December 26 / 15.08 Down Royal

15.08

Good To Yielding

Metcollect Metal Recycling (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race

  • Prize money: £5130.43
  • 2m 1f 53y
  • 14 runners
RTV
View Course
Metcollect Metal Recycling (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race

Runners: 14 runners

Type: NH Flat

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

Form: 0UU-

Last run: 254 days

W: 12st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Disappointing effort in a Naas bumper on debut and two unseats over hurdles in the interim have hardly bolstered confidence; best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

14th Apr 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 160y

16:55 Tramore

Balovale

11st 4lb

J: Mark McDonagh

T: E J O’Grady

Well beaten in two bumpers and unseated in two previous starts over hurdles; can only be watched on return from a 109-day break.

25/1

2

14th Apr 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 160y

16:55 Tramore

Balovale

11st 4lb

J: Mark McDonagh

T: E J O’Grady

Well beaten in two bumpers and unseated in two previous starts over hurdles; can only be watched on return from a 109-day break.

25/1

OUR TIP

Form:

Last run:

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bective Stud-owned half-brother to winners Grangeclare West (smart bumper and 2m4f-3m hurdle/chase), Coeur Joyeux (2m5f/2m6f chase) and Stockburn (3m chase); dam placed in bumpers, half-sister to smart 2m5f-3m2f chase winner Gunner Welburn; interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

20th Sep 2025

Yielding

2m 5f 0y

16:20 Navan

Bective Thunder

11st 12lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

Half-brother to Grangeclare West didn't live up to his pedigree when tailed off in a Down Royal bumper in December; can only be watched on hurdles' bow after that.

16/1

Form: 24

Last run: 27 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Looked green but made a bright start when chasing home Mic Drop on rules debut in a Cork bumper; decent fourth over hurdles in the interim and comes here with a fair amount to offer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

29th Nov 2024

Good

1m 7f 189y

13:00 Thurles

Bold Passion

11st 4lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Peter Fahey

Pulled up in both point starts last year; left that form behind when second in a Clonmel bumper; finished 1.5l in front of favourite Relieved Of Duties in that event; point-to-point form clearly favours the Elliott runner.

6/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 12st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Newcomer by Westerner; dam placed 2m4f-3m hurdles, out of unraced half-sister to useful 2m-2m4f hurdle/chase winner Coscorrig, is granddaughter of sister to useful bumper and 2m4f-2m6f hurdle/chase winner Mount Clerigo.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

9

9th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 0f 70y

Class 3

15:20 Stratford

Comanche Magic

11st 2lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

Heading in the right direction (RPRs 98, 104, and 115) since joining Stuart Edmunds, afforded the run of the race when an easy winner at Catterick (2m Class 4, soft; 9-2) latest; steps up in grade from an 8lb higher mark; a noteworthy candidate around this sharp track.

4/1

1st

6

9th Feb 2026

Heavy

1m 7f 156y

Class 4

16:30 Catterick

Comanche Magic

11st 0lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

A weak finisher in handicaps over 2m4f (good to soft) and 2m3f (soft) since trained in Britain but this free-going sound jumper shapes as though he will fare better now dropped to the shortest trip he's attempted; open to improvement.

4/1

3rd

3

17th Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 195y

16:55 Clonmel

Comanche Magic

11st 12lb

J: Harry Sexton

T: P A Fahy

Took a step forward when seventh of 17 on heavy ground here in February; not as good on quicker ground in a bumper 16 days ago and ground may be against him again.

14/1

Form: B

Last run: 10 days

W: 12st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
50s when brought down after 6f in Naas bumper on debut; far from an ideal start and best left alone on this occasion.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

16th Dec 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 51y

15:30 Naas

Full Contact

12st 0lb

J: Miss Georgie Benson

T: Peter John Flood

Twelfth foal; half-brother to eight winners including useful hurdle/chase winner Fern Hill.

33/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 12st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Half-brother to six winners inc Top Of The Bill (useful 2m7f hurdle/3m chase), Call Of The Wild (bumper/2m hurdle) and Chatez (1m Flat inc 2yo, RPR 109; 2m hurdle); dam fourth 9.4f (61), sister to smart chaser Ghizao; stable have a good record in this race; tongue-tied.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

15th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

16:25 Haydock

Kilwaughter

10st 11lb

J: Mr Jack Stenhouse

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Smart in bumpers and getting there over hurdles after digging deep for a successful handicap debut under Jack Stenhouse at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft); 7lb rise seems harsh enough but he'll probably improve again for going 3m.

5/2

1st

6

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 118y

Class 3

16:23 Newbury

Kilwaughter

11st 5lb

J: Mr Jack Stenhouse

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Unraced on soft/heavy; handicap debutant who looks particularly well treated on his strong bumper form; has gradually found his feet since switched to hurdles and latest effort, namely solid second over 2m3f at Taunton, has received a couple of boosts; interesting contender.

15/8

2nd

9

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

12:55 Taunton

Kilwaughter

11st 6lb

J: Mr Jack Stenhouse

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Irish bumper winner on Boxing Day 2024; ran well in hot bumpers at Aintree and Punchestown festivals for new stable last spring but disappointed (albeit in a Grade 2) on hurdle debut in October and was just a respectable fourth at Exeter (2m, good to soft) last month; still has potential but needs to take a good step forward here.

4/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Satisfactory first day at the office when midfield (fifth) in a Loughanmore 'point'; stable have won this race quite a bit in recent years and fire quite a few darts at the board again; tongue-tied now for rules debut and not one to rule out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

11

20th Jan 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 1f 33y

12:50 Down Royal

Largy Spirit

11st 4lb

J: Ms E Dunseath

T: Noel C Kelly

Remote second in 2m4f Carlisle novice for Stuart Crawford last April but never counted on last month's return at this track for new yard; hard to see him playing a major role.

50/1

2nd

5

19th Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 61y

Class 4

14:52 Carlisle

Largy Spirit

11st 0lb

J: Ben Bromley

T: S R B Crawford

towards rear, awkward jump 4th

20/1

Form: 2-

Last run: 263 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Dead-heated when winning his second start in UK points and confirmed the promise when runner-up behind a subsequent novice hurdle winner in an Exeter bumper for Joshua Newman; bought for 55,000GBP and looks interesting here on stable debut; tongue-tie added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

20th

17

2nd May 2025

Yielding

2m 2f 181y

19:40 Punchestown

Mount Mason

12st 0lb

J: Mr A Leahy

T: Oliver McKiernan

midfield

33/1

20th

17

2nd May 2025

Yielding

2m 2f 181y

19:40 Punchestown

Mount Mason

12st 0lb

J: Mr A Leahy

T: Oliver McKiernan

midfield

33/1

8th

7

9th Feb 2025

Soft To Heavy

1m 7f 150y

16:55 Navan

Mount Mason

12st 0lb

J: James Duggan

T: Oliver McKiernan

towards rear, brief headway over 2f out, weakened 1f out

12/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
6s when slipping up early in a Tattersalls Farm 5yo geldings 'point' maiden on recent debut; hood now fitted for rules debut but looks to have a little to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

6

24th Apr 2025

Good

1m 7f 110y

19:15 Kilbeggan

Peekachoo

12st 0lb

J: Mr K P Healy

T: Adrian Murray

led, clear after 2f, much reduced lead 6f out, headed 5f out, soon weakened

66/1

14th

6

24th Apr 2025

Good

1m 7f 110y

19:15 Kilbeggan

Peekachoo

12st 0lb

J: Mr K P Healy

T: Adrian Murray

led, clear after 2f, much reduced lead 6f out, headed 5f out, soon weakened

66/1

11th

11

20th Apr 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 0y

17:07 Cork

Peekachoo

12st 0lb

J: Eoin G Kelly

T: Adrian Murray

led, soon clear, 3 lengths ahead with one circuit to go, reduced lead 4f out, headed under 3f out, soon weakened

33/1

Form: 2 BF

Last run: 234 days

W: 12st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Well supported and ran a fine race when hitting the crossbar on debut here in May when chasing home a Crawford-trained (saddles four here) winner; did not help his chance that day by pulling too hard but should be more professional now and ticks lots of boxes.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

8th Jun 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 4f 0y

17:18 Roscommon

Polepatrick

11st 4lb

J: Mike O’Connor

T: Henry De Bromhead

His second run back from an absence when breezing home at odds-on in a 2m soft-ground maiden at Tramore; he no doubt has plenty more to offer; this longer trip should be up his street.

6/4

1st

11

19th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

14:43 Tramore

Polepatrick

11st 4lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Lightly raced 6yo showed definite ability in bumpers for Dermot McLoughlin, notably in decent Navan contest (soft-to-heavy); returned from over year's absence for current yard last month when hooded in 2m Clonmel maiden hurdle, staying on third behind an odds-on shot (soft); hood left off here but rates a major contender.

5/2

3rd

9

26th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

16:12 Clonmel

Polepatrick

11st 12lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Beaten favourite on racecourse bow when runner-up to Marlacoo at Down Royal May 2024; failed to build on that next time but fared better when beaten 7.5l into fifth at Navan 410 days ago in a good bumper won by Copacabana; first-time hood on hurdles debut and horses from this yard typically improve for obstacles.

9/1

Form: 2

Last run: 40 days

W: 12st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Didn't make much of an impact in 'points' but acquitted himself well when chasing home the promising Whinney Hill on rules debut at Navan; entitled to benefit from the run and looks only a matter of time before he bags a win; definite shout.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

27th Sep 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 0y

14:45 Listowel

Strong Link

11st 10lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Ross O’Sullivan

Has won his last three, a Wexford bumper, a Tipperary maiden and a Galway novice (Cameletta Vega second), all at around this trip on good ground; top rated at 131 and his chance is obvious; seems to act on most ground.

15/8

5

31st Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 156y

17:05 Galway

Strong Link

11st 4lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Ross O’Sullivan

Backed up Wexford bumper win with a maiden hurdle success at Tipperary; a lot more on his plate now, trainer won this last year with 11-1 chance Donnie Devito.

10/1

Form: 86-

Last run: 383 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
One of four runners from the stable but looks the weaker of the quartet on past form; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

8

4th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 150y

15:20 Down Royal

Takenasred

11st 12lb

J: John Shinnick

T: S R B Crawford

Maiden over hurdles but some decent runs including here in March; however, was poor in a Fairyhouse handicap last time; a fair bit to find on chase bow.

20/1

10th

8

5th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 4f 0y

14:05 Fairyhouse

Takenasred

11st 4lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: S R B Crawford

Fair level of form without yet winning, placed in Down Royal maiden and Ayr novice; two most recent runs below that level however and beginning to look exposed.

16/1

4th

14

17th Mar 2026

Yielding

2m 1f 105y

13:18 Down Royal

Takenasred

11st 4lb

J: J J Slevin

T: S R B Crawford

Best effort when second here in November; third at Ayr the following month; held by Barley Lane on evidence of Naas clash.

12/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 12st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Odds-on winner of a Loughanmore 4yo geldings 'point' on debut; first division was nine seconds quicker but the form looks reasonable and stable, albeit unsurprisingly, have won two of the last five renewals of this race; will attract much of the spotlight.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

4th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 88y

13:35 Down Royal

Theflyingking

11st 12lb

J: Kevin Healy

T: Gordon Elliott

Point winner won a Wexford bumper last year; looked like the winner when fallling at the last on hurdles debut over 2m6f here last October; was then narrowly beaten by subsequent Grade 1 winner I'll Sort That in a Navan Grade 3 over 2m; will be difficult to beat if repeating that form on return.

7/4

6

31st Oct 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 6f 110y

13:02 Down Royal

Theflyingking

11st 12lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Jukebox Jury gelding cost 45,000euros as a foal and 105,000euros as a 3yo; third foal; dam placed in bumper/hurdles/chases, half-sister to Cork Grand National winner Mattock Ranger; point-to-point winner showed good level of form in bumpers last season, runner-up here and at Fairyhouse before scoring at Wexford in March, still looking a work in progress; likely major player switched to hurdles.

10/11

6

31st Oct 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 6f 110y

13:02 Down Royal

Theflyingking

11st 12lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Jukebox Jury gelding cost 45,000euros as a foal and 105,000euros as a 3yo; third foal; dam placed in bumper/hurdles/chases, half-sister to Cork Grand National winner Mattock Ranger; point-to-point winner showed good level of form in bumpers last season, runner-up here and at Fairyhouse before scoring at Wexford in March, still looking a work in progress; likely major player switched to hurdles.

10/11

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Dam pulled up/fell in two 'points', half-sister to 2m3f hurdle winner Whatdoyawanttoknow, out of unraced half-sister to smart 2m3f-3m1f hurdle/chase winner Tullymurry Toff; stable has an excellent record in this race and no surprise if she mounts a serious challenge.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

10th Aug 2025

Good

2m 1f 165y

14:17 Downpatrick

Boldplay

10st 13lb

J: Mr R Guiney

T: Paul Traynor

Not much of note in her two bumper runs; makes stable debut but hard to fancy.

33/1

9th

2

9th May 2025

Good

2m 1f 165y

20:17 Downpatrick

Boldplay

11st 11lb

J: Mr W R Hamilton

T: H Smyth

Beaten 33l in a Down Royal bumper last December and can't be fancied on that evidence.

50/1

9th

2

9th May 2025

Good

2m 1f 165y

20:17 Downpatrick

Boldplay

11st 11lb

J: Mr W R Hamilton

T: H Smyth

Beaten 33l in a Down Royal bumper last December and can't be fancied on that evidence.

50/1

Betting Forcast

66/1 Balovale, 17/2 Bective Thunder, 8/1 Bold Passion, 33/1 Comanche Magic, 100/1 Full Contact, 16/1 Kilwaughter, 33/1 Largy Spirit, 12/1 Mount Mason, 66/1 Peekachoo, 9/2 Polepatrick, 9/2 Strong Link, 66/1 Takenasred, 11/8 Theflyingking, 12/1 Boldplay

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Boldplay

The Irish Sun:

Kilwaughter

POSTDATA:

Strong Link