April 30 / 15.05 Punchestown

15.05

Yielding

Connolly’s RED MILLS Irish EBF Auction Hurdle Series Final

  • Prize money: £36570.25
  • 2m 3f 58y
  • 15 runners
RTV
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Connolly’s RED MILLS Irish EBF Auction Hurdle Series Final

Runners: 15 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

25/1 (Won)

  • Win: £10.00
  • Place: £3.00

Form: -51715

Last run: 87 days

W: 10st 13lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Maiden hurdle winner at Cork in October and bounced back from lesser effort to win a handicap off 104 on penultimate start; respectable fifth at the Dublin Racing Festival but sizeable improvement required to land this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

18

2nd May 2026

Yielding

2m 4f 118y

17:30 Punchestown

Thisistheway

10st 0lb

J: Cian Quirke

T: Yvonne Latta

Three-time winner over timber; career highlight a 1.25l win in Red Mills Auction Final at this meeting last year (19.5f, yielding); excellent effort when a 3.5l second behind Champagne Kid on last start over hurdles at Leopardstown in December (20.5f, gd-yld); fit from a spin on the Flat last month but very soft ground would not be ideal; 1lb wrong.

16/1

10th

2

(11)

28th Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

0m 7f 0y

15:40 Curragh

Thisistheway

10st 2lb

J: Shane Foley

T: Yvonne Latta

Useful hurdler who won the Red Mills Auction Final over 2m3f at last season's Punchestown festival; only previous Flat attempt was over 1m6f; runs over an inadequate trip here; worth a look with a view to her likely return to hurdling.

12/1

3rd

3

18th Oct 2025

Good

2m 6f 180y

14:55 Limerick

Thisistheway

10st 13lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Yvonne Latta

Showed improved form in winning the Red Mills Auction Final over 2m3f at Punchestown; posted a decent Flat comeback run at Listowel recently; needs to find more on the ratings and is up in trip but considered.

7/1

66/1

  • Place: £22.40

Form: 851300

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Maiden hurdle winner last summer but struggling in handicaps more recently and has plenty on his plate in this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

15th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 90y

19:40 Kilbeggan

Littlefoot

11st 8lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: M A Molloy

Hurdle winner who ran a cracker when second off 120 in handicap hurdle at Tipperary in October (2m, good); form tailed off then but relished the switch to fences when scoring at Downpatrick in March, beating Dee's Lady by 4.25l, below that when fifth behind Coral River but will appreciate this sound surface.

7/1

5th

2

14th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 4f 0y

19:12 Clonmel

Littlefoot

11st 9lb

J: Daniel King

T: M A Molloy

Relished the switch to fences when coming from the back to win on chasing debut in a Downpatrick beginners' (19.5f, yielding) just 16 days ago; this is a harder race but he did it nicely the last day and he should go well again.

11/2

1st

6

29th Mar 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 3f 100y

17:00 Downpatrick

Littlefoot

11st 12lb

J: Daniel King

T: M A Molloy

Promising bumper horse early in career with form linked to Nick Rockett and Dancing City; 1-14 over hurdles; no chasing experience; up against it.

20/1

6/1

  • Place: £2.40

Form: -20133

Last run: 59 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Only half a length behind Champagne Jury in a novice hurdle at Leopardstown won by subsequent Grade 1 winner, Honesty Policy; a bit more exposed than Champagne Jury but there should be more to come back up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

4

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 75y

16:50 Punchestown

Coral River

11st 7lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: Ross O’Sullivan

Recent novice win was gained at 2m4f at Clonmel; however, worth bearing in mind that he also boasts useful form over this course and trip.

8/1

1st

1

14th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 4f 0y

19:12 Clonmel

Coral River

11st 12lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Ross O’Sullivan

Solid efforts in first three chase starts at Punchestown twice (16.5f, heavy) and last time when a close second at Fairyhouse (2m, soft); the third, fourth and fifth have won over hurdles and fences since; freshened up and big chance upped in trip (has placed form at 19.5f).

100/30

2nd

1

15th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 0f 55y

11:53 Fairyhouse

Coral River

11st 12lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Ross O’Sullivan

Gowran maiden hurdle win for Tom Mullins was gained over 2m; fair third in 2m3f valuable conditions race at Punchestown festival; third at same venue on chase/stable debut in November; runner-up there last month (form franked); sets a good standard.

5/2

Form: 593175

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Maiden hurdle winner at Galway in October but hasn't progressed twice since including yard debut earlier this month; has plenty to find.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

11

30th Apr 2025

Yielding

2m 3f 58y

15:05 Punchestown

Scotcantou

11st 4lb

J: Rachael Blackmore

T: Henry De Bromhead

midfield

16/1

4th

11

30th Apr 2025

Yielding

2m 3f 58y

15:05 Punchestown

Scotcantou

11st 4lb

J: Rachael Blackmore

T: Henry De Bromhead

midfield

16/1

5th

5

3rd Apr 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 0y

15:10 Naas

Scotcantou

11st 4lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

midfield, headway before 3 out, hampered 2 out, no extra run-in

9/1

Form: 13344 CD

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Maiden hurdle winner here over similar trip in November; several fair runs in defeat since including behind re-opposing Champagne Jury and Coral River at Leopardstown last month; didn't build on that at Naas since.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

21

28th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 132y

15:40 Punchestown

Rockymountainbleu

10st 0lb

J: Tiernan Power Roche

T: P J Rothwell

Course winner in decent form and has finished in the first four in four of five starts this season; beaten 3.25l behind Sainte Lucie at Cork on latest; cheekpieces worn that day left off and he's 4lb wrong here; minor place claims.

14/1

2nd

18

5th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 0y

15:00 Cork

Rockymountainbleu

10st 7lb

J: Tiernan Power Roche

T: P J Rothwell

Maiden hurdle winner has been mostly consistent in defeat in handicaps; has been slowly dropping in the weights and cheekpieces may help eke out more.

18/1

3rd

14

8th Mar 2026

Heavy

2m 3f 10y

15:30 Naas

Rockymountainbleu

10st 13lb

J: Shane O’Callaghan

T: P J Rothwell

Punchestown maiden hurdle winner in 2024 has been consistent in his runs since without looking like winning; down 1lb since 7l fourth at Punchestown on New Year's Eve (2m3f, yielding); Billy Lee Swagger looks like the stable first string.

18/1

Form: -62352

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Back to his best when runner-up in a maiden hurdle at Tramore 17 days ago but that's a long way off the required standard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

15th Jun 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 5f 180y

14:05 Downpatrick

Keep Kool Coko

11st 4lb

J: Trevor Ryan

T: Andrew Slattery

Has hit the frame on all five maiden hurdle outings and chased home his two main market rivals at Kilbeggan last time; can be involved again but looks a bit more exposed than some of his rivals.

9/2

5

1st Jun 2025

Yielding

2m 4f 0y

14:12 Kilbeggan

Keep Kool Coko

11st 12lb

J: Cian Quirke

T: Andrew Slattery

Has finished runner-up in three maiden hurdles and was beaten by his market rival in the latest at Clonmel (2m3f, good; handles softer); turn looks near.

3/1

5

1st Jun 2025

Yielding

2m 4f 0y

14:12 Kilbeggan

Keep Kool Coko

11st 12lb

J: Cian Quirke

T: Andrew Slattery

Has finished runner-up in three maiden hurdles and was beaten by his market rival in the latest at Clonmel (2m3f, good; handles softer); turn looks near.

3/1

Form: 138P43

Last run: 66 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Several good runs in defeat since his maiden hurdle success at Listowel in September including when a 9l third in a Grade 3 latest; however, may want softer ground than this and he needs a career best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

30th Apr 2025

Yielding

2m 3f 58y

15:05 Punchestown

A Tipp For Gold

11st 8lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Declan Queally

led, hit 3 out, reduced lead then 3 out

16/1

7th

3

30th Apr 2025

Yielding

2m 3f 58y

15:05 Punchestown

A Tipp For Gold

11st 8lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Declan Queally

led, hit 3 out, reduced lead then 3 out

16/1

1

6th Apr 2025

Yielding

2m 4f 0y

14:35 Fairyhouse

A Tipp For Gold

11st 3lb

J: Kevin Sexton

T: Declan Queally

Listowel maiden hurdle winner last autumn and some solid efforts in decent company since; however, is held by several of these on that form and looks a place prospect at best.

22/1

Form: -24756

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 8lb

7 yo Filly

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
1-14 and seems pretty exposed; will get better opportunities than this in handicaps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

26

29th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 3f 58y

14:30 Punchestown

Mi Lucky Cailin

11st 1lb

J: Caragh Monaghan

T: William J McLernon

Bumper winner; took a long time to open her hurdles account, winning in good style at Thurles in January on her 17th attempt; not a bad run in a Navan conditions race before putting a blot on her record when pulled up in Fairyhouse race won by Katie Daniels; first reserve.

13

5th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 4f 0y

14:05 Fairyhouse

Mi Lucky Cailin

11st 2lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: William J McLernon

Bumper winner is 1-18 over hurdles with the victory coming off a mark of 100 in decisive fashion at Thurles (2m4f, heavy) in January; ran a nice race when fourth in a Listed novice at Navan last time (2m4f, heavy); don't rule out.

14/1

14/1

Form: PP

Last run: 104 days

W: 11st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Pulled up in two maiden hurdles so far; now switched to Willie Mullins but there's not much else in his favour and this is tough; off 104 days.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

27th Aug 2025

Good

2m 4f 110y

17:25 Bellewstown

Ellis Mor

11st 10lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Dermot A McLoughlin

Pulled up in both maiden hurdle runs for Jennifer Lynch but definite step forward on second outing for Willie Mullins when narrowly denied by a stablemate (pair clear) in 2m6f Tramore maiden in May (good-to-yielding); bought for just 1,800gns at Tattersalls July Sale and now debuts for Dermot McLoughlin.

11/2

1

31st May 2025

Good

2m 5f 175y

19:45 Tramore

Ellis Mor

11st 12lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: W P Mullins

Pulled up in two maiden hurdle starts; made stable debut last time at Punchestown when well back in the field (2m3f, yielding); was returning from a break that day but he needs improvement if he is to win here; trainer also runs two others.

9/2

1

31st May 2025

Good

2m 5f 175y

19:45 Tramore

Ellis Mor

11st 12lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: W P Mullins

Pulled up in two maiden hurdle starts; made stable debut last time at Punchestown when well back in the field (2m3f, yielding); was returning from a break that day but he needs improvement if he is to win here; trainer also runs two others.

9/2

Form: 1-5221 C

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Point and bumper winner who got off the mark over timber with maiden hurdle success at Wexford earlier this month having hit the crossbar in his two previous maiden hurdle runs; couldn't have won an easier, seemingly relish the step up in distance and looks like a major player again despite the rise in class.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

19

1st May 2026

Yielding

2m 4f 55y

17:25 Punchestown

Kish Bank

10st 12lb

J: Kevin Healy

T: Gordon Elliott

One of two for trainer; point/hurdle/bumper winner was a beaten favourite in two beginners' chases before making immediate impact on handicap chase debut at Leopardstown (3m1f, yielding) off 118; never travelling when pulled up next time at Naas (2m4f, heavy); back on track when run down late on at Navan (3m, soft to heavy); up 4lb for that effort but in the mix.

10/1

2nd

5

21st Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 7f 150y

16:17 Navan

Kish Bank

11st 7lb

J: Kevin Healy

T: Gordon Elliott

Point/hurdle/bumper winner was beaten favourite in two beginners' chases before making immediate impact on handicap chase debut at Leopardstown (3m1f, yielding); raised 6lb for that but was never travelling in a Naas Listed event last time (2m4f, heavy); needs to bounce back.

15/1

Form: 12 D

Last run: 59 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bolted up on his rules debut at Naas on testing ground and wasn't beaten far in a novice hurdle at Leopardstown since behind subsequent Aintree Grade 1 winner, Honesty Policy with re-opposing Coral River half a length behind; strong form, more to come back up in trip and less exposed than most; plenty to like.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

8th Mar 2026

Heavy

2m 4f 0y

16:37 Naas

Champagne Jury

11st 12lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

Rated 125 over hurdles; winner of a bumper here in early 2025 (2m3f, soft to heavy); didn't have to improve much from Down Royal return when taking a Gowran maiden hurdle in January (2m, heavy); didn't appear to get home on chasing debut when faded into fifth back at Gowran (19.5f, heavy); may do better over shorter.

11/2

1st

1

22nd Jan 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

12:40 Gowran Park

Champagne Jury

11st 12lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

Bumper winner in the mud; gave Honesty Policy a contest when runner-up on hurdles debut at Leopardstown in March; good comeback third at Down Royal, headed by runner-up Dunleer Crystal late on; claims.

5/2

11th

7

30th Apr 2025

Yielding

2m 3f 58y

15:05 Punchestown

Champagne Jury

11st 7lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Gavin Cromwell

midfield, not fluent 5th

7/2

66/1

Form: -73423

Last run: 26 days

W: 10st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Steadily progressive last year but was no match for Kish Bank last time out and has a lot to find.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

27th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 0y

18:49 Wexford

Happy Me

11st 4lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: W J Burke

Placed in four of his 14 starts over hurdles; well exposed now; unlikely to make the breakthrough in this company.

12/1

6th

9

11th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 50y

17:05 Killarney

Happy Me

11st 4lb

J: Alan O’Sullivan

T: W J Burke

Has had 13 starts over hurdles and rated 100; unlikely to contend.

50/1

9

12th Oct 2025

Good

2m 4f 100y

14:52 Cork

Happy Me

11st 4lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: W J Burke

Second runner for yard; some fine runs in defeat in maiden hurdles last season but was well below form on last two starts; could get involved if back to his best after a break.

11/2

Form: 12431

Last run: 101 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Steadily improving and made it two from five under rules with a novice hurdle success at Thurles when last seen; however, that form has taken a few knocks since and he may need to improve again giving weight away to most.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

25th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 15y

Class 2

16:40 Sandown

Millforce

11st 7lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Henry Oliver

Signed off for Gavin Cromwell in Ireland with hard-fought win at Galway (2m6f, yielding) in the autumn but was pulled up when reappearing for new stable at Haydock (3m1f, good to soft) ten days ago and needs to turn things around quickly.

16/1

6

15th Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 125y

Class 2

17:00 Haydock

Millforce

10st 12lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Henry Oliver

Absent since October when he signed off for Gavin Cromwell with a 2m6f win at Galway (yielding); stays 3m and should get this far, but would need to see some confidence behind him.

10/1

1st

2

26th Oct 2025

Yielding

2m 6f 111y

14:35 Galway

Millforce

11st 1lb

J: Eoin Staples

T: Gavin Cromwell

Won two of his six starts over hurdles; latest second at Fairyhouse his most encouraging run yet over fences but only four ran and his jumping was a bit scruffy; will need to be sharper all round in his first handicap but the ability is there.

6/1

Form: 9/2217

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Point winner who gained compensation for two runner-up finishes in maiden hurdles when landing a Down Royal maiden hurdle on St Stephen's Day; never involved in a Grade 2 since but this is easier and surely has more to give at this new trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 44y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Downmexicoway

11st 5lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Irish point winner; has won two of his four chase starts (at 2m/2m1f on good to yielding and heavy) and had no realistic chance in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown last month, but he could have made a better impression with some of his jumping; this is a new test for him under rules but he should have the scope to do better back in a handicap; yard runs three.

8/1

3rd

1

2nd Feb 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 1f 0y

14:55 Leopardstown

Downmexicoway

11st 12lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Maiden hurdle winner last season but then lost his form; has done well in three starts over fences; won a Killarney beginners' last August, 8l second in a Tipperary Grade 3 in October; handled heavy ground when beating subsequent winner Drumgill in a handicap at Gowran in November; useful sort but hardly in the same league as his two rivals.

20/1

Form: 72118 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Followed up a maiden hurdle success with a novice hurdle win at Naas in February but that form has taken a few knocks and he didn't beat a rival in a Fairyhouse Grade 2 since; will appreciate the drop in class at least.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

9

25th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 54y

18:05 Ballinrobe

Scalpnagoon

11st 12lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Gordon Elliott

2-7 over hurdles and rated 122 in that sphere; promise in two of three chase starts and rated 120 over fences; beaten 7l over 19.5f (good) at Down Royal latest when a mistake two out proved costly; ground fine here and shorter trip a plus; big player.

15/8

2nd

6

4th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 150y

15:20 Down Royal

Scalpnagoon

11st 12lb

J: Kevin Healy

T: Gordon Elliott

Second runner for yard; a 122-rated hurdler won twice over hurdles last year before losing his form badly; ran well enough behind a subsequent Punchestown winner at Cork on second chase start; can go well.

6/1

3rd

5

5th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 45y

16:45 Cork

Scalpnagoon

11st 12lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Gordon Elliott

Dual hurdle winner but lost his form badly in that sphere last few runs; was poor on chasing debut at Thurles in February; not easy to fancy and a tongue-tie added.

20/1

Non-runners

One And Only

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €756.50
Straight Forecast €619.63
Tricast €4659.96
Trifecta €1888.20

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Champagne Jury

TOPSPEED:

A Tipp For Gold

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Thisistheway

POSTDATA:

Champagne Jury

The Irish Sun:

Champagne Jury