19:45 Leopardstown

Thursday 16 July 2026

All16:2016:5017:2418:0018:3519:1019:4520:20

Mervue Equine Handicap

  • 3YO plus  |   1m 2f  |   Good (Good to Firm in places)  |   9 Runners  |   Turf  |   Weighed In
  • Off time: 19:45  |   Winning time: 2m 6.75s
The word Sky in blue and Bet in white with a red background.
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Cloth number
Odds
Star rating
Horse A-Z
Show odds
1
(1)
Horse silk
En Ort43
Age: 8|  Weight: 10-4| J: Ben Coen| T: A J Martin| OR:  84| D
25/1
No better than mid-division in 4 starts on the Flat last season. Held back by his jumping over hurdles this winter, though shaped better than the bare result at Punchestown in February. Probably needed the outing at the Curragh (1¾m, good) last month and this should reveal more.
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Timeform
2
(8)
Horse silk
Dalerp,t24
Age: 4|  Weight: 10-3| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons| OR:  83| C
5/2
With cheekpieces added, doubled his tally in 15-runner event here (9f, soft) last month. Ran well from a 7 lb higher mark when second of 10 at Ballinrobe (9.7f, good to soft) just over 3 weeks ago, beating all bar one to whom he conceded first run. Can regain the winning thread.
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Timeform
3
(7)
Horse silk
Unterberg16
Age: 7|  Weight: 9-12| J: Rory Mulligan(5)| T: Laura Hourigan| OR:  78| C
20/1
Has developed a fine strike rate on all-weather, completing a hat-trick at Dundalk (1½m) in March. Failed to make much of an impact at Roscommon (1¼m) just over a fortnight ago and others more appealing kept to this surface.
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Timeform
4
(2)
Horse silk
Marmeladova9
Age: 5|  Weight: 9-9| J: Billy Lee| T: K J Condon| OR:  75| BF| D
3/1
Much improved after 7 months off when readily winning Ballinrobe maiden in May. Has remained in good form, just not quite getting home when second of 6 in handicap at Tramore (1½m, good) 9 days ago. Looks up to defying this mark returned to 1¼m.
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Timeform
5
(6)
Horse silk
Neo Smartt20
Age: 5|  Weight: 9-4| J: Declan McDonogh| T: J S Bolger| OR:  70
6/1
Showed a good attitude to land 13-runner Dundalk event in February. Not troubled the judge since but turned in best turf effort of the season when fourth of 20 at the Curragh (1m, good to firm) just under 3 weeks ago. Stamina to prove but could well build on that here.
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Timeform
6
(5)
Horse silk
Sinbad My Dad16
Age: 5|  Weight: 9-4| J: Joseph Harnett(7)| T: S Fahey| OR:  70| C
10/1
Course winner last summer who went through a good spell at Dundalk to end 2025, making the frame on final 3 outings. Shaped as if better for the run after 5 months off at Roscommon recently and this should reveal where he's at.
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Timeform
7
(4)
Horse silk
Faro Islandb20
Age: 4|  Weight: 9-1| J: Dylan Browne McMonagle| T: A Oliver| OR:  67
3/1
Low-mileage 4-y-o who doubled his tally with a career-best success at Gowran (9.5f) last month. Found out in better company at the Curragh (1½m, good to firm) a fortnight later but can get back on track. Blinkers reapplied.
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Timeform
8
(3)
Horse silk
Out On Friday36
Age: 10|  Weight: 8-13| J: Wesley Joyce(3)| T: P Byrne| OR:  65| D
40/1
Front runner who bounced back to form under an enterprising ride back at Fairyhouse in May, a track where he tends to go well at. Ran poorly at the shortest trip he has tackled for more than 2 years at Limerick (1m) last time and no surprise to see him returned to 1¼m.
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Timeform
9
(9)
Horse silk
Blackjack Hillsb16
Age: 4|  Weight: 8-12| J: Robbie Colgan| T: M J Smith| OR:  64
11/1
Fitted with blinkers when winning handicaps at Gowran and Dundalk on final 2 outings last year. Probably needed the run after 8 months off minus headgear when seventh of 13 at Roscommon just over 2 weeks ago and better is anticipated here in reapplied blinkers.
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Timeform

Forecasts

Daler (5/2), Marmeladova (3/1), Faro Island (3/1), Neo Smart (6/1), Sinbad My Dad (10/1), Blackjack Hills (11/1), Unterberg (20/1), En Or (25/1), Out On Friday (40/1)

Verdict

DALER proved he's clearly still more than competitive from this higher mark when runner-up at Ballinrobe last month so Ger Lyons' 4-y-o gets the nod to add to his recent course success at the chief expense of Marmeladova, who didn't quite get home over 1½m at Tramore 9 days ago so should appreciate this drop back in trip. Neo Smart and Faro Island can fight out third.

  1. Daler5/2
  2. Marmeladova3/1
  3. Neo Smart6/1

Prize Money

1st: €12,000.002nd: €4,000.003rd: €2,000.004th: €999.005th: €600.006th: €401.00

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