February 21 / 14.20 Punchestown

14.20

Soft

50,000 Euros BetVictor Graduation Bonus Series Maiden Hurdle (Div II)

  • Prize money: £4876.03
  • 2m 0f 157y
  • 19 runners
RTV
View Course
50,000 Euros BetVictor Graduation Bonus Series Maiden Hurdle (Div II)

Runners: 19 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

Form: 410

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Point-to-point and bumper winner; 40-1 for hurdles debut at Naas and finished well beaten; is capable of better than that and he is worth monitoring in the market.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

30th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 80y

16:26 Listowel

High Court Cave

11st 12lb

J: Mr O McGill

T: Noel C Kelly

Point and bumper winner added a hurdles win at Downpatrick in September (2m2f, yielding); creditable return to action at Punchestown earlier this month when seventh of 24 (2m, yielding), shaping as though he would improve; not ruled out.

12/1

7th

5

1st May 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 45y

19:10 Punchestown

High Court Cave

11st 12lb

J: Mr O McGill

T: Noel C Kelly

Point and bumper winner has been absent since winning a Downpatrick maiden hurdle in September (2m2f, yielding); took second off a 15lb lower mark in a big-field Galway handicap in July prior to his win (2m6f, good); player if ready to rock.

16/1

OUR TIP

Form: 00

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Flat winner rated 72 in that sphere; triple-figure odds and out the back in first two maiden hurdles; will be of more interest when tackling handicaps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

(1)

9th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

19:55 Leicester

Mooretown Lad

9st 3lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Adrian Wintle

Fair ex-Irish 1m1f winner; arrives in good nick for his current yard, fourth of ten in 1m Nottingham handicap three weeks ago; not dismissed from an easing mark.

6/1

4th

6

(6)

18th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 75y

Class 6

19:45 Nottingham

Mooretown Lad

9st 4lb

J: George Wood

T: Adrian Wintle

Sole win was in Ireland in 2024 but he's on a reduced mark and has shown some encouraging signs at Wolverhampton (8.6f/9.4f) this spring; usually comes from off the pace and could be dangerous if he gets the breaks.

15/2

7th

5

(7)

30th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Mooretown Lad

9st 6lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Adrian Wintle

Turf winner at 1m1f in Ireland as a 4yo but he didn't get much out of a hurdling spell later; low-level form for new yard this winter until running well for a long way over the extended 1m1f here last month; might do better back over C&D off much reduced mark.

10/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Useful form on the Flat for Ed Bethell including a 1m6f win off 82; hood goes on for his stable/hurdles debut; stays at least 2m on the level so this may not be a sufficient stamina test; probably best watched unless the money comes.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

17th Mar 2025

Good

2m 0f 190y

13:52 Down Royal

Quantum Leap

11st 12lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: John Joseph Hanlon

Decent performer on the Flat, winning twice and rated 87 at his peak; hooded (retained) and tailed off on his Irish and hurdles debut on heavy at Punchestown last month; ground more suitable now but can only be watched after that last effort.

80/1

9th

3

24th Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 0f 157y

13:30 Punchestown

Quantum Leap

11st 12lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: Miss Tara Lee Cogan

Useful form on the Flat for Ed Bethell including a 1m6f win off 82; hood goes on for his stable/hurdles debut; stays at least 2m on the level so this may not be a sufficient stamina test; probably best watched, especially on this ground.

8/1

Form: 5/516- D

Last run: 304 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Off the mark at the fourth attempt in bumpers at Galway in August 2023; showed a glimmer of promise on her hurdles bow at Tipperary in April of last year and not seen since; entitled to need this run but is worth a market check down in trip for shrewd yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

9th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 180y

16:10 Killarney

Fortunate Lighting

11st 7lb

J: Eoghan Finegan

T: Thomas Coyle

Won a Sligo handicap hurdle last August but was poor twice after; a better effort on return but is rated 111 over hurdles and has a bit to find with some of these on chase debut.

25/1

5th

4

18th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 1f 30y

15:15 Bellewstown

Fortunate Lighting

11st 5lb

J: Eoghan Finegan

T: Thomas Coyle

Bolted up at Sligo on her second start for her current yard in August (2m5f, good) off 107; tailed off at Ballinrobe following that and same story at Punchestown when last seen in October; the break may have done her good but she's hard to trust.

12/1

8

15th Oct 2025

Good

2m 4f 45y

15:05 Punchestown

Fortunate Lighting

11st 1lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: Thomas Coyle

Bolted up at Sligo on her second start for her current yard in August (2m5f, good); tailed off at Ballinrobe following that (2m6f, soft); developing a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde type profile.

14/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
No impact in two point-to-points for Matt O'Connor; dam is from a good family and she should be capable of better at some stage; in good hands and he is another one that is worth monitoring in the market.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

24th Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 0f 157y

14:00 Punchestown

Grey Pharoh

11st 4lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

raced in second throughout, headway and went clear with winner approaching last, not fluent last, no impression towards finish

13/2

Form: 8U

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fell when holding every chance in sole point-to-point; has failed to fire in two starts over hurdles, beaten 41l on debut and unseating early at Navan when 125-1; can only be watched for now after those two efforts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

29th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 180y

16:50 Tramore

Journey So Far

11st 12lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

Maiden is rated 106 after four chase runs, the best of which was a 22l seventh in strong Fairyhouse beginners' chase in December (2m, soft, RPR 116); poor twice since over fences and hurdles but big claims on that Fairyhouse run in this company.

3/1

6th

1

13th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

19:50 Punchestown

Journey So Far

11st 12lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

Winless from nine starts under rules' and yet to get any closer than 22l to the winner; longer trip and better ground here but hard to fancy on form.

9/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Pulled up in both starts in point-to-points; related to a couple of hurdles winners but he may need more time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

24th Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 0f 157y

13:30 Punchestown

Klap

11st 4lb

J: Jack G Gilligan

T: Paul John Gilligan

Pulled up in both starts in point-to-points; related to a couple of hurdles winners but he may need more time.

50/1

Form: 04

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Sent off at 9-1 for his debut in a Leopardstown bumper but failed to beat a rival; 33-1 for his hurdles debut at Fairyhouse last month and was beaten 24l into fourth of 13; yard in better form now and this nicely bred gelding could go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

16th Oct 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

15:22 Thurles

Lambay Island

11st 3lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Best of four runs under rules came at Wexford last time when he shaped as though a step up in trip, such as this could suit; a lot on his plate here all the same.

9/1

4th

4

17th Mar 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 0y

14:10 Wexford

Lambay Island

11st 12lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

prominent, outpaced on turn before 2 out, raced in fourth when mistake last

10/1

Abandoned

Form: 0-35

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Well bred gelding has been expensive to follow in bumpers; 0-3 in that sphere but should be capable of much better over timber; can't be discounted on hurdles debut for leading yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

25th May 2026

Good

2m 2f 72y

16:30 Ballinrobe

Runcok

11st 8lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: John C McConnell

Winning hurdler and chaser; rated 133 over timber; soundly beaten in chases at Galway and here when last seen last summer; has since left Willie Mullins; lacks a run and owners' retained rider JJ Slevin prefers Blizzard Of Oz.

12/1

2

25th Aug 2025

Good

2m 1f 48y

19:13 Ballinrobe

Runcok

11st 7lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Rated 5lb inferior to King Of Kingsfield over hurdles; good level of form chasing but jumping remains an issue, faller when in command at Roscommon, none too fluent when making all at Tipperary and again made mistakes when well held in strong renewal of Grade 3 Galway novice dominated by stablemates last month; hood tried last time persisted with.

Evs

7th

6

31st Jul 2025

Good

2m 2f 54y

14:10 Galway

Runcok

11st 1lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: W P Mullins

Rated 141 over hurdles and similar level chasing after two attempts this summer; well clear when fell in Roscommon novice won by Itsalladream and again none too fluent at Tipperary when making all over 2m1f (yielding); 5yo a work in progress as a chaser and will have to jump better in this grade; hood tried.

7/1

Form: 000

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Well beaten in all three maiden hurdle starts here at 2m-2m1f on soft and heavy ground; hard to make a case for.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

9

24th Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 0f 157y

14:00 Punchestown

Summer Is Here

11st 4lb

J: Dylan Robinson

T: P J Rothwell

towards rear

100/1

17th

16

3rd Feb 2025

Soft To Heavy

2m 0f 44y

14:00 Punchestown

Summer Is Here

11st 12lb

J: Dylan Robinson

T: P J Rothwell

Big odds and out the back in a pair of maiden hurdles at this track; others make more appeal.

100/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
First foal; dam little sign of ability in maiden hurdles, half-sister to winners Kaitlins Joy (1m-1m2f), Sofistication (7f, dam of Norwegian 7f Listed winner) and Ace A Classic (Norwegian 1m/1m4f); Where Or When gelding best watched on belated debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

13

4th Aug 2025

Good

2m 2f 100y

15:30 Cork

Way Down We Go

11st 12lb

J: Patrick M O’Brien

T: Charlie Keegan

0-6 over hurdles and rated 95; hasn't shown enough to suggest he is up to winning a maiden.

33/1

11

22nd Jul 2025

Yielding

2m 1f 89y

17:12 Ballinrobe

Way Down We Go

11st 4lb

J: Charlie O’Dwyer

T: Charlie Keegan

Soundly beaten in fifth at Sligo nine days ago; held by runner-up Red Or White and this looks like a stronger contest in any case.

20/1

8

13th Jul 2025

Good

2m 1f 90y

14:25 Sligo

Way Down We Go

11st 12lb

J: Cian Cullinan

T: Charlie Keegan

His run at Ballinrobe last time (2m1f, good) when an 18.5l seventh at 200-1 is some of the best form in the field on RPRs; well beaten in starts prior to that; it's a weak race so perhaps he can be involved.

9/2

Form: 9

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
150-1, tongue tied (retained) and beaten 38l on his racecourse debut in a maiden hurdle at Naas last month; may be more of a long-term project.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

26th Jan 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 0y

16:10 Punchestown

Welcome Aboard

11st 11lb

J: Simon Torrens

T: Aidan Anthony Howard

Left maiden form behind when taking third of 20 at Punchestown on handicap debut (3m, good to yielding); lesser run last time when beaten 22l at Punchestown (2m4f, heavy); based on limited evidence, potentially prefers better ground.

12/1

Form:

Last run: 57 days

W: 10st 11lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Point-to-point winner for Colin Bowe and bought for 72,000GBP at the Cheltenham sales in November; 125-1 and finished in midfield in a hot maiden at Leopardstown on Rules' debut; this is easier and she is worth a market check.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

22nd May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 100y

19:00 Downpatrick

Auntie Lacey

11st 5lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Paul Nolan

Point winner for Colin Bowe; maiden over hurdles; encouragement taken from chasing debut when midfield at Thurles in October (18.5f, good to yielding); dam half-sister to dual Grade 1-winning chaser Conflated; tongue-tied on return.

7/1

6th

4

30th Oct 2025

Good

2m 2f 66y

13:30 Thurles

Auntie Lacey

11st 5lb

J: Eoin Staples

T: Paul Nolan

Point winner for Colin Bowe 12 months ago; maiden over hurdles but rated 3lb higher than stablemate Quinn The Eskimo.

10/1

4

30th Oct 2025

Good

2m 2f 66y

13:30 Thurles

Auntie Lacey

11st 5lb

J: Eoin Staples

T: Paul Nolan

Point winner for Colin Bowe 12 months ago; maiden over hurdles but rated 3lb higher than stablemate Quinn The Eskimo.

10/1

Abandoned

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
0-8 on the Flat and rated 51 in that sphere; off since finishing well beaten in a 1m4f handicap at Galway in October 2023; watching brief advised on hurdles debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

23rd Oct 2025

Yielding

2m 4f 51y

15:22 Clonmel

Jazzy Rock

11st 7lb

J: Alix Balfe

T: Francis Casey

Modest Flat performer but encouraging signs in two runs in maiden hurdles, hitting the frame with a 9l third at Roscommon in August before finishing a close second at Killarney earlier this month; shaped like she would relish a step back up in trip and ought to go well.

15/2

3rd

14

5th Aug 2025

Yielding

2m 4f 59y

16:38 Roscommon

Jazzy Rock

11st 5lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: Francis Casey

Limited Flat maiden over a variety of distances and makes no appeal on hurdling debut.

100/1

5th

9

(15)

21st Jul 2025

Yielding

1m 4f 184y

20:00 Ballinrobe

Jazzy Rock

9st 4lb

J: Sam Coen

T: Francis Casey

Maiden went closest to scoring when second over 1m6f at Navan in October 2023; only beaten 9l on return after a 600 day absence at Down Royal so should build on that.

12/1

Form: 09

Last run: 25 days

W: 10st 11lb

7 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Pulled up in sole point-to-point; hooded for first two hurdles starts and failed to make an impact; the hood is now removed but she can only be watched for now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

8

1st Jun 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

14:22 Listowel

Patty OFarrell

10st 12lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Peter Maher

Having finished second at Naas in April, won this off 4lb lower last year and was third at Roscommon next time; hasn't threatened since on softer terrain but decent ground is key to her and she might bounce back to form; usual rider has jumped ship to Shannon Bank, but sub isn't too shabby.

8/1

9th

9

18th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 1f 30y

15:15 Bellewstown

Patty OFarrell

10st 3lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Peter Maher

Best form has come on good ground, including her sole win at Listowel in June off 89 (2m); ran well off 1lb higher at Roscommon next time when third (2m, good); hasn't run to the same level in four runs since (three on softer conditions); questionable as to whether this ground will be good enough but she's capable at her best.

7/1

7th

4

4th Mar 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

15:20 Naas

Patty OFarrell

11st 12lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Peter Maher

Useful handicap form on good ground early in the season; pulled up on chasing debut and struggled in testing conditions when sent back over hurdles at this venue in December; a little better at Down Royal last time.

8/1

Form: U45

Last run: 24 days

W: 10st 11lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Unseated on hurdles/racecourse debut at Roscommon in June; decent effort second time up at Listowel but didn't build on that in a Limerick bumper last month; may have needed that run, a hood goes on and she could be capable of better now returned to hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15

8th Mar 2025

Soft

2m 0f 30y

14:40 Gowran Park

Spread Your Wings

11st 7lb

J: Dylan White

T: Padraig Roche

held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, lost touch 6th

33/1

9th

13

24th Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 0f 157y

14:00 Punchestown

Spread Your Wings

10st 11lb

J: Peter Smithers

T: Padraig Roche

towards rear

16/1

Abandoned

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
First reserve; second foal; dam bumper/point winner, out of unraced half-sister to 1m1f/10.5f winner Marilaya (dam of useful 2m jumper Maralan) and 7.7f winner Mayara (dam of 1m Listed winner Mayonga); nicely bred son of Yeats is worth a market check on debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

28th May 2025

Good To Firm

2m 1f 0y

18:00 Wexford

Pension Plan

10st 2lb

J: Gavin Brouder

T: Paul W Flynn

Showed nothing in maidens; dropped away and tailed off after making a lot of the running on handicap debut at Sligo.

25/1

14

28th May 2025

Good To Firm

2m 1f 0y

18:00 Wexford

Pension Plan

10st 2lb

J: Gavin Brouder

T: Paul W Flynn

Showed nothing in maidens; dropped away and tailed off after making a lot of the running on handicap debut at Sligo.

25/1

14th

15

13th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

19:30 Sligo

Pension Plan

10st 4lb

J: Gavin Brouder

T: Paul W Flynn

Long odds and didn't show a whole lot in maidens; may find his level now handicapping off basement mark; worth a market check.

40/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Second reserve; seventh foal; half-brother to winners Found A Fifty (high-class 2m-2m3f hurdle/chase) and Raise A Tail (point); dam point/2m4f hurdle winner, half-sister to useful 2m-2m4f hurdle winner Field Commander; attractive pedigree and worth checking in the market.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Third reserve; third foal; dam placed point, half-sister to smart 2m7f hurdle/3m chase winner Captain CJ and bumper/2m3f hurdle winner Dainty Diva, out of 2m/2m3f hurdle winner; son of Arctic Cosmos may need further in time; best watched on debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

11

14th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 216y

18:12 Clonmel

Nukies Artic

10st 11lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Eoin Christopher McCarthy

Poor form in maidens; in rear on handicap debut at this venue; tongue-tie will need to make a huge difference; top rider.

20/1

8th

7

26th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 76y

14:34 Clonmel

Nukies Artic

11st 4lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Eoin Christopher McCarthy

Soundly beaten in three maiden hurdles last season; returned in Thurles maiden three weeks ago and was always in rear; top jockey aboard for handicap debut but big leap of faith required.

33/1

10th

9

5th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 4f 99y

14:52 Thurles

Nukies Artic

11st 4lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Eoin Christopher McCarthy

Soundly beaten both completed starts over hurdles and pulled up in the other one; lacks a recent run and difficult to make a case for.

150/1

Verdict

Not the strongest of races. Runcok is interesting on his hurdles debut for Willie Mullins but he doesn’t look bulletproof and he might be worth taking on. Fortunate Lighting could go well if fit after an absence and Auntie Lacey is a potential improver but a chance is taken on LAMBAY ISLAND. He offered something to work with on his hurdles debut at Fairyhouse and his yard is in much better form now. [Dave Stephens]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Lambay Island

POSTDATA:

Runcok

The Irish Sun:

Auntie Lacey

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Fortunate Lighting