15:16 Down Royal

Saturday 20 June 2026

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

Mongey Communications Handicap (0-60)

Off time: 15:16 | Winning time: 2m 21.39s

(1)

Slaney Swagger^p¹⁹²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: Rory Cleary| T: Aidan Melia| OR: 55

9/1

Long-standing maiden with plenty of placed efforts, though ended last year out of form. Returns off a handy mark so one to consider starting out for an in-form yard.

Form: 262380-

(4)

Cleopatra's Needle^h⁶³

Age: 8| Weight: 9-6| J: Chris Hayes| T: H Rogers| OR: 50| D

4/1

Shaped as though on a handy mark when runner-up at Leopardstown (1m) on return in April. Confirmed she's not as well treated over hurdles at Bellewstown last time after a hefty rise for her win at Galway last summer but can make her presence felt back in this sphere.

Form: 66520-2

(6)

Folk Warrior²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Declan McDonogh| T: J Nash| OR: 47

9/1

Lightly-raced maiden on Flat. Well held over hurdles but showed much improved form back in this sphere when fifth of 13 on handicap debut at Dundalk (1½m, 25/1) last month, nearest finish. Could do better again.

Form: 00/0-5

(11)

Simpson's Paradox^b,t⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: Keithen Kennedy⁽⁵⁾| T: J A Kinsella| OR: 46

14/1

Winless since 2023 and little form this year.

Form: 58/6-708

(14)

Albatala^t¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: Gary Carroll| T: J C McConnell| OR: 45

11/2

Runner-up in 17f handicap hurdles here in 2024/25 and shaped as if retaining ability back in this sphere after 14 months off when fourth at Fairyhouse 2 weeks ago.

Form: 00269/4

(9)

Copper Craft^b1¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Billy Lee| T: A Oliver| OR: 45

8/1

Has been in good form at Dundalk, going close in May. Excuses back on turf since but still has to prove he's as effective on this surface. Change of headgear.

Form: 034-320

(3)

Maker's Mark¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Sadhbh Tormey⁽⁷⁾| T: T G McCourt| OR: 55

66/1

Little solid form.

Form: 49990-0

(5)

Coul Dore^h¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Leigh Roche| T: W R Crawford| OR: 53

10/3

Showed improved form switched to front-running tactics in a first-time hood when just denied at Fairyhouse 2 weeks ago and big player with a repeat.

Form: 000-02

(7)

Swift Charm^t¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Gavin Ryan| T: W R Crawford| OR: 51

7/2

Improved upped to this trip when placed at Ballinrobe/Fairyhouse last 2 starts and could have a small race in her.

Form: 07-0033

(16)

Thistle Cross^h1²²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: Nathan Crosse| T: M Rice| OR: 45

50/1

Well held all 4 starts. 4 lb out of handicap. Hood on 1st time.

Form: 00-00

(15)

Talking Tough^v¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 8-10| J: Shay Wallace⁽⁷⁾| T: S M Duffy| OR: 40

50/1

Little solid form. RESERVE.

Form: 7000-60

(10)

Kilgharrahs Love^p,t¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: Jamie Powell| T: T Cleary| OR: 40

28/1

Continues to pose little threat. RESERVE.

Form: 7-00706

Non-Runners

(2)

Rising Sky²³

Weight: 10-2| Age: 4

T: A McCann J: Sam Coen

(17)

Hosanna Power²³

Weight: 9-1| Age: 6

T: D Broad J: J Cleary

(13)

Marians Gal³⁶

Weight: 8-13| Age: 6

T: K Smith J: J M Sheridan

(8)

Stonyfalls¹

Weight: 8-9| Age: 3

T: Paul Traynor J: Jamie Powell

(12)

Onyeisi¹⁵

Weight: 9-0| Age: 3

T: K Thornton J: Reserve 1

Forecasts

Coul Dore (10/3), Swift Charm (7/2), Cleopatra's Needle (4/1), Albatala (11/2), Copper Craft (8/1), Folk Warrior (9/1), Slaney Swagger (9/1), Marians Gal (10/1), Simpson's Paradox (14/1), Stonyfalls (16/1), Rising Sky (16/1), Hosanna Power (16/1), Kilgharrahs Love (28/1), Talking Tough (50/1), Thistle Cross (50/1), Maker's Mark (66/1)

It could be worth chancing SLANEY SWAGGER, who has joined an in-form yard and starts the season off a handy mark. Cleopatra's Needle was a good second on her return to this sphere at Leopardstown in April and is second choice ahead of Coul Dore, who went close on his second start in a handicap at Fairyhouse 2 weeks ago.