May 20 / 20.20 Gowran Park

20.20

Good

Ladies Day July 25th Handicap

  • Prize money: £5130.43
  • 2m 0f 40y
  • 12 runners
RTV
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Ladies Day July 25th Handicap

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

Form: 901391 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 10st 2lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Veteran has done a bit of everything and recorded his fifth Flat win early this month when landing 1m6f Sligo apprentice handicap in emphatic fashion under today's rider (yielding-to-soft); 8lb rise allows him to remain in this grade and has won over 2m.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16th

8

(14)

27th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

17:24 Navan

Desert Friend

9st 11lb

J: Chris Hayes

T: P J F Murphy

Dual-purpose veteran and a multiple winner in both codes; won off 3lb lower at Sligo in May (1m6f, yld-sft); well beaten over hurdles at Galway on latest but is 9lb lower than when a 2.5l third over C&D last summer so not written off.

25/1

20th

15

27th Jul 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 130y

17:40 Galway

Desert Friend

11st 6lb

J: J J Slevin

T: P J F Murphy

Admirable veteran gained a fourth turf win on the Flat at Sligo in May; has come up short off revised mark since; first run over hurdles since unseating at Cork in March last year for Sneezy Foster; others more likely.

20/1

OUR TIP

Form: 4636-0

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Maiden went closest when touched off over 1m6f at Sligo last summer off 60; didn't count on last month's Navan comeback run, drops in grade now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

4

(4)

5th Aug 2026

Good

1m 5f 56y

20:30 Sligo

God The Highness

10st 0lb

J: Darragh O’Sullivan

T: Mrs John Harrington

Maiden was touched off over C&D on last year's card, and some good efforts on soft or heavy ground in the autumn; form not as good this term and was too keen in cheekpieces when beaten 7l by Deluca Chop at Navan last time.

16/1

9th

4

(8)

7th Jun 2026

Good

1m 5f 0y

16:37 Navan

God The Highness

10st 0lb

J: Shane Foley

T: Mrs John Harrington

0-10 on turf on the Flat; placed twice last season, over 1m6f here (soft) and over 13.5f (gd-yld) at Sligo; 2lb lower now and shaped okay in a Limerick maiden hurdle latest; cheekpieces on; could go well.

16/1

Form: 05-500

Last run: 66 days

W: 9st 12lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 57

Form & Verdict
Yet to trouble the judge in 12 attempts over various trips, returning from AW campaign when midfield in Curragh 1m handicap in March; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

(1)

5th Aug 2026

Good

1m 2f 100y

17:30 Sligo

Timandi

9st 8lb

J: Luke McAteer

T: James M Barrett

In good form lately in races in this category; won with plenty to spare over 1m4f at Tramore and then second to a well-fancied rival over 1m at Killarney; this trip should be fine.

9/2

2nd

8

(14)

15th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 40y

17:30 Killarney

Timandi

9st 10lb

J: Luke McAteer

T: James M Barrett

Got off the mark when easily winning a Tramore claimer over 1m4f last time; has run well at this track before but likely to find this trip on the sharp side.

12/1

1st

6

(3)

7th Jul 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

17:25 Tramore

Timandi

8st 12lb

J: Luke McAteer

T: James M Barrett

0-14 overall (0-7 on turf) but wasn't beaten far at all in a 1m4f (gd-yld) claimer at Limerick on latest when an unconsidered 25-1 shot; also went close enough in a 1m4f Dundalk claimer in December; poorly treated on the figures but that was the case last time so could outrun likely odds again.

20/1

Form: 8800-

Last run: 224 days

W: 9st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced maiden wasn't been sighted in three maidens ad again on handicap debut (upset in stalls) last October for Michael Grassick; bought for 1,000euros in November and debuts for new yard over a much longer trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

4

(2)

29th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

19:25 Down Royal

Among The Pines

9st 11lb

J: Ben Coen

T: Kieran Callaghan

Lightly raced maiden wasn't sighted in three maidens last year and last of 17 on handicap debut at Navan in October (upset in stalls), trained then by Michael Grassick; big step up in trip for seasonal/yard debut and best watched.

20/1

Form: 5900-0

Last run: 117 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 56

Form & Verdict
Poor form form in AW handicaps over the winter; hooded now for turf return and remains opposable off this mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15

(2)

2nd Sep 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

17:08 Navan

Cala Gracioneta

10st 9lb

J: Mr N McParlan

T: Matthew J Smith

Excellent effort on seasonal return at Listowel (2m, good) in May; unplaced on next two starts; worth considering now having finished second in a 22-runner 1m6f event at this venue last week.

10/1

2nd

5

(17)

27th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

17:24 Navan

Cala Gracioneta

10st 0lb

J: Robbie Colgan

T: Matthew J Smith

Excellent effort on seasonal return at Listowel (2m, good) in May off 2lb lower; beaten 5.25l when fourth at Tramore (2m, good) on latest off this mark; handicapper slow to relent.

14/1

5th

3

(5)

7th Jul 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

20:30 Tramore

Cala Gracioneta

10st 2lb

J: Robbie Colgan

T: Matthew J Smith

Well held in AW handicaps; improved in first-time hood on turf return in late May when chasing home hot favourite Ballyadam over this trip at Listowel (good); moderate run over 1m4f at Bellewstown last week; return to longer trip should help.

10/1

Form: 000-89

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 53

Form & Verdict
German winner (1m4f, good) has failed to fire in five runs for this yard on softer ground, most recently over 1m4f at Limerick last month; up in trip now but forcecast rain a negative.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

13

(6)

10th Jun 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 0y

20:20 Limerick

Almenfee

8st 11lb

J: N G McCullagh

T: Dermot A McLoughlin

German winner has failed to fire so far for this yard; declining mark but still best watched.

33/1

9th

17

(9)

25th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

1m 3f 190y

17:35 Limerick

Almenfee

9st 12lb

T: Dermot A McLoughlin

First reserve; German winner has failed to fire in four runs for this stable; beaten 17.5l on seasonal return at Bellewstown on latest; hard to fancy.

Form: 2/45-4 D

Last run: 40 days

W: 9st 5lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 49

Form & Verdict
Completed a hat-trick in handicap hurdles last summer before losing his way; last month's AW return was encouraging though (neck off Desert Friend) and of definite interest here off 8lb lower turf mark with Keane booked.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

26th Aug 2026

Good

2m 4f 110y

15:51 Bellewstown

Mephisto

10st 8lb

J: Eoghan Finegan

T: Gerard Keane

Three wins apiece over hurdles and on the Flat; best recent hurdle run came over 3m at this venue last month; would have a squeak if returning to that form.

12/1

6th

7

13th Aug 2026

Good

2m 5f 180y

17:46 Tramore

Mephisto

11st 12lb

J: Eoghan Finegan

T: Gerard Keane

Enjoyed a purple patch last summer, winning three handicap hurdles on the bounce at 2m5f-2m7f on good ground; generally struggled since and his latest two runs have been fairly dismal; returns to chasing for the first time since 2024, when he didn't set things alight in three beginners'.

12/1

10th

2

4th Aug 2026

Good

2m 7f 210y

18:30 Roscommon

Mephisto

11st 11lb

J: Eoghan Finegan

T: Gerard Keane

Completed a hat-trick of handicap hurdle wins during a short time frame last August; went up an aggregate 23lb for victories at Wexford, Ballinrobe and Tramore; has tended to struggle since then; fair fourth at Bellewstown early last month, out of the money at Downpatrick and last week at Galway.

12/1

Form: 2-5553 BF

Last run: 5 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 48

Form & Verdict
Remains a maiden after 23 starts (six over hurdles), didn't really warrant his strong favouritism at Leopardstown last week although ran well when third to an all-the-way winner over 1m5f (good); up further in trip here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

(1)

2nd Sep 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

17:08 Navan

Jurality

10st 10lb

J: Miss J Townend

T: Paul W Flynn

Course 1m5f winner in June; backed that up with a narrow defeat at Bellewstown; unplaced on last three starts; perhaps too high in the ratings now, though the booking of Jody Townend is a positive.

14/1

5th

3

(7)

21st Aug 2026

Good

1m 6f 80y

19:50 Killarney

Jurality

9st 6lb

J: Sam Coen

T: Paul W Flynn

Winner over 1m5f at Navan (good) in June off 11lb lower; followed up with narrow defeat at Bellewstown (split Numidia and Celestially); obvious chance on that form but folded tamely at Leopardstown 29 days ago.

10/1

8th

6

(9)

23rd Jul 2026

Good

1m 7f 0y

20:28 Leopardstown

Jurality

9st 7lb

J: Leigh Roche

T: Paul W Flynn

Got off the mark at Navan over 1m5f and good efforts since over just short of this trip at Bellewstown and Killarney; needs a bit more off this mark.

6/1

Form: 048/8-

Last run: 491 days

W: 9st 2lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 46

Form & Verdict
Maiden has been absent since early last year; career-low mark but hard to be confident in.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

11

(6)

2nd Jul 2026

Good

1m 6f 109y

19:51 Bellewstown

Velvet And Vine

8st 13lb

J: Orla Tynan

T: Miss Jennifer Anne Lynch

A couple of her runs in 2024 suggested she could win a race but missed almost all of 2025 and heavy defeat on return from long layoff at Down Royal last month; cheekpieces go on and she's on a dangerous mark on her best form so check the market.

28/1

10th

12

(7)

29th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

19:25 Down Royal

Velvet And Vine

9st 2lb

J: Robbie Colgan

T: Miss Jennifer Anne Lynch

16-race maiden had been running okay in 1m4f AW handicaps last winter; back from a break with stamina to prove.

20/1

Form: 2/09-0

Last run: 98 days

W: 8st 12lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 42

Form & Verdict
Dual hurdles winner is now 0-17 on the Flat and hard to see him breaking that sequence here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

(3)

7th Jul 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

19:00 Tramore

Appian Way

9st 0lb

J: Patrick McGettigan

T: Ms M Flynn

Has won twice over hurdles; nothing of much note in his Flat form; getting on in years; modest hurdles form since down the field at Dundalk in February.

16/1

6th

16

5th Jun 2026

Good

2m 6f 90y

20:30 Clonmel

Appian Way

10st 0lb

J: Ethan O’Sullivan

T: Ms M Flynn

One of his two hurdle wins came at this track; has been soundly beaten on recent starts so others preferred.

33/1

Form: 78700-

Last run: 260 days

W: 8st 12lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 42

Form & Verdict
Sligo maiden hurdle winner last October, safely held on handicap debut at recent Punchestown festival; only glimpses of form on the Flat in recent years and hard to fancy; hood tried.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

12

(14)

10th Jun 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 0y

20:20 Limerick

Our Lucky Lady

8st 12lb

J: Jessica O’Gorman

T: P G Fahey

Winning hurdler returned to Flat recently to justify strong market support when hooded first-time in 2m Down Royal handicap under today's rider, beating Sunday's Navan winner Jurality with some authority; hit with 12lb rise but could well play a role.

5/1

1st

13

(8)

29th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

19:25 Down Royal

Our Lucky Lady

8st 12lb

J: Jessica O’Gorman

T: P G Fahey

Better hurdler, winning Sligo maiden (2m2f, good to yielding) in October, just okay run in handicap at Punchestown festival on latest; precious little of note on the Flat last year, tried hooded now on return and may improve.

12/1

Form: 56609-

Last run: 152 days

W: 8st 10lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 40

Form & Verdict
Dual-purpose maiden well held in handicap hurdles of late; down to basement mark on the Flat but remains opposable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

11

(9)

15th Aug 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

19:55 Tramore

Synchronize

9st 1lb

J: Julian Pietropaolo

T: J Morrison

Maiden gelding by Frankel; has shown potential for a belated breakthrough in his three Flat runs this term, the latest when sixth over C&D (4-1 fav), where today's rider was banned for stopping riding late on (4.5l behind Lariat); others more appealing.

10/1

6th

11

(4)

7th Jul 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

20:30 Tramore

Synchronize

8st 13lb

J: Julian Pietropaolo

T: J Morrison

Maiden gelding by Frankel; started his career with the Gosdens; has shown potential for a belated breakthrough in his two most recent races; recovered from interference at the start to finish fourth over this trip at Down Royal in May; leading contender based on his second to solid yardstick Jurality over 1m5f at Navan; same good 7lb claimer aboard now.

11/4

2nd

14

(15)

7th Jun 2026

Good

1m 5f 0y

17:12 Navan

Synchronize

8st 10lb

J: Julian Pietropaolo

T: J Morrison

Maiden produced one of his better efforts on latest when not far behind a couple of these rivals at Down Royal (2m, good); place shout if he backs that up, but overall profile suggests that's not guaranteed.

9/1

Betting Forcast

9/2 Desert Friend, 7/1 God The Highness, 14/1 Timandi, 20/1 Among The Pines, 12/1 Cala Gracioneta, 14/1 Almenfee, 100/30 Mephisto, 4/1 Jurality, 25/1 Velvet And Vine, 12/1 Appian Way, 16/1 Our Lucky Lady, 16/1 Synchronize

Non-runners

Bynx, Ethereal Star, Sioux Grit

Verdict

Little strength in depth in this low-grade handicap. Recent winner Desert Friend and last week’s Leopardstown third Jurality hold strong claims, but MEPHISTO (nap) is on an attractive mark compared to the AW, on hist first turf start since October 2024. [Alan Hewison]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Mephisto

The Irish Sun:

God The Highness

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Mephisto

POSTDATA:

Mephisto