September 05 / 17.54 Down Royal

17.54

Good

Grant Thornton Nursery Handicap

  • Prize money: £5607.44
  • 0m 7f 27y
  • 14 runners
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Grant Thornton Nursery Handicap

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

20/1 (Won)

  • Win: £18.50
  • Place: £3.70

Form: 6909

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 5lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Didn't improve for the step up to this sort of trip in his final start in maidens and well held on handicap debut over 6f at Sligo since; something to prove at present.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(8)

17th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 7f 0y

18:15 Dundalk (AW)

Sovereign Thought

9st 5lb

J: Ronan Whelan

T: Donnacha Aidan O’Brien

Some promise in a couple of his maiden starts and left a low-key handicap debut behind to win a Down Royal handicap over this trip last month; however, form knocked since and he'll need more from 10lb higher.

17/2

5/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 756

Last run: 49 days

W: 9st 13lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Showed ability in a couple of 6f starts but no improvement for the step up to this trip over C&D when last seen; had a wide trip and may do better now handicapping with first-time cheekpieces fitted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(5)

19th Oct 2026

Yielding To Soft

0m 7f 0y

14:10 Gowran Park

Venetian Star

9st 8lb

J: Paddy Harnett

T: Patrick T Foley

Extended record to 0-17 when well held at the Curragh four days ago (7f, soft), racing keenly and beaten 7l; same mark here, needs to settle better.

14/1

11th

14

(5)

15th Oct 2026

Yielding

0m 7f 0y

17:07 Curragh

Venetian Star

9st 4lb

J: Reese Holohan

T: Patrick T Foley

Useful placed form over 7f/1m on soft ground earlier in the campaign; not so good in recent months.

16/1

18th

21

(7)

4th Oct 2026

Yielding To Soft

0m 6f 0y

16:15 Curragh

Venetian Star

8st 13lb

J: Luke McAteer

T: Patrick T Foley

Useful placed form over 7f/1m on soft ground earlier in the campaign; not so good lately, including when well punted at Gowran three starts back; can lead, but 6f form is moderate; down 10lb in all since start of the season.

25/1

200/1

  • Place: £2.50

Form: 0008

Last run: 23 days

W: 8st 13lb

2 yo Filly

OR: 57

Form & Verdict
Shown very little in four maidens over this trip so far and stall 15 is tough.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

12

(16)

28th Sep 2026

Good

0m 7f 26y

15:44 Down Royal

Zheleznaya Dama

9st 4lb

J: Rory Cleary

T: Brendan W Duke

Just held on over this trip at Naas but faded tamely next time at Leopardstown; badly drawn for a front runner.

8/1

12th

13

(16)

20th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

18:00 Leopardstown

Zheleznaya Dama

9st 4lb

J: Rory Cleary

T: Brendan W Duke

Good third in a nursery in September; saddle slipped at Cork; back on track with fifth at Limerick; gave way late on when second at Killarney; held on for a front-running win from Bear Right at Naas; not certain to uphold the form.

8/1

Form: 6050

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 3lb

2 yo Filly

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
Best run came when a distant fifth of 14 in a C&D maiden but didn't beat a rival on handicap debut and opening mark looks tough.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

17

(5)

2nd Sep 2026

Good

1m 0f 20y

18:40 Navan

Darwins Angel

8st 7lb

J: Leigh Roche

T: S M Duffy

Well held over various trips this year; of limited appeal from 2lb out of handicap.

20/1

13th

15

(5)

25th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

14:44 Gowran Park

Darwins Angel

8st 7lb

J: Leigh Roche

T: S M Duffy

Best run for previous yard came when fourth in a Down Royal nursery off 61 in September; struggled in five starts for new connections, including when beaten 22l at Naas earlier this month.

33/1

12th

13

(11)

4th Jul 2026

Good

1m 2f 194y

16:53 Naas

Darwins Angel

9st 1lb

J: Jimmy Dalton

T: S M Duffy

Best run for previous yard came when fourth in Down Royal nursery off 61 in September; struggled in four starts for new connections, including when soundly beaten in claimer 57 days ago; visor applied.

28/1

12/1

Form: 900

Last run: 27 days

W: 8st 10lb

2 yo Filly

OR: 54

Form & Verdict
Hasn't beaten many home in trio of runs so far; up in trip for handicap debut and tough draw.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(13)

2nd Oct 2025

Good To Yielding

0m 7f 195y

13:35 Bellewstown

War Saint

9st 4lb

J: Ben Coen

T: J P Murtagh

Struggled in maidens; eyecatching fifth when making up ground from rear on her handicap debut at Down Royal; rattled home late when third to Synners Kid at Naas two weeks ago; big pull in the weights with that rival; player in first-time cheekpieces.

9/2

3rd

12

(12)

18th Sep 2025

Yielding

1m 0f 0y

16:38 Naas

War Saint

8st 13lb

J: Ben Coen

T: J P Murtagh

Struggled in maidens but was an eyecatcher when making up ground from rear at Down Royal 13 days ago when making her handicap debut; shaped like another step up in trip would suit and warrants respect despite 3lb rise.

5/1

5th

14

(16)

5th Sep 2025

Good

0m 7f 27y

17:54 Down Royal

War Saint

8st 10lb

J: Patrick McGettigan

T: J P Murtagh

Hasn't beaten many home in trio of runs so far; up in trip for handicap debut and tough draw.

12/1

OUR TIP

Form: 55784

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 12lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Some promise in maidens but well held on handicap debut and hard to fancy from this sort of mark on the back of last week's run in a maiden claimer at Navan.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

(6)

18th Oct 2025

Yielding

1m 0f 0y

17:20 Leopardstown

Clarity Of Thought

8st 7lb

J: Wayne Hassett

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Looking pretty exposed at this stage, although did suffer interference on latest at Naas; others preferred.

16/1

5th

4

(14)

18th Sep 2025

Yielding

1m 0f 0y

16:38 Naas

Clarity Of Thought

9st 12lb

J: J M Sheridan

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

0-6 and hasn't improved for handicaps; stiff looking mark at present and has a wide draw this time.

25/1

6th

2

(14)

5th Sep 2025

Good

0m 7f 27y

17:54 Down Royal

Clarity Of Thought

9st 12lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Some promise in maidens but well held on handicap debut and hard to fancy from this sort of mark on the back of last week's run in a maiden claimer at Navan.

16/1

Form: 402635

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Filly

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Hit the crossbar in Hamilton maiden but hasn't built on that back on home soil since including handicap debut latest when beaten roughly 3l at the Curragh; however, shaped like 7f should suit and her mark looks okay.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

(1)

8th Oct 2025

Yielding

0m 5f 180y

14:52 Navan

Believe In Glory

8st 13lb

J: Ronan Whelan

T: K J Condon

Has had a busy campaign; behind a couple of these when sixth at Naas on penultimate; traffic problems when beaten 1.75l into third at Down Royal latest (5f, yielding); return to 6f fine and in the mix again off the same mark.

11/4

9

(5)

29th Sep 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

14:04 Down Royal

Believe In Glory

8st 13lb

J: Jamie Powell

T: K J Condon

Maiden after eight runs but some decent efforts, including over this trip behind Bay Of Supremacy at Naas last time; needs more down 1lb.

10/1

9

(5)

18th Sep 2025

Yielding

0m 5f 0y

15:37 Naas

Believe In Glory

9st 3lb

J: Jamie Powell

T: K J Condon

Has plenty of experience; placed at a modest level at Hamilton and Beverley; has finished in front of Cisterna in two nursery clashes; may feature at this modest level.

5/1

Form: 0505

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 6lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Low-key efforts in maidens but showed this sort of mark should be workable when fifth of nine in a Killarney handicap a fortnight ago; drop to 7f may help him settle better and one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(5)

5th Oct 2026

Yielding To Soft

1m 0f 30y

14:10 Killarney

Down The Glen

9st 13lb

J: Donagh O’Connor

T: Ross O’Sullivan

Won a heavy-ground nursery at Galway last year, so coming into his time of year; close third at the Galway festival over 1m and nothing went right for him there last time; one for the shortlist and more rain would be a plus.

8/1

7th

2

(13)

8th Sep 2026

Soft

1m 0f 98y

16:53 Galway

Down The Glen

9st 13lb

J: Shane Foley

T: Ross O’Sullivan

Got off the mark in a heavy-ground 7f nursery at this track last year; best run since was a close third over C&D last time; up 1lb but the forecast softer ground is in his favour and can be a player despite a wide draw.

9/1

3rd

8

(17)

31st Jul 2026

Yielding

1m 0f 98y

19:40 Galway

Down The Glen

9st 12lb

J: Shane Foley

T: Ross O’Sullivan

Highlight of juvenile form was a 7f course nursery win on heavy, achieved at the main expense of today's rival Aquilla Star; hard to be confident after a below-par Leopardstown run in June; would benefit from rain.

10/1

15/2

Form: 8609

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 5lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Didn't beat many home on handicap debut last time but fair chance the step up to 7f may suit with stamina on dam's side of his pedigree; handy draw and worth a market check.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(7)

19th Oct 2026

Yielding To Soft

0m 7f 0y

14:10 Gowran Park

Cisterna

10st 0lb

J: Jimmy Dalton

T: Andrew Slattery

Gained a second win of the season when making all and bolting up by 5l at Roscommon a week ago (7.5f, yld-sft); up 10lb and in grade, and may not get as easy a lead here.

9/4

Form: 84975

Last run: 6 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Filly

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Two best efforts have come over this sort of trip including when fifth of eight at the Curragh last week; potential pace angle and slow ground should be fine.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

11

(8)

5th Sep 2025

Good

0m 7f 27y

17:54 Down Royal

Quinns Charm

9st 2lb

J: Wesley Joyce

T: Michael Mulvany

Two best efforts have come over this sort of trip including when fifth of eight at the Curragh last week; potential pace angle and slow ground should be fine.

8/1

5th

7

(4)

30th Aug 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

16:02 Curragh

Quinns Charm

8st 8lb

J: Wesley Joyce

T: Michael Mulvany

Best run when fourth of six in Leopardstown maiden over slightly further; left with a fair bit to do under 10lb claimer on recent handicap debut at Killarney (1m); don't rule out.

9/1

Form: 76774

Last run: 30 days

W: 8st 13lb

2 yo Filly

OR: 57

Form & Verdict
Only minor promise in maidens but gave the impression this sort of mark will be fine for her when fourth of 13 at Sligo (beaten roughly 2l); shaped like return to 7f will be in her favour and ought to go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

(6)

8th Oct 2025

Yielding

0m 5f 180y

14:52 Navan

Gas Works Wall

8st 11lb

J: Wayne Hassett

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

One of two for yard; has shown glimmers of potential, including on handicap debut at Sligo (6f, gd-yld) when not beaten far in fourth and 3lb lower now; 7f may have stretched her on latest; could rebound back at 6f.

16/1

11th

12

(10)

5th Sep 2025

Good

0m 7f 27y

17:54 Down Royal

Gas Works Wall

8st 13lb

J: Declan McDonogh

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Only minor promise in maidens but gave the impression this sort of mark will be fine for her when fourth of 13 at Sligo (beaten roughly 2l); shaped like return to 7f will be in her favour and ought to go well.

9/2

10

(9)

6th Aug 2025

Yielding

0m 6f 21y

18:25 Sligo

Gas Works Wall

9st 0lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Not that progressive in her qualifying runs (6f-extended 7f), latterly tried in cheekpieces; handicaps were always likely to offer better opportunities.

11/2

Form: 955

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 8lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Improved with each run in maidens and was only beaten roughly 3l in a Bellewstown maiden last week; shaped like the return to 7f would suit but has a tough draw to overcome on handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

17

(18)

5th Sep 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

14:35 Navan

The Love Machine

8st 12lb

J: Luke McAteer

T: Sean Davis

Won a 6f handicap (yielding) by 3.75l off 19lb higher last October; lost way this year, however, and needs to revive; on a dangerous mark if he does.

25/1

9th

9

(6)

5th Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

19:30 Sligo

The Love Machine

9st 5lb

J: Sean Davis

T: Sean Davis

Nursery winner over 6f for Michael Mulvany, but has shown little for current yard; bit better when fifth of seven over 5f at Down Royal.

20/1

7/1

Form: 608

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 4lb

2 yo Filly

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Encouraging debut at Naas but didn't beat a rival when stepped up to 6f at the Curragh and well held back at Naas since; stamina on dam's side so 7f may suit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

2

(8)

27th Oct 2025

Heavy

0m 7f 0y

14:06 Galway

Taiyi

9st 10lb

J: Shane Foley

T: Mrs John Harrington

Handicap debut at Down Royal didn't offer much, better effort when clear third in Naas claiming maiden on latest (winner went close in a Leopardstown nursery next time) under positive ride in first-time cheekpieces; drop back to 7f could suit and one to consider.

13/2

12th

2

(8)

27th Oct 2025

Heavy

0m 7f 0y

14:06 Galway

Taiyi

9st 10lb

J: Shane Foley

T: Mrs John Harrington

Handicap debut at Down Royal didn't offer much, better effort when clear third in Naas claiming maiden on latest (winner went close in a Leopardstown nursery next time) under positive ride in first-time cheekpieces; drop back to 7f could suit and one to consider.

13/2

3rd

4

(10)

18th Sep 2025

Yielding

1m 0f 0y

16:07 Naas

Taiyi

9st 2lb

J: Shane Foley

T: Mrs John Harrington

Minor promise when sixth of nine on debut but disappointing in three runs since and didn't show anything when stepped up to 7f on handicap debut earlier this month; up in trip and now tried with cheekpieces; plenty to find.

10/1

Form: 0600

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 6lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Took a step forward from his debut when sixth in a Fairyhouse maiden but hasn't kicked on twice since including handicap debut latest; bit to prove back at 7f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

12

(12)

15th Oct 2026

Yielding

0m 5f 0y

16:32 Curragh

One Cool Bear

9st 2lb

J: Julian Pietropaolo

T: Adrian McGuinness

Second runner for yard; behind stablemate Coincidental Glory at Fairyhouse and Navan recently but gained a first career victory at Bellewstown (5f, soft to heavy) between those runs; cheekpieces go on.

16/1

Non-runners

Ellas Gold, Wedding Year, Invincible Rocket

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €124.20
Straight Forecast €92.44
Tricast €297.54
Trifecta €1152.80

Selections

POSTDATA:

The Love Machine

The Irish Sun:

Taiyi

SPOTLIGHT:

Gas Works Wall

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Clarity Of Thought