February 24 / 16.43 Punchestown

16.43

Heavy

Festival 2025 Group Tickets From 27 Euros Handicap Hurdle (Div II)

  • Prize money: £4876.03
  • 2m 4f 23y
  • 16 runners
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Festival 2025 Group Tickets From 27 Euros Handicap Hurdle (Div II)

Runners: 16 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.34
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 7-4406 BF

Last run: 40 days

W: 10st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Fourth in a pair of Ballinrobe handicap hurdles at around 2m6f last May/August; never in the first three; attracted support at Clonmel last time when unplaced; blinkers may help
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

4th Mar 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 180y

17:22 Naas

Johnny Cakes

11st 2lb

J: Tiernan Power Roche

T: P J Rothwell

One win from 20 starts over hurdles; that win came over 2m4f at Punchestown on heavy ground in February last year off 78; good effort when third of 24 at Fairyhouse on New Year's Day (2m4f, yielding) but way below that level at Navan; a little hard to trust.

7/1

4/1

  • Place: £2.10

Form: -24F12 D BF

Last run: 73 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Was in touch when falling at the eighth at Fairyhouse on first run after a break; backed up Cork win in December with second at same venue five days later.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

11

30th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 80y

16:26 Listowel

One And Only

10st 13lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Oliver McKiernan

Added a second hurdles win at Limerick (2m7f, heavy) in March off 6lb lower; couldn't back it up at Cork (3m, yielding) last time when a 16.5l eighth; others preferred.

14/1

8th

10

5th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 15y

15:35 Cork

One And Only

10st 11lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Oliver McKiernan

Course winner (2m4f, soft) in December 2024; got back to winning ways at Limerick (2m7f, heavy) last month; up 6lb and this is a deeper race but conditions fine so can't be discounted.

7/2

1st

2

12th Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 6f 170y

13:34 Limerick

One And Only

11st 13lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Oliver McKiernan

Fair hurdler last winter, notching a win and three seconds over around 2m4f; pulled up in two of his three chase starts; hard to be confident.

14/1

20/1

  • Place: £4.40

Form: 7-8880

Last run: 157 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Ordinary form in maidens, no encouragement from two handicap attempts before a break.
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

18:07 Killarney

King In Love

10st 13lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Sean Aherne

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

15:30 Naas

King In Love

10st 9lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Sean Aherne

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

16:25 Thurles

King In Love

11st 12lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Sean Aherne

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

OUR TIP

Form: 9-764

Last run: 30 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Struggled on first three starts; showed improvement when fourth at Fairyhouse in first-time cheekpieces; brother to the talented Romeo Coolio is potentially interesting in this grade
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

16:30 Southwell

Butchers Bill

11st 1lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Anthony Day

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

20:11 Worcester

Butchers Bill

11st 7lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Anthony Day

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

15:10 Uttoxeter

Butchers Bill

11st 11lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Anthony Day

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

Form: /P867-

Last run: 305 days

W: 11st 4lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Winner for Olly Murphy in 2019; four 2024 runs for current yard not at all encouraging.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

21st Jul 2026

Good

2m 6f 41y

19:39 Ballinrobe

Smackwater Jack

11st 11lb

J: Ethan O’Sullivan

T: Mrs Denise Foster

Veteran was a long way out of the handicap when achieving a Punchestown win last month, the third success of a 34-race career; solid display when third at Kilbeggan off his revised mark; stays well.

6/1

3rd

2

15th Jun 2026

Yielding To Soft

3m 0f 100y

19:12 Kilbeggan

Smackwater Jack

11st 11lb

J: Ethan O’Sullivan

T: Mrs Denise Foster

Showed a good attitude to gain third success over hurdles when holding off Morell River by a neck at Punchestown (23.5f, gd) eight days ago; not an obvious type to follow up but he was 13lb out of the handicap that day so is effectively just 2lb higher here; chance of following up.

9/2

1st

13

7th Jun 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 7f 116y

16:52 Punchestown

Smackwater Jack

10st 0lb

J: Ethan O’Sullivan

T: Mrs Denise Foster

Won a division of this last year off 92 and he's higher here as a result of being 13lb wrong; well beaten in recent starts.

33/1

Form: 798822 D

Last run: 122 days

W: 11st 6lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Second in races at Limerick and Sligo last October; good chance if reproducing that form; seems best suited by the Sligo track which is unlike this one in character.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

5

15th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 0y

15:52 Fairyhouse

True Destiny

11st 6lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Noel C Kelly

Dual-purpose vetera; six wins on Flat, is 2-28 over hurdles, both wins at Sligo (latest in June 2023); minor placed form last May/June at Downpatrick and Perth; in rear in both races in recent months.

14/1

17th

7

31st Oct 2025

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 30y

13:32 Down Royal

True Destiny

11st 7lb

J: Ms E Dunseath

T: Noel C Kelly

Both hurdle wins in 2m4f Sligo handicaps but on a long losing run, Naas fourth over this trip last season standout effort; lacks a recent run.

20/1

17th

7

31st Oct 2025

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 30y

13:32 Down Royal

True Destiny

11st 7lb

J: Ms E Dunseath

T: Noel C Kelly

Both hurdle wins in 2m4f Sligo handicaps but on a long losing run, Naas fourth over this trip last season standout effort; lacks a recent run.

20/1

Form: -00358

Last run: 149 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Third in a 2m4f handicap hurdle at Sligo last July and ran creditably over further at Galway in September; needs to step up from mid-field run at Listowel later that month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

9

9th Jun 2026

Good

3m 1f 170y

19:30 Sligo

Ilbdare

11st 10lb

J: Mr B M Coonan

T: Mark Michael McNiff

Won over C&D last year but has been hit and miss since (best run in that time was also here); has to be considered due to his record at this venue.

14/1

13th

2

12th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

19:28 Sligo

Ilbdare

11st 13lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Mark Michael McNiff

Scored over 3m2f here last May on good ground; placed again here over 25.5f in October off his revised mark; below best when last seen in January and this trip may be too sharp.

7/1

2nd

4

24th Oct 2025

Good To Yielding

3m 1f 80y

17:30 Sligo

Ilbdare

11st 2lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Mark Michael McNiff

Got off the mark over C&D in May but has been well below that level twice since; had an excuse for the first occasion but has to improve plenty from last time.

10/1

Form: 07973

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Ran his best race so far when staying on for third over a slightly shorter trip at this venue last month; may reach the money again with the extra distance in his favour.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

22nd Jul 2025

Yielding

2m 6f 41y

19:12 Ballinrobe

Mighty Soldier

11st 3lb

J: Kevin Sexton

T: James Andrew Fahey

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

Form: 7P-P9P

Last run: 60 days

W: 11st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
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.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

22nd Jul 2025

Yielding

2m 6f 41y

19:12 Ballinrobe

Tom Kelly

11st 5lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Mrs Jayne Hearne

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

16:43 Punchestown

Tom Kelly

11st 5lb

J: James Smith

T: Kevin Michael Smith

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

Form: 0-00

Last run: 58 days

W: 10st 1lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Weak form in maiden hurdles over shorter distances; hard to make a case for her.
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

16:43 Punchestown

Calypso Bluebird

10st 1lb

J: G B Noonan

T: Eoin Christopher McCarthy

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

12:30 Limerick

Calypso Bluebird

10st 11lb

J: G B Noonan

T: Eoin Christopher McCarthy

midfield

200/1

Form: 6/741-

Last run: 501 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Lightly-raced sort; emphatic winner of a 2m maiden at Tramore in October 2023 on only his second run over hurdles; absent since; may need this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17th

15

1st May 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 45y

19:10 Punchestown

Our Uncle Jack

11st 8lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Martin Paul Fitzgerald

Adoption of front-running tactics had transformative effect when seeing him score back-to-back wide-margin wins at Clonmel and Fairyhouse on heavy ground at start of the year; pulled up at Clonmel in February but bounced back when third at Clonmel last month (2m, soft); better ground is a concern.

20/1

3rd

1

2nd Apr 2026

Soft

1m 7f 200y

19:00 Clonmel

Our Uncle Jack

12st 3lb

J: Michael Kenneally

T: Martin Paul Fitzgerald

Adoption of front-running tactics have had a transformative effect; 23l all the way win off 91 here (2m1f, heavy) followed by another dominant win at Fairyhouse (2m, heavy) off 12lb higher; handicapper possibly caught up when pulled up at Fairyhouse (2m4f) but drop in trip should help.

12/1

6

21st Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 4f 50y

14:05 Fairyhouse

Our Uncle Jack

10st 8lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Martin Paul Fitzgerald

Adoption of front-running tactics have had a transformative effect; 23l all the way win off 91 at Clonmel (2m1f, heavy) followed by another dominant win here over 2m (heavy) off 12lb higher; raised another 13lb and steps up in trip and grade; clearly in fine fettle but may not get an easy lead here.

15/8

Form: 09005P

Last run: 54 days

W: 10st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Moderate fifth at Limerick in his first handicap, 33-1 chance when pulled up at Tramore.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

15th Sep 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:00 Worcester

Another Question

10st 10lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Clare Ellam

Unplaced all eight hurdling starts in Ireland and absent since beaten out of sight on heavy ground in February; had wind surgery during the summer but is probably best watched on this stable debut.

50/1

12th

14

24th Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 4f 23y

16:43 Punchestown

Another Question

10st 9lb

J: Daniel King

T: Miss J M Lee

Moderate fifth at Limerick in his first handicap, 33-1 chance when pulled up at Tramore.

25/1

12

1st Jan 2025

Soft

2m 5f 120y

13:40 Tramore

Another Question

11st 3lb

J: Shane Fitzgerald

T: Miss J M Lee

prominent, soon pressed leader, weakened quickly before 4 out

20/1

Form: 6062PP

Last run: 2 days

W: 11st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Best effort when second in a maiden hurdle over 2m3f at Limerick; pulled up in a handicap at the same venue last month; ran at Fairyhouse on Saturday.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

25th Feb 2024

Soft To Heavy

1m 7f 144y

13:55 Naas

Annamaymurt

11st 12lb

J: Jack G Gilligan

T: Paul John Gilligan

Malinas gelding out of an unraced mare by Flemensfirth; making debut at age of seven; unlikely to feature.

100/1

Form: P8090

Last run: 143 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
5-37 on Flat, 0-5 over hurdles, moderate form in two handicap attempts; refused to race on a recent visit to Dundalk; in good form at that venue late last year
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

14

3rd Jul 2026

Good

2m 1f 55y

17:20 Wexford

Esticky End

10st 0lb

J: Dylan Robinson

T: Tom McGuinness

Flat winner is now 0-14 over hurdles, well held over C&D on penultimate, badly hampered at Tramore since.

25/1

16

30th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 50y

19:30 Tramore

Esticky End

10st 0lb

J: Dylan Robinson

T: Tom McGuinness

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

Form: 90B8

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 13lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
2m winner on AW in Britain; undistinguished maiden hurdle form but may find her level in handicaps
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

8th Sep 2025

Yielding To Soft

2m 6f 97y

17:22 Galway

Huscari

11st 0lb

J: G B Noonan

T: E McNamara

Modest form in maidens at 2m-2m4f; weakened late over 20.5f on handicap debut at Wexford a month ago but may have needed that; unproven on softer than good.

14/1

11

8th Aug 2025

Good

2m 4f 100y

19:13 Wexford

Huscari

10st 13lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: E McNamara

Modest AW Flat winner for Jamie Osborne; moderate form in maidens at the backend of 2024; could improve on handicap debut so check the market.

10/1

14

11th Jul 2025

Good

2m 2f 160y

18:30 Kilbeggan

Huscari

10st 13lb

J: Calum Hogan

T: E McNamara

2m winner on AW in Britain; undistinguished maiden hurdle form mainly on softer ground so potential improver back on a sound surface for handicap debut.

12/1

Form: 0-00

Last run: 261 days

W: 10st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Three-figure odds in three maiden hurdle outings and has run accordingly; up against it on handicap debut after a break of nine months.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

12th Oct 2025

Good

2m 4f 100y

14:52 Cork

Kir Royal Blou

11st 8lb

J: Gavin Brouder

T: W J Burke

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

15:15 Listowel

Kir Royal Blou

10st 1lb

J: Gavin Brouder

T: W J Burke

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

19:13 Wexford

Kir Royal Blou

10st 1lb

J: G B Noonan

T: W J Burke

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

Non-runners

Annamaymurt

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €22.20
Straight Forecast €18.91
Tricast €172.66
Trifecta €251.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Butchers Bill

The Irish Sun:

One And Only

RP RATINGS (IRE):

True Destiny

POSTDATA:

Butchers Bill