December 07 / 12.00 Navan

12.00

Good To Yielding

Mervyn Gray Construction Maiden Hurdle (Div II)

  • Prize money: £6413.04
  • 2m 0f 0y
  • 16 runners
RTV
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Mervyn Gray Construction Maiden Hurdle (Div II)

Runners: 16 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

15/2 (Won)

  • Win: £24.60
  • Place: £4.50

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Brother to 2m3f hurdle winner Cadatharla, half-brother to bumper winner Lovely Hurling; dam 2m hurdle winner, closely related to 2m hurdle winners Pleased As Punch and Light Of My Life; winner on sole point start in four-runner field but third and fourth from that contest haven't done anything for the form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

2nd May 2026

Yielding

3m 0f 104y

15:45 Punchestown

Goraibhmaithagat

10st 13lb

J: Simon Torrens

T: C A Murphy

Improver in Naas handicaps over the winter on testing ground, winning 2m4f novice contest and only caught late in 3m1f Leinster National off 132 (clear of remainder); didn't appear to stay 3m5f of Irish National latest but definite contender back in trip here if handling quicker conditions.

14/1

2nd

7

8th Mar 2026

Heavy

3m 0f 174y

16:02 Naas

Goraibhmaithagat

10st 6lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: C A Murphy

Hurdles winner didn't show much in opening chase runs, but there were signs of promise in his third of 11 on handicap chase debut here in January (2m4f, heavy); well backed in a Listed handicap here recently, landing the gamble by 0.5l (2m4f, heavy); up 7lb, but he made a number of jumping errors so there's scope for improvement; top chance if this trip doesn't cause any issues; the choice of Mark Walsh.

5/1

1st

4

22nd Feb 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 4f 0y

17:00 Naas

Goraibhmaithagat

11st 6lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: C A Murphy

1-4 over hurdles and rated 130 in that sphere; some promise in his chasing debut on seasonal return here (2m, soft) but tailed off next two times; stayed on to take third in the final strides over C&D last time (heavy); interesting that from the five McManus runners, he's the pick of Walsh.

15/2

13/2

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 53-

Last run: 431 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Promise in both hurdle starts in France, staying on nicely for third at Auteuil when last seen in October 2023; subsequently bought for 230,000euros; fascinating contender on debut for new yard despite 431-day layoff.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

6

22nd Apr 2025

Soft To Heavy

2m 7f 35y

16:30 Fairyhouse

Autoportrait

11st 4lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: M F Morris

in touch with leaders, not fluent 2nd

12/1

10th

6

22nd Apr 2025

Soft To Heavy

2m 7f 35y

16:30 Fairyhouse

Autoportrait

11st 4lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: M F Morris

in touch with leaders, not fluent 2nd

12/1

9/2

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 3

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Dual Flat winner in France and promising start to life in this sphere when third of 15 on good ground at Cork last month, despite not jumping with fluency; should improve.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

17th Jan 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 4f 40y

13:20 Navan

Grimaud

11st 2lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Gordon Elliott

One of four for trainer; two-time Flat winner and maiden hurdle winner; creditable efforts in his last three handicaps, a 2l runner-up at Navan (2m5f, heavy) before staying on for a modest fourth in a Listed contest at Navan when 3lb wrong (3m1f, soft to heavy); third at Limerick last time when he could offer no more close home (3m, soft to heavy); can go well again but Kennedy chooses another.

12/1

12

27th Sep 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 0y

15:20 Listowel

Grimaud

11st 0lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Won a Gowran maiden (2m, soft) in March; has failed to fire in four starts since, twice coming up short in handicaps; best efforts have come on soft ground; probably needs rain.

10/1

10th

21

2nd Aug 2025

Good

2m 6f 108y

15:12 Galway

Grimaud

10st 11lb

T: Gordon Elliott

First reserve; French Flat winner; won a Gowran maiden hurdle in March (2m, soft); beaten 22l on handicap debut at Aintree in April and this trip seemed to stretch him in a rated novice at Clonmel; others preferred.

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Narrowly denied in a point at Tallow; half-brother to three winners including Hillcrest; point form doesn't look particularly strong and he's probably going to need further than this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

19th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 4f 110y

15:18 Tramore

Dont Tell Jack

11st 4lb

J: Charlie O’Dwyer

T: E Bolger

0-4 in chases and rated 111; good third off that mark in a handicap chase at Navan on latest; 0-5 over hurdles but ran well when third behind Ethical Diamond and Kainsbourg in a Punchestown maiden in February 2025; big chance if he repeats that.

7/2

3rd

6

21st Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 1f 0y

16:52 Navan

Dont Tell Jack

11st 3lb

J: Simon Torrens

T: E Bolger

One of two for trainer; poor in opening beginners' chases and just modest improvement for switch to a handicap last time when beaten 21l; trainer's/owner's best chance appears to be Park That.

15/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Made easy work of a Ballycahane point before £410,000 sale in March but the form of that point hasn't worked out; good chance she'll want further; O'Connor seemingly prefers her to Kir; market support would be significant.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

1st May 2026

Yielding

2m 4f 140y

18:00 Punchestown

Echoing Silence

11st 5lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Point-to-point and bumper winner; won first two starts over timber, a Cork mares' maiden hurdle (2m4f, yielding) and a Listed mares' hurdle here (2m3f, heavy); mid-field in Grade 2 mares' novice at Cheltenham on latest (2m1f, good); return to further should suit and gets weight from the boys; could challenge for a place.

14/1

10th

8

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 179y

Class 1

13:20 Cheltenham

Echoing Silence

11st 4lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

From a yard that's won two of the last five renewals of this; it was a useful maiden she won easily at Cork (2m4f, yielding) and she followed up in a 2m3f Listed event at Punchestown despite not being in love with the heavy ground (according to her trainer); the runner-up Switch From Diesel gave Bambino Fever something to think about in two bumpers last season, so that latest form heightens interest in this mare; the stable's winner 12 months ago was also dropping back in distance and returning from a similar break; very much one to bear in mind.

12/1

1st

5

2nd Nov 2025

Yielding

2m 4f 0y

13:40 Cork

Echoing Silence

11st 7lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Point-to-point winner on testing ground; beaten 20l in a 2m Navan maiden hurdle on Rules' debut in December 2024; won a Down Royal bumper by 2.5l when last seen in March (good) and that race has thrown up winners; yard in flying form and should go well.

5/2

Form: 28-

Last run: 221 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in a Listed bumper at Limerick on debut in March but was tailed off in a Punchestown festival bumper when last seen; yard going well and worth a market check on return from 221 days off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

22nd Aug 2026

Good

2m 1f 0y

15:45 Killarney

Putapoundinthejar

11st 12lb

J: Daniel King

T: A J Martin

Gained fourth hurdles success with 3.25l victory in Galway Hurdle (2m, good) off 129 23 days ago; still has a bit to find with Daddy Long Legs and Bowensonfire on ratings but claims if taking to new discipline.

9/2

1st

14

30th Jul 2026

Good

2m 0f 11y

16:30 Galway

Putapoundinthejar

10st 2lb

J: Daniel King

T: A J Martin

Fair fifth in a valuable handicap hurdle at the Punchestown festival; a shade disappointing at Listowel in June before making amends at Bellewstown; may continue on the upgrade for Tony Martin who has won this race four times in the past 12 years.

9/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Policy Maker gelding; dam unraced sister to winners Oborne Lady (1m6f) and Shoughall's Boy (2m4f hurdle), half-sister to useful hurdle/chase winners Tom Horn (2m4f-3m1f) and Los Amigos (2m5f-2m6f); interesting newcomer but probably wants further than this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

21st Aug 2026

Good

3m 1f 180y

19:35 Kilbeggan

Scalpnagoon

11st 5lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Two wins over hurdles, maiden chaser; beaten 9l by Charlie Luciano in a C&D beginners' event on penultimate start; 7lb better off, could go close.

100/30

3rd

4

8th Aug 2026

Good

2m 3f 20y

15:25 Wexford

Scalpnagoon

11st 12lb

J: Josh Williamson

T: Gordon Elliott

Well held behind William Tell and Nadia's Boy in a 2m beginners' here in June; no match for Charlie Luciano upped to 25.5f at Kilbeggan latest; this trip more suitable but he's 0-7 over fences now and needs to find more to get his head in front.

4/1

OUR TIP

Form: 6

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Kept on for third in a point and stayed on well again when sixth in a 2m4f maiden hurdle here three weeks ago; drop in trip may be against him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

31st Aug 2026

Good

2m 3f 100y

17:04 Downpatrick

Driveonwill

12st 0lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Ross O’Sullivan

Off the mark over fences in a C&D beginners' in May; unseated two out in a handicap chase back here next time when still in contention; never involved at the Galway festival when tailed off (2m2f, good); capable of better back here.

15/2

15th

16

28th Jul 2026

Good

2m 2f 54y

17:45 Galway

Driveonwill

11st 2lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Ross O’Sullivan

One of three for yard; off the mark over fences in a Downpatrick beginners (19.5f, gd-yld) in May (Giant Haystacks 2.75l behind in fourth); unseated two out in handicap chase back there on latest when still in contention; can't discount off 2lb higher.

14/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Still involved when coming down at the last on sole point outing; half-brother to winners Heltenham (15.5f AQPS Flat and useful 2m3f/2m4f hurdle/chase) and Ici Avrilly (French 2m-2m6f hurdle/chase including cross-country); dam French maiden jumper, half-sister to two useful French jumpers; worth a market check ahead of rules debut but yard's second string.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

3

19th Mar 2026

Yielding To Soft

3m 0f 45y

16:30 Cork

Kir

11st 5lb

J: Mike O’Connor

T: Henry De Bromhead

Made a successful handicap debut at Limerick in October (3m, soft) but pulled up at Navan next time following a 9lb rise; much better at Limerick before another below-par run at Punchestown; stays well; might benefit from the addition of cheekpieces.

6/1

1st

1

19th Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

15:40 Limerick

Kir

12st 4lb

J: Mr J H Williamson

T: Henry De Bromhead

Was running a big race when falling at the last on sole point start; fourth placings in maidens at Down Royal and Tipperary represent fair form in this grade; strong trainer/rider combination.

5/1

6

14th May 2025

Good To Yielding

3m 1f 0y

19:20 Tipperary

Kir

11st 4lb

J: Rachael Blackmore

T: Henry De Bromhead

Was running a big race when falling at the last on sole point start; the best of three maiden hurdle runs was when beaten 17l last time after a break at Fairyhouse (2m4f); can come on from that and get closer over a trip that should suit.

3/1

Form: P2S0-5

Last run: 206 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Left her French form behind when a 150-1 runner-up at Leopardstown last December; still involved before slipping at Naas; tailed off in Listed mares' novice at Punchestown festival before a better run when fifth of 16 at Tipperary; off 206 days; rain would probably be a plus.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

18th

17

29th Jul 2026

Good

2m 6f 0y

17:35 Galway

Lucy Wang

11st 6lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Emmet Mullins

Dual point winner who was third in a hunter chase last time; doesn't have the obvious profile for this race but she showed useful form in 2023 when runner-up in a Leopardstown maiden and she needs checking in the betting on debut for Emmet Mullins.

5/1

3rd

1

6th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 100y

15:00 Cork

Lucy Wang

11st 11lb

J: Ms A M Connolly

T: Josh Halley

Has won twice in points this season; most recent success was in the prestigious Gain Mares Final at Ballynoe for this rider; useful sort but well held by The Great Unknown on running at Ballycahane.

7/1

11

23rd Jul 2025

Yielding To Soft

2m 3f 100y

16:10 Wexford

Lucy Wang

11st 5lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Josh Halley

Her 150-1 second in a Leopardstown maiden hurdle at the Christmas festival in 2023 is beginning to look like an aberration following heavy defeats in five subsequent starts; tailed off when trying this trip for the first time at Punchestown recently (soft); switch to fences needs to light a fire.

33/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Protectionist gelding; half-brother to four winners including Queenie (German 8.5f Group 3; RPR 103), Quelindo (1m2f/1m3f including Qatari local Group 1; 102) and this yard's Quamino (useful 2m-2m5f hurdle/chase); tough ask on debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

5

22nd Jul 2026

Good

1m 7f 110y

15:50 Wexford

Quinn The Eskimo

11st 6lb

J: Alan O’Sullivan

T: Paul Nolan

Down Royal handicap hurdle winner last year (2m2f, good) is 0-5 chasing, encouraging Thurles debut effort yet to be built on, unseating at the first over today's C&D last month; may yet improve but opposable for now.

9/1

7

30th Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

15:20 Wexford

Quinn The Eskimo

11st 6lb

J: Carl Millar

T: Paul Nolan

Second runner for yard; hurdle winner made a decent chase debut last year but not as good after; well beaten on return but is capable of better.

14/1

7th

4

21st May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 157y

16:43 Limerick

Quinn The Eskimo

11st 9lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Paul Nolan

Good ground hurdles winner shaped with mild promise on chase debut in Thurles beginners' (18.5f, good to yielding) in October; pulled up and tailed off next two starts on heavy; of interest if the ground has good in the description.

16/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Marcel filly; dam unraced half-sister to 1m4f winner Time Travel, out of French 6f 2yo winning half-sister to 5f 2yo Group 3 winner Raphane; unlikely to be involved on debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

5

31st Dec 2024

Yielding

2m 2f 79y

15:45 Punchestown

Deadclassy

11st 11lb

J: Mr E P O’Brien

T: Denis W Cullen

Sent off at 250-1 and made little impact on debut at Navan earlier this month; others preferred.

100/1

12th

5

31st Dec 2024

Yielding

2m 2f 79y

15:45 Punchestown

Deadclassy

11st 11lb

J: Mr E P O’Brien

T: Denis W Cullen

Sent off at 250-1 and made little impact on debut at Navan earlier this month; others preferred.

100/1

12th

15

7th Dec 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 0y

12:00 Navan

Deadclassy

11st 0lb

J: Ricky Doyle

T: Denis W Cullen

Marcel filly; dam unraced half-sister to 1m4f winner Time Travel, out of French 6f 2yo winning half-sister to 5f 2yo Group 3 winner Raphane; unlikely to be involved on debut.

25/1

Form: 0-

Last run: 481 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Tailed off when 125-1 for a maiden hurdle in 2023 and shown little on the Flat since.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

16

(10)

12th Jun 2026

Yielding To Soft

1m 1f 100y

20:18 Gowran Park

Rio Doce

8st 12lb

J: Chris Hayes

T: John Andrew Kinsella

Set tough asks on first six starts between hurdles and the Flat, never landed a blow as a result; off 552 days and hard to assess on h'cap bow.

33/1

13th

13

7th Dec 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 0y

12:00 Navan

Rio Doce

11st 7lb

J: Richard Condon

T: John Andrew Kinsella

Tailed off when 125-1 for a maiden hurdle in 2023 and shown little on the Flat since.

200/1

Form:

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Never involved when 33-1 for debut at Cork last month; dam unraced sister to winner Rathhill; best watched for now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15

16th Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 85y

18:10 Killarney

Pleasureofpressure

10st 9lb

J: Shane O’Callaghan

T: P J Rothwell

Consistent and holding form well enough in handicaps; beaten around 6l off this mark the last twice, at Down Royal (2m4f, good) and Wexford (2m1f, gd-yld) when wearing first-time cheekpieces (retained); step back up to this trip should suit; in the mix again.

5/1

4th

12

16th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 0y

14:40 Wexford

Pleasureofpressure

10st 9lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: P J Rothwell

One of two for trainer; maiden has been consistent in handicaps; runner-up at Tramore off this mark in November (2m5f, soft); below that when a beaten favourite at Down Royal next time (2m4f, yielding), finishing a distant third; another good effort when fourth back there last time; maybe the cheekpieces can get a bit more from him.

11/2

4th

10

12th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 170y

14:30 Down Royal

Pleasureofpressure

10st 3lb

J: Brian Barry

T: P J Rothwell

Maiden has been consistent in handicaps over the last year; not his best run when a beaten favourite over a bit further here last time but can go closer if improving from that.

3/1

Form: 00

Last run: 7 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Useful Flat performer over staying trips in France but hasn't shown enough in two maiden hurdle starts for this yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

2

12th Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 25y

16:25 Bellewstown

Le Bugiste

12st 0lb

J: Mr D G Lavery

T: Gavin Cromwell

Second runner for yard; three time Flat winner in France; produced best effort yet in this sphere when a staying on 1.25l second of 19 at Down Royal (2m4f, good) last month; up 4lb for that but it's still relatively early days and there could be more to come at this longer trip; considered.

3/1

10th

2

12th Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 25y

16:25 Bellewstown

Le Bugiste

12st 0lb

J: Mr D G Lavery

T: Gavin Cromwell

Second runner for yard; three time Flat winner in France; produced best effort yet in this sphere when a staying on 1.25l second of 19 at Down Royal (2m4f, good) last month; up 4lb for that but it's still relatively early days and there could be more to come at this longer trip; considered.

3/1

2nd

21

17th Mar 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

15:02 Down Royal

Le Bugiste

11st 13lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Gavin Cromwell

held up in last

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
My Dream Boat filly; dam 2m hurdle winner, half-sister to winners Sheer Martina (2m4f hurdle), Pedros Brief (bumper/2m3f-2m4f hurdle/chase) and Not Available (bumper); up against it on debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

6

27th Aug 2025

Good

2m 1f 40y

19:25 Bellewstown

Tubberfinn Lady

11st 5lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Michael Mulvany

Was well backed when showed improvement to win over 2m3f at Kilbeggan in April (good-to-yielding) and backed it up with clear second at Down Royal; up a total of 9lb and back from a break; respected.

11/2

2nd

11

5th May 2025

Good

2m 1f 79y

14:10 Down Royal

Tubberfinn Lady

11st 3lb

J: Patrick M O’Brien

T: Michael Mulvany

midfield

3/1

2nd

11

5th May 2025

Good

2m 1f 79y

14:10 Down Royal

Tubberfinn Lady

11st 3lb

J: Patrick M O’Brien

T: Michael Mulvany

midfield

3/1

Non-runners

Kentucky Beach, Party President, Kirsca De Thaix

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €88.90
Straight Forecast €75.49
Trifecta €739.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Grimaud

The Irish Sun:

Kirsca De Thaix

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Lucy Wang

POSTDATA:

Grimaud