19:24 Down Royal

Friday 17 July 2026

All17:0517:4218:1518:4919:2419:5920:30

GAIN The Advantage Series Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 19:24 | Winning time: 2m 46.64s

(5)

Banana Three^p²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Shane Markey⁽⁷⁾| T: R O'Sullivan| OR: 72

9/1

Fairly useful all-weather winner for Ger Lyons. Promising start initially over hurdles for present stable during the autumn of 2024 but absent since disappointing at Wexford in May of last year. Market best guide.

Form: 85375/5

(4)

Booklight³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-13| J: Jimmy Dalton⁽⁴⁾| T: J G Cosgrave| OR: 69

25/1

Was going the right way for Natalia Lupini last spring, third of 10 in handicap at Leopardstown (1½m, good) in May. However, offered nothing under pressure when well beaten on return/stable debut at Gowran 5 weeks ago. This can reveal more back up significantly in trip.

Form: 73/043-0

(7)

Memories Maker^t³⁸¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Shay Wallace⁽⁷⁾| T: A McCann| OR: 60

40/1

Again at long odds and equipped with a first-time tongue strap, came home last of 14 in handicap at Roscommon 12 months ago. Has his fitness to prove up in trip.

Form: 34725/0-

(6)

Rising Sky^b,t⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Adam Grant⁽⁷⁾| T: A McCann| OR: 59

5/1

Has been rather in and out on turf since winning at Dundalk in March but left the impression she should have finished closer when seventh of 12 in a Navan handicap (1¼m, good to firm) 6 days ago, forced to switch and finishing with running left. Worth a look over this longer trip.

Form: 180307

(3)

Numidia^v¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 9-1| J: Mel Sheridan⁽⁷⁾| T: P Lawlor| OR: 57

9/2

Proved very easy to back but capitalised on his reduced mark to register first turf success in more than 2 years at Bellewstown (14.5f) 2 weeks ago, staying on to lead post. Hit with an 8 lb rise but not discounted in an open-looking handicap.

Form: 400781

(1)

Searcog⁸³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: Julian Pietropaolo⁽²⁾| T: P Magee| OR: 52

2/1

Fit from a spell jumping when keeping on well for fourth in the face of an inadequate test at Leopardstown (1m) in April. Not seen since a lesser effort at Navan (1¼m, good) later that month but returns with her yard amongst the winners.

Form: 9124-48

(2)

Masego¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: Conor Cusack⁽⁴⁾| T: J C McConnell| OR: 47| D

9/4

Responded well to a positive ride when off the mark over this sort of trip at Leopardstown in May and he stepped up a little more starting out for new yard when third at Bellewstown (1½m) 2 weeks ago. Possibilities for all he's operating from out of the weights.

Form: 0/0-5513

Forecasts

Searcog (2/1), Masego (9/4), Numidia (9/2), Rising Sky (5/1), Banana Three (9/1), Booklight (25/1), Memories Maker (40/1)

A trappy looking handicap so a chance is taken on RISING SKY, who left the impression she should have finished closer when seventh over shorter at Navan 6 days ago, finishing with running left having been forced to switch. Masego and Bellewstown scorer Numidia head up the dangers.