January 26 / 15.30 Naas

15.30

Soft

Albert Bartlett Triple Crown Series At Punchestown Festival 2025 Qualifier Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £7314.05
  • 2m 2f 150y
  • 14 runners
RTV
View Course
Albert Bartlett Triple Crown Series At Punchestown Festival 2025 Qualifier Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

6/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.50
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 0-1772 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Five-time winner, including three over hurdles; given a break after a poor run at Perth last autumn; returned with an excellent second at Leopardstown; up 4lb but remains 5lb lower than chase mark; good 7lb claiming amateur has been aboard for four of his five wins
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

6th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

3m 0f 120y

17:40 Fairyhouse

Cave Court

11st 5lb

J: Mr O McGill

T: Noel C Kelly

Two-time chase winner; fine effort when runner-up in a Cartmel handicap chase in June 2025 but only seen three times since and well beaten both starts in 2026, over hurdles at Haydock and in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham; needs to rediscover best.

25/1

14th

18

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 70y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Cave Court

11st 0lb

J: Mr O McGill

T: Noel C Kelly

Runner-up at Cartmel (2m5f, good to soft) last June and he's run well at up to 3m in the past; however, he was tailed off at 50-1 over hurdles at Haydock last month when back from a break and looks up against it today.

66/1

8/1

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 10-9UF C

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Made a bright start for this yard last season winning back-to-back over fences, a beginners' event at Clonmel and a Listed handicap at this venue; rated 137 over fences, and potentially well treated with a 113 hurdles mark; however, he may need this to restore confidence after two mishaps over fences; the trip is short of his optimum into the bargain..
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

22nd Feb 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 7f 20y

15:30 Naas

Hartur Darc

10st 12lb

J: Michael Kenneally

T: John C McConnell

Better chaser albeit well below best twice in valuable handicaps in December and pulled up after never counting in valuable 3m Leopardstown handicap hurdle early this month; cheekpieces tried.

14/1

21

2nd Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 0f 19y

14:25 Leopardstown

Hartur Darc

10st 0lb

J: Simon Torrens

T: John C McConnell

Better chaser albeit well below best twice in valuable handicaps last month; 3lb wrong and not an obvious contender.

40/1

5/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 3F-501

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Has taken a while to mature; stepped up considerably on previous form with 5l Fairyhouse win from today's rival Tyson; has gone up 10lb but may sustain that improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

8th Jun 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 100y

19:18 Roscommon

Must Go Now

11st 8lb

J: Gavin Brouder

T: Edward Cawley

Won a Fairyhouse handicap hurdle (2m4f, yielding to soft) in early 2025 but only one effort of note in the past 12 months, when third in first-time cheekpieces at Cork in March; tailed off in both his beginners' chases.

25/1

10th

6

25th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 54y

18:05 Ballinrobe

Must Go Now

11st 12lb

J: E Walsh

T: Edward Cawley

1-17 over timber and rated 109; always behind when beaten 77l on sole chase start at Leopardstown in March (21.5f, yielding); mid-field in Punchestown handicap hurdle latest; others make more appeal.

28/1

9th

16

28th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 3f 81y

15:05 Punchestown

Must Go Now

10st 8lb

J: Josh Williamson

T: Edward Cawley

1-16 over hurdles; ran well when a close third at Cork off 1lb higher on penultimate (2m4f, yielding); needs to bounce back from disappointing Fairyhouse run latest; others look better treated.

33/1

Form: 5767P3

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Two hurdle wins in late 2022 on heavy; out of form over fences last year; much better when 50-1 third in a handicap hurdle at Punchestown last month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

31st Mar 2026

Soft

2m 1f 200y

18:42 Limerick

Marelly

10st 0lb

J: Shane O’Callaghan

T: P J Rothwell

Second runner for yard; course hurdle winner won at Gowran in January and ran well here last time; was poor when last seen over fences though, so questions to answer in that respect.

5/1

Form: 444411

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Tried over a range of distances before dropping back to 2m to win a Wexford maiden hurdle in October; mark was unchanged after that; now up 8lb after handicap success over 2m4f at Cork seven weeks ago; progressive type
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

7th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 7f 0y

18:38 Wexford

One Big Boum

11st 12lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: Philip Fenton

Progressive handicap hurdler last season took his mark to 125 after wins over 2m4f at Navan and Fairyhouse (heavy); 2m trip inadequate here on final start in March; upped in trip for chase debut and could go well if taking to fences.

7/2

Form: -41643 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 10st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Won 2m2f Cork handicap hurdle last August off 7lb lower; placed over fences at Tramore since fair fourth in a 19-runner handicap hurdle at Punchestown.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

26th Sep 2025

Yielding

2m 3f 100y

16:18 Listowel

Gabriel Ranger

11st 12lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: Joseph G Murphy

Won off 4lb lower at Killarney in May, his last run on yielding ground; not as good the last twice on good ground but the return to an easier surface offers hope of an improved run.

8/1

3rd

3

17th Aug 2025

Good

2m 6f 0y

16:30 Tramore

Gabriel Ranger

11st 3lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: Joseph G Murphy

Mid-field over hurdles at Galway; better judged on his handicap chase win at Killarney on only his second attempt in a handicap chase; likely to confirm form with fourth-placed Ik's Man.

5/1

8th

14

30th Jul 2025

Good

2m 6f 0y

17:35 Galway

Gabriel Ranger

11st 8lb

J: Cian Quirke

T: Joseph G Murphy

Scored from this mark over fences at Killarney in May and gave the impression a step back up in trip could be in his favour; this looks more competitive but not ruled out.

12/1

20/1

Form: 1200-0

Last run: 64 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Won a Roscommon maiden and touched off by a progressive sort in a Cork handicap in the second half of 2023; down the field at Punchestown in November on first run for ten months; hard to fancy; first time with cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

13

26th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 2f 150y

15:30 Naas

Showman

11st 0lb

J: Jake Coen

T: Peter Fahey

Won a Roscommon maiden and touched off by a progressive sort in a Cork handicap in the second half of 2023; down the field at Punchestown in November on first run for ten months; hard to fancy; first time with cheekpieces.

20/1

8th

13

26th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 2f 150y

15:30 Naas

Showman

11st 0lb

J: Jake Coen

T: Peter Fahey

prominent, not fluent 4th

20/1

15th

13

23rd Nov 2024

Yielding

2m 3f 87y

14:50 Punchestown

Showman

11st 1lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Peter Fahey

Flat maiden showed improved form in this discipline, winning a Roscommon maiden and touched off by a progressive sort in a Cork handicap, before disappointing at Cheltenham and Leopardstown; off the track 333 days; hard to fancy on return.

33/1

33/1

Form: 270000

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Won a claiming hurdle at Clonmel in October and was placed in two handicap hurdles in the first half of November; has lost form since then; up against it.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

10

13th Jun 2026

Good

2m 1f 165y

14:00 Downpatrick

Cozone

11st 3lb

J: James Smith

T: Matthew J Smith

Won over 2m6f at this track in March and his best run since was third at Limerick last time, also over 2m6f; can go well though this trip on good ground might be a bit sharp for him.

6/1

3rd

1

28th May 2026

Good

2m 6f 0y

19:20 Limerick

Cozone

12st 0lb

J: James Smith

T: Matthew J Smith

Bounced back with a bang when easily winning at Downpatrick (2m6f, yielding to soft) off career-low mark on return in March; failed to back that up from 10lb higher at Down Royal but remains fairly treated on pick of old form.

7/1

20/1

Form: 104-06

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
In good form over hurdles in the final months of 2023, two poor chase runs this season; not one of the more obvious contenders.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

2nd Jul 2026

Good

2m 6f 120y

19:33 Limerick

Ishan

11st 11lb

J: Shane Fitzgerald

T: Leonard Paul Flynn

Three-time winning hurdler in 2023, showing a liking for a test of stamina in testing conditions; now 7lb below his last winning mark but not much encouragement in his two Clonmel outings for his new stable.

40/1

13th

3

5th Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 113y

17:40 Clonmel

Ishan

11st 13lb

J: Shane Fitzgerald

T: Leonard Paul Flynn

Three-time winning hurdler in 2023, showing a liking for a test of stamina in testing conditions; now 5lb below last winning mark but not much encouragement in his stable debut here last month (2m4f, good to yielding).

14/1

8th

7

14th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 116y

18:50 Clonmel

Ishan

11st 3lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Leonard Paul Flynn

Three-time hurdles winner in 2023, showing a liking for a test of stamina in testing conditions; now 3kb below his last winning mark; Bbest run for Sam Curling last season was over fences; may find the ground too lively; first outing for this stable.

14/1

Form: 73520

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Caught the eye of the stewards when third behind talented stablemate Wingmen over 2m4f at Navan on his second maiden attempt; rider described him as "a stayer in the making"; against that background, coped well when second to a well-handicapped horse over 2m at Navan; disappointing run in the fog at Leopardstown last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

6th Apr 2025

Yielding

2m 4f 0y

15:07 Fairyhouse

Lygon Lad

11st 9lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Gordon Elliott

midfield

8/1

7th

4

6th Apr 2025

Yielding

2m 4f 0y

15:07 Fairyhouse

Lygon Lad

11st 9lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Gordon Elliott

midfield

8/1

Form: 148-60

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 5lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Thurles maiden winner on heavy last season; fair handicap debut when fourth here last April; three subsequent runs have been much less encouraging
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

30th Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 150y

16:00 Thurles

Answering

12st 0lb

J: Cian Quirke

T: Timothy Doyle

C&D winner, has run well here on other occasions; hard to make a case for him on 2025 form; big price when unseated on latest.

33/1

1

30th Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 150y

16:00 Thurles

Answering

12st 0lb

J: Cian Quirke

T: Timothy Doyle

C&D winner, has run well here on other occasions; hard to make a case for him on 2025 form; big price when unseated on latest.

33/1

Form: 0-4901 CD

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Kept good company in maidens at Down Royal and Navan before winning narrowly when dropped in class at this venue; respected in first handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 1f 46y

Class 5

15:12 Cartmel

Interchangeable

11st 4lb

J: Mr John Dixon

T: John Dixon

Ran well for a long way when third at Kelso (2m2f, good) in April but two lesser efforts have followed and he's now 0-7 for current stable; sometimes races too freely; others have more pressing claims.

14/1

5th

6

2nd Jul 2026

Good

2m 0f 47y

Class 4

14:48 Perth

Interchangeable

10st 4lb

J: Mr John Dixon

T: John Dixon

Naas winner (2m4f maiden hurdle) for Stuart Crawford in December 2024; 0-6 for this trainer, beaten 25l at Hexham (2m, good; 9-1) six weeks ago; mark continues to slide, now 11lb lower than three starts back; others are more obvious.

25/1

6th

1

19th May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 48y

Class 5

20:50 Hexham

Interchangeable

12st 0lb

J: Mr John Dixon

T: John Dixon

0-5 for current stable since the autumn but seemingly aided by refitted hood and/or first-time tongue-tie when respectable third at Kelso (2m2f, good) last month and has dropped another 3lb since.

14/1

Form: 34-403

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Not a bad run in a Limerick novice race last time; overall profile is unconvincing; reportedly burst blood vessels on his handicap debut at Cork.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

30th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 80y

15:51 Listowel

Ask The Bookie

12st 0lb

J: Daniel King

T: Gillian Scott

0-19 under rules; fairly modest form last season; others preferred.

20/1

Form: 5-2802

Last run: 25 days

W: 10st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Second in a Roscommon maiden hurdle last June; moderate run on handicap debut; much better at Fairyhouse, though readily outpointed by today's rival Must Go Now; 7lb better off now, not without a chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

13

(6)

24th Aug 2022

Standard

0m 7f 1y

Class 5

15:10 Lingfield (AW)

Tyson

9st 2lb

J: Alec Voikhansky

T: Richard Hannon

slowly away, towards rear, pushed along over 1f out, ridden and some headway inside final furlong, made no impression

10/1

4th

6

(7)

6th Aug 2022

Standard

0m 6f 1y

Class 5

19:05 Lingfield (AW)

Tyson

9st 10lb

J: Alec Voikhansky

T: Richard Hannon

slowly into stride, in rear, pushed along and raced wide home turn, ridden over 1f out, hung left and ran on inside final furlong, not reach leaders

16/1

Non-runners

On The Steel, St Cuthberts Cave, The Nagger Reidy

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €33.80
Straight Forecast €21.60
Tricast €108.35
Trifecta €145.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Cave Court

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Lygon Lad

The Irish Sun:

One Big Boum

POSTDATA:

Marelly

TOPSPEED:

Cave Court