Royal County Handicap
Course: Navan
Date: 16th May 2026
Distance: 1m2f (1m2f40y)
Type: Flat
Going: Good
Class:
Prize: €29,450
Runners: 7
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Manton Bay
3yo b Colt (IRE)Connections
Jockey: Luke McAteer
Trainer: David Marnane
Bansha, Co Tipperary
Owner: MRC International
Breeding
Sire: Ulysses (IRE)
Dam: Synergy (FR)
Damsire: Victory Note (USA)
Breeder: Mr Canice Farrell
Ratings & Stats
Spotlight
Built on promising debut run at the Curragh (6f, yld-sft) to win a Dundalk maiden (1m) last November; pleasing run on handicap debut/seasonal return at Naas last month (1m, good) when beaten 0.5l; raised 2lb; should stay this far on breeding; chance.
Comment
1m Dundalk maiden winner, fine run on 1m h'cap debut latest, should stay this far, chance
Race History for Manton Bay
Madbadanddangerous
3yo b Gelding (IRE)Connections
Jockey: Ben Coen
Trainer: Noel Meade
Castletown, Co Meath
Owner: J Hunt
Breeding
Sire: Coulsty (IRE)
Dam: Bonnefio (GB)
Damsire: Teofilo (IRE)
Breeder: Suroben Ltd & Summerhill B'Stock
Ratings & Stats
Spotlight
Close second in Tipperary maiden (7.5f, yielding) on debut; off the mark on next start in 7f Naas maiden (soft); 2l third in valuable auction series final over same C&D (soft); narrowly denied on seasonal return/handicap debut at Leopardstown latest (10.5f, gd-yld); reliable and in the mix again off 3lb higher.
Comment
Solid form as a 2yo, fine run on h'cap debut on return, in the mix again off 3lb higher
Quotes
"Madbadanddangerous had a lovely run the first day when was slowly away. Mentally he's still not fully there yet but he's a horse with plenty of size and scope. Noel is brilliant at buying those relatively cheap horses and turning them into maiden winners. He probably will get a mile in time but he's so big he's maybe a fraction weak at the back and I'd imagine there will be no rush for the rest of the year - Colin Keane, rider."
2025-09-18 - NaasRace History for Madbadanddangerous
Now Maybe
3yo ch Gelding (IRE)Connections
Jockey: Scott McCullagh
Trainer: Mrs John Harrington
Moone, Co Kildare
Owner: Forz Europe Ltd
Breeding
Sire: Lucky Vega (IRE)
Dam: Red Poppy (GB)
Damsire: Declaration Of War (USA)
Breeder: Manister House Stud
Ratings & Stats
Spotlight
Handicap debutant; struggled on heavy on debut; beaten a nose over 7f at Dundalk in November; 3l third of 18 in C&D maiden on seasonal return, close up behind 83 rated rival; opening mark doesn't look a gift but very much respected.
Comment
Close up behind 83 rated rival here latest, opening mark doesn't look a gift but respected
Stable Tour
"He ran a lovely race at Navan on Saturday, finishing a good third. He could step up in trip in time and he's likely to go a mile and a half as the season progresses. He'll improve for that run and hopefully can get his head in front next time. 27-04-26"
Previous Owners
- Zhang Yuesheng (until 2026-03-12)
Race History for Now Maybe
Santa Bravado
3yo br Colt (GB)Connections
Jockey: W J Lee
Trainer: A Oliver
Caledon, Co Tyrone
Owner: Brian Mellon & P McBride
Breeding
Sire: Iffraaj (GB)
Dam: Goleta (IRE)
Damsire: Royal Applause (GB)
Breeder: Kingsmead Bloodstock Ltd
Ratings & Stats
Spotlight
Handicap debutant; best effort a 2.75l fifth of 16 on debut at the Curragh (1m, yielding); held by Manton Bay on Dundalk running in November; mildly promising run on return over 1m2f at Naas; potential improver worth a market check.
Comment
Handicap debutant, promise in maidens at 8f-1m2f, worth a market check
Previous Owners
- A Oliver (until 2025-10-10)
Race History for Santa Bravado
Johnny Soda
3yo ch Gelding (IRE)Connections
Jockey: Adam Caffrey
Trainer: Adrian McGuinness
Lusk, Co Dublin
Owner: Go Nutz Racing Syndicate
Breeding
Sire: Cotai Glory (GB)
Dam: Maghzaa (IRE)
Damsire: Aqlaam (GB)
Breeder: Colm McEvoy
Ratings & Stats
Spotlight
Breakthrough win at Cork (1m, soft) on latest, outpaced before coming from the back to score by 0.5l; looked better the further he went so this longer trip should suit; this is harder but should go well again off 5lb higher if handles quicker ground (brother won on good to firm).
Comment
Stayed on strongly to win at Cork (1m), up 5lb, go well again if handles quicker ground
Race History for Johnny Soda
Minella Rockett
3yo ch Gelding (IRE)Connections
Jockey: Seamie Heffernan
Trainer: John J Nallen
Clonmel, Co.Tipperary
Owner: John J Nallen
Breeding
Sire: New Bay (GB)
Dam: Ebalista (IRE)
Damsire: Selkirk (USA)
Breeder: Forenaghts Stud Farm
Ratings & Stats
Spotlight
Handicap debutant; promise in Tipperary maiden last August; proved that was no fluke with a 1l third behind Manton Bay at Dundalk (1m) in November; denied by a short head over the same C&D later that month; should stay this far on breeding and the form of his last run has worked out; chance if ready after break.
Comment
Two excellent runs over 1m at Dundalk in Nov', form of latest run solid, chance if fit
Race History for Minella Rockett
Fallacy
3yo b Gelding (USA)Connections
Jockey: Andrew Slattery
Trainer: Andrew Slattery
Thurles, Co Tipperary
Owner: Basil Holian
Breeding
Sire: Blame (USA)
Dam: I Was Looking Up (USA)
Damsire: Empire Maker (USA)
Breeder: Ptk, Llc
Ratings & Stats
Spotlight
Handicap debutant; didn't show much in a trio of 1m maidens on the AW last year and on good to yielding at Cork on return; probably best watched upped in trip unless the market speaks.
Comment
Modest form in 1m AW and turf maidens, best watched up in trip unless market speaks
Race History for Fallacy
