16.50
SoftFestival 2025 Group Tickets From 27 Euros Handicap Hurdle (Div II)
- Prize money: £4876.03
- 2m 4f 23y
- 19 runners
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Runners: 19 runners
Type: Hurdle Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Rain
Abandoned
Form: 571000
Last run: 69 days
W: 12st 0lb
5 yo Colt
OR: 100
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
14th 25 (13) |
24th May 2026 Good To Yielding 1m 6f 0y |
8st 8lb |
Sole win on Flat came in 2023, although has mostly been competing over hurdles in recent times; improved markedly over poor Navan return when fourth at Roscommon last time (1m4f, good), staying on after being slowly away; down to a career low mark. |
25/1 |
|
4th 1 (3) |
11th May 2026 Good 1m 4f 46y |
10st 2lb |
Dual-purpose; best recent form has come over hurdles; no win on Flat since 2023; down the field at Navan latest; hard to fancy. |
25/1 |
|
15th 1 (17) |
25th Apr 2026 Yielding 1m 5f 0y |
10st 2lb |
Had placed form over hurdles in 2025, only Flat win was for Godolphin at two; not an appealing prospect under a big weight. |
33/1 |
Abandoned
Form: -18785 C
Last run: 39 days
W: 11st 10lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 96
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
11 |
15th May 2025 Good 2m 3f 137y |
11st 4lb |
1-27 over hurdles, that win coming for Peter Fahey at Punchestown (2m, good to yielding) last May off 92; no impact first two runs for this yard but well-backed last time at Limerick when reluctant to race and slowly away; headgear combination tried now. |
10/1 |
|
11 |
15th May 2025 Good 2m 3f 137y |
11st 4lb |
1-27 over hurdles, that win coming for Peter Fahey at Punchestown (2m, good to yielding) last May off 92; no impact first two runs for this yard but well-backed last time at Limerick when reluctant to race and slowly away; headgear combination tried now. |
10/1 |
|
9th 4 |
10th Apr 2025 Good 2m 0f 0y |
11st 7lb |
slowly away, in rear, not fluent 4 out |
14/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 043584
Last run: 75 days
W: 11st 8lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 94
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8th 18 |
30th Apr 2026 Yielding 2m 0f 75y |
10st 9lb |
Improved for fitting of a hood, winning 2m6f Downpatrick handicap hurdle last season and produced late to land 2m4f beginners' chase at same venue in October; made the frame in both handicap attempts before a break; has a bit to find with Release The Beast on Leopardstown running; open to improvement. |
10/1 |
|
3rd 6 |
31st Oct 2025 Good 2m 0f 100y |
11st 11lb |
Has improved for fitting of a hood and won two of his last three, a handicap hurdle (2m6f, good) and a beginners' chase on latest (19.5f, yielding), both at Downpatrick; going the right way but not sure this shorter trip will suit on handicap chase debut. |
13/2 |
Abandoned
Form: 13-850 CD
Last run: 91 days
W: 11st 6lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 92
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8th 13 |
13th May 2026 Good 2m 0f 0y |
10st 12lb |
Heavy-ground winner over 2m4f at this venue in January 2024; out of sorts over fences last year; getting on in years now. |
20/1 |
|
10 |
1st Jul 2025 Good To Yielding 2m 0f 120y |
11st 2lb |
Heavy ground hurdles winner has fallen and pulled up on his last two starts over fences; trip probably too far on latest at Punchestown but he may need softer ground than this. |
40/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 7P-P9P
Last run: 57 days
W: 11st 5lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 91
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8 |
22nd Jul 2025 Yielding 2m 6f 41y |
11st 5lb |
Maiden has struggled since switched to handicaps; returns to this yard after a fruitless spell with Kevin Smith; off since February and has failed to complete three of last five starts; passed over. |
33/1 |
|
9th 7 |
24th Feb 2025 Heavy 2m 4f 23y |
11st 5lb |
Lost form for his previous trainer; no sign of a recovery in two starts for this stable; addition of blinkers will need to make a major difference. |
25/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 27-P0P D
Last run: 51 days
W: 11st 4lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 90
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 11 |
18th Jul 2025 Good 2m 7f 0y |
10st 9lb |
Just two runs over fences but his fourth at Wexford in May was promising before getting another hurdle win on the board at Limerick; lesser run since but 10lb lower chase mark to work with here. |
9/2 |
|
10th 5 |
3rd Jul 2025 Good To Yielding 2m 7f 120y |
11st 5lb |
Narrow winner Naas in April (3m, good to yielding); consistent runs following that and won again at Limerick last time (2m6f, good); up another 5lb but not discounted. |
13/2 |
|
13 |
29th May 2025 Good 2m 6f 0y |
11st 0lb |
Won for the third time at Naas in April off 81 (3m, gd-yld); decent run off revised mark at Cork without looking like winning; similar effort in handicap chase at Wexford latest; has won off this rating on testing ground so rain may enhance his chance. |
11/2 |
Abandoned
Form: 7-8880
Last run: 154 days
W: 11st 4lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 90
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 10 |
11th May 2026 Good To Yielding 2m 4f 50y |
10st 13lb |
Dual handicap winner and better than ever when third of 23 at Leopardstown over Christmas (good to yielding); slower ground not ideal since then and could be a factor here in first-time cheekpieces. |
20/1 |
|
16th 16 |
8th Mar 2026 Heavy 2m 3f 10y |
10st 9lb |
Gained second handicap win off 104 at Cork in November (2m, yielding); well beaten at Punchestown next time but improved for step up in trip when staying on third of 23 at Leopardstown in December (20.5f, good to yielding); weakened into a 20l fifth of ten at Thurles (2m7f, heavy); better chance if the ground dries out. |
25/1 |
|
5th 1 |
29th Jan 2026 Soft 2m 6f 126y |
11st 12lb |
Gained second handicap win off 10lb lower at Cork in November (2m, yielding); well beaten at Punchestown but improved for step up in trip when staying on third of 23 at Leopardstown last month (20.5f, good to yielding); not certain to back that up on softer but respected. |
3/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 720389
Last run: 69 days
W: 11st 3lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 89
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
10th 9 |
27th May 2026 Good 3m 1f 83y Class 5 |
10st 11lb |
Won a 2m6f handicap hurdle when trained in Ireland but was pulled up in three successive handicaps last year for Joanne Foster; opposable, despite since winning two small-field points since. |
33/1 |
|
5 |
31st Oct 2025 Good 2m 5f 56y Class 5 |
11st 5lb |
Won a 2m6f handicap hurdle at Down Royal in April (good) but pulled up over fences and hurdles since then, latterly on yard debut when 40-1 at Hexham. |
40/1 |
|
5 |
31st Oct 2025 Good 2m 5f 56y Class 5 |
11st 5lb |
Won a 2m6f handicap hurdle at Down Royal in April (good) but pulled up over fences and hurdles since then, latterly on yard debut when 40-1 at Hexham. |
40/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 07973
Last run: 25 days
W: 11st 3lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 89
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
11 |
22nd Jul 2025 Yielding 2m 6f 41y |
11st 3lb |
Maiden's best effort a 10.5l third of 17 at Punchestown in January (19.5f, heavy); no show in three starts since and handicapper slow to relent; rain would improve his prospects but others appeal more. |
28/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 9P03
Last run: 57 days
W: 11st 2lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 88
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 1 |
10th Apr 2026 Good To Yielding 2m 4f 0y |
11st 12lb |
Won off 14lb lower on last run over timber at Fairyhouse in December; last two runs in chases, unseating at Tramore and well beaten at Thurles; could rebound returned to this discipline. |
6/1 |
|
5th 2 |
29th Jan 2026 Soft To Heavy 2m 4f 198y |
11st 12lb |
Showed much-improved form to get off the mark over hurdles at Fairyhouse last month (2m4f, soft); detcahed when unseating his rider on 2m chase debut at Tramore on New Year's Day; step up in trip should help; cheekpieces. |
3/1 |
Abandoned
Form: P8090
Last run: 140 days
W: 11st 0lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 86
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
16 |
30th May 2026 Good 2m 0f 50y |
10st 0lb |
Flat winner is 0-13 over hurdles; didn't run terribly at Down Royal in December off this mark; should be sharper for latest run at Wexford when made late gains from the back; could outrun likely odds. |
16/1 |
|
7th 14 |
16th May 2026 Good To Yielding 2m 1f 0y |
10st 0lb |
Five-time Flat winner (last win in 2024) but yet to trouble the judge in 12 starts over hurdles; some decent runs in defeat when last seen over the winter, finished fifth of 13 at Thurles (2m, good to yielding) and fifth of 20 at Down Royal (2m1f, yielding), flying home after being hampered by a faller; can't be ruled out. |
6/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 0-00
Last run: 258 days
W: 10st 13lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 85
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6 |
12th Oct 2025 Good 2m 4f 100y |
11st 8lb |
Beaten a long way in two handicaps lately and has a rating of only 72 so can't be fancied. |
100/1 |
|
13th 18 |
24th Sep 2025 Yielding To Soft 2m 2f 0y |
10st 1lb |
Remote third at Wexford (16.5f, good) off 2lb higher on penultimate but didn't build on that upped to 20.5f at the same venue latest; drops back in trip now but others make more appeal. |
33/1 |
|
14 |
8th Aug 2025 Good 2m 4f 100y |
10st 1lb |
Stayed on for a modest third here (16.5f, good) last time, his best run to date; dropped 1lb and this longer trip should suit; place chance if building on that last run. |
10/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 9/8-P0 D
Last run: 51 days
W: 10st 12lb
10 yo Mare
OR: 84
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9th 8 |
27th Mar 2025 Yielding To Soft 2m 2f 152y |
10st 13lb |
1-8 over hurdles, that win coming over C&D in April 2022 in a mares' maiden; lightly raced since and has struggled to make an impact in handicaps; assessor is giving her a chance and the return to this venue is a positive but she's hard to fancy on recent form. |
28/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 87P-0F
Last run: 94 days
W: 10st 11lb
6 yo Filly
OR: 83
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
13th 14 |
11th Apr 2025 Good 2m 5f 110y |
10st 7lb |
No promise in maidens and poor in two handicaps on testing ground lately so needs to bounce back. |
25/1 |
|
13th 14 |
11th Apr 2025 Good 2m 5f 110y |
10st 7lb |
No promise in maidens and poor in two handicaps on testing ground lately so needs to bounce back. |
25/1 |
|
20 |
8th Mar 2025 Soft 2m 0f 30y |
10st 0lb |
in touch with leaders |
50/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 0-3105
Last run: 142 days
W: 10st 8lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 80
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8th 11 |
13th May 2026 Good 3m 0f 0y |
11st 4lb |
In good form early last year, scoring by a head at Punchestown (3m, yielding) off 80; beaten a neck off revised mark at Thurles next time (3m1f, good to yielding); fell at the fifth at Kilbeggan when last seen in April; has tended to improve with a run in the past, but player if returning in the same form. |
11/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 0-00
Last run: 55 days
W: 10st 1lb
6 yo Mare
OR: 73
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
10th 16 |
24th Feb 2025 Heavy 2m 4f 23y |
10st 1lb |
Weak form in maiden hurdles over shorter distances; hard to make a case for her. |
33/1 |
|
15th 16 |
28th Dec 2024 Yielding To Soft 2m 0f 0y |
10st 11lb |
midfield |
200/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 000
Last run: 36 days
W: 10st 13lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 85
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 4 |
21st May 2026 Good To Yielding 2m 1f 157y |
11st 9lb |
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 |
|
3 |
30th Oct 2025 Good 2m 2f 66y |
11st 12lb |
Handicap hurdle win at Down Royal in May was achieved off a modest mark (85); others preferred. |
14/1 |
|
4th 3 |
30th Oct 2025 Good 2m 2f 66y |
11st 12lb |
Handicap hurdle win at Down Royal in May was achieved off a modest mark (85); others preferred. |
14/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 0-2854
Last run: 34 days
W: 10st 13lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 85
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
11 |
12th May 2026 Good 2m 4f 0y |
10st 12lb |
Flat winner is 0-26 over hurdles; off since heavy defeat in handicap chase at Thurles in October; has run well here on the Flat in the past but overall record fresh suggests he might need this after 194 days off. |
14/1 |
|
11 |
30th Oct 2025 Good 2m 5f 80y |
10st 12lb |
Two Flat wins from 56 starts, placed 16 times; 26-race maiden over hurdles, placed five times; fair run on the Flat last week; no chasing experience; overall record suggests he will find a few too good. |
12/1 |
|
11 |
30th Oct 2025 Good 2m 5f 80y |
10st 12lb |
Two Flat wins from 56 starts, placed 16 times; 26-race maiden over hurdles, placed five times; fair run on the Flat last week; no chasing experience; overall record suggests he will find a few too good. |
12/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 9-764
Last run: 27 days
W: 12st 0lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 100
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7 |
2nd Jun 2026 Good 3m 0f 60y Class 5 |
11st 1lb |
Ex-Irish maiden whose overall record is now 0-12 and he's not finished closer than 10l to a winner; opposable. |
50/1 |
|
7th 6 |
22nd May 2026 Good 2m 4f 0y Class 5 |
11st 7lb |
Ex-Irish maiden who has failed to complete over fences (fell/pulled up) in the last two of his three runs for current yard; overall record is now 0-11 and he's not finished closer than 10l to a winner; opposable. |
25/1 |
|
2 |
2nd May 2026 Good 3m 0f 10y Class 5 |
11st 11lb |
Ex-Irish maiden; made low-key stable debut in October (breathing issue reported) then looked beaten when falling on latest outing in December; returns with quite a bit to prove. |
25/1 |
Verdict
Conor Stone-Walsh rode COWPER HALL for Liam Lennon. at Down Royal in his first handicap. The five-year-old may improve over this longer trip on his first start for Gavin Cromwell and may prove too strong for Seskin Flash, another who has changed stable. Joe’s Turn is potentially well treated relative to his best chase form. Makfils and Mighty Soldier have shown decent form at this venue. [Alan Sweetman]