16:33 Down Royal

Saturday 20 June 2026

All14:0614:4115:1615:5316:3317:1317:43

BOYLE Sports Ulster Derby (Premier Handicap)

Off time: 16:33 | Winning time: 2m 54.28s

(2)

New Zealand^p1³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-13| J: J Cleary⁽⁵⁾| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 101

6/1

Useful Curagh maiden winner who hasn't fired in listed races this year. Switches to handicap company and, though others appeal less exposed, it would be no surprise were he to get back on track in this company. Engaged 7.02 Limerick Friday.

Form: 7145-43

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

(10)

Shosholoza²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-12| J: J M Sheridan| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 100

17/2

Made a winning debut in 9f Tipperary maiden in October and advanced his form when fifth of 10 in Criterium de Saint-Cloud at Saint-Cloud later that month. Below that level in a pair of Derby trials this spring, however, and needs to bounce back now upped in trip on handicap debut.

Form: 15-86

(1)

Trojan Fighter^p1,t³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Billy Lee| T: P Twomey| OR: 90| D

12/1

Opened account at the third attempt when a wide-margin winner of a Ballinrobe (13f, good) maiden in May but came unstuck in listed company at Navan just 8 days later. Wears first-time cheekpieces on handicap debut.

Form: 4514

(6)

Harmani²²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Robert Whearty| T: G M Lyons| OR: 85| C

7/2

Improved further when winning a 10.5f handicap at this course last month, scoring by 6 lengths from Oust, and with the form working out well and this longer trip likely to suit, he should remain competitive despite a 14 lb higher mark.

Form: 27-321

(4)

Huff'n'puff³³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Declan McDonogh| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 85

7/1

Has improved with each run to date, winning a 13-runner maiden at Roscommon last month by a neck from Changing Lanes. Further progress likely to be required no stepping up in trip and tackling handicaps.

Form: 6-351

(8)

Mergus Serrator³⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Gary Carroll| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 84

7/2

Has made a bright start to career in maidens, shaping well over inadequate 1m when 3½ lengths fourth of 9 to Alphonsus Liguori at Killarney last time. That form has worked out well and looks a big player now tackling a handicap and upped to a more suitable trip.

Form: 6-44

(9)

Bay Of Stars^p1⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Chris Hayes| T: D K Weld| OR: 83

6/1

New Bay colt who confirmed promise of 2-y-o debut when winning 1½m maiden at Dundalk in April and then took another step forward when chasing home Darius Dark in handicap at Leopardstown on handicap debut. Up 3 lb for that effort and first-time cheekpieces applied.

Form: 6-12

(7)

Madbadanddangerous³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Gavin Ryan| T: N Meade| OR: 83

18/1

Maiden winner who was beaten only by a stronger another unexposed rival when second of 8 in handicap at Leopardstown (1¼m, soft) in April, but shaped as if amiss when last of 7 at Navan last month. Type to bounce back quickly but far from certain to be suited by this longer trip.

Form: 213-27

(5)

Pierre Grosse¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: Keithen Kennedy⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 79

10/1

In frame all 3 starts this year, though unsuited by drop in trip when 9¼ lengths fourth of 13 to Antigua in maiden at Fairyhouse last time, the race all but over by the time he hit top stride. Will relish this step up in trip and return to handicaps for all he's officially 2 lb out of the weights.

Form: 436-324

Non-Runners

(3)

Wyman⁶⁶

Weight: 8-7| Age: 3

T: Mrs J Harrington J: Nathan Crosse

Forecasts

Mergus Serrator (7/2), Harmani (7/2), Bay Of Stars (6/1), New Zealand (6/1), Wyman (6/1), Huff'n'puff (7/1), Shosholoza (17/2), Pierre Grosse (10/1), Trojan Fighter (12/1), Madbadanddangerous (18/1)

MERGUS SERRATOR has been crying out for this step up in trip and Gavin Cromwell’s charge is taken to find the improvement needed to get off the mark. Similarly unexposed Wyman and recent impressive course winner Harmani head a strong list of dangers in what looks a highly competitive handicap.