13.50
Soft50,000 Euros BetVictor Graduation Bonus Series Maiden Hurdle (Div I)
- Prize money: £4876.03
- 2m 0f 157y
- 19 runners
Runners: 19 runners
Type: Hurdle Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Rain
Abandoned
Form: —
Last run: —
W: 11st 12lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
10 (8) |
28th Aug 2025 Good 1m 6f 0y |
9st 6lb |
Losing run since July 2023 but has been giving the impression his turn may be near again in two starts for his new yard; yet to try further than 1m2f on the Flat but has shaped like it would suit at times and one to consider. |
9/1 |
|
3rd 11 (17) |
23rd Jul 2025 Yielding To Soft 1m 0f 0y |
9st 5lb |
Won this event two years ago; fair form towards the end of last season; out of sorts this term until showing signs of a revival when fourth at Navan on stable draw; drawn high but Nicola Burns may be able to counter any disadvantage |
6/1 |
Abandoned
Form: UP94
Last run: 40 days
W: 11st 12lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
17th 16 (11) |
24th May 2026 Good To Yielding 1m 6f 0y |
9st 3lb |
Dual Flat winner returns to this sphere for the first time since a midfield finish at Laytown in September (7f); must bounce back from a moderate run over fences at Wexford last time. |
20/1 |
|
7th 3 |
7th May 2026 Good To Yielding 2m 0f 0y |
11st 11lb |
Useful hurdler won a valuable prize at Galway last year; ran well at Fairyhouse on the first of two chase starts last autumn; returned from a break to win in good style at Limerick; leading chance despite 8lb rise. |
9/4 |
|
1st 3 |
31st Mar 2026 Soft 2m 1f 200y |
11st 9lb |
Useful hurdler won a valuable prize at Galway last year; ran well at Fairyhouse on the first of two chase starts last autumn; one to consider on return and the market can guide as to readiness. |
15/8 |
Abandoned
Form: 9
Last run: 40 days
W: 11st 12lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
No Results Found |
Abandoned
Form: P00
Last run: 31 days
W: 11st 12lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 12 (8) |
30th Mar 2026 Heavy 1m 6f 0y |
8st 8lb |
Two wins when trained in Germany but yet to get his head in front on these shores; handicapper giving him a chance but soundly beaten on last two starts over hurdles and on the Flat and needs to leave those efforts well behind; best watched after break. |
25/1 |
|
10th 8 |
18th Oct 2025 Good 2m 0f 70y |
11st 2lb |
Dual Flat winner in Germany; out of depth in hot Flat handicaps at Galway Festival last twice; good effort on last start over timber at Fairyhouse in April (2m, sft-hvy); raised 4lb for that 2.25l third and might prefer softer ground. |
7/1 |
|
13 |
11th Oct 2025 Yielding 2m 0f 0y |
10st 7lb |
Two Flat wins in Germany in 2022; disappointing in that sphere the last twice but has a chance back hurdling if building on his third over C&D in April. |
14/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 22-233
Last run: 16 days
W: 11st 5lb
6 yo Filly
OR: 114
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8th 2 |
1st May 2026 Yielding 2m 0f 45y |
12st 0lb |
Record of 1-19 over timber; three-time winner on the Flat has placed in two starts in that sphere since falling over hurdles at Leopardstown in March; recent form suggests she's fit and healthy but poor strike rate over hurdles is off-putting. |
14/1 |
|
2nd 6 (3) |
26th Apr 2026 Good 1m 7f 217y Class 4 |
9st 2lb |
Had three seasons with Andrew Balding, including three wins, and has been with this yard since July 2023, including for two wins (one over hurdles) and plenty of place returns; third over 1m4f in her only two Flat runs in the last 13 months, including under Patrick McGettigan 17 days ago, and her very solid Flat record for this trainer suggests she will be on the premises. |
7/1 |
Abandoned
Form: —
Last run: —
W: 11st 4lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
10th 4 |
8th Aug 2025 Good 2m 0f 180y |
11st 4lb |
Remote ninth on debut and even remoter tenth at Fairyhouse (2m4f, yielding) at 250-1 last time; hard to see him winning. |
80/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 6
Last run: 18 days
W: 11st 4lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
11th 3 |
22nd Mar 2026 Heavy 2m 0f 50y |
11st 9lb |
One of two for trainer; Flat maiden; sole win came in a Thurles maiden hurdle this time last year (2m, good); has found it hard going in handicaps since then. |
25/1 |
|
9th 2 |
4th Mar 2026 Heavy 2m 2f 180y |
11st 8lb |
One of two for trainer; Flat maiden; sole win came in a Thurles maiden hurdle in March (2m, good); struggled in handicap starts since; tailed off at Thurles last time (2m, yielding); more needed. |
15/1 |
|
11th 9 |
18th Jan 2026 Yielding 1m 7f 168y |
10st 9lb |
Flat maiden; sole win over jumps came in a C&D maiden hurdle in March (good); struggled in handicap starts since, although some positivity to be found in his seventh of 17 finish at Leopardstown last time (2m, yielding); down 2lb. |
16/1 |
Abandoned
Form: —
Last run: —
W: 11st 4lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
16 |
7th Jul 2025 Good 3m 0f 149y |
10st 0lb |
Huge odds when down the field in his three maidens at up to 2m4f; headgear added on handicap debut; risky. |
20/1 |
|
9th 8 |
13th May 2025 Good 2m 4f 0y |
11st 4lb |
midfield, no impression from 3 out |
50/1 |
|
9th 8 |
13th May 2025 Good 2m 4f 0y |
11st 4lb |
midfield, no impression from 3 out |
50/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 246
Last run: 25 days
W: 11st 4lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
11th 14 |
25th Oct 2025 Yielding 2m 5f 200y |
10st 1lb |
Off the mark over C&D earlier this month when coming late for neck success in novice handicap (yielding) on return from chasing; up 4lb but respected off a light weight. |
8/1 |
|
6 |
7th Oct 2025 Yielding 2m 6f 60y |
10st 13lb |
0-8 over hurdles; fine run here over 16.5f (good) off 1lb lower on penultimate; didn't fire over fences at Listowel on latest but return to this sphere a plus and he's hinted that this sort of trip might suit before; not out of this. |
16/1 |
|
6 |
26th Sep 2025 Yielding 2m 3f 100y |
11st 9lb |
Has been running well in defeat over hurdles including a 5l fourth of 20 at the Galway festival on latest (16.5f, good); eye-catching jockey booking for chase debut and handles easy ground; could go well. |
8/1 |
Abandoned
Form: —
Last run: —
W: 11st 4lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
13th 6 (5) |
2nd Nov 2025 Heavy 1m 4f 0y |
9st 13lb |
Has run well in defeat several times up to 1m6f; beaten 8l off 71 in a handicap here over that trip on comeback; needs a fair bit more. |
20/1 |
|
13th 6 (5) |
2nd Nov 2025 Heavy 1m 4f 0y |
9st 13lb |
Has run well in defeat several times up to 1m6f; beaten 8l off 71 in a handicap here over that trip on comeback; needs a fair bit more. |
20/1 |
|
13th 6 (5) |
2nd Nov 2025 Heavy 1m 4f 0y |
9st 13lb |
Has run well in defeat several times up to 1m6f; beaten 8l off 71 in a handicap here over that trip on comeback; needs a fair bit more. |
20/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 000
Last run: 18 days
W: 11st 4lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 10 |
21st Mar 2026 Soft To Heavy 2m 1f 0y |
10st 0lb |
Not beaten far on handicap debut over hurdles in January but lesser efforts have followed; makes chasing debut now from 13lb outside the handicap proper; hard to fancy. |
40/1 |
|
7th 11 |
8th Mar 2026 Heavy 2m 0f 77y |
10st 13lb |
Handicap debut effort at Punchestown in January was encouraging (2m4f, soft-to-heavy) but didn't count over further at Navan last month; back in trip here. |
10/1 |
Abandoned
Form: —
Last run: 25 days
W: 10st 11lb
5 yo Mare
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
13th 4 |
5th Aug 2025 Yielding 3m 0f 0y |
11st 5lb |
Progressed well in handicaps and only needed to be ridden out to prevail by 3l at Tipperary (2m7f, good to yielding); has an 8lb rise to deal with but strongly considered. |
5/1 |
|
1st 2 |
3rd Jul 2025 Good To Yielding 2m 7f 120y |
11st 9lb |
Narrow winner at Clonmel off a mark of 90 when she kept on well to lead (2m3f, good); again showed stamina back at that track most recently when third (2m4f, good to yielding); this new trip may suit her. |
6/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 0-8
Last run: 62 days
W: 10st 11lb
5 yo Filly
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8th 13 |
2nd Mar 2026 Soft To Heavy 2m 2f 72y |
10st 12lb |
Won off 1lb lower at Kilbeggan in August (2m, good to yielding); no major impact in four starts since, but was staying on well when sixth of 18 at Punchestown last time (2m1f, yielding); withdrawn due to unsuitable ground last month for soft to heavy ground at Thurles, so may want ground to dry out here. |
9/1 |
|
8th 2 |
14th Oct 2025 Good 2m 4f 0y |
11st 12lb |
Went up 6lb for 2m Kilbeggan win; out of the money at Roscommon; not sure to stay 2m4f as effectively as some of these rivals. |
12/1 |
|
1 |
29th Sep 2025 Yielding 1m 7f 135y |
12st 0lb |
Came from off the pace to edge out a subsequent winner off 6lb lower at Kilbeggan (2m, good to yielding); remains lightly raced. |
10/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 690
Last run: 25 days
W: 10st 11lb
5 yo Filly
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 14 |
30th May 2026 Good 2m 4f 80y |
10st 7lb |
Bounced back from two poor runs when an 8.75l fifth in a moderate Wexford maiden hurdle (2m4f, good to yielding) last time; more needed. |
14/1 |
|
5th 6 |
16th May 2026 Good To Yielding 2m 4f 0y |
11st 7lb |
Pulled up in last two starts and a lot to find based on her mark; declared reserve in the 6.20 at Clonmel on Thursday. |
25/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 3O0
Last run: 56 days
W: 10st 11lb
6 yo Mare
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8th 9 |
26th May 2026 Good 2m 0f 13y |
10st 0lb |
Fairly consistent before winning at Listowel last September, may need this after a break. |
6/1 |
|
1st 4 |
26th Sep 2025 Yielding 2m 0f 0y |
11st 10lb |
One of two for yard; some decent runs in defeat in maidens and wasn't disgraced on handicap debut at Killarney just over a month ago; down 2lb and handles an ease; could go well. |
11/2 |
|
5th 3 |
23rd Aug 2025 Good 2m 4f 50y |
11st 12lb |
Best runs in maidens have been at this track (2m7f) and Limerick (2m3f); not as good at Punchestown and back here the last twice but can go close if back to best on handicap debut. |
4/1 |
Abandoned
Form: —
Last run: 35 days
W: 10st 11lb
5 yo Mare
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3 |
1st Oct 2025 Good 2m 5f 5y Class 4 |
11st 2lb |
Beaten when falling in sole Irish point and was tailed off in a Cork bumper (50-1) in January; now goes hurdling for new yard and she needs a transformation after another break. |
20/1 |
Abandoned
Form: —
Last run: —
W: 11st 4lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 14 |
13th Mar 2026 Good 2m 0f 179y Class 1 |
10st 10lb |
Good start for Olly Murphy when showing a smart turn of foot to win Grade 2 Persian War (novice) at Chepstow (2m3f, good; hooded) in October; hasn't reproduced that in his two subsequent starts, latest when well beaten behind Wilful on Ascot handicap debut, but given a break (had wind surgery) and returns with a tongue-tie added. |
33/1 |
|
1 |
10th Oct 2025 Good To Soft 2m 3f 100y Class 1 |
11st 5lb |
Never that dangerous in three Irish bumpers but has improved for hurdles, doubling his tally in a 2m Listed race on good ground at Galway's feature summer fixture; posted an eyecatching RPR and has since joined Olly Murphy who fits a hood; respected. |
5/1 |
|
4 |
29th Jul 2025 Good 2m 0f 110y |
11st 6lb |
Stepped up in trip to win 2m4f Listowel maiden in May (good) and better form week later in 2m1f Punchestown novice when staying-on second to Timeless Treaty, having been slowly away; probably wants a stiffer test so a strong pace would suit. |
12/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 0/22-0 BF
Last run: 35 days
W: 10st 11lb
7 yo Filly
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 3 |
3rd Oct 2025 Yielding 2m 0f 80y |
10st 11lb |
Heavy ground maiden hurdle winner at Punchestown in February before some decent efforts in competitive contests; struck again with a supremely comfortable victory at Bellewstown in August (2m1f, good); tongue-tie now added to the previously worn hood after she weakened quickly at Listowel last time; avoids penalty and leading contender if back to her best. |
10/11 |
|
5 |
21st Sep 2025 Yielding To Soft 2m 4f 0y |
11st 0lb |
Twice-placed in bumpers for Harry Kelly; off the mark in a Punchestown maiden hurdle last February (2m, heavy); keen throughout at Kilbeggan in June when finishing third (2m3f, good); supremely comfortable victor at Bellewstown last time when allowed to dominate (2m1f, good); jumps left at times so this track should suit and will be dangerous if given soft lead but step back up in trip raises a question; Townend chooses Jalila Moriviere. |
6/4 |
|
1 |
27th Aug 2025 Good 2m 1f 40y |
11st 3lb |
Twice placed in bumpers for Harry Kelly; Punchestown maiden hurdle winner on heavy in February on second start for Willie Mullins; no disgrace in Naas third in April; lesser effort at Killarney before a more satisfactory display at Kilbeggan; has tended to race too keenly; should be thereabouts if settling better. |
7/2 |
Abandoned
Form: 5-2697
Last run: 26 days
W: 11st 4lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 110
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 7 |
5th May 2025 Good 2m 1f 79y |
11st 4lb |
Promise in three of five starts over hurdles and rated 113; was an 18l second behind Romeo Coolio here over 2m1f (gd-yld) back in November and not beaten far when sixth of 25 at Fairyhouse later that month; obvious chance in this company. |
7/2 |
|
5th 7 |
5th May 2025 Good 2m 1f 79y |
11st 4lb |
Promise in three of five starts over hurdles and rated 113; was an 18l second behind Romeo Coolio here over 2m1f (gd-yld) back in November and not beaten far when sixth of 25 at Fairyhouse later that month; obvious chance in this company. |
7/2 |
|
6th 4 |
23rd Feb 2025 Heavy 1m 7f 110y |
11st 12lb |
Remote second behind subsequent Grade 1 winner Romeo Coolio on hurdling debut at Down Royal in November; again ran well when a hampered sixth in a 25-runner maiden at Fairyhouse; something amiss when down the field at Down Royal; well held by Kalix Delabarriere on running at this venue four weeks ago. |
25/1 |
Verdict
This looks a gilt-edged opportunity for WHIMSY (nap) to get off the mark. She sets a solid standard and a repeat of her Galway or Cheltenham efforts should suffice. Come On The Lads and Free Flow look the main dangers. The reserves Adela Icon and Ivybrook could go well if getting a run. [Dave Stephens]
Selections
POSTDATA:
Whimsy