April 01 / 15.30 Limerick

15.30

Good

Limerick Maiden Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5851.24
  • 2m 0f 190y
  • 16 runners
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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

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

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

5

18th Oct 2025

Good

2m 5f 0y

15:30 Limerick

Ephesus

10st 12lb

J: Daniel King

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Got off the mark over hurdles over 2m1f here in April; has been below form on his last two hurdle runs but won on the Flat five days ago at Roscommon so can't be ruled out.

5/1

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

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

7

22nd Feb 2026

Soft To Heavy

1m 7f 110y

15:00 Naas

Raydamann

10st 13lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Clonmel maiden hurdle winner in April last year (2m1f, good to yielding); ran solid races in handicap hurdles over the summer without winning; made no impact on the Flat at Leopardstown when last seen in October (1m2f, heavy); probably prefers better ground than this.

16/1

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

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

6th

7

12th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 170y

13:55 Down Royal

Mercurial Sea

10st 13lb

J: Carl Millar

T: Nigel Thomas Slevin

Placed in a bumper but has been well-held in four hurdles including on handicap debut last time; rated 90 so needs lots more.

25/1

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

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

7th

6

(9)

13th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

18:30 Dundalk (AW)

Yosemite Gold

9st 8lb

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 UK; has a bit to do off this mark after a break but not ignored.

16/1

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

1st

5

22nd May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 2f 185y

17:52 Downpatrick

Bruant

11st 7lb

J: Daniel King

T: A J Martin

Got off the mark over hurdles when winning a C&D novice hurdle last June; well below that level in two hurdle starts after; not a bad Navan Flat run recently; due to run in the 7.50 at Gowran Wednesday.

14/1

11th

15

(19)

25th Apr 2026

Yielding

1m 5f 0y

17:25 Navan

Bruant

9st 10lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: A J Martin

Dual-purpose winner has been well beaten last six Flat starts; continues to drop in the handicap; recent Gowran run provides limited encouragement.

14/1

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

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

2nd

2

7th Oct 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 130y

14:50 Galway

Harpy Eagle

11st 7lb

J: Paddy Cody

T: R P Cody

Fine efforts in maidens at Tramore and Wexford in August at 2m-2m1f (good); both runs on softer than good, including on latest, well below that level so underfoot conditions a worry for this handicap debutant.

7/1

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

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

6th

15

20th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 0f 80y

17:42 Tramore

Cholo

10st 5lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Michael Butler

Not beaten far over C&D on handicap debut last August; needs to improve on that form on his first run since.

14/1

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

11th

8

30th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 50y

19:30 Tramore

He Who Dares

10st 11lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: S Curling

Ordinary form so far on the Flat and in four runs over hurdles; hood now reached for; lacks a recent run; hard to fancy.

28/1

10th

1

(4)

1st Sep 2025

Good To Yielding

1m 4f 17y

18:15 Roscommon

He Who Dares

10st 2lb

J: Seamie Heffernan

T: S Curling

No worthwhile form in four hurdles races and two Flat runs leaves him with plenty to find.

40/1

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

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

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

5

30th Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 150y

16:00 Thurles

Friar Hogan

11st 6lb

J: Eoin Staples

T: Donal Hassett

Ordinary form in maidens; does not seem well handicapped but in good hands and may improve.

14/1

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

1st

2

27th Aug 2025

Good

2m 1f 40y

19:25 Bellewstown

Dontgowithjoe

11st 9lb

J: Tiernan Power Roche

T: P J Rothwell

Recent Ballinrobe breakthrough win (40-1) came out of the blue, jumping better under a patient ride, still looking green but winning with a fair bit in hand; 6lb rise but 4yo could well handle it.

11/2

1st

8

11th Aug 2025

Good

2m 0f 169y

18:25 Ballinrobe

Dontgowithjoe

10st 9lb

J: Simon Torrens

T: P J Rothwell

Hasn't shown much over hurdles for this stable; 33-1 and always behind when beaten 29l on handicap debut on latest at Cork; 2lb drop not enough to tempt.

33/1

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