16.15
Yielding To SoftKPMG Champion Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)
- Prize money: £60950.41
- 2m 0f 149y
- 6 runners
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Runners: 6 runners
Type: Hurdle Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Partly cloudy
14/1 (Won)
- Win: £19.00
- Place: £4.80
Form: /3-171 C
Last run: 23 days
W: 11st 12lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 146
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2 |
8th Feb 2026 Heavy 2m 5f 180y |
11st 12lb |
Talented 2m novice last season; backed up a Grade 2 Fairyhouse win when beating three stablemates, including an off-colour Kopek Des Bordes, in a Grade 1 at Punchestown; a poor last of four behind Lossiemouth in the Morgiana and struggled again in Leopardstown event won by the mare; unknown quantity at this trip, half-brother Darasso had smart form up to 2m6f. |
7/1 |
|
1st 2 |
29th Apr 2025 Yielding To Soft 2m 0f 149y |
11st 12lb |
Got off the mark over hurdles after a long absence when winning a maiden hurdle at this track in November; didn't handle the track or occasion well when 33l behind Kopek Des Bordes in the Supreme Novices' at Cheltenham; bounced back to win a Grade 2 at Fairyhouse since; needs a fair bit more. |
14/1 |
|
1st 2 |
29th Apr 2025 Yielding To Soft 2m 0f 149y |
11st 12lb |
Got off the mark over hurdles after a long absence when winning a maiden hurdle at this track in November; didn't handle the track or occasion well when 33l behind Kopek Des Bordes in the Supreme Novices' at Cheltenham; bounced back to win a Grade 2 at Fairyhouse since; needs a fair bit more. |
14/1 |
7/4
- Place: £1.30
Form: 6-1151 CD
Last run: 25 days
W: 11st 12lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 156
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 5 |
30th Apr 2026 Yielding 2m 0f 75y |
11st 12lb |
Won a Grade 2 novice hurdle at this track last season before adding a Grade 1 at Aintree; easily got off the mark over fences at Thurles on third start but was a beaten favourite in an Aintree Grade 1 last time when raced keenly; has a bit to find with stablemate Kopek Des Bordes but is capable of a big run. |
8/1 |
|
2nd 7 |
11th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 1m 7f 176y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
Enjoyed his finest hour over hurdles when winning the Grade 1 Top Novices on this course (2m, good) 12 months ago; beaten at 1-7 on chasing debut in November and again underwhelmed at Leopardstown over Christmas, but a bloodless win at Thurles (2m2f, soft) in February was much more like it; open to further improvement over fences, comes here fresh after missing Cheltenham and has strong claims. |
4/5 |
14/1
Form: 1-4103 CD
Last run: 25 days
W: 11st 12lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 147
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
13th 1 |
28th Apr 2026 Yielding 2m 0f 132y |
11st 12lb |
Arguably a shade unlucky when a beaten favourite in the County Hurdle but rider reported that he stopped quickly when soundly beaten at Fairyhouse last time; Townend jumps ship; needs to rediscover best. |
12/1 |
|
12th 1 |
4th Apr 2026 Yielding To Soft 2m 0f 0y |
11st 12lb |
Smart novice hurdler last season (placed in Grade 1s) and, although defeated at short odds, produced a career-best RPR when second in 2m Naas Grade 3 (heavy) on return from nine months off; beaten favourite in County Hurdle latest but steady pace and not clear run didn't suit so sixth of 23 was a solid run in the circumstances; Townend's pick. |
13/2 |
|
6th 4 |
13th Mar 2026 Good 2m 0f 179y Class 1 |
11st 8lb |
Smart novice hurdler last season (placed in Grade 1s) and, although defeated at short odds, produced a career-best RPR when 1l second in 2m Naas Grade 3 (heavy) on return from nine months off; entitled to build on that effort and is of major interest in his first handicap, with Paul Townend seemingly preferring him to Murcia and Absurde. |
4/1 |
4/6
Form: 1-111 D
Last run: 49 days
W: 11st 12lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 159
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3 |
30th Apr 2026 Yielding 2m 0f 75y |
11st 12lb |
Was the outstanding novice hurdler of last season with two Grade 1 wins including the Supreme Novices' at Cheltenham; had an excuse when well below that form at this meeting last year; made an impressive chasing debut at Navan; then had a chip taken out of a knee, so lacked experience but still ran a cracker in the Arkle; with more to come he will be difficult to beat today. |
1/2 |
|
2nd 3 |
10th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 1m 7f 199y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
Travelled strongly when landing the odds in last year's Supreme (good to soft) before running no sort of race at Punchestown; dispatched inferior opposition with minimum of fuss on debut over fences at Navan (2m1f, soft/heavy) in November; hasn't been seen since (had a loose chip removed from a knee in December) and lacks the chasing experience of his rivals, but he certainly possesses the X factor and he's the one to beat with a clear round. |
6/4 |
|
4th 4 |
29th Apr 2025 Yielding To Soft 2m 0f 149y |
11st 12lb |
Unbeaten in a bumper and three hurdle races; didn't impress with his jumping on hurdling debut at Leopardstown over Christmas but blew away his rivals in a Grade 1 at the track next time; again made some mistakes when winning the Supreme Novices' at Cheltenham but was well on top at the finish; the hood worn then is retained and is difficult to oppose today. |
4/6 |
200/1
Form: 5
Last run: 94 days
W: 11st 12lb
5 yo Colt
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 4 (11) |
13th Sep 2025 Soft 1m 4f 0y |
9st 9lb |
Progressive handicapper this year, winning premier handicap over C&D in June and won at Gowran last month over same trip; well-backed but didn't seem to stay (keen) in 1m6f Ebor on latest when cheekpieces tried (now left off); upped in grade here and needs to improve. |
25/1 |
|
14th 21 (15) |
23rd Aug 2025 Good To Firm 1m 5f 188y Class 2 |
9st 1lb |
Unraced on firmer than good; narrow win at the Curragh in June and he's continued the good work with his never-nearer fourth of 18 at the Galway festival and a more decisive win at Gowran Park ten days ago; they were all over about 1m4f (unraced beyond that on Flat) but 1m6f makes appeal and first-time cheekpieces might sharpen him up, including in the early stages; better is needed under his penalty but he's one to consider. |
33/1 |
|
1st 2 (3) |
13th Aug 2025 Good 1m 4f 100y |
9st 12lb |
Had been jumping before returning to the Flat with a narrow 1m4f win at the Curragh in June; gave a solid display off revised mark when fourth of 18 over the same trip in a valuable Galway festival event. |
7/2 |
20/1
Form: 2139 D
Last run: 86 days
W: 11st 12lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8 |
8th Feb 2026 Heavy 2m 0f 0y |
11st 12lb |
One of six for yard; bumper winner at this venue (yielding); highly tried at times since but jumping has held him back, albeit wasn't beaten that far when fourth at Fairyhouse on penultimate; had an excuse (coughing) when pulled up latest; and might rebound in new headgear combination back at the scene of his bumper win. |
100/30 |
|
6 |
20th Jan 2026 Yielding To Soft 2m 1f 33y |
11st 12lb |
Navan bumper winner last season who made very promising hurdles debut in Leopardstown maiden before set very stiff tasks twice in Grade 1 contests; jumping let him down on seasonal return at Fairyhouse in November when reportedly hanging violently left throughout in first-time tongue-tie; Jack Kennedy sticks with him and big player if near his best. |
11/4 |
|
4th 7 |
4th Nov 2025 Soft 2m 0f 0y |
11st 12lb |
Bumper winner, beating Strong Link (now a useful hurdler) at Navan; ambitious novice campaign last season, contesting two Grade 1 events, after a good third in Leopardstown maiden won by Kopek Des Bordes; should have enough ability to win a maiden as long as there are no physical issues; wears a tongue-tie for the first time. |
7/4 |
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | €42.00 |
| Straight Forecast | €72.53 |
| Trifecta | €228.00 |
Selections
SPOTLIGHT:
Kopek Des BordesTOPSPEED:
Salvator MundiRP RATINGS (IRE):
Kopek Des BordesThe Irish Sun:
Kopek Des BordesPOSTDATA:
Salvator Mundi