February 24 / 14.00 Punchestown

14.00

Heavy

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

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

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

7/4 (Won)

  • Win: £2.50
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 0-35

Last run: 44 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

13/2

  • Place: £1.10

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 decent family and he 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

8/1

  • Place: £2.80

Form: 6

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
0-15 on the Flat and rated 69; offered something to work with on hurdles debut at this track earlier this month but was still beaten 23l into sixth; might improve for that experience and he could run into the places if he does.
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

14:23 Limerick

Free Flow

11st 9lb

J: Thomas O’Connor

T: Ross O’Sullivan

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

16:52 Naas

Free Flow

11st 8lb

J: Liam McKenna

T: Ross O’Sullivan

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

13:40 Thurles

Free Flow

10st 9lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Ross O’Sullivan

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

Form: 04

Last run: 39 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 is hitting form now and this nicely bred gelding could be capable of better.
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

Form: 5/516- D

Last run: 307 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

OUR TIP

Form: UP94

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Useful on the Flat, winning three times including twice on soft-heavy and rated 81; failed to complete two of four starts over hurdles but did show a fair bit more when finishing fourth of 21 here last month; chance if building on that.
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

17:40 Curragh

Come On The Lads

9st 3lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: Gavin Cromwell

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

18:08 Wexford

Come On The Lads

11st 11lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

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

18:42 Limerick

Come On The Lads

11st 9lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

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

Form: 410

Last run: 29 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

Form: 3O0

Last run: 59 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Point-to-point winner; best effort under Rules on her racecourse debut when beaten 17l into third of 15 in a mares' maiden hurdle at Listowel; 50-1 and beaten 85l in first time tongue tie (retained) latest at Limerick; drops back in trip but is hard to fancy after that last effort.
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

19:00 Ballinrobe

Regards To Rose

10st 0lb

J: G B Noonan

T: Eoin Christopher McCarthy

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

14:33 Listowel

Regards To Rose

11st 10lb

J: G B Noonan

T: Eoin Christopher McCarthy

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

14:30 Killarney

Regards To Rose

11st 12lb

J: G B Noonan

T: Eoin Christopher McCarthy

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

Form: U45

Last run: 27 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

Form: 000

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Big odds and never figured in three maiden hurdles at this track at 2m-2m1f on soft and heavy ground; hard to fancy.
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

16:52 Navan

Vallon Du Plessis

10st 0lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Tom Dreaper

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

15:00 Naas

Vallon Du Plessis

10st 13lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Tom Dreaper

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

Form: 000

Last run: 21 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

Non-runners

San Aer, Welcome Aboard, Underhercontrol

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €5.40
Straight Forecast €4.65
Trifecta €27.20

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Come On The Lads

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Free Flow

TOPSPEED:

Regards To Rose

The Irish Sun:

Come On The Lads

POSTDATA:

Free Flow