17:25 Down Royal

Monday 28 September 2026

All13:2413:5914:3415:0915:4416:1916:5017:25

Molson Coors Beverage Handicap

Off time: 17:27 | Winning time: 2m 52.94s

(11)

Sea Eagle⁵²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: Danny O'Leary⁽¹⁰⁾| T: Gerard O'Leary| OR: 79

50/1

Last success came at Roscommon in 2024. stepped up on a low-key first run of the summer on the Flat when second of 14 in maiden hurdle at Wexford back in early-August and task is to back that up returned to the level.

Form: 56/600-0

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

(1)

Rock Of Ireland⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-13| J: Rory Mulligan⁽⁵⁾| T: Rory Devine| OR: 78

8/1

Off the mark at the Curragh in March on first outing for current trainer and not disgraced when fifth of 15 at Listowel (1½m, good to soft) last week, having every chance back at a more suitable trip after a further 2 months off. Each-way claims.

Form: 126405

(8)

Neptunes Staircase^t1²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: James Ryan| T: G M Lyons| OR: 77

16/1

Very lightly-raced 6-y-o who got off the mark in maiden at Roscommon in July 2024. Low-key reappearance at the Curragh in March and was never involved having been off a further 5 months off at former course 4 weeks ago. First-time tongue tie on.

Form: 2671/90

(15)

Open Secret^t¹⁷⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: Nina Doherty⁽¹⁰⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 76

16/1

Sole career success for Charlie Johnston came over 1¾m at Redcar in 2024 and in good order over hurdles last season, scoring at Naas back in December. Below form in a couple of starts in the spring and returns to the level after 6 months off. Dropped back in trip.

Form: 4317/76-

(2)

Ephesus^p,t⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: J M Sheridan| T: D Hogan| OR: 75

28/1

Added to an increasingly unappealing profile since his juvenile hurdling days when tailed off at Listowel 4 days ago. Back on the level but easy enough to look elsewhere.

Form: 100-986

(10)

Genoah^t⁴⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Reese Holohan⁽⁷⁾| T: M O'Callaghan| OR: 74

5/1

Better on all-weather than turf but wasn't seen to best effect the way things panned out when seventh of 14 at Dundalk (10.5f) just over 6 weeks ago. Back up in trip and worth a second look from his much-reduced mark.

Form: 902567

(16)

Rakki⁴⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Ben Coen| T: W P Mullins| OR: 74

7/2

Stepped up on reappearance run to open his account on the level in 7-runner handicap at Tramore (1½m, good to soft) just over 6 weeks ago, getting first run. By no means handicapped out of things from 4 lb higher so bold bid anticipated.

Form: 920/0-51

(6)

Sarangpur⁵³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Rory Cleary| T: Paul Mulligan| OR: 74| BF

33/1

Made winning start for Richard Hughes over at Brighton in June and improved with each start since, notching a third success at Newbury (1½m, good to firm) in July. Failed to meet market expectations at former course early last month and has since rejoined P. Mulligan.

Form: 411213

(4)

Youcansaythatagain²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Gary Carroll| T: A Oliver| OR: 80| C

9/2

Built on debut promise with cosy win in 7-runner course maiden in July. Improved again when fifth on handicap debut at the Curragh and shaped much better than the result when ninth of 15 at Roscommon (1½m) 4 weeks ago, finishing with running left having had no room 2f out.

Form: 7159

(14)

Faro Island^p²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Ronan Whelan| T: A Oliver| OR: 71| BF| C

12/1

Won at this meeting last year and proved better than ever when notching his third career success at Galway in July. Shaped better than the distance beaten suggested when seventh of 15 at Galway (1½m, soft) just under 3 weeks ago (hampered approaching final 1f) so could well bounce back.

Form: 176187

(3)

Michinaga^p1²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Luke McAteer| T: C Weld| OR: 76

66/1

Mid-field in 3 maidens so far but could show more now handicapping in first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 969

(7)

Nod Of Approval^p1,t³¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Wayne Lordan| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 74

7/1

Left hurdling debut form behind with an effort much more in keeping with the level he reached on the Flat when second of 9 in juvenile hurdle at this course (17f, good) last month (tongue tied). One to look out for back in this sphere.

Form: 5-62057

(9)

Pillar Of Hope¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 9-6| J: Patrick McGettigan⁽⁵⁾| T: P Sweeney| OR: 71

22/1

Yet to score this term and seemed unsuited by the return to 1m when eighth of 14 at Punchestown recently. Back up in trip. RESERVE.

Form: 804648

(12)

Cooley's Mist⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Chris Hayes| T: H Rogers| OR: 69| D

9/2

Opened his account under a change of tactics when making all at Leopardstown in July. Backed that up at the second attempt when good second there last month and added another placed effort to his tally at Listowel last week. RESERVE

Form: 331023

Non-Runners

(17)

Earthsong⁹⁸

Weight: 9-8| Age: 4

T: W McCreery J: Billy Lee

(5)

Flying Fortress²⁸

Weight: 9-8| Age: 4

T: G P Cromwell J: Robert Whearty

(13)

Neo Smart¹³

Weight: 9-2| Age: 5

T: J S Bolger J: Reserve 3

Forecasts

Rakki (7/2), Cooley's Mist (9/2), Youcansaythatagain (9/2), Genoah (5/1), Flying Fortress (5/1), Neo Smart (13/2), Nod Of Approval (7/1), Rock Of Ireland (8/1), Earthsong (10/1), Faro Island (12/1), Neptunes Staircase (16/1), Open Secret (16/1), Pillar Of Hope (22/1), Ephesus (28/1), Sarangpur (33/1), Sea Eagle (50/1), Michinaga (66/1)

RAKKI stepped up on his reappearance to open his account on the level at Tramore just over 6 weeks ago and far from handicapped out of things from 4 lb higher, Willie Mullins' 5-y-o gets the verdict to follow up. Flying Fortress is knocking at the door so he can provide most resistance, with Nod of Approval and Sarangpur another couple worthy of consideration, too.