June 19 / 20.30 Down Royal

20.30

Good

Laura Nicholas Memorial Handicap

  • Prize money: £5130.43
  • 0m 7f 0y
  • 11 runners
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Laura Nicholas Memorial Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

OUR TIP

13/2 (Won)

  • Win: £17.80
  • Place: £4.00

Form: 333562 CD

Last run: 18 days

W: 10st 0lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Sole win came over C&D in 2024 but has been running consistently in defeat on AW; beaten just a neck at Wolverhampton 18 days ago off 2lb lower; may build on that back at scene of his win, but with his 1-25 strike-rate caution is advised.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(11)

8th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 7f 0y

18:00 Galway

Alex Belardo

9st 5lb

J: Adam Browne-Souza

T: John C McConnell

Both wins have come over this trip at Down Royal on soft, the latest in June; disappointing on faster ground at Bellewstown since but can do better back on easier ground.

6/1

11th

1

(12)

3rd Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 195y

17:00 Bellewstown

Alex Belardo

9st 13lb

J: Donagh O’Connor

T: John C McConnell

Generally consistent sort gained a second handicap win at Down Royal (7f, soft) two weeks ago off 58; in form but most of best turf form is on softer ground so probably needs rain.

9/2

1st

2

(15)

19th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

20:30 Down Royal

Alex Belardo

10st 0lb

J: Donagh O’Connor

T: John C McConnell

Sole win came over C&D in 2024 but has been running consistently in defeat on AW; beaten just a neck at Wolverhampton 18 days ago off 2lb lower; may build on that back at scene of his win, but with his 1-25 strike-rate caution is advised.

13/2

8/1

  • Place: £2.20

Form: 00-004 D

Last run: 38 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 52

Form & Verdict
Won a maiden and a claimer in Britain; poor form for new yard until 2l fourth of 15 at Killarney in May; attractive mark if back in form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

10

(3)

2nd Sep 2026

Soft

1m 0f 68y

Class 6

19:20 Hamilton

Toy Soldier

9st 4lb

J: Lexie Clarkson

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Won a couple of races for George Scott in 2024/25; mainly disappointing since, including on both starts for current yard; others stronger.

20/1

7th

3

(5)

7th Aug 2026

Good

1m 0f 208y

Class 6

13:50 Musselburgh

Toy Soldier

9st 6lb

J: Lexie Clarkson

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Runner-up on consecutive starts in Ireland (7f/7.4f) in June but made a low-key stable debut at Ayr (1m2f, good to firm) last month and still has stamina to prove over this sort of trip.

8/1

8th

5

(8)

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

16:30 Ayr

Toy Soldier

9st 11lb

J: Lexie Clarkson

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Won twice over 7f when trained by George Scott; initially struggled in Ireland but finished second in a couple of handicaps at around 7f last month; beaten favourite over 7f here two week ago, after which he left Maurice Ahern; stamina for 1m2f has to be taken on trust and he goes without headgear on his stable debut.

12/1

14/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 8-986

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Modest maiden form on soft ground; okay run at Fairyhouse on handicap debut when sixth (7f, good) in first-time blinkers (retained); improvement needed from the Irish Oaks entrant.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

7

(16)

1st Sep 2026

Soft

1m 0f 0y

16:30 Gowran Park

Lady Kelly

9st 11lb

J: Patrick McGettigan

T: J P Murtagh

Front-running Down Royal third (7f) on soft her best effort; not so good back in trip on better ground last time; back up in trip and soft ground so could improve.

10/1

7th

4

(15)

1st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

17:40 Fairyhouse

Lady Kelly

9st 10lb

J: Patrick McGettigan

T: J P Murtagh

Modest maiden form; fair effort on handicap debut when sixth over 7f at this venue in first-time blinkers; led for most of the way when third over 7f at Down Royal 12 days ago; good chance now for in-form stable

9/2

3rd

11

(5)

19th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

20:30 Down Royal

Lady Kelly

9st 5lb

J: Yudish Geerdharry

T: J P Murtagh

Modest maiden form on soft ground; okay run at Fairyhouse on handicap debut when sixth (7f, good) in first-time blinkers (retained); improvement needed from the Irish Oaks entrant.

14/1

Form: 606-89

Last run: 126 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 54

Form & Verdict
M'den from 12 starts; two recent AW starts not too encouraging; others more likely.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

3

(1)

6th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 42y

19:10 Leopardstown

Petes Dream

10st 2lb

J: Jimmy Dalton

T: Andrew Slattery

Belated first win came over an extended 1m at Fairyhouse early last month, with Launch Time in third; fair third off his revised mark in a 1m contest at Killarney, with Draiocht in fourth; concerning that he has been unplaced in four 7f attempts.

6/1

3rd

5

(10)

15th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 40y

19:30 Killarney

Petes Dream

10st 0lb

J: Jimmy Dalton

T: Andrew Slattery

Belated first win came at Fairyhouse early this month when beating Bella Colombia over this trip on good ground under today's rider; reportedly returned with blood in nostrils but can't be ruled out here off 5lb higher.

11/2

1st

5

(12)

1st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 160y

19:55 Fairyhouse

Petes Dream

9st 9lb

J: Jimmy Dalton

T: Andrew Slattery

Maiden from 13 starts but creditable seasonal return at Down Royal (7f, soft) when fourth of 11; could improve with that run under his belt.

8/1

Form: 08-721

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Built on good second over C&D (winner won two races back-to-back afterwards) in May to score at Fairyhouse last time (6f, good); up 6lb but rider's claim negates half of that; chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

13

(7)

29th Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

16:50 Curragh

Dervo Annie

9st 2lb

J: Julian Pietropaolo

T: Ms Claire O’Connell

Won off 7lb lower on her last start over 6f (good) at Fairyhouse in June; narrowly denied off 2lb higher back at Fairyhouse in July (7f, good) but below best last twice and forecast rain is a concern.

22/1

7th

12

(10)

27th Jul 2026

Good To Yielding

0m 7f 0y

19:15 Galway

Dervo Annie

8st 11lb

J: Rory Cleary

T: Ms Claire O’Connell

Followed a good run against a much-improved rival at Down Royal by winning over 6f at Fairyhouse; another good run at the same venue over 7f; lost a shoe at Killarney last time, but has gone up 11lb in total and will need a career best effort here.

16/1

6th

8

(7)

13th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 20y

18:30 Killarney

Dervo Annie

8st 11lb

J: Rory Cleary

T: Ms Claire O’Connell

All three handicap runs on good ground have been fine efforts; runner up at Down Royal (7f), won at Fairyhouse (6f, good) and kept on for a 0.5l second back there over 7f on latest; nudged up another 3lb and this is harder, but the step up to 1m could eke out more improvement, so not discounted.

5/1

Form: 00-543

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 10lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 54

Form & Verdict
Competitive in 6f/7f handicaps on AW this season before posting a very promising third of 20 on her return to turf at the Curragh last time (6.5f, yielding); first-time cheekpieces worn that day retained; up 1lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

5

(12)

3rd Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

15:17 Naas

Hot To Foxtrot

9st 9lb

J: Jack Cleary

T: John James Feane

Proving consistent in handicaps this year; handled drop back to 5f at Down Royal 17 days ago, coming home well to grab third behind Dandy Land; shaped well that day from a less than ideal position, so capable of turning the tables.

11/2

8th
6 (16)
Ukiyo

10/1

Form: 720203

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 10lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 54

Form & Verdict
1-13 with the win coming at Cork in September (6f, yielding) off 60; some positive placed efforts this term at Navan (6f, heavy), Listowel (7f, good) and most recently at Fairyhouse (6f, good); latest run can be marked up because slowly away and was waiting for a gap in the straight; in the mix.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(9)

10th Sep 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

17:14 Laytown

Ukiyo

10st 4lb

J: Luke McAteer

T: Andrew Kinirons

Sole win from 18 starts came at Cork (6f, yielding) last September when trained by Gavin Cromwell; ran a solid race over this trip at Ayr last month; possibly found 5f too sharp at Hamilton on latest; holds claims judged on penultimate effort.

11/1

6th

6

(4)

11th Aug 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 7y

Class 6

17:30 Hamilton

Ukiyo

9st 2lb

J: Yudish Geerdharry

T: Andrew Kinirons

Sole win from 17 starts came at Cork (6f, yielding) last September when trained by Gavin Cromwell but she was placed in competitive events last year; ran a solid race at Ayr (6f, good) three days ago and holds claims if backing that up.

7/1

4th

11

(12)

8th Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

19:30 Ayr

Ukiyo

9st 2lb

J: Mikey Sheehy

T: Andrew Kinirons

Off the mark in 6f handicap at Cork (yielding) last September; has been placed in big-field handicaps at 6f and 7f for this yard in 2026 and although below best when last seen in June she shouldn't be out of this, especially if the ground deteriorates.

8/1

9th
15 (4)
Stonyfalls

Form: 0809-6

Last run: 21 days

W: 8st 12lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 51

Form & Verdict
First reserve; soundly beaten in maidens; 66-1 for handicap debut when sixth of 14 at over C&D (good) on seasonal return; could improve.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

13

(15)

13th Jul 2026

Good

1m 3f 73y

20:30 Killarney

Stonyfalls

9st 1lb

J: Killian Leonard

T: Paul Traynor

Couple of creditable handicap runs over 7f/1m, placed over latter trip behind easy winner at Bellewstown; big step up in trip; dam won over almost this far in France.

16/1

3rd

9

(5)

2nd Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 211y

17:40 Bellewstown

Stonyfalls

9st 3lb

J: Killian Leonard

T: Paul Traynor

Soundly beaten in maidens; 66-1 for handicap debut when sixth of 14 at Down Royal (7f, good), not far behind Fontaine Khaled and Beau Army; failed to build on that at that venue on soft 13 days ago but could bounce back if the ground is good.

14/1

10th
10 (10)
Zephron

25/1

Form: 00-070 D

Last run: 58 days

W: 9st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 50

Form & Verdict
Five wins from 52 starts but none since April 2024; weak form last season and bar one okay run on penultimate at Gowran, that trend has continued in three outings this term.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

13

(19)

2nd Sep 2026

Good

1m 0f 20y

18:10 Navan

Zephron

9st 3lb

J: Luke McAteer

T: Anthony McCann

Soft ground no excuse when down the field in his last two races; this 9yo is on a lengthy losing run.

25/1

10th

10

(10)

19th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

20:30 Down Royal

Zephron

9st 6lb

J: Adam Grant

T: Anthony McCann

Five wins from 52 starts but none since April 2024; weak form last season and bar one okay run on penultimate at Gowran, that trend has continued in three outings this term.

25/1

11th

5

(7)

22nd Apr 2026

Soft To Heavy

0m 7f 0y

19:18 Gowran Park

Zephron

9st 10lb

J: Luke McAteer

T: Anthony McCann

Best known as a three-time Curragh winner; five wins in all, none since April 2024; weak form last season; well supported at Navan (6f) on seasonal/stable debut but was always behind and finished last; signs of a return to form here on latest but held by Miss Americana and Hell Let Loose.

10/1

Form: 000030

Last run: 7 days

W: 8st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 41

Form & Verdict
Third-place finish at Gowran was a rare positive recent effort (1m, yielding) on penultimate; didn't build on that in a similar contest there last time; three-time turf winner is well handicapped on his best form and cheekpieces go on now to try and recapture it.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

13

(8)

19th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

20:30 Down Royal

Rock Etoile

8st 11lb

J: Sadhbh Tormey

T: Patrick J McKenna

Third-place finish at Gowran was a rare positive recent effort (1m, yielding) on penultimate; didn't build on that in a similar contest there last time; three-time turf winner is well handicapped on his best form and cheekpieces go on now to try and recapture it.

25/1

11th

15

(7)

12th Jun 2026

Yielding To Soft

1m 0f 0y

17:58 Gowran Park

Rock Etoile

8st 11lb

J: Sadhbh Tormey

T: Patrick J McKenna

Won twice and placed a further six times from 13 visits here; benefitted from sliding mark when beaten 2.75l into third over C&D 11 days ago; handles soft and well handicapped on best form; second over C&D off 11lb higher in October.

6/1

3rd

14

(3)

1st Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

13:59 Gowran Park

Rock Etoile

8st 11lb

J: Sadhbh Tormey

T: Patrick J McKenna

Last turf win came over C&D in September 2024 off 18lb higher; finished last year in poor form, however, and no signs of a revival in two runs this term.

33/1

Form: 70862 BF

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Non-runners

Blue Anthem, Roman Harry, Miqdaad, Mullacash Buzz, Royal County Glory, Brains

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €90.70
Straight Forecast €75.22
Tricast €779.14
Trifecta €427.70

Selections

POSTDATA:

Lady Kelly

SPOTLIGHT:

Dervo Annie

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Alex Belardo

The Irish Sun:

Lady Kelly