January 13 / 12.48 Punchestown

12.48

Soft

€50,000 BetVictor Graduation Bonus Series Maiden Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5851.24
  • 2m 0f 85y
  • 14 runners
RTV
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€50,000 BetVictor Graduation Bonus Series Maiden Hurdle

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £17.30
  • Place: £3.60

Form: 5

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Flat winner who outran his odds of 125-1 on hurdle debut at Cork last month; should improve plenty for that and has to be high on the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(15)

19th Oct 2025

Yielding

1m 2f 0y

16:00 Leopardstown

Castleheath

9st 13lb

J: Sam Coen

T: Ciaran Murphy

Hurdles winner is 3-7 on turf on the Flat; deadheated at the Galway festival (8.5f, yielding) before two lesser runs over hurdles; returned to the Flat at the Curragh three weeks ago to bag another win (1m2f, yielding); up 9lb now but should be in the mix again.

4/1

5

(9)

28th Sep 2025

Good To Yielding

1m 2f 0y

17:30 Curragh

Castleheath

11st 13lb

J: Mr Alan O’Sullivan

T: Ciaran Murphy

Dual-purpose sort was poor over hurdles last time but had deadheated at Galway (1m) on last Flat start; is just 1lb higher today and goes well with an ease in the ground so looks a big player.

15/2

2

25th Aug 2025

Good

2m 2f 60y

17:13 Ballinrobe

Castleheath

11st 7lb

J: E Walsh

T: Ciaran Murphy

Punchestown maiden winner last winter (soft) and more recently dead-heated in Galway Flat handicap last month, having not had a clear run; later in week again didn't have the best of luck in running when decent fourth in 2m1f handicap hurdle at same track (soft); on a workable mark although would prefer it softer.

9/2

5/1

  • Place: £2.60

Form: 3

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Useful on Flat for Aidan O'Brien and won 1m4f Curragh maiden; likeable yard debut when distant third of 20 here 13 days ago and likely to improve.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

(1)

27th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 3f 180y

15:50 Galway

Ephesus

9st 4lb

J: J M Sheridan

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Has had a run over hurdles since beating Ehteyat at Roscommon; might not uphold the form on the revised terms.

8/1

8

(1)

27th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 3f 180y

15:50 Galway

Ephesus

9st 4lb

J: J M Sheridan

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Has had a run over hurdles since beating Ehteyat at Roscommon; might not uphold the form on the revised terms.

8/1

5

18th Oct 2025

Good

2m 5f 0y

15:30 Limerick

Ephesus

10st 12lb

J: Daniel King

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Got off the mark over hurdles over 2m1f here in April; has been below form on his last two hurdle runs but won on the Flat five days ago at Roscommon so can't be ruled out.

5/1

3/1

  • Place: £1.02

Form: 3

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won fillies' maiden on the level and likeable hurdle debut when third of 20 (beaten 2l) at Leopardstown last month behind two nice prospects; likely improver with that run under her belt and handled testing ground on the level.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

27th Oct 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 100y

13:47 Wexford

Money Dancer

11st 8lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Noel Meade

Dual-purpose filly; dominant maiden hurdle win at Galway last month; came up well short on handicap hurdle debut in the Lartigue at Listowel on latest; needs to bounce back from that.

7/1

4

27th Oct 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 100y

13:47 Wexford

Money Dancer

11st 8lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Noel Meade

Dual-purpose filly; dominant maiden hurdle win at Galway last month; came up well short on handicap hurdle debut in the Lartigue at Listowel on latest; needs to bounce back from that.

7/1

12

25th Sep 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

15:25 Listowel

Money Dancer

10st 2lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Noel Meade

Second runner for yard; Flat winner is rated 77 in that sphere; got off the mark over hurdles on third start when winning by 11l at Galway last time; there should be more to come and she can go well.

14/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Has some reasonable form to his name on the Flat (peak RPR 78) but probably best watched on hurdle debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

7

(8)

5th Sep 2025

Good

2m 2f 141y

18:24 Down Royal

Sundance Sioux

9st 11lb

J: Eryka Snioch

T: Cian Hughes

Touched off in 1m4f Fairyhouse maiden on debut last summer (good) but hasn't run anywhere near that level since, latest on handicap debut at Navan in June; placed hurdler in between; mark remains on the high side.

25/1

9

(12)

7th Jun 2025

Good

1m 6f 0y

17:05 Navan

Sundance Sioux

9st 11lb

J: Wesley Joyce

T: Cian Hughes

Fair maiden on the Flat, the best effort of those when beaten a neck into second at Fairyhouse (1m4f) on debut; three good efforts over hurdles this year; good claimer booked on handicap debut.

18/1

4th

15

20th Mar 2025

Good

2m 0f 150y

13:52 Cork

Sundance Sioux

11st 7lb

J: Ben Harvey

T: Cian Hughes

Fair maiden on the Flat, rated 78; made a satisfactory introduction to hurdling when fourth in a maiden at Punchestown; confirmed potential for maiden success with Fairyhouse second.

13/2

Form: 49

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Encouraging debut at Fairyhouse on yard debut but backwards step on very testing ground here 13 days ago and may prefer a quicker surface given his pedigree.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

8th Sep 2025

Good

2m 0f 47y

Class 4

14:10 Perth

Chortal

11st 5lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Gordon Elliott

4yo who is penalised for winning a Bellewstown maiden in April (2m1f, good); 0-4 in the meantime but the form of those defeats reads well in the context of this race, with his latest conqueror progressive.

Evs

Form:

Last run: 51 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Tailed off 33-1 shot on his debut here in November and may need further than this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

19th May 2026

Good To Firm

2m 7f 129y

Class 5

20:30 Huntingdon

JEnvoievalserenki

11st 12lb

J: Mr James King

T: Luca Morgan

2-7 in points for current stable since this autumn, the latter win gained in four-runner conditions race at Mollington (3m, good to firm; first-time visor; odds-on favourite fell) this month; has more on his plate here but top amateur James King is booked again.

3/1

9th

3

6th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 190y

17:00 Clonmel

JEnvoievalserenki

11st 7lb

J: Kevin Sexton

T: Paul Nolan

The best of four maiden hurdle runs was on soft ground at Punchestown in January; needs a return to that form and blinkers might help.

12/1

5

14th May 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 190y

17:10 Tipperary

JEnvoievalserenki

10st 13lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: Paul Nolan

Showed small signs of promise in penultimate maiden hurdle start at Punchestown (2m1f, soft); took a step in the wrong direction last time when sent off at 12-1 and tailed off; needs to have improved from mini-break.

20/1

Form: 14

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner in France last year but that form didn't really work out and he was a distant fourth when just 11-4 for his yard debut at Leopardstown last month; jumping needs to improve.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

5

15th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

18:20 Aintree

Last Kingdom

11st 0lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Faye Bramley

Both hurdles wins when trained by Willie Mullins; has shown little in four starts for current yard and hard to be at all confident.

25/1

OUR TIP

Form: 7

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Tailed off 80-1 shot on debut and likely to need more time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

17th Mar 2026

Yielding

2m 4f 86y

14:28 Down Royal

Aswellasabentley

11st 12lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

Ran well in first two handicaps and bounced back from two poor runs with a 2l third of 16 here over 2m1f (soft) on latest; this trip should suit; shortlisted.

9/2

3rd

5

20th Jan 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 1f 33y

14:20 Down Royal

Aswellasabentley

11st 10lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

Opening two handicap runs for this yard offered promise but most recent efforts very disappointing, latest when favourite over C&D but never landed a blow and pulled up; questions to answer.

9/1

Form: 6

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Not without promise when sixth of on debut at Fairyhouse; more required here and jumping needs to improve but has an each-way squeak.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

15

28th Jul 2025

Good

2m 0f 130y

17:40 Galway

Ballyearl

11st 6lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Took a big step forward to win a Tipperary maiden hurdle in May; met trouble in running at Downpatrick last month; opening mark appears a shade harsh.

12/1

5

15th Jun 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 165y

16:20 Downpatrick

Ballyearl

11st 9lb

J: Mike O’Connor

T: Henry De Bromhead

Two runs in bumpers on yielding-soft were modest but a first-time hood (retained) and switch to hurdles after a 122-day break saw him win a Tipperary maiden last month (2m1f, gd-yld); that form has taken a couple of knocks and the forecast rain is not in his favour.

100/30

100/1

Form:

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Poor Flat form and showed very little when 250-1 for his hurdle bow 13 days ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

26th Oct 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 0y

15:56 Wexford

Stone Forest

11st 11lb

J: John Shinnick

T: Eoin Doyle

Won over C&D in August off 6lb lower, backing up her previous promising C&D third; beaten 22l stepped up to 2m6f on latest at Listowel; not discounted back in trip and back at this venue.

4/1

4th

2

27th Sep 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 6f 0y

15:55 Listowel

Stone Forest

11st 12lb

J: Eoin Staples

T: Eoin Doyle

Gained a deserved win at Wexford (20.5f, good) on latest (Corkbeg second); up 7lb but he did it nicely and there could be more improvement in this 4yo; wants good ground.

9/2

1st

5

29th Aug 2025

Yielding

2m 4f 100y

17:35 Wexford

Stone Forest

11st 3lb

J: John Shinnick

T: Eoin Doyle

Improved in blinkers the last twice, third at both Bellewstown and over C&D three weeks ago, staying on again; 4yo probably has more to come.

9/1

Form: S0

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Slipped on debut here and showed nothing on her subsequent outing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

21st Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 0f 0y

14:32 Navan

Stiltellinemnuttin

10st 1lb

J: Sean Cleary-Farrell

T: Michael Mulvany

Down 11lb from her initial mark; dropped away in the Naas race won by Rathbawn Soldier; major improvement required; stable's excellent double on the opening day of the Flat at the Curragh offers some encouragement.

12/1

11th

3

4th Mar 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

15:20 Naas

Stiltellinemnuttin

11st 13lb

J: Sean Cleary-Farrell

T: Michael Mulvany

Held by Patty O'Farrell on Down Royal running; remote fifth at this venue last month; down 8lb from initial rating, but still does not seem well handicapped.

25/1

5th

9

7th Feb 2026

Soft

1m 7f 158y

14:50 Naas

Stiltellinemnuttin

10st 6lb

J: Sean Cleary-Farrell

T: Michael Mulvany

Showed some promise in maidens, that has not been borne out in two handicap attempts.

20/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Camelot gelding; dam Listed-placed 10.6f/1m4f AW winner (RPR 107), half-sister to Racing Post Trophy/Derby winner Motivator and 1m4f Group 2 winner Macarthur; probably a stiff task on debut and may want it quicker.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

28th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 3f 81y

15:05 Punchestown

Powerful

11st 11lb

J: Simon Torrens

T: Mrs John Harrington

Won on handicap debut here (2m, heavy) in November; won again off his revised mark of 120 here in January (2m5f, sft-hvy); drop back to 2m didn't suit at Fairyhouse latest; better expected over this longer trip; chance.

12/1

8th

11

4th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 0y

17:00 Fairyhouse

Powerful

10st 5lb

J: Simon Torrens

T: Mrs John Harrington

Off the mark on handicap debut over this trip at Punchestown in November (heavy) and returned there on latest nicely improved to win over 2m5f in January; had a break since and reverts to 2m off 8lb higher mark.

12/1

Form: U

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Three-time AW winner, twice at 1m4f; unseated early when 22-1 at Leopardstown 17 days ago on hurdle debut and others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

18th

5

(24)

25th Apr 2026

Yielding

1m 2f 40y

16:50 Navan

Pepper Noir

10st 0lb

J: Jessica Maye

T: John C McConnell

Three AW wins up to 1m4f and some decent efforts in defeat over the winter season; best turf effort when second in a Leopardstown handicap over this trip last year; a player if repeating that.

14/1

6th

8

(3)

20th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

19:45 Dundalk (AW)

Pepper Noir

9st 2lb

J: Siobhan Rutledge

T: John C McConnell

Twice a C&D winner; dropped away after making the running in race won by Drucker on latest; previously beaten 5l in fourth behind Church Mountain, who has lost form since.

12/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Had lost her way on the Flat when last seen and best watched on hurdle debut with tongue-tie fitted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(2)

28th Jul 2025

Good To Soft

1m 3f 104y

Class 6

15:47 Yarmouth

Saxon Land

9st 9lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: James Owen

16-race maiden under rules; still early days for current trainer and first-time visor now applied on her first stab at a classified; interesting if there is a market move.

10/1

7

(4)

16th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

1m 4f 13y

Class 5

14:30 Catterick

Saxon Land

9st 11lb

J: Miss Evie Lee

T: James Owen

Ex-Irish; 15-race maiden; soundly beaten on all four starts, including one over hurdles, for present yard (favourite on first occasion); plenty to prove.

20/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €107.70
Straight Forecast €135.69
Trifecta €401.00

Selections

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Money Dancer

SPOTLIGHT:

Castleheath

POSTDATA:

Money Dancer

The Irish Sun:

Money Dancer