.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(9)

26th May 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

19:48 Dundalk (AW)

Jawhary

10st 2lb

J: Adam Caffrey

T: Adrian McGuinness

Down the field on turf last time but had been running well here and should still be on a competitive mark; on the shortlist.

3/1

10th

2

(13)

8th May 2026

Yielding To Soft

1m 1f 133y

19:22 Ballinrobe

Jawhary

10st 2lb

J: Sam Coen

T: Adrian McGuinness

Having a good time of it of late on the AW, recording a third win there last month off 55; balance of turf form is on decent ground so could struggle in these conditions.

10/1

1st

6

(9)

23rd Apr 2026

Standard

1m 2f 150y

20:15 Dundalk (AW)

Jawhary

9st 13lb

J: Adam Caffrey

T: Adrian McGuinness

Dual course winner (1m4f) during the winter; beaten only 1.5l over C&D off 54 last month before runner-up here over 1m4f on latest; looks sure to give his running once again; shortlisted.

7/4

Form: 703995

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 11lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Ordinary efforts in handicaps at up to 10.5f; better effort in a 1m maiden last month; up in trip here with an attractive rider booking but plenty of reasons to oppose.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(13)

20th Dec 2024

Standard

1m 4f 0y

19:15 Dundalk (AW)

Miami Sunshine

9st 11lb

J: W J Lee

T: Adrian Murray

Ordinary efforts in handicaps at up to 10.5f; better effort in a 1m maiden last month; up in trip here with an attractive rider booking but plenty of reasons to oppose.

20/1

13th

5

(13)

20th Dec 2024

Standard

1m 4f 0y

19:15 Dundalk (AW)

Miami Sunshine

9st 11lb

J: W J Lee

T: Adrian Murray

Ordinary efforts in handicaps at up to 10.5f; better effort in a 1m maiden last month; up in trip here with an attractive rider booking but plenty of reasons to oppose.

20/1

5th

7

(1)

29th Nov 2024

Standard

1m 0f 0y

17:30 Dundalk (AW)

Miami Sunshine

9st 3lb

J: Robert Whearty

T: Adrian Murray

Distant third in a Gowran maiden before two lesser runs at this venue; plenty to find.

50/1

Form: 0/8-99

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 57

Form & Verdict
Has won over 1m2f in Britain; not beaten far in a 1m handicap here last month; more needed here back up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(9)

20th Dec 2024

Standard

1m 4f 0y

19:15 Dundalk (AW)

Pride Of Hawridge

9st 10lb

J: Luke McAteer

T: S McParlan

Has won over 1m2f in Britain; not beaten far in a 1m handicap here last month; more needed here back up in trip.

40/1

11th

6

(9)

20th Dec 2024

Standard

1m 4f 0y

19:15 Dundalk (AW)

Pride Of Hawridge

9st 10lb

J: Luke McAteer

T: S McParlan

Has won over 1m2f in Britain; not beaten far in a 1m handicap here last month; more needed here back up in trip.

40/1

9th

8

(1)

20th Nov 2024

Standard

1m 0f 0y

16:10 Dundalk (AW)

Pride Of Hawridge

9st 6lb

J: Robbie Colgan

T: S McParlan

Losing run since a Ffos Las win in Britain in 2022; tailed off in two hurdle runs for this yard before low-key return to the Flat here a fortnight ago.

25/1

Form: 805806 C

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 54

Form & Verdict
Six career wins include a 10.5f success here; struggling of late although ran okay in a C&D claimer last week; more needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

23rd May 2025

Good

2m 3f 100y

18:37 Downpatrick

Darkened

11st 12lb

J: Ben Harvey

T: John C McConnell

9yo who has had a lot of racing and steered clear of fences since finishing fourth of seven at Clonmel two years ago; however, was running well before finishing second in a claiming hurdle last time and he's now with John McConnell.

4/1

3rd

3

23rd May 2025

Good

2m 3f 100y

18:37 Downpatrick

Darkened

11st 12lb

J: Ben Harvey

T: John C McConnell

9yo who has had a lot of racing and steered clear of fences since finishing fourth of seven at Clonmel two years ago; however, was running well before finishing second in a claiming hurdle last time and he's now with John McConnell.

4/1

2nd

5

14th Apr 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 160y

16:25 Tramore

Darkened

10st 10lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Noel C Kelly

Second runner for yard; dual-purpose; 3-26 over hurdles and rated 98; in good form on the AW in recent weeks and ran well on his only previous visit to this track; goes on any ground, notable jockey booking and not without a chance.

5/1

16/1

Form: 08963

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 6lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 53

Form & Verdict
Returned to some sort of form in a 2m handicap here in November and again back to 10.5f last week; down another 1lb here and not without a chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

11

(7)

25th Aug 2026

Good

2m 2f 28y

Class 4

15:45 Musselburgh

Is She Now

8st 9lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Daragh Bourke

Made it 3-6 since joining Daragh Bourke when winning at Doncaster (14.5f, good to firm) ten days ago, when she idled in front and was value for more than the 0.75l winning margin; went close over 16.2f at Newcastle previously; she might still be ahead of the handicapper up 3lb for last time; a first-time visor replaces cheekpieces.

5/1

1st

1

(8)

15th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 115y

Class 6

17:20 Doncaster

Is She Now

10st 2lb

J: Toby Moore

T: Daragh Bourke

Winner at Ayr (1m5f) and Musselburgh (1m4f) in June and has run well on all three starts since, runner-up over 1m3f and 2m on last two occasions; latest was quite a rare run in cheekpieces; should be bang there.

7/2

2nd

4

(4)

31st Jul 2026

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 56y

Class 6

15:20 Newcastle (AW)

Is She Now

9st 2lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Daragh Bourke

Winner at Ayr (1m5f) and Musselburgh (1m4f) in June and ran another sound race when neck second at Carlisle last time (1m3f); fair efforts on previous tries at 2m; one to consider.

3/1

Form: 2-8347 CD

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 53

Form & Verdict
Winning hurdler and better on this surface so far on the Flat; not beaten far over 10.5f here last time and the step up in trip will suit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

(7)

15th Aug 2026

Yielding

1m 4f 0y

18:25 Tramore

Spinning Web

9st 7lb

J: Nicola Burns

T: Ms Margaret Mullins

AW winner at three and dual winner over fences last year; couple of first-fence falls in March and quiet since; okay run at Navan in June; second to Stepdance over C&D last July, off this mark, and now meets her on a whopping 25lb better terms; only second time to wear blinkers.

6/1

10th

8

(9)

7th Jun 2026

Good

1m 5f 0y

16:37 Navan

Spinning Web

9st 7lb

J: Seamie Heffernan

T: Ms Margaret Mullins

Has lost way over hurdles and fences; won off 2lb lower at Dundalk (1m4f) in 2023 but 0-9 on turf on the Flat and others arrive in better form.

18/1

8th

2

14th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 116y

16:47 Clonmel

Spinning Web

12st 0lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: Ms Margaret Mullins

Hurdle and dual chase winner was poor in this sphere last time after a couple of falls chasing; isn't well-treated at these weights.

25/1

Form: 455262

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 56

Form & Verdict
Ran well despite some poor jumping in a pair of juvenile maiden hurdles; returned to the Flat when a strong-finishing runner-up to Just Another Eagle over C&D two weeks ago; up 1lb but every chance of turning the tables.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

9th Aug 2026

Good

2m 5f 180y

15:43 Downpatrick

Billie Frechette

11st 11lb

J: Mr Finn Tegetmeier

T: Noel Meade

Had a good time last summer, winning on the level and over hurdles, second over 2m2f here as well; was reverting from three runs over fences when beaten 37l over 2m at Galway.

12/1

16th

4

29th Jul 2026

Good

2m 0f 110y

18:05 Galway

Billie Frechette

11st 5lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Noel Meade

Finished well to finish second in this 12 months ago when only 1lb lower; could be glad to see the back of fences (0-3) and one to consider.

20/1

3rd

8

31st May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 80y

16:30 Kilbeggan

Billie Frechette

11st 5lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Noel Meade

Dual-purpose Flat winner; 1-6 over hurdles and rated 120; promise in first two chase attempts, earning a rating of 117; beaten 17l into second of 12 behind talented Supersundae here (22.5f, gd-yld) in April; 9l fourth of 10 at Killarney (2m5f, gd-yld) 22 days ago; leading claims.

2/1

Form: 267851 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 50

Form & Verdict
Returned to form when just holding off Billie Frechette over C&D two weeks ago; up 3lb and unlikely to be much between them once more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

17

(2)

20th Jun 2026

Good

1m 4f 207y

17:13 Down Royal

Just Another Eagle

9st 4lb

T: Patrick J Flynn

Third reserve; sole win came on AW in 2024 over 1m4f; went close off this mark at Navan in October; poor in two outings this season.

9th

10

(5)

7th Jun 2026

Good

1m 5f 0y

17:12 Navan

Just Another Eagle

9st 6lb

J: Robyn Donaghue-Leahy

T: Patrick J Flynn

1m4f AW winner is 0-15 on turf; beaten a head over 1m6f here last October on soft off 2lb lower; 1m was inadequate on seasonal return at Gowran; should come on plenty for that and not discounted back up in trip.

25/1

16th

7

(15)

20th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

18:50 Gowran Park

Just Another Eagle

9st 7lb

J: Robyn Donaghue-Leahy

T: Patrick J Flynn

Sole victory from 21 starts came in a 1m4f handicap Dundalk in December 2024; slipped up at Dundalk on her final 2025 start after an excellent second in a 23-runner handicap at Navan; however, that was 1m6f, and this trip may prove inadequate.

12/1

Form: 00U762

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 47

Form & Verdict
Losing run goes back to May 2022 but signs of a revival when a 6l second here two weeks ago; stable had two winners here last week.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

12

7th Aug 2026

Good

2m 4f 55y

19:36 Wexford

Esticky End

10st 9lb

J: Patrick M O’Brien

T: Tom McGuinness

Has done most of his winning on the Flat in Britain, and has found a new lease of life over hurdles at his local track last month, following up a good second in a 2m1f handicap hurdle in early July by getting up on the line to land a similar handicap over the same trip three weeks later; up 6lb for those two efforts is far from excessive and he can be thereabouts once more with the step up in trip unlikely to be an issue.

4/1

1st

13

23rd Jul 2026

Good

2m 0f 150y

18:55 Wexford

Esticky End

10st 1lb

J: Dylan Robinson

T: Tom McGuinness

Five-time Flat winner is 0-15 over hurdles but he took second over C&D (good, 20-1) earlier this month; chance if he builds on that but his overall form suggests he might not.

7/1

2nd

14

3rd Jul 2026

Good

2m 1f 55y

17:20 Wexford

Esticky End

10st 0lb

J: Dylan Robinson

T: Tom McGuinness

Flat winner is now 0-14 over hurdles, well held over C&D on penultimate, badly hampered at Tramore since.

25/1

Form: 40/00- CD

Last run: 385 days

W: 9st 0lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 47

Form & Verdict
Dual C&D winner for Pat Martin; failed to beat a rival home in two starts for new yard; best watched after 385 days off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

16

3rd Feb 2025

Soft To Heavy

2m 0f 44y

16:40 Punchestown

Quiet Desire

11st 9lb

J: Abbie Hilliard

T: John C McConnell

Dual AW winner hasn't seen much action in the last two years and has loads to find.

40/1

13th

16

3rd Feb 2025

Soft To Heavy

2m 0f 44y

16:40 Punchestown

Quiet Desire

11st 9lb

J: Abbie Hilliard

T: John C McConnell

Dual AW winner hasn't seen much action in the last two years and has loads to find.

40/1

12th

13

(11)

17th Jan 2025

Standard

2m 0f 0y

17:15 Dundalk (AW)

Quiet Desire

9st 0lb

J: Ruby Kinkaid

T: John C McConnell

midfield

66/1

Form: 054963

Last run: 28 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 50

Form & Verdict
Slow to progress in handicaps; improved effort in blinkers (retained) when third in a C&D handicap last month; claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15

2nd Aug 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 160y

13:50 Galway

Imperial Miss

10st 2lb

J: Michael Kenneally

T: Thomas Gibney

Dual-purpose maiden went closest to scoring when just denied in a 2m6f novice handicap here last October (yielding) off 1lb higher; absent since December but on a nice mark and any market support could be significant, although drop in trip could be an issue.

12/1

8th

9

30th Oct 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

15:30 Thurles

Imperial Miss

10st 3lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Thomas Gibney

Dual-purpose maiden went closest to scoring when just denied in a Galway h'cap hurdle over 2m6f last time; prominent runner should be a player again up 2lb.

6/1

Non-runners

Uberrima Fides, Sing A New Song, Miss Glenville

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Billie Frechette

The Irish Sun:

Imperial Miss

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Jawhary

POSTDATA:

Billie Frechette