April 01 / 15.30 Limerick

15.30

Good

Limerick Maiden Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5851.24
  • 2m 0f 190y
  • 16 runners
RTV
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Limerick Maiden Hurdle

Runners: 16 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

4/5 (Won)

  • Win: £1.80
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 323

Last run: 52 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Front-running winner of a 1m4f maiden for Aidan O'Brien on good ground at the Curragh last summer; has shown a good standard of form in three placed starts over hurdles; form of Naas third was boosted by the winner Bachanallian in landing a Grade 3 event; ran creditably over a trip short of his best in the Irish Lincoln; should be hard to beat.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

4

30th Jun 2026

Good

2m 3f 110y

17:20 Wexford

Ephesus

11st 5lb

J: Philip Donovan

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Galileo 5yo is a dual Flat winner and landed Limerick maiden hurdle last year; would have needed first run of the year when never a factor on chase debut at Kilbeggan; jumped okay but probably best watched here.

25/1

7th

3

15th Jun 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 4f 0y

16:40 Kilbeggan

Ephesus

11st 12lb

J: Philip Donovan

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Dual Flat and a maiden hurdle winner at Limerick (2m1f, gd) last year; finished last season on a low note with a pair of underwhelming runs on the Flat and over hurdles; makes chase debut after 168 days off.

12/1

8

(1)

27th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 3f 180y

15:50 Galway

Ephesus

9st 4lb

J: J M Sheridan

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Has had a run over hurdles since beating Ehteyat at Roscommon; might not uphold the form on the revised terms.

8/1

7/2

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 03

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
79-rated Flat maiden with Johnny Murtagh; in rear in a race won by well-fancied stablemate Wendrock on hurdles debut at Leopardstown in December, found to have bled at both nostrils; positives can be taken from Navan third a month ago; has a clear edge over stablemate Needs Must.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

9

(2)

11th Jul 2026

Good

1m 2f 40y

16:40 Navan

Raydamann

9st 0lb

J: Chris Hayes

T: Gordon Elliott

Dual-purpose; bolted up in Sligo maiden hurdle last month (2m2f, good); previously soundly beaten over this C&D (gd-yld), extending his Flat record to 0-11; 3lb lower now but others appeal more.

3/1

1st

4

9th Jun 2026

Good

2m 2f 0y

17:20 Sligo

Raydamann

11st 4lb

J: James Smith

T: Gordon Elliott

Decent form near the end of the season before last, winning a maiden hurdle at Clonmel and placed in a handicap at the Punchestown festival; fair form in handicaps last summer; subsequent form raises doubts.

11/2

12th

6

(11)

25th Apr 2026

Yielding

1m 2f 40y

16:50 Navan

Raydamann

9st 13lb

J: Reese Holohan

T: Gordon Elliott

Hurdle winner is a maiden on the Flat but has posted some fine runs; however, has been poor in both codes last two starts so needs a return to form.

20/1

50/1

  • Place: £31.70

Form: F8

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Beaten when a faller at the last on debut at Fairyhouse; in rear in a bumper at Leopardstown on second outing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

14th Jul 2026

Good

2m 1f 165y

14:07 Downpatrick

Mercurial Sea

11st 7lb

J: Paddy Cleary

T: Nigel Thomas Slevin

0-8 over hurdles but has ability and was a good second in a mares' maiden hurdle over C&D (good) on penultimate; not as good upped to 2m6f on latest; the drop back in trip is a plus here but rated 88 so probably place claims at best.

10/1

8th

5

22nd May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 5f 180y

18:29 Downpatrick

Mercurial Sea

11st 4lb

J: Paddy Cleary

T: Nigel Thomas Slevin

Fair form in bumpers early last season; best effort over hurdles yet when runner-up of 12 in course handicap (2m2f, good) two weeks ago, making most of the running; stamina not certain to hold out over this trip.

7/1

2nd

12

8th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 165y

18:35 Downpatrick

Mercurial Sea

10st 4lb

J: Paddy Cleary

T: Nigel Thomas Slevin

Fair form in bumpers early last season; limited encouragement from a Navan handicap hurdle run; not disgraced in a maiden last time.

14/1

Form: U

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
12-1 when unseating rider at the first in Cork maiden won by well-fancied stablemate Carried With Love.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

25th Sep 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

15:25 Listowel

Shaboozee

10st 4lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Has improved markedly on last two starts, winning Ballinrobe handicap hurdles over 2m-2m2f; won by a wide margin last time and raised 11lb but has to be considered again despite a rise in class.

5/1

4

25th Aug 2025

Good

2m 2f 60y

17:13 Ballinrobe

Shaboozee

10st 10lb

J: Richard Deegan

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Improver since entering handicap ranks, plenty keen when rallying second at Killarney (yielding-to-soft) and handled good ground well here earlier this month, leading early on, not fluent last but finding plenty run-in to win comfortably; type to keep improving (7lb higher) and slightly longer trip to suit.

9/4

1st

3

11th Aug 2025

Good

2m 0f 169y

18:55 Ballinrobe

Shaboozee

11st 11lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Improved from low-key handicap debut at Clonmel when second at Killarney last month; that run can be upgraded since he put in a few untidy jumps; good chance if he can improve his jumping.

4/1

Form: 756

Last run: 91 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Weak form on the Flat; has improved since switched to hurdling; more needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

30th Oct 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

15:30 Thurles

Sprinkles

10st 7lb

J: Peter Smithers

T: Padraig Roche

Won a 2m3f Kilbeggan handicap in July but might not have stayed 2m5f at Navan since; still needs to do better down 2lb.

12/1

5th

6

30th Oct 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

15:30 Thurles

Sprinkles

10st 7lb

J: Peter Smithers

T: Padraig Roche

Won a 2m3f Kilbeggan handicap in July but might not have stayed 2m5f at Navan since; still needs to do better down 2lb.

12/1

8

20th Sep 2025

Yielding

2m 5f 0y

16:55 Navan

Sprinkles

11st 6lb

J: Miss A B O’Connor

T: Padraig Roche

Off the mark on last start over timber at Kilbeggan (2m3f, gd-yld) off 96; hiked up 9lb for that and this trip and softer ground are queries; beaten off basement mark on the Flat here 23 days ago; a bit to prove in this tougher race.

5/1

Form: 8

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fair form for William Haggas on the Flat without winning, rated 74; no impact at this venue on hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

11

14th Jun 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 165y

15:20 Downpatrick

Yosemite Gold

10st 5lb

J: Gavin Brouder

T: Eoin Doyle

Roscommon maiden hurdle winner last August; soundly beaten in handicaps since and poor efforts on the AW in 2026; failed to beat a rival in 1m Dundalk claimer latest; others make more appeal.

28/1

10th

2

(7)

26th May 2026

Standard

1m 0f 0y

17:07 Dundalk (AW)

Yosemite Gold

10st 2lb

J: Wesley Joyce

T: Eoin Doyle

107-rated hurdler won a maiden in that sphere last summer; ordinary enough Flat form and doubt dropping back from last two runs over 1m4f will be the answer.

25/1

13th

5

(4)

1st Apr 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

20:15 Dundalk (AW)

Yosemite Gold

10st 2lb

J: Wesley Joyce

T: Eoin Doyle

Maiden hurdle winner last year has run well enough in four Flat starts including on AW when trained in Britain; fair bit to find with Sir Callisto on recent C&D run, although that was seasonal debut so could improve; hood now re-fitted.

14/1

Form: 7

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Outsider of the stable's four runners on debut at Navan, made some late headway; can improve but well held by third-placed stablemate Raydamann.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16th

4

17th Mar 2026

Yielding

2m 4f 86y

13:53 Down Royal

Needs Must

11st 9lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Improved form to win a 2m4f Fairyhouse maiden hurdle, beating Pat's Legacy; poised to challenge when falling two out at Punchestown; one for the shortlist.

5/1

1

4th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 3f 17y

14:48 Punchestown

Needs Must

11st 12lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Improved form to win a Fairyhouse maiden hurdle over 2m4f last time, though that race lacked depth; bumped up 10lb so will have to progress again now in handicaps but is possible he could do so.

2/1

1st

2

15th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 0y

14:43 Fairyhouse

Needs Must

11st 12lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Ran twice last season; showed a degree of promise in a 2m3f Naas maiden won by a stablemate; opening mark of 108 may be flattering but only Pat's Legacy looks more appealing in this.

15/8

20/1

Form: B

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won on heavy ground and on AW for Jean-Claude Rouget last season; had one run in Morocco for another French trainer before joining Tony Martin; 66-1 when brought down at the third at Cork on Irish/hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

10

(1)

22nd Jun 2026

Yielding

1m 5f 0y

20:00 Ballinrobe

Bruant

9st 8lb

J: Robbie Colgan

T: A J Martin

Won twice in France early in his career; Irish Flat form provides little encouragement; however, he showed he was in good shape when winning a handicap hurdle at Downpatrick last month, adding to a novice win at the same venue last summer.

6/1

Form:

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Jumping was ragged when tailed off first time out at Gowran last month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

2nd Jul 2026

Good

2m 0f 110y

16:45 Limerick

Harpy Eagle

11st 5lb

J: Paddy Cody

T: R P Cody

Some good placed efforts in maidens on good ground; placed three times between August and October last year; modest winter form; better ground should suit and the addition of cheekpieces may help.

10/1

12th

6

2nd Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 2f 72y

15:55 Leopardstown

Harpy Eagle

11st 8lb

J: Paddy Cody

T: R P Cody

Some good placed efforts in maidens on good ground; beaten just 0.5l on handicap debut at Galway in October (2m1f, yielding); never near to challenge on comeback at Naas in January (2m3f, yielding); solid fourth back in maiden company at Punchestown last time (2m3f, soft to heavy); form suggests a preference for better ground.

14/1

4th

4

4th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 3f 17y

14:13 Punchestown

Harpy Eagle

11st 12lb

J: Paddy Cody

T: R P Cody

Much improved on handicap debut when close second at Galway (2m, yielding) in October, never near to challenge on comeback at Naas last month; bit to find on ratings but entitled to come on for that run.

8/1

Form: 89

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Soundly beaten on both starts; trainer has a leading contender in Ephesus.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

9

26th Sep 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

14:33 Listowel

Jollybops

11st 2lb

J: Mark McDonagh

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

One of two for yard; long odds and soundly beaten in a trio of maidens at 2m-2m1f on varying ground; off since April and makes handicap debut; returns with yard in decent form so check the market.

20/1

10th

9

1st Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 190y

15:30 Limerick

Jollybops

11st 7lb

J: Mark McDonagh

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Soundly beaten on both starts; trainer has a leading contender in Ephesus.

66/1

66/1

Form: 60

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
No apparent chance on the form of bumper runs at Punchestown and Cork.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

14

9th Jun 2026

Good

2m 1f 157y

19:00 Sligo

Cholo

10st 5lb

J: Alan O’Sullivan

T: Michael Butler

Has shown promise in two starts since returning from a break; has an edge over Avandra on Wexford running, but that rival showed improved form when second at Tramore recently.

7/1

3rd

12

16th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 0y

15:15 Wexford

Cholo

10st 5lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Michael Butler

Is 0-5 over hurdles but respectable runs in 2m1f Tramore contests the last twice since switching to handicaps; place chance; declared reserve for 5.50 at Clonmel on Thursday.

11/2

Form:

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Good Flat pedigree; hampered at the first, tailed off when 100-1 on recent debut at Cork.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(3)

7th Jul 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

20:30 Tramore

He Who Dares

10st 4lb

J: Ben Coen

T: S Curling

Soundly beaten at big odds in handicap hurdles at this venue (11th of 12 finishers) and Sligo (last of 16) before showing dramatic improvement to win at Wexford last Friday; trainer suggested that the removal of a hood might have been a major factor; hard to find any positives in last season's form in Flat maidens; good Flat pedigree, unwise to discount.

9/2

1st

12

3rd Jul 2026

Good

2m 1f 55y

17:20 Wexford

He Who Dares

10st 8lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: S Curling

Soundly beaten in both recent handicaps at big odds; hard to fancy.

20/1

16th

11

9th Jun 2026

Good

2m 1f 157y

19:00 Sligo

He Who Dares

10st 11lb

J: Aidan Kelly

T: S Curling

Posed no threat when a 25-1 chance at Tramore ten days ago; safely held by Avandra on that running.

20/1

Form: 00

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Three-figure odds in maidens at Cork and Gowran, tailed off both times; safe to rule out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

17

16th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 0f 50y

15:20 Limerick

Out Molls Gap

10st 6lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: Brendan Maurice Walsh

Tailed off in all three maiden hurdles last season and pulled up at Cork the last twice when big odds; impossible to be confident in.

25/1

13th

11

1st Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 190y

15:30 Limerick

Out Molls Gap

11st 7lb

J: Richard Deegan

T: Brendan Maurice Walsh

Three-figure odds in maidens at Cork and Gowran, tailed off both times; safe to rule out.

66/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
First foal; unraced dam closely related to smart bumper/hurdle winner Get Me Out Of Here, half-sister to useful bumper/hurdle winner Rock On The Moor.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

14

2nd Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

18:23 Limerick

Friar Hogan

10st 10lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Donal Hassett

Not far off the pace when carried out at the second-last over C&D on latest, a race awarded to today's rival Qaasid on the disqualification of the offending Marian Avenue; it looked as if he was set to deliver a clear career-best; solid chance with that in mind.

5/1

5

28th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 200y

18:20 Limerick

Friar Hogan

11st 3lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Donal Hassett

Still early days but his chance is not obvious based on his first two handicap attempts at Thurles and Sligo.

20/1

12th

6

12th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

19:28 Sligo

Friar Hogan

11st 5lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Donal Hassett

Showed little in maidens and beaten 40l on handicap debut at Thurles last October; 2lb lower now and upped in trip but hard to make a case for.

33/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Three runs in 1m AW maidens for Michael Browne; not beaten far in fifth in two outings in February.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found
OUR TIP

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
1m4f winner on good ground for Francis-Henri Graffard last August; half-brother to a Graffard-trained Listed scorer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

(2)

9th Apr 2026

Soft

1m 4f 0y

19:45 Gowran Park

Catch Fire

8st 10lb

J: Rory Cleary

T: A J Martin

French Flat winner at this trip on good ground but nothing so far hurdling for current yard; best watched.

25/1

12th

4

1st Nov 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 190y

13:00 Down Royal

Catch Fire

11st 12lb

J: Daniel King

T: A J Martin

Sea The Stars gelding a 1m4f winner on good ground for Francis-Henri Graffard last August; two hurdle runs have been modest, can only be watched for now.

66/1

12th

4

1st Nov 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 190y

13:00 Down Royal

Catch Fire

11st 12lb

J: Daniel King

T: A J Martin

Sea The Stars gelding a 1m4f winner on good ground for Francis-Henri Graffard last August; two hurdle runs have been modest, can only be watched for now.

66/1

Non-runners

Costa Lou Rosetgri, Glendower, Silent Guardian

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €3.50
Straight Forecast €2.71
Trifecta €288.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Ephesus

The Irish Sun:

Sprinkles

POSTDATA:

Raydamann

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Ephesus

TOPSPEED:

Ephesus