February 21 / 14.50 Punchestown

14.50

Soft

Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden Hurdle

  • Prize money: £7314.05
  • 2m 4f 23y
  • 14 runners
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Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden Hurdle

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

Form: 1111-3 C

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Classy bumper performer for Anthony McCann; won a 2m Flat maiden at Tramore on her second start for Gordon Elliott; shaped nicely enough despite not jumping well on her hurdling debut over 19.5f here last month when 9.75l behind Maughreen; that form has been boosted, she should improve plenty and she holds leading claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(5)

28th Jul 2025

Good

2m 0f 179y

18:40 Galway

Familiar Dreams

11st 9lb

J: Mr J H Williamson

T: Gordon Elliott

Big improver in bumpers for previous yard in first half of 2024, the last of four wins gained in mares' Grade 3 at Punchestown; won 2m maiden at Tramore last August on second start for Gordon Elliott. 2-5 over hurdles since January; won a 2m6f Grade 3 mares' hurdle at Limerick, unplaced in two subsequent Grade 1 attempts.

15/2

6th

8

30th Apr 2025

Yielding

2m 7f 192y

16:15 Punchestown

Familiar Dreams

11st 3lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Gordon Elliott

in rear, hit 6th

8/1

6th

8

30th Apr 2025

Yielding

2m 7f 192y

16:15 Punchestown

Familiar Dreams

11st 3lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Gordon Elliott

in rear, hit 6th

8/1

OUR TIP

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Second foal; dam failed to complete in five points, sister to point winner Birrell, out of unraced half-sister to bumper/3m-3m2f hurdle/chase winner Wolf Winter; Arctic Cosmos gelding is probably best watched on debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

17

16th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 0y

14:40 Wexford

Any Chance

11st 11lb

T: Cian Hughes

Third reserve; left poor maiden form behind when a 5l fifth at Limerick last time (2m, soft) on his third start; that's something to build on now in handicaps.

5th

1

31st Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 0f 0y

17:10 Limerick

Any Chance

11st 12lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: Cian Hughes

Triple figure odds and ran accordingly in both previous starts; handicaps beckon.

20/1

Form: 09

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Finished last of 17 when beaten 94l on his hurdles debut at Cork in May; 150-1 and beaten a similar distance on his first run since at Limerick last month; no appeal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

24th Sep 2025

Yielding To Soft

3m 0f 0y

15:50 Listowel

Bitofajokelike

11st 5lb

J: Calum Hogan

T: E McNamara

Left all previous form behind when a 125-1 runner-up over 3m at Cork in April; confirmed promise when justifying favouritism in a 3m1f Tipperary maiden hurdle in May; encouraging handicap debut when close up in third at Killarney; similar effort at Galway; form of that race looks solid (second and fifth have wnn since), may confirm with Duke Silver.

9/2

8

3rd Aug 2025

Good

3m 0f 60y

14:20 Galway

Bitofajokelike

11st 7lb

J: Jake Coen

T: E McNamara

Left all previous form behind when a 125-1 runner-up at Cork; confirmed that promise when justifying favouritism in a Tipperary maiden hurdle in May; encouraging handicap debut when close up in third behind Greatness Awaits at Killarney, with Coole Cheery fourth

10/1

6

18th Jul 2025

Good

2m 6f 180y

14:30 Killarney

Bitofajokelike

10st 10lb

J: Jake Coen

T: E McNamara

Left all previous form behind when a 125-1 runner-up at Cork behind a nice prospect and confirmed that promise when justifying favouritism in a Tipperary maiden hurdle in May; fair mark for handicap debut but hasn't shown anything in two heavy ground runs so may need the rain to stay away.

5/1

Form: 4

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Mild promise in two of his three point-to-point starts and a similar story when a 14.5l fourth of 11 on his rules' debut at Cork in a tongue tie (retained); place claims if building on that effort, though he'll need to jump better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

9th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 0y

15:00 Killarney

Cappa Hill

10st 6lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Sean Joseph Allen

Won back-to-back handicaps at Cork (2m1f, good) and Tipperary (2m, good to yielding) in August/October; tailed off in a Punchestown novice handicap next time (2m1f, soft to heavy); not too bad at Cork last month when eighth of 19 (2m3f, yielding); could build on that and this ground is what he wants.

16/1

8th

16

5th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 0y

15:00 Cork

Cappa Hill

10st 7lb

J: Jake Coen

T: Sean Joseph Allen

Won handicaps here and at Clonmel over shorter last autumn before a poor run on testing ground at Punchestown; has a squeak if ready after break.

25/1

7

4th Aug 2025

Good

2m 1f 20y

14:00 Cork

Cappa Hill

10st 10lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Sean Joseph Allen

Pick of three maiden hurdle runs when third over 2m at Thurles in March, dropped out tamely on soft at Limerick later in month; jumping was untidy in the early stages when third in a Wexford maiden hurdle won by Avalo.

7/1

Abandoned

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Decent effort on second start in point-to-points at Tattersalls in April for Warren Ewing; off since and the tongue tie goes on for his stable/Rules' debut; worth a market check.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

21st May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 6f 160y

18:48 Limerick

Game On

11st 12lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Noel Meade

Best form on good ground; won a Downpatrick maiden hurdle without much fuss this time last year (2m6f, good); unseen since pulled up at Kilbeggan in June on chase debut after suffering an overreach; may need this first run back.

11/1

5

1st Jun 2025

Yielding

2m 4f 80y

16:22 Kilbeggan

Game On

11st 12lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Noel Meade

All his improvement has come on good ground, last time winning a Downpatrick 2m6f maiden hurdle without much fuss; connections evidently keen to get him over fences but the weather needs monitoring.

13/2

5

1st Jun 2025

Yielding

2m 4f 80y

16:22 Kilbeggan

Game On

11st 12lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Noel Meade

All his improvement has come on good ground, last time winning a Downpatrick 2m6f maiden hurdle without much fuss; connections evidently keen to get him over fences but the weather needs monitoring.

13/2

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
26,000 euros 3yo; seventh foal; half-brother to four winners inc Group Stage (2m hurdle), Compel (5f-7f inc 2yo/AW/US; RPR 70) and Gwalchaved (French 1m4f); dam German Listed-placed 6.5f 2yo winner (stayed 1m2f; 100), out of German Listed-placed 7f winner; Guiliani gelding probably best watched on debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

17th Mar 2026

Soft

3m 1f 0y

15:57 Wexford

Great Attitude

11st 12lb

J: Ricky Doyle

T: C W J Farrell

Won a Fairyhouse maiden hurdle over 2m on only start in that sphere last year; ran respectably on chasing debut at Galway (2m2f) in July on only start since; has the ability to run well if staying this trip.

100/30

5th

3

29th Jul 2025

Good

2m 2f 54y

17:37 Galway

Great Attitude

11st 12lb

J: Ricky Doyle

T: C W J Farrell

Was well backed when winning a Fairyhouse maiden hurdle on debut in February (2m; sft); not easy to assess making chasing debut on first run since and for new yard but has the ability to run well.

16/1

Form: 8

Last run: 56 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won a point-to-point for Colin Bowe; 9-2 but finished well beaten in a Leopardstown bumper in December on debut for Willie Mullins; with a top yard and should be capable of much better but Paul Townend prefers his stablemate.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

24th Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 4f 23y

14:35 Punchestown

Leaky Cauldron

11st 4lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: W P Mullins

Won a point-to-point for Colin Bowe; 9-2 but finished well beaten in a Leopardstown bumper in December on debut for Willie Mullins; with a top yard and should be capable of much better but Paul Townend prefers his stablemate.

6/1

8th

6

27th Dec 2024

Yielding

2m 4f 0y

15:30 Leopardstown

Leaky Cauldron

12st 0lb

J: Mr Elliot Ohgren

T: W P Mullins

Second runner for top yard; won a point-to-point in October 2023 for Colin Bowe but that form doesn't look overly strong and stable jockey Patrick Mullins prefers his stablemate; dangerous to discount but others have better form claims.

11/4

Form: 7

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Jumping left a bit to be desired on debut at Fairyhouse last month; more will be needed to make an impact here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

21st Apr 2025

Yielding

3m 0f 0y

13:15 Cork

Milanova

11st 12lb

J: Niall Moore

T: Dermot A McLoughlin

soon raced in second

25/1

10

21st Apr 2025

Yielding

3m 0f 0y

13:15 Cork

Milanova

11st 12lb

J: Niall Moore

T: Dermot A McLoughlin

soon raced in second

25/1

5th

5

24th Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 4f 23y

14:35 Punchestown

Milanova

11st 4lb

J: Niall Moore

T: Dermot A McLoughlin

Jumping left a bit to be desired on debut at Fairyhouse last month; more will be needed to make an impact here.

33/1

Form: 57-3

Last run: 57 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Showed a bit of promise in a Leopardstown bumper on debut in December 2023; finished third after a 291-day absence on his hurdles debut at Down Royal on Boxing Day but was beaten 35l; could do better with that under his belt.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

11

5th Jul 2025

Good

3m 0f 116y

20:00 Bellewstown

Our Soldier

11st 2lb

J: Mr H C Swan

T: E J O’Grady

Got off the mark at Wexford last time over this trip on good ground; faces a tougher task off 8lb higher in this stronger race but improving sort can run well again.

5/1

1st

9

17th May 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

16:10 Wexford

Our Soldier

10st 12lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: E J O’Grady

Placed on three of four attempts hurdling, notably handicap debut last month at Bellewstown when upped to today's trip, finishing a clear second to a warm favourite (good); up 4lb but definite contender with likely more to offer.

13/2

1st

9

17th May 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

16:10 Wexford

Our Soldier

10st 12lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: E J O’Grady

Placed on three of four attempts hurdling, notably handicap debut last month at Bellewstown when upped to today's trip, finishing a clear second to a warm favourite (good); up 4lb but definite contender with likely more to offer.

13/2

Form: 8

Last run: 67 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed in sole start in point-to-points; shaped like a stiffer stamina test would suit on his hurdles debut at Naas (19.5f, good to yielding); bred to be useful and interesting that his owner has travelled over to ride; interesting for yard that is hitting form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

3rd Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

3m 0f 0y

15:25 Leopardstown

Pookie Holler

11st 3lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Showed some ability in maiden hurdles without winning; made a solid handicap debut when second to Pebble Bleu at Thurles last time over 2m6f; up 4lb but could have more to offer and a player.

3/1

2nd

5

29th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 6f 126y

16:25 Thurles

Pookie Holler

11st 4lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Placed in sole point-to-point; no impression in Naas maiden hurdle last season; back from absence with staying-on fourth at Punchestown (2m3f, heavy); well beaten second at Tramore (21.5f, soft) on New Year's Day; handicap debut.

6/1

Form: 05P

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Huge odds and failed to trouble the judge in three maiden hurdles at trips ranging from 17.5f to 23.5f; pulled up on heavy ground here latest; will likely be seen to better effect in handicaps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

14th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 20y

Class 5

16:55 Perth

Sir Carnegie

11st 5lb

J: James Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

He can make mistakes and may be better over further, but he won two in a row last autumn (2m7f, good/good to soft) and was back on song when runner-up here (3m, good) three weeks ago in reapplied cheekpieces (retained since); good third here (3m, good to soft) yesterday; could be in the mix.

5/1

3rd

3

13th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 5

15:43 Perth

Sir Carnegie

11st 10lb

J: James Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Completed a double with win at Kelso (3m, good to soft; 11-4) last November; wasn't fluent - has been a theme - but bounced back to form in reapplied cheekpieces when chasing home Inis Oirr over C&D (good) three weeks ago; 2lb higher with James Bowen taking over in the saddle; likely candidate.

9/2

2nd

6

23rd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 4

17:15 Perth

Sir Carnegie

10st 12lb

J: Shane Fenelon

T: Mickey Bowen

Won novice handicaps over this trip at Newcastle (good) and Kelso (good to soft) earlier in the season; not in quite such good form since but excuses for heavy defeat at Newcastle last time (bad mistake five out); not out of it.

10/1

Form: 96

Last run: 55 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Modest form in a trio of point-to-points and a similar story in two maiden hurdles; needs a lot more to make an impact here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

8th May 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 7f 110y

18:42 Tipperary

The Mail Train

11st 12lb

J: Cian Quirke

T: David Harry Kelly

Modest form in trio of point-to-points and similar story in three maiden hurdles; sent off 125-1 for handicap hurdle debut and was well beaten; needs to raise his game.

66/1

13

8th May 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 7f 110y

18:42 Tipperary

The Mail Train

11st 12lb

J: Cian Quirke

T: David Harry Kelly

Modest form in trio of point-to-points and similar story in three maiden hurdles; sent off 125-1 for handicap hurdle debut and was well beaten; needs to raise his game.

66/1

9th

7

6th Mar 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 0y

16:30 Thurles

The Mail Train

11st 12lb

J: Ryan Treacy

T: David Harry Kelly

prominent, briefly disputed lead after 1st, not fluent 3rd

50/1

Abandoned

Form: 2/ BF

Last run: 687 days

W: 11st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Solid effort on debut in a Clonmel bumper on debut in April 2023 behind Shannon Royale; that's amongst the best form on offer but he's been off the track since; preferred by Paul Townend of the Mullins' pair and it'll be interesting to see if the money comes on his belated hurdles debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

1st Jun 2025

Yielding

3m 1f 32y

14:47 Kilbeggan

Toad Hall

11st 10lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Won a 2m6f Downpatrick maiden easily in March; keen and hung right when beaten 9.5l in Class 2 novice at Cheltenham on latest; top rated here at 129 and the return to a right-handed track a plus; stamina in pedigree so should stay this far; yard has won the last two renewals; leading claims.

Evs

2

1st Jun 2025

Yielding

3m 1f 32y

14:47 Kilbeggan

Toad Hall

11st 10lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Won a 2m6f Downpatrick maiden easily in March; keen and hung right when beaten 9.5l in Class 2 novice at Cheltenham on latest; top rated here at 129 and the return to a right-handed track a plus; stamina in pedigree so should stay this far; yard has won the last two renewals; leading claims.

Evs

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 11lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Sixth foal; sister to point/2m5f hurdle winner Top Target; dam unraced half-sister to 2m-2m5f hurdle/chase winner Roll The Dice out of unraced sister to 2m2f-2m6f hurdle/chase winner Pongo Waring; daughter of Westerner is worth a market check on debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

31st Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 5f 70y

17:42 Limerick

Westandtogether

11st 5lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Mrs Denise Foster

Off the mark on handicap debut at Navan early last month (2m6f, heavy); raised 8lb for that and given how well she saw out the trip, this drop back in distance doesn't look an obvious plus.

9/2

1st

9

8th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 5f 180y

15:20 Navan

Westandtogether

10st 3lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Mrs Denise Foster

Soundly beaten in four maiden hurdles at 2m-2m4f on yielding, soft and heavy ground; bred for this sort of trip though so she is worth a market check on handicap debut.

20/1

Verdict

The fact that Paul Townend prefers the long absent Toad Hall of the Mullins’ duo is interesting but it is hard to look past the talented bumper performer FAMILIAR DREAMS. She didn’t jump brilliantly when third here on her hurdles bow last month but she should have learnt plenty from that and the form has since been boosted. Pookie Holler is interesting with owner David Maxwell riding for the first time and he could be a danger. [Dave Stephens]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Familiar Dreams

The Irish Sun:

Toad Hall

POSTDATA:

Familiar Dreams