19:50 | Galway | Monday 27th July 2026

90 Expert View: Ran to best up to 12f, hit the line well landing a Ulster Derby by 3/4l off a 6lb lower mark at Down Royal last time; top jockey back on board; effective 7-12f, acts on soft and yielding; more to come at this trip.

Form Snapshot: Successful at 7f and 1m 5f on soft and yielding - soft ground. A winner at 18-1 at Down Royal over 1m 5f (soft) on his latest outing last month, beating Pierre Grosse by 3/4l.

2 (6)

Confused 16

br g ; Calyx - Lampetia

11/1 12

Shane Foley

Mrs J Harrington

Star rating: 4

414 3 9-13 88

96 Expert View: Yard has won 3 of last 5 runnings of race; ran to form when fourth beaten 6 1/2l in a 3yo race at Navan latest; cheekpieces first time; effective 10f, acts on sound surface; should progress again, worth step up in trip.

Form Snapshot: A winner at 1m 1f on yielding ground. Finished 7l behind South Island when fourth of 5 at 8-1 on his latest outing at Navan over 1m 2f (good) earlier this month. He is wearing cheekpieces for the first time.

3 (5)

Themis 16

b f ; Sottsass - War Goddess

9/2 5.5

Dylan Browne McMonagle

J P O'Brien

Star rating: 4

0-70911 3 9-13 88

D G

93 Expert View: Yard has won 2 of last 10 runnings of race; improved again, scored with something to spare landing a handicap by 4l off a 14lb lower mark at Limerick last time; top course jockey; effective 12f, acts on soft and good; progressive filly, new mark asks much more but can go well.

Form Snapshot: Successful twice at 1m 4f on good and soft ground. Won on her latest outing when 7-4fav at Limerick over 1m 4f (good) earlier this month, beating Maxminelli by 4l.

4 (3)

Sir Benji 23

b g ; Sottsass - Boundless Joy

11/1 12

Gary Carroll

G P Cromwell

Star rating: 5

135 3 9-10 85

95 Expert View: Never in it from off the pace down to 7f beaten 4 1/4l in a 3yo race at Naas last time; effective 10f on heavy and good; will be much happier back over middle-distances now.

Form Snapshot: A winner at 1m 2f on heavy ground. Finished 4 1/2l behind L L Koulsty when fifth of 6 at 20-1 on his latest outing at Naas over 7f (good) earlier this month.

5 (10)

Sharkeyboy (FR) 56

b g ; Zarak - Val Bever

11/2 6.5

Billy Lee

W P Mullins

Star rating: 4

52-5 3 9-9 84

94 Expert View: Ran to form beaten 6 1/4l in a maiden at Gowran Park last time; cheekpieces first time; off a short-break; effective 1m/9f; needs more now handicapping up to 12f.

Form Snapshot: Placed once in two starts. Finished 6l behind Confused when fifth of 15 at 2-1 on his latest outing at Gowran Park over 1m 1f (yielding) last month. He is wearing cheekpieces for the first time.

6 (14)

Darius Dark 31

b g ; Dark Angel - Cailini Alainn

9/2 5.5

Ben Coen

J P Murtagh

Star rating: 4

09-0111 3 9-7 82

D G HG

94 Expert View: Improved again tried in cheekpieces landing a handicap by a neck off a 8lb lower mark at the Curragh last time; effective 12f on sound surface; more to come, may land four-timer.

Form Snapshot: He has won three times at 1m 4f on ground varying from good to firm to good - yielding. Won on his latest outing when 3-1fav at Curragh over 1m 4f (good to firm) last month, beating Keepsgettingbetter by a neck.

7 (12)

So Must I 13

ch f ; Sottsass - Adana

14/1 15

Shay Wallace (7)

J P O'Brien

Star rating: 3

616444 3 9-5 80

92 Expert View: Ran to form beaten 3l off this mark at Killarney last time; trainer in form; suited by 10/11f, acts on soft and AW; needs more.

Form Snapshot: A winner at 1m 3f on the all-weather. Finished 2 3/4l behind Saga Gaga when fourth of 9 at 6-1 on her latest outing at Killarney over 1m 3f (good) earlier this month.

8 (8)

Admiral Will Brown (GB) 16

b g ; Lope Y Fernandez - She's So Flawless

9/1 10

Wesley Joyce (3)

Patrick Magee

Star rating: 3

877-71 3 9-3 78

89 Expert View: Improved to get off the mark down to 10f landing a handicap by 3/4l off a 14lb lower mark at Navan last time; effective 1m-10f on sound surface; new mark asks much more.

Form Snapshot: A winner at 10-1 at Navan over 1m 2f (good) on his latest outing earlier this month, beating Letiza by 3/4l.

9 (15)

Nermal 27

b g ; James Garfield - Daring Life

7/1 8

Andrew Slattery

A Slattery

Star rating: 3

52231 3 9-3 78

93 Expert View: Ran to form landing a handicap by 2 1/2l off a 6lb lower mark at Roscommon last time; effective 1m-10f, acts on yielding, good and AW; more to come, should go well.

Form Snapshot: Won on his latest outing when 5-2fav at Roscommon over 1m 2f (good) last month, beating Vantage Code by 2 1/2l.

10 (13)

Nod Of Approval 31

b g ; Ten Sovereigns - Round Of Applause

14/1 15

Keithen Kennedy (5)

Mrs J Harrington

Star rating: 3

55-6205 3 9-0 75

D G

93 Expert View: Ran to form down to 12f when beaten 2l off a 1lb lower mark at the Curragh last time; usually held up; effective 12f, should get further; can have a say.

Form Snapshot: Placed once in eight starts. Finished 1 3/4l behind Darius Dark when fifth of 14 at 13-2 on his latest outing at Curragh over 1m 4f (good to firm) last month.

11 (9)

Misty Cove 59 (10J)

b f ; Inns Of Court - Music Pearl

22/1 23

Robert Whearty

G P Cromwell

Star rating: 3

4-310 3 8-13 74

86 Expert View: Some promise on hurdles debut beaten in a maiden hurdle last time; stays 10f, acts on soft and AW; good attitude and still open to some more improvement now hurdling.

Form Snapshot: A winner at 1m 3f on yielding - soft ground. Well beaten at 17-2 behind Harmani when 11th of 12 on her latest flat outing at Down Royal over 1m 2f (good) in May.

12 (7)

Fits Perfect 93

b c ; Camelot - Fits Like A Glove

14/1 15

J M Sheridan

J P O'Brien

Star rating: 1

509-0 3 8-12 73

84 Expert View: Never in it from off the pace when down the field in a handicap at Limerick most recent; trainer in form; off a short-break; longer trip could suit.

Form Snapshot: Unplaced in all four starts. Beaten 11l behind Monvoe at 14-1 when 12th of 15 on his latest outing at Limerick over 1m (yielding) in April.

13 (4)

Ryefield Dasher 29

b g ; Time Test - Malinka

25/1 26

Nicola Burns (5)

T Gibney

Star rating: 3

045-60 3 8-10 71

87 Expert View: Again below maiden level down the field in a handicap at the Curragh most recent; effective at 8f, acts on yielding; stamina to prove at this trip.

Form Snapshot: Yet to place in five starts. Beaten 11l behind King Of Earth at 66-1 when 14th of 16 on his latest outing at Curragh over 1m 1f (good) last month.

14 (11)

Vantage Code 27

b g ; Ghaiyyath - Vedouma

8/1 9

Wayne Lordan

E Mullins

Star rating: 3

667-072 3 8-8 69

90 Expert View: Ran to form beaten 2 1/2l off a 1lb lower mark at Roscommon last time; effective 10f; step up to 12f might suit.

Form Snapshot: Placed once in six starts. Beaten 2 1/2l by Nermal when second of 10 at 5-1 on his latest outing at Roscommon over 1m 2f (good) last month.

15 (2)

Solas Na Gealai 31

b f ; Teofilo - Oiche Ghealai

28/1 29

N G McCullagh

J S Bolger

Star rating: 3

778 3 8-7 68 1

86 Expert View: Below form when well beaten in a maiden at the Curragh latest; bred for middle-distances; could do better now handicapping.

Form Snapshot: Yet to place in three starts. Beaten 13l behind Wyman at 100-1 when eighth of 11 on her latest outing at Curragh over 1m 2f (good to firm) last month. Runs from 1lb out of handicap.

Long Handicap: Solas Na Gealai 8-6

2025: (11 ran) Kilmeaden ( 5 ) , Age 3 , Wgt 9-6 , SP 11/2 - Paddy Harnett / Donnacha O'Brien

Forecast: 4/1 Madbadanddangerous , 9/2 Themis , 5/1 Darius Dark , 13/2 Sharkeyboy , 8/1 Nermal , 10/1 Vantage Code , 12/1 Admiral Will Brown , 14/1 Sir Benji , 14/1 Confused , 20/1 So Must I , 20/1 Nod Of Approval , 25/1 Fits Perfect , 25/1 Misty Cove , 33/1 Ryefield Dasher , 33/1 Solas Na Gealai

Last Updated: 26 Jul 2026 13:04:54

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CD Course & Distance
D Distance
C Course
Hcp Today’s Official Rating or Higher

G Going
HG Headgear
Cl Class
S Surface

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BF Beaten favourite last time out
MM Horse is within the top 10 steamers for the day
MM Horse is within the top 10 drifters for the day
ATR Horse is being backed by one of our tipsters

90 Official Rating
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v/b/h Visor / Blinkers / Hood
es/ec Eye Shield / Eye Cover
p Cheek Pieces
t Tongue Strap

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WS This horse received Wind Surgery prior to this run
WS2 This was the horse's second outing after receiving Wind Surgery

2 Horse is due to go xlb down in future race
2 Horse is due to go xlb up in future races

Bookies best price percentage = 153.67%

AT THE RACES is not liable for any services or information offered or provided by its bookmaker partners. Please note: Whilst every effort is made to ensure odds and information are up to date and correct, differences between these and actual odds/information available from bookmakers at time of placing a bet may occur. Read more

Verdict
Expert View Verdict

Verdict

NOD OF APPROVAL flopped as a gambled-on favourite at last year's Festival, but can put things right now. Out of a Galileo mare, he disappointed badly here last August but has recently shown glimpses of form and finished well behind Darius Dark at Cork in April and the Curragh last month. His same rider utilises his 5lb claim today. Darius Dark is chasing a four-timer, but is 8lb higher than at the Curragh. Vantage Code has changed ownership since finishing second to Nermal at Roscommon and steps up further in trip, while Themis scored easily at Limerick but is 14lb higher.

Top Tip: Nod Of Approval (10)
Watch out for: Darius Dark (6)

Plenty to consider here with the likes of Darius Dark and Themis both highly progressive and very much worthy of strong consideration here. Madbadanddangerous fits that bill too, but there's a bigger effort yet in SIR BENJI, who showed useful form on his first two starts before weirdly being dropped to 7f last time. He was predictably found wanting for pace then but it could stand him in good stead for this sort of handicap now with the step up to 12f very much expected to be in his favour. The Willie Mullins-trained Sharkeyboy makes his handicap debut and is of definite interest too tried in cheekpieces.

1-2-3 Selections

Previous Winners

Year	Going	Ran	Winner	Draw	Age	Weight	OR	Form	Last run	Trainer (Distance)	Jockey	SP	Time
2025	Yielding	11	Kilmeaden	5	3	9 6	82	3244	37 days	Donnacha O'Brien (88 miles)	Paddy Harnett	11/ 2	2:51.26
2024	Yielding	13	Kentucky Gal	14	3	8 9	69	00713	31 days	A Mullins (131 miles)	Rory Cleary	11/ 1	2:48.54
2023	Heavy	13	Youcrackmeup	2	3	9 7	80	06012	38 days	Mrs J Harrington (113 miles)	Shane Foley	16/ 1	2:52.38
2022	Soft	15	Irish Lullaby	2	3	9 13	87	0-5171	13 days	Mrs J Harrington (113 miles)	Shane Foley	13/ 2	2:48.50
2021	Yielding - Soft	13	Citronnade	12	3	9 9	85	67D1	14 days	Mrs J Harrington (113 miles)	Shane Foley	7/ 1	2:48.13
2020	Soft	9	Flying Scotsman	3	3	9 3	73	099-0	43 days	J P O'Brien (131 miles)	Wayne Lordan	10/ 3	2:50.78
2019	Good	10	Halimi	4	3	9 9	82	452241	8 days	J S Bolger (56 miles)	Kevin Manning	7/ 1	2:41.54
2018	Yielding	15	Baba Boom	13	3	9 3	79	075-211	22 days	J P Murtagh (113 miles)	Shane Foley	3/ 1	2:44.97
2017	Soft	12	Pearl Of The West	6	3	9 5	80	064-4D1	27 days	P A Fahy (56 miles)	Billy Lee	6/ 1	2:50.60
2016	Yielding	10	Motherland	5	3	9 12	87	631	34 days	J P O'Brien (131 miles)	Donnacha O'Brien	2/ 1	2:43.10
2015	Yielding	10	Harasava	1	3	8 13	75	6-21	42 days	D K Weld (113 miles)	P J Smullen	9/ 4	2:48.90
2014	Good	8	Timiyan	1	3	9 4	77	549	60 days	D K Weld (113 miles)	P J Smullen	3/ 1	2:40.14
2013	Yielding	9	Dark Crusader	4	3	9 8	83	0-5781	13 days	A J Martin (133 miles)	Fran Berry	12/ 1	2:48.78
2012	Good	11	Sure Reef	4	3	8 12	72	952521	13 days	M Halford (113 miles)	Shane Foley	11/ 2	2:43.98
2011	Good	9	Lovers Peace	2	3	8 8	69	7-8814	26 days	E Kent (123 miles)	D M Grant	11/ 2	2:44.59
2010	Good - Yielding	12	Notalossonya	10	3	9 1	73	4441	18 days	E Lynam (133 miles)	Wayne Lordan	10/ 1	2:47.36
2009	Soft	13	Mosstown	7	3	8 7	71	343	31 days	Mrs J Harrington (113 miles)	Shane Foley	7/ 1	2:55.91
2008	Good	13	Ghimaar	8	3	9 11	89	71-28	39 days	D K Weld (113 miles)	P J Smullen	11/ 4	2:43.15
2007	Heavy	14	Sadler's Kingdom	7	3	8 7	64	061421	18 days	R A Fahey	Mikey Hussey	9/ 2	2:49.04
2006	Good to Firm	19	Almighty Jade	6	3	8 11	73	06901	46 days	D Wachman (88 miles)	Wayne Lordan	8/ 1	2:51.00

Race Favourite Stats

Year	Favourite Finish Position	Winner Market Position
2025	2	2
2024	7, 3	5
2023	7	8
2022	2	3
2021	4	4
2020	1	1
2019	5	5
2018	1	1
2017	12	2
2016	1	1

Race Record

Distance	Record Time
1m 4f 84y	2:41.54