September 04 / 19.30 Down Royal

19.30

Good

Grant Thornton Handicap (Div II)

  • Prize money: £5130.43
  • 1m 4f 194y
  • 12 runners
RTV
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Grant Thornton Handicap (Div II)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

12/1 (Won)

  • Win: £9.50
  • Place: £2.80

Form: -00083 BF

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 56

Form & Verdict
Both turf wins were over shorter trips; solid recent AW effort, but stamina remains a concern.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

10

(4)

16th Oct 2026

Standard

1m 2f 150y

20:00 Dundalk (AW)

Dancing Steve

9st 6lb

J: Adam Caffrey

T: Adrian McGuinness

All his wins have come on turf, most recently in a 1m5f handicap at Down Royal last month; needs to bounce back after a poor run at Bellewstown.

14/1

12th

10

(1)

30th Sep 2026

Yielding To Soft

1m 4f 110y

17:00 Bellewstown

Dancing Steve

9st 5lb

J: Cillian Rowan

T: Adrian McGuinness

Won for the third time when scoring over 1m5f at Down Royal last time; 5lb rise for that probably fine but his best form has come on a sound surface.

8/1

1st

4

(11)

4th Sep 2026

Good

1m 4f 194y

19:30 Down Royal

Dancing Steve

9st 12lb

J: Sam Coen

T: Adrian McGuinness

Both turf wins were over shorter trips; solid recent AW effort, but stamina remains a concern.

12/1

2nd
9 (14)
Connecteo

13/2

  • Place: £1.80

Form: -82476

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 56

Form & Verdict
Pleasing handicap debut run at Roscommon in May when a staying-on half-length second of 13 (1m4f, yielding); disappointing since however, latest when not looking to stay 1m6f at Navan; cheekpieces added and return to shorter trip could suit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(13)

28th Sep 2026

Good

1m 3f 10y

16:50 Down Royal

Connecteo

9st 12lb

J: Ben Coen

T: A Oliver

Has twice gone close in turf handicaps over 1m4f/1m5f but not sure what happened at Dundalk three days ago; definite chance if back on song.

11/2

13th

5

(14)

25th Sep 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

20:30 Dundalk (AW)

Connecteo

9st 8lb

J: Ben Coen

T: A Oliver

Related to AW winners and has twice gone close in turf handicaps over 1m4f/1m5f; led last time, but doesn't have to.

11/2

2nd

9

(14)

4th Sep 2026

Good

1m 4f 194y

19:30 Down Royal

Connecteo

9st 4lb

J: Ben Coen

T: A Oliver

Pleasing handicap debut run at Roscommon in May when a staying-on half-length second of 13 (1m4f, yielding); disappointing since however, latest when not looking to stay 1m6f at Navan; cheekpieces added and return to shorter trip could suit.

13/2

OUR TIP

Form: 558375

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Dual-purpose performer with a preference for an ease in the ground; 1m4f on good ground at Tramore last time a bit sharp, could have more to offer here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(7)

28th Sep 2026

Good

1m 3f 10y

16:19 Down Royal

Tassarolo

10st 0lb

J: Mel Sheridan

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Never far away when a 2l fourth over 1m5f here earlier this month; that was on good ground and he likes it softer; should feature.

11/2

4th

3

(13)

4th Sep 2026

Good

1m 4f 194y

19:30 Down Royal

Tassarolo

10st 0lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Dual-purpose performer with a preference for an ease in the ground; 1m4f on good ground at Tramore last time a bit sharp, could have more to offer here.

11/2

5th
2 (17)
Spy

8/1

Form: 3361-0

Last run: 17 days

W: 10st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Versatile sort won over hurdles at Listowel in June but has failed to fire in that sphere twice since; never sighted on recent Flat return at Roscommon, but notable jockey booking here so has to be worth a market check.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

(17)

4th Sep 2026

Good

1m 4f 194y

19:30 Down Royal

Spy

10st 1lb

J: W J Lee

T: C Byrnes

Versatile sort won over hurdles at Listowel in June but has failed to fire in that sphere twice since; never sighted on recent Flat return at Roscommon, but notable jockey booking here so has to be worth a market check.

8/1

15th

13

(18)

18th Aug 2026

Good

1m 4f 48y

20:15 Roscommon

Spy

9st 5lb

J: Sean Davis

T: C Byrnes

Versatile sort won over hurdles at Listowel in June but has failed to fire in that sphere twice since; returns to the Flat in a first-time visor; others arrive in better form.

15/2

6th
15 (2)
Without Love

Form: 402268 BF

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 49

Form & Verdict
First reserve; AW winner is 0-6 on turf but runner-up this term at Bellewstown and Limerick; beaten favourite both starts since, latest when hung left in straight at Navan last week; not one to rule out if getting a run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

10

(5)

18th Sep 2026

Standard

1m 2f 150y

20:00 Dundalk (AW)

Without Love

9st 4lb

J: Ben Coen

T: Cian Hughes

C&D winner in January; 0-7 on turf but runner-up this term at Bellewstown and Limerick; chance on his best form, but has been a beaten favourite on five occasions this year.

5/1

6th

15

(2)

4th Sep 2026

Good

1m 4f 194y

19:30 Down Royal

Without Love

9st 5lb

T: Cian Hughes

First reserve; AW winner is 0-6 on turf but runner-up this term at Bellewstown and Limerick; beaten favourite both starts since, latest when hung left in straight at Navan last week; not one to rule out if getting a run.

8th

17

(19)

27th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

17:24 Navan

Without Love

9st 7lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Cian Hughes

AW winner; 0-5 on turf but filled the runner up spot on first two runs this term over around 1m4f at Bellewstown and Limerick; beaten favourite when behind a few of these at Sligo latest (13.5f, yielding); return to quicker ground a plus; considered.

14/1

Form: 515-73

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 1lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
1m6f soft-ground winner at Navan last year off 5lb lower; two runs on returning last month were okay, more needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

16/1

Form: 170009

Last run: 46 days

W: 8st 13lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 43

Form & Verdict
All six wins have come at Dundalk, although did go close at Roscommon last year; lots to find on more recent form, but has plummeted in the handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(10)

16th Oct 2026

Standard

1m 2f 150y

17:00 Dundalk (AW)

Autocrat

9st 5lb

J: Nicola Burns

T: P Sweeney

Gained a first turf win at Bellewstown on penultimate; well held off revised mark at Roscommon latest but has won six times here (including two C&D claimers) so could be dangerous back at this venue.

7/1

1st

13

(6)

1st Oct 2026

Yielding To Soft

1m 4f 77y

17:05 Bellewstown

Autocrat

8st 10lb

J: Luke McAteer

T: P Sweeney

Six wins on AW; yet to strike on turf, but better effort when third over 1m3f at Down Royal on Monday; soft ground not his thing, though; blinkers swapped for visor.

10/1

3rd

12

(3)

28th Sep 2026

Good

1m 3f 10y

16:19 Down Royal

Autocrat

8st 10lb

J: Julian Pietropaolo

T: P Sweeney

Six-time AW winner who is now 0-22 on the grass; has got very little going during the summer.

20/1

11/2

Form: 755305

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 48

Form & Verdict
Sole placing in 14 starts came on the AW; 0-12 on turf on the Flat, though last week's Navan effort offered some degree of promise; 2lb lower and not one to rule out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

14

28th Sep 2026

Good

2m 4f 48y

14:45 Roscommon

Mystic Rose

10st 10lb

J: E Walsh

T: Patrick Magee

Low-rated Flat maiden, placed on AW; jumping lacked fluency on her only juvenile hurdle attempt.

50/1

10th

10

(3)

4th Sep 2026

Good

1m 4f 194y

19:30 Down Royal

Mystic Rose

9st 4lb

J: Reese Holohan

T: Patrick Magee

Sole placing in 14 starts came on the AW; 0-12 on turf on the Flat, though last week's Navan effort offered some degree of promise; 2lb lower and not one to rule out.

11/2

5th

18

(11)

27th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

17:24 Navan

Mystic Rose

9st 6lb

J: Reese Holohan

T: Patrick Magee

Sole placing in 13 starts came on the AW; 0-11 on turf on the Flat and heavy defeat behind a few of these rivals at Sligo on latest; hard to make a case for her.

25/1

12/1

Form: 030006

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 49

Form & Verdict
23-race maiden but has placed form in handicaps, notably at Roscommon June; hung right at Gowran on latest in this headgear combination.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

14

(6)

4th Oct 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 4f 0y

16:50 Curragh

Mapa

10st 0lb

T: Ms Sheila Lavery

24-race maiden but has placed form in handicaps, notably at Roscommon in June (1m4f, soft); poor form of late, however, and 13lb out of handicap here.

33/1

11th

8

(5)

4th Sep 2026

Good

1m 4f 194y

19:30 Down Royal

Mapa

9st 5lb

J: Robbie Colgan

T: Ms Sheila Lavery

23-race maiden but has placed form in handicaps, notably at Roscommon June; hung right at Gowran on latest in this headgear combination.

12/1

Form: -63386

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
Placed in Yarmouth handicaps at up to 1m6f for Charlie Fellows; hasn't counted in two runs for Denis Hogan, although some late headway at Killarney on latest when out of the handicap; blinkers now tried and runs off correct mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

(9)

16th Sep 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 1f 168y

17:05 Clonmel

Queen Of Astolat

9st 10lb

J: J M Sheridan

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Placed in Yarmouth handicaps at up to 1m6f for Charlie Fellowes; hasn't counted in three runs for Denis Hogan, the worst run by far on latest when completely tailed off at Down Royal; cheekpieces are now reached for.

20/1

12th

12

(7)

4th Sep 2026

Good

1m 4f 194y

19:30 Down Royal

Queen Of Astolat

9st 3lb

J: J M Sheridan

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Placed in Yarmouth handicaps at up to 1m6f for Charlie Fellows; hasn't counted in two runs for Denis Hogan, although some late headway at Killarney on latest when out of the handicap; blinkers now tried and runs off correct mark.

14/1

10/1

Form: 549

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 53

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

12/1

Form: 660368

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 56

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

Non-runners

Mullacurry Maid, Rio Doce, Duleek Street, Idomything, Haeret In Pectore

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €43.70
Straight Forecast €43.25
Tricast €686.90
Trifecta €457.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Connecteo

POSTDATA:

Dancing Steve

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Tassarolo

The Irish Sun:

Connecteo