20:15 Dundalk

Friday 23 October 2026

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Des Byrne Memorial Maiden

3YO plus | 1m 2f 150y | 17 Runners | Polytrack

(8)

Age: 8| Weight: 9-13| J: James Ryan| T: D A McLoughlin

Once-useful hurdler who hasn't stood much racing in recent seasons. Offered little on first outing since leaving Noel Meade/reappearance at Thurles earlier this month. Needs this run for a mark.

Form: 3/7

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

(5)

Shamrock Flame⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-13| J: Donagh O'Connor| T: Robson Aguiar| OR: 79

Returned to something like his debut form when 3¼ lengths fourth on return/stable debut at Leopardstown (9f). Claims if building on that back up in trip for all-weather bow.

Form: 20-4

(10)

Steel Cut^v1²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-13| J: Gary Carroll| T: A Oliver| OR: 76

Runner-up in a C&D maiden second time up in May. Made more impact than on his previous couple of starts when 6¼-length fifth (behind Sakoku) in C&D handicap last time. In a change of headgear on return to maiden company and looks weighted to go well.

Form: 254805

(4)

Ask Me Again^p³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: J M Sheridan| T: J Feane| OR: 71

Related to some above-average types. Has run to a fairly useful level both starts here, latterly when 2 lengths third in a C&D maiden last month. Cheekpieces back on and should go well from a handy draw.

Form: 0553

(16)

Drummond Hill^t³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Shane Foley| T: Mrs J Harrington

Makes some appeal on paper. Showed a lot more than first time up when 2½-length fourth over C&D second time up, the step up in trip presumably a catalyst. Another step forward would see him in the mix, though stall 16 is hardly ideal.

Form: 94

(15)

Heriot's Hope¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Billy Lee| T: A Oliver

Offered something to work on when 12½ lengths fifth on debut at Roscommon (10.5f, soft) 11 days ago, Should do better at some stage, possibly in handicaps over further (plenty of stamina in his pedigree).

Form: 5

(6)

Isthatrightkatie¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: Wesley Joyce| T: Miss K Brown| OR: 67

Showed more than previously when 9¼ lengths fourth at Roscommon 11 days ago, though was better positioned than most in a race in which few got competitive. This demands a fair bit more again.

Form: 8-04

(1)

Kanzashi^t1²¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Jamie Powell| T: M O'Callaghan

Hasn't been given a hard time in couple of maiden starts 6 months apart (perhaps isn't the easiest to train), finishing 8¾ lengths fourth at Naas (7f, heavy) on latest start in March. Tongue strap added for this significant step up in trip, and he could be one for handicaps after this run.

Form: 6-4

(2)

Mendez¹⁸³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Nathan Crosse| T: C Timmons

Went backwards from his debut fourth here when down the field in a course maiden (1½m) in April. Another who probably has handicaps on the agenda after this run.

Form: 46

(3)

Sierra's Dream³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Sadhbh Tormey⁽⁷⁾| T: T G McCourt

Only showed a bit in a couple of bumper starts. Not enough in pedigree to make her of serious interest on Flat debut.

Form:

(14)

Testaverde³⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Reese Holohan⁽⁵⁾| T: J J Murphy

Didn't build on the promise of his debut when trailing the field in a conditions race at Punchestown (9f) last time. Seemingly one for down the line.

Form: 66

(17)

Trustmore^b³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Dylan Browne McMonagle| T: Stephen Thorne| OR: 72

150,000 gns purchase who finished mid-field in a warm Curragh maiden on racecourse bow. Solid form when fourth on handicap debut there prior to improving when runner-up in C&D maiden latest, beating a handful of today's rivals. Has to be high on the shortlist, though stall 17 potentially tricky.

Form: 7-5642

(12)

Cosmetic^b⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: J Cleary⁽⁵⁾| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 77

Produced her best effort when second to a now-useful one in a Fairyhouse maiden in early-July. Hasn't kicked on from that, finishing 7 lengths fifth in a Curragh maiden on latest start. Switch back to an all-weather maiden could be the catalyst for a more competitive showing, though.

Form: 552405

(13)

Sakoku^t²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Ben Coen| T: J P Murtagh| OR: 74

Chased home a useful, subsequent winner at Navan last month. That form reads well in the context of this race, and she ran to a similar level when 4 lengths fourth on C&D handicap bow since. Return to more positive tactics may suit (stays further). Solid claims to get off the mark back in a maiden.

Form: 92524

(9)

Nogs¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Reserve 1| T: M J Byrne

Went with no promise on debut (200/1) at Killarney (11f, soft) earlier this month. RESERVE

Form: 7

(11)

Saoirses Choice^t1¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: Reserve 2| T: Francis Casey

Hasn't shown much over jumps and it was a similar tale on Flat debut at Naas (7f). Now up in trip with tongue strap added. RESERVE

Form: 0

(7)

Michinaga²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Reserve 3| T: C Weld| OR: 74

Ran no sort of race in first-time cheekpieces (now removed) on handicap debut at Down Royal (13f), his jockey reporting he got upset in the starting stalls. Something to find back in a maiden for all-weather bow. RESERVE

Form: 9690

Forecasts

Sakoku (9/4), Cosmetic (5/2), Shamrock Flame (15/2), Trustmore (15/2), Ask Me Again (8/1), Steel Cut (14/1), Drummond Hill (14/1), Isthatrightkatie (16/1), Kanzashi (16/1), Mendez (20/1), Michinaga (20/1), Heriot's Hope (25/1), Testaverde (25/1), Sierra's Dream (50/1), Nucky Johnson (100/1), Saoirses Choice (150/1), Nogs (200/1)

SAKOKU looks the pick at the weights in a wide-open maiden. Trustmore, Ask Me Again, Steel Cut and Cosmetic all look credible dangers.