March 06 / 18.45 Dundalk (AW)

18.45

Standard

Willie Buckley Memorial Apprentice Handicap

  • Prize money: £5130.43
  • 1m 4f 0y
  • 14 runners
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Willie Buckley Memorial Apprentice Handicap

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Polytrack

Weather: Partly cloudy

16/1 (Won)

  • Win: £13.80
  • Place: £3.60

Form: 08557- D

Last run: 107 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 48

Form & Verdict
Turf winner over this trip on good ground; has limited experience of this track but needs to improve on the form he showed here in November.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(12)

12th Jul 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

16:20 Dundalk (AW)

Celtic Druid

10st 0lb

J: Sadhbh Tormey

T: T G McCourt

Back-to-back C&D wins under this rider in the spring and really good third in higher grade at the Curragh last time; lots to like.

5/1

3rd

12

(13)

26th Jun 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

18:45 Curragh

Celtic Druid

8st 13lb

J: Sadhbh Tormey

T: T G McCourt

Two-time AW winner (both 1m4f) is 1-16 on turf; good effort behind Kool One on penultimate at Navan (1m5f, gd-yld); didn't get the smoothest of runs when midfield at Gowran latest; drop back to 1m4f a plus and not out of this.

12/1

7th

5

(8)

20th May 2026

Good

1m 5f 170y

19:50 Gowran Park

Celtic Druid

9st 11lb

J: Sadhbh Tormey

T: T G McCourt

Progressive in winning back-to-back 1m4f handicaps at Dundalk in March/April; had to wait for a gap to open at Navan last time and ran on well to take fourth, 1 3/4l in front of Earthsong; very capable 7lb claimer is starting to establish herself; strong contender.

4/1

6/1

  • Place: £2.20

Form: 554-64 BF

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 52

Form & Verdict
Maiden is 0-15; posted a good C&D effort in December when finishing fourth despite being hampered repeatedly in the straight in a race won by Jawhary; only fourth when well fancied last time, again met trouble in running.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

(8)

7th Jul 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

20:30 Tramore

Captain Hanley

9st 9lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Eamonn O’Connell

Runner-up in maiden hurdles at Clonmel in May and Punchestown last month; failed to match that form at Wexford last Friday; interesting that he makes a quick reappearance with Colin Keane booked; turf Flat form is modest but not without a chance if reproducing last winter's best AW form.

7/1

6th

1

3rd Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 50y

16:47 Wexford

Captain Hanley

11st 12lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Eamonn O’Connell

Modest on the Flat but has shown an aptitude for hurdling; runner up in both completed starts at Clonmel (19.5f, gd-yld) in May and Punchestown (23.5f, gd-yld) 26 days ago; in between those runs unseated early at Kilbeggan; big player.

8/1

2nd

3

7th Jun 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 7f 116y

16:17 Punchestown

Captain Hanley

11st 12lb

J: Kieren Buckley

T: Eamonn O’Connell

0-18 on Flat but promising introduction to hurdling at Clonmel when staying on well to take the runner-up spot despite suffering interference (2m4f, good to yielding) and the winner easily followed up next time; unseated at the second when saddle slipped at Kilbeggan; worth another chance, although trip is an unknown.

2/1

4/1

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 6983-2 C

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 48

Form & Verdict
Last win came here in early 2023; did not race in 2024 and took a while to show any positives last year; left with lots to do here in November but finished to some effect; has been placed at big odds on his last two visits; live chance for good 7lb claimer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

12

(4)

20th Jun 2026

Good

1m 4f 207y

17:13 Down Royal

Deluca Chop

9st 2lb

J: Paddy Harnett

T: S M Duffy

Five-time winner was wonderfully consistent in defeat on AW over winter/spring, placing in four consecutive runs at 1m4f-2m; continued that form back on turf at Roscommon (1m4f, yielding to soft) in May when again a runner-up; a visor replaced the previously worn cheekpieces at Navan (1m5f, good) last time and resulted in a victory; up 5lb but he's a player.

15/4

1st

13

(13)

7th Jun 2026

Good

1m 5f 0y

16:37 Navan

Deluca Chop

8st 11lb

J: Patrick McGettigan

T: S M Duffy

Knocking on the door on the AW earlier this year; fine run on return to turf when a 1.75l second at Roscommon (Mapa behind); nudged up 1lb but should be thereabouts again; visor goes on.

3/1

7/2

Form: 60-313 C

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 49

Form & Verdict
Much-improved when stepping up to this trip in first-time visor here in mid-January, beaten just 1l into third behind Jawhary after meeting traffic problems; backed that up when winning over the extended 1m2f; one length behind Deluca Chop when third last time; drawn high then, same again now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

10

(7)

11th Jul 2026

Firm

1m 4f 65y

20:00 Limerick

Without Love

9st 8lb

J: Rory Mulligan

T: Cian Hughes

Modest but progressive AW handicapper last winter, winning over 1m2f and placed at 1m4f; good chance now based on last week's pleasing Bellewstown second which came after a break.

7/2

2nd

10

(1)

3rd Jul 2026

Good

1m 4f 37y

20:17 Bellewstown

Without Love

9st 5lb

J: Rory Mulligan

T: Cian Hughes

Modest but progressive AW handicapper last winter, winning over 1m2f and placed at 1m4f; unexposed on turf so worth a look here from a good draw (headgear left off).

12/1

12th

12

(4)

13th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 2f 150y

18:00 Dundalk (AW)

Without Love

9st 5lb

J: Patrick McGettigan

T: Cian Hughes

Winner and three times in the frame from his last four starts; his win in January was achieved at the main expense of Doctor Grace and Eighty Eight; beaten favourite last Friday; blinkers may help his cause.

11/2

6/1

Form: 8422-5

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 49

Form & Verdict
Showed a fair standard of form on the Flat last summer before two moderate hurdle runs; back from a break with a satisfactory fifth over C&D; appeals a value alternative to the placed horses in that contest, Deluca Chop and Without Love, both drawn high.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

(5)

15th Jul 2026

Good

1m 6f 80y

20:30 Killarney

Jurality

9st 7lb

J: W J Lee

T: Paul W Flynn

Gained reward for a string of solid efforts when winning at Navan (1m5f, good) last month and only narrowly failed to follow up at Bellewstown five days later, getting caught on the line over 1m7f after forcing it; up a total of 12lb for those efforts so more needed.

5/1

2nd

3

(12)

2nd Jul 2026

Good

1m 6f 109y

19:51 Bellewstown

Jurality

9st 13lb

J: Adam Grant

T: Paul W Flynn

Gained reward for a string of solid efforts when always well positioned and winning at Navan (1m5f, good) 25 days ago; 6lb higher now but rider's 2lb claim partly negates that; consistent sort is a big player again.

9/4

OUR TIP

Form: 8/67-5 C

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 1lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Winner of a 7f nursery here in October 2024; not at his best in two turf runs last year; produced a good effort in a 1m claimer here last month on stable debut; not sure to stay as far as this; new headgear combination.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

1

(11)

13th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 2f 150y

18:00 Dundalk (AW)

Midnight Stagger

10st 2lb

J: Brandon Wilkie

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Winner of a 7f nursery here in October 2024; not at his best in two turf runs last year; produced a good effort in a 1m claimer here last month on stable debut; another solid run over 1m4f last Friday despite meeting trouble in running.

7/1

6th

2

(17)

6th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

18:45 Dundalk (AW)

Midnight Stagger

10st 1lb

J: Brandon Wilkie

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Winner of a 7f nursery here in October 2024; not at his best in two turf runs last year; produced a good effort in a 1m claimer here last month on stable debut; not sure to stay as far as this; new headgear combination.

14/1

5th

6

(11)

13th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 0f 0y

17:00 Dundalk (AW)

Midnight Stagger

9st 6lb

J: Brandon Wilkie

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Winner of a 7f nursery here in October 2024; two summer turf runs for Mark Fahey were not the best; makes stable debut now but others more likely and bad draw.

33/1

5/1

Form: 09013- CD

Last run: 105 days

W: 10st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Ended a poor run of form with a shock 50-1 C&D win from Jawhary (second reserve) in November; proved that was no fluke when beaten 1l over C&D a week later from 6lb higher; absent since but worth considering; hooded for the first time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

14

6th Jul 2026

Good

1m 7f 204y

19:18 Roscommon

Syosset

10st 12lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: John C McConnell

Ended a terrible run of form when a surprise winner on the AW in November (1m4f, 50-1); decent efforts in two runs back there afterwards; his previous efforts over hurdles were dire but he has found some form on the Flat since then.

14/1

25/1

Form: 03309-

Last run: 233 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Maiden produced much less encouraging runs last summer after a good 1m6f Gowran effort; lacks the advantage of race fitness.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(3)

27th Mar 2026

Standard

2m 0f 0y

18:45 Dundalk (AW)

Disco Boy

10st 2lb

J: Shane Foley

T: Sean Byrne

Maiden produced much less encouraging runs last summer after a good 1m6f Gowran effort ; made seasonal return over 1m4f here last timr when 4.25l behind in eighth (denied a clear run from 2f out); others more appealing.

14/1

8th

1

(13)

6th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

18:45 Dundalk (AW)

Disco Boy

10st 2lb

J: Keithen Kennedy

T: Sean Byrne

Maiden produced much less encouraging runs last summer after a good 1m6f Gowran effort; lacks the advantage of race fitness.

25/1

6

(7)

16th Jul 2025

Good

1m 6f 80y

20:20 Killarney

Disco Boy

9st 8lb

J: Shane Foley

T: Sean Byrne

Dual-purpose maiden ran a cracker at Gowran when narrowly in front of Lady Kai but has to rebound from a poor Navan run.

14/1

16/1

Form: 0/006-

Last run: 176 days

W: 8st 13lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 44

Form & Verdict
Not a bad run on soft ground at Clonmel last September; an unknown quantity at this trip; gelded since his last run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

8

(9)

1st Apr 2026

Standard

1m 0f 0y

19:15 Dundalk (AW)

Deep Vein

8st 13lb

J: Emily Grifferty

T: Noel Meade

Not an obvious candidate based on two recent runs here over contrasting trips (7f/1m4f).

20/1

12th

13

(5)

27th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 0y

18:15 Dundalk (AW)

Deep Vein

8st 13lb

J: Chris Hayes

T: Noel Meade

Creditable enough run at Clonmel in September when sixth (9.5f, soft); 1m4f was perhaps too far here last time when weakened into ninth; capable of more.

15/1

9th

14

(6)

6th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

18:45 Dundalk (AW)

Deep Vein

8st 13lb

J: Emily Grifferty

T: Noel Meade

Not a bad run on soft ground at Clonmel last September; an unknown quantity at this trip; gelded since his last run.

16/1

Form: 27-928 C

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 0lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
AW record is 2-31; won on turf at Down Royal last summer; went close off much reduced mark over C&D in January, beaten by Without Love; failed to make her presence last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

1

(14)

24th Jun 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 2f 194y

19:10 Naas

Doctor Grace

10st 0lb

J: Gabriella Hill

T: Adrian McGuinness

The latest of her five wins came over 1m4f at Roscommon in May; unseated early next time and 1m1.5f looked too short last time at Gowran; has to rebound.

12/1

11th

4

(6)

12th Jun 2026

Yielding To Soft

1m 1f 100y

20:18 Gowran Park

Doctor Grace

10st 0lb

J: Gabriella Hill

T: Adrian McGuinness

Notched third turf win at Roscommon (1m4f, gd) two starts ago, beating Makaiah by 2.25l; stumbled and unseated early lto at Fairyhouse; needs more from career-high mark.

12/1

3

(7)

28th May 2026

Good

1m 1f 210y

16:52 Fairyhouse

Doctor Grace

10st 0lb

J: Gabriella Hill

T: Adrian McGuinness

Recorded third turf win earlier this month at Roscommon under positive ride from today's rider (1m4f, good), overcoming wide draw and having been hampered; 5lb rise takes her back to a near career-high mark so interesting to see if she can back that up.

11/2

14/1

Form: 656-69

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 7lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 51

Form & Verdict
AW winner in Britain at up to 2m; most recent win was in 1m5f Ballinrobe handicap in 2024; at the veteran stage now and held by several of these on recent form at this venue.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(2)

2nd Jul 2026

Good

1m 6f 109y

19:51 Bellewstown

Desert Friend

10st 0lb

J: Conor Cusack

T: P J F Murphy

Dual-purpose veteran; winner of nine races across both codes; bolted up at Sligo in May (1m6f, yld-sft) off 6lb lower; struggled the last twice however, and previous runs here have not been his best.

11/1

12th

2

(3)

7th Jun 2026

Good

1m 5f 0y

16:37 Navan

Desert Friend

10st 1lb

J: Chris Hayes

T: P J F Murphy

Veteran gained the ninth win of his career when bolting up at Sligo on penultimate (1m6f, yld-sft); raised 8lb and couldn't follow up at Listowel (2m, good); drop back in trip a plus and has run well here before; place shout.

12/1

12th
13 (5)
My Vonnie

14/1

Form: 57-666

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 47

Form & Verdict
Still a maiden after 16 attempts; fair course form over a range of distances; needs extra after a sequence of outings in which she has failed to make the frame.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

13

(11)

12th Jul 2026

Standard

1m 0f 0y

15:45 Dundalk (AW)

My Vonnie

9st 2lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: M M Rice

Second over 1m4f here in November, but that's her only time to place in 10 starts here and 1m likely too sharp; another headgear combo tried, but even the champion jockey will struggle to get this one involved

40/1

12th

13

(5)

6th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

18:45 Dundalk (AW)

My Vonnie

9st 3lb

J: Paddy Harnett

T: M M Rice

Still a maiden after 16 attempts; fair course form over a range of distances; needs extra after a sequence of outings in which she has failed to make the frame.

14/1

6th

9

(3)

20th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 2f 150y

18:45 Dundalk (AW)

My Vonnie

9st 5lb

J: Rory Mulligan

T: M M Rice

Maiden from 15 starts, but she has posted some okay efforts here over 1m4f; blinkers tried when below-form last time persisted with here and drops in trip.

14/1

25/1

Form: 78-70

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 51

Form & Verdict
Weak overall form; in rear in race won by Without Love last time; unlikely to feature unless cheekpieces make a big difference.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

15

4th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 88y

14:10 Down Royal

Powerful Rosie

10st 9lb

J: Richard Deegan

T: Liz Doyle

Half-brother to AW winner; 40s for handicap debut at Clonmel, not beaten far in sixth on soft terrain and better ground should suit.

10/1

6th

12

2nd Apr 2026

Soft

1m 7f 200y

18:30 Clonmel

Powerful Rosie

10st 8lb

J: Richard Deegan

T: Liz Doyle

Modest Flat maiden has been well beaten in three maiden hurdles and others make more appeal.

22/1

5th

14

17th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

14:12 Wexford

Powerful Rosie

10st 9lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Liz Doyle

Last year's heavy defeats over hurdles came in races won by smart horses but she has since looked very limited on the Flat.

66/1

33/1

Form: 0/809/

Last run: 620 days

W: 9st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 50

Form & Verdict
Two wins in Britain in 2022 came at 1m4f/1m6f on quickish ground; absent since August 2024 and faces a tough task against that background.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

23

(13)

9th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 0y

19:38 Leopardstown

Rushford

8st 10lb

J: Wayne Lordan

T: Thomas R Hughes

No win since 2022; finished last in two Dundalk runs after a long absence; again in rear at Fairyhouse on return to turf; marginally better there last time; first reserve.

9th

13

(8)

1st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 160y

19:55 Fairyhouse

Rushford

8st 10lb

J: Chris Hayes

T: Thomas R Hughes

No win since 2022; finished last in two Dundalk runs back from a long absence and was again last back on turf here in June; impossible to fancy.

50/1

Non-runners

Ethelwulf, Jawhary, Storm Eric

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €111.10
Straight Forecast €96.78
Tricast €492.87
Trifecta €608.00

Selections

The Irish Sun:

Without Love

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Midnight Stagger

SPOTLIGHT:

Jurality

POSTDATA:

Deluca Chop