18:55 Ballinrobe

Monday 22 June 2026

All17:2517:5518:2518:5519:2720:0020:30

Michael Joyce Memorial Handicap

Off time: 18:55 | Winning time: 2m 10.45s

(2)

Daler^p,t¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons| OR: 82

5/1

With cheekpieces added, doubled his tally in 15-runner handicap at Leopardstown (9f, soft) 18 days ago. However, plenty of the others failed to cope with conditions last time and he's found things tough off marks in the 80s in the past.

Form: 364-871

(7)

Grey Leader⁵⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Nicola Burns⁽⁵⁾| T: R P Burns| OR: 82

40/1

Got back to winning ways at Tipperary in October when trained by Joseph G. Murphy. However, has finished well held both starts for current yard this season, the latest at Limerick (1m) in April.

Form: 8150-00

(3)

Mocking^p⁵⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Ben Coen| T: J P Murtagh| OR: 80| BF| D

4/1

Ended 2025 with a maiden victory at Roscommon (10.5f) and shaped well on reappearance in premier handicap at the Curragh. Stepped up on that run when sixth of 15 in the Cork Derby (1½m) last month, so he could be in the mix back down in trip/grade.

Form: 6301-66

(5)

Dark Summit⁴³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: Seamie Heffernan| T: D Hogan| OR: 77

25/1

Maiden winner over 1m last year when trained in France. Hasn't made much impact in handicaps for present trainer this season, though, well beaten at Leopardstown (1¼m) on latest outing.

Form: 87-8000

(4)

Dark Viper^p¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: Shane Foley| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 77

16/1

Won twice over 1m at Leopardstown last year. Yet to fire this season, eighth of 10 at the same course (7f) 18 days ago, but he's now below his last winning mark so he's not ruled out with yard gong well.

Form: 10-0688

(1)

Marmeladova³³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Billy Lee| T: K J Condon| OR: 75| CD

15/8

Much improved after 7 months off when readily winning maiden over this C&D in May. Faced a difficult task when last of 4 in minor event at Gowran on latest outing, the winner landing a Group 3 next time, so she's an interesting contender from a potentially lenient mark on handicap debut.

Form: 0208-14

(9)

Justenzia¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Chris Hayes| T: D Hogan| OR: 72| D

18/1

Returned with a good second at Gowran (9.5f) and backed that up when filling the same position at this course (13f) in May. However, has run poorly the last twice, well held at Leopardstown 11 days ago.

Form: 45-2200

(6)

Merlin The Wizard¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: Dylan Browne McMonagle| T: R P Cody| OR: 72

7/2

Capitalised on a drop in grade when ending long losing run in 10-runner claimer at Limerick (1½m) 12 days ago. Remains on a workable mark back in handicap company, so he merits consideration now that he's back up and running.

Form: 025381

(8)

Storm Averted^t²⁴⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Nathan Crosse| T: Maurice Ahern| OR: 71

40/1

Off the mark in 7f handicap at Galway Festival last summer. Making final outing of the campaign, fourth of 17 at the Curragh (6f) in October, despite finding it a barely adequate test. Return to further should suit making first start since leaving Michael Mulvany after 8 months off.

Form: 741874-

(11)

Lough Leane^t¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: Leigh Roche| T: Maurice Ahern| OR: 68| CD

11/1

With headgear left off, turned in best effort for a while when scoring over this C&D in May. However, failed to back that up by a long way when tailed off at Leopardstown 18 days ago.

Form: 7-27410

Non-Runners

(10)

Flying Fortress¹⁰

Weight: 9-3| Age: 4

T: G P Cromwell J: Jack Kearney

Forecasts

Marmeladova (15/8), Merlin The Wizard (7/2), Mocking (4/1), Daler (5/1), Lough Leane (11/1), Flying Fortress (12/1), Dark Viper (16/1), Justenzia (18/1), Dark Summit (25/1), Grey Leader (40/1), Storm Averted (40/1)

An impressive winner over C&D on reappearance, MARMELADOVA had a lot on at the weights at Gowran last time so is well worth another chance back here as she goes handicapping. Merlin The Wizard returned to winning ways on his latest outing and could be the main danger, ahead of Mocking who drops back down in grade.