August 26 / 17.50 Down Royal

17.50

Good

Pilgrims Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5453.78
  • 2m 0f 190y
  • 15 runners
RTV
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Pilgrims Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 15 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather:

14/1 (Won)

  • Win: £13.20
  • Place: £3.80

Form: 49/P-0

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 6lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Five-time winner on the Flat but 0-14 over jumps; tailed off on return to hurdles at Galway festival and probably has a bit too much to prove in this sphere at present.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

4th Jul 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 0y

17:40 Tipperary

One Cool Poet

11st 12lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Liz Doyle

midfield, lost position when short of room after 1st, pushed along and towards rear when bit short of room and slipped up after 3 out

20/1

9th

5

31st May 2024

Soft

2m 0f 0y

18:50 Tramore

One Cool Poet

11st 12lb

J: Tom Harney

T: Liz Doyle

Was a one-time very useful Flat type but only 1-19 hurdling; only narrowly went down at Punchestown last October on final start for Matthew Smith and veteran now starts for new yard; wants better ground.

20/1

2nd

2

10th Oct 2023

Yielding

2m 0f 140y

14:25 Punchestown

One Cool Poet

11st 12lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Matthew J Smith

Was a one-time smart Flat type but has won only once over hurdles; was 2nd in this race last year off 3lb higher but has to rebound after some lesser runs.

18/1

5/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 4-431 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Improved to get off the mark in a maiden hurdle at Tramore a fortnight ago, staying on strongly and good value for the narrow margin of that win; handicapper hasn't gone overboard with a mark of 100 and she can go well with more progress on the cards.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

21st Apr 2024

Soft

2m 5f 80y

15:50 Tramore

Doyenna

11st 1lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Mrs Lorna Fowler

in touch with leaders early, mistake 1st, midfield 2nd, towards rear before 3rd

40/1

12

21st Apr 2024

Soft

2m 5f 80y

15:50 Tramore

Doyenna

11st 1lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Mrs Lorna Fowler

in touch with leaders early, mistake 1st, midfield 2nd, towards rear before 3rd

40/1

6

4th Mar 2024

Heavy

2m 4f 0y

15:30 Leopardstown

Doyenna

11st 4lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Mrs Lorna Fowler

Best form is all at 2m on better ground, including Fairyhouse win last season off 102; plenty to find from C&D run at Christmas.

33/1

9/2

  • Place: £1.90

Form: -03228 BF

Last run: 18 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
12-race maiden; had been knocking on the door prior to finishing a beaten favourite at Ballinrobe earlier this month; handicapper may have caught up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

25th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 54y

18:05 Ballinrobe

Listentillitellyea

11st 12lb

J: James Smith

T: Thomas Gibney

Winning hurdler has plenty of experience over fences and rated 116; far from disgraced in Listed handicap chases at Fairyhouse and Punchestown last April/May before falling at Galway when last seen in August; could run well if fit after his break.

16/1

13

3rd Aug 2025

Good

2m 2f 54y

15:30 Galway

Listentillitellyea

10st 2lb

J: Gavin Brouder

T: Thomas Gibney

Hard to win with (1-21 hurdles, 0-7 chases)' appeared not to stay in 2m4f Punchestown festival event won by Sea Music; others have stronger claims.

16/1

5th

20

2nd May 2025

Yielding

2m 4f 55y

17:25 Punchestown

Listentillitellyea

10st 0lb

J: Gavin Brouder

T: Thomas Gibney

midfield, prominent after 3rd, went second 5th

33/1

OUR TIP

Form: P/44-F

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Sole win came on the Flat in Britain in 2020; his April return in a maiden hurdle wasn't without promise but only modest form on the Flat on his next two starts; fell on handicap hurdle debut when last seen but ran well for a long way and might be on a good mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

9

(10)

29th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

19:25 Down Royal

Mephisto

9st 5lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Gerard Keane

Completed a hat-trick in handicap hurdles last summer before losing his way; decent run at Dundalk last month off 8lb higher AW mark so has to be of interest back on the turf (stamina proven).

100/30

4th

4

(5)

10th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

19:50 Dundalk (AW)

Mephisto

10st 0lb

J: Jack Kearney

T: Gerard Keane

Completed a hat-trick in handicap hurdles last summer before losing his way; effective here and not badly treated, so could easily stage a revival.

8/1

Form: 0-F006

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Modest form in bumpers and similar story in maiden hurdles so far; handicapper hasn't taken any chances with his opening mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

11

28th Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 46y

15:35 Thurles

Vairue

11st 6lb

J: Cian Cullinan

T: Ms Helen P Markham

Off for almost two years after winning here in 2022; good effort when fifth in a 2m Gowran handicap hurdle last month but dropped out quickly at Navan 11 days ago; best watched.

33/1

9th

11

28th Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 46y

15:35 Thurles

Vairue

11st 6lb

J: Cian Cullinan

T: Ms Helen P Markham

Off for almost two years after winning here in 2022; good effort when fifth in a 2m Gowran handicap hurdle last month but dropped out quickly at Navan 11 days ago; best watched.

33/1

18th

20

17th Nov 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 0y

12:45 Navan

Vairue

11st 0lb

J: Conor Smithers

T: Ms Helen P Markham

Off for almost two years after winning at Thurles in 2022; good effort when fifth in a 2m Gowran handicap hurdle last month; could go well off the same mark here with more improvement possible.

16/1

Form: -PP061 D

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Off the mark at the 13th attempt when bouncing back from some lesser efforts; good value for the winning margin that day and a 6lb rise leaves him on a workable mark; ought to go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

12

29th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 145y

19:00 Tramore

Bite That

10st 8lb

J: G B Noonan

T: Patrick J Flynn

Last won over hurdles here (2m, good) in 2022; rated 23lb higher over fences but hard to fancy on the evidence of his last three runs over hurdles at Clonmel.

28/1

9th

11

14th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 116y

18:20 Clonmel

Bite That

10st 12lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: Patrick J Flynn

Hurdles win came at Tramore back in 2022, more recently won over fences at Wexford last summer; soft ground not ideal of late so improvement on the cards back on a sound surface.

12/1

12th

6

26th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 2f 188y

17:12 Clonmel

Bite That

10st 13lb

J: G B Noonan

T: Patrick J Flynn

Infrequent winner but consistent in the main and deserved his Wexford chase victory a year ago; has failed to take advantage of lower hurdles mark in three outings since then; tailed off here four weeks ago in the race won by Courtbrack Boy.

14/1

40/1

Form: 99P/00 D

Last run: 9 days

W: 10st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Sole win in 28 starts came in 2018 and he's shown very little in trio of outings for this yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17

2nd Jun 2023

Good

2m 4f 80y

19:00 Down Royal

Stander

10st 7lb

J: P J O’Hanlon

T: R K Watson

Third reserve; struggled for form since joining this yard and may need this run.

7th

11

3rd Nov 2022

Yielding To Soft

1m 7f 188y

15:50 Thurles

Stander

11st 2lb

J: Ciaran O’Shea

T: R K Watson

1-30 and sole win came in a maiden hurdle in 2018; tailed off at Gowran latest; blinkers now reached for.

40/1

11

20th Oct 2022

Good

1m 7f 149y

15:45 Thurles

Stander

11st 2lb

J: Ciaran O’Shea

T: R K Watson

Sole win came in a maiden hurdle four years ago; tailed off again last time and hard to recommend at present; blinkers now tried.

25/1

Form: /0P08- D

Last run: 321 days

W: 11st 10lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Poor form on the Flat in recent weeks and was struggling when last seen over hurdles last season; becoming well treated and first-time cheekpieces may help but leap of faith required to support him at present.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

26th Aug 2022

Good

2m 0f 190y

17:50 Down Royal

Shumaker

11st 10lb

J: Liam McKenna

T: Paul Traynor

prominent, pushed along after 4 out, ridden but weakened after 3 out, beaten when bumped last

20/1

12th

10

(4)

13th Aug 2022

Yielding

2m 0f 50y

20:00 Tramore

Shumaker

9st 5lb

J: J M Sheridan

T: Paul Traynor

led early, headed after 2f, prominent until pushed along and weakened from 3f out

8/1

Form: 66-222 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 5lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Has finished runner-up in a trio of handicap hurdles at Ballinrobe in his last three starts; going up the handicap without winning but can give another good account.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

19

12th Jun 2023

Good

2m 0f 46y

18:48 Roscommon

Peace Party

11st 11lb

J: Shane Fitzgerald

T: Desmond McDonogh

Reserve; 2-35 over hurdles, the wins a long time ago now; didn't run badly last time but an 11yo now and others appeal more.

9th

10

30th May 2023

Good

2m 0f 40y

19:00 Ballinrobe

Peace Party

11st 0lb

J: E Walsh

T: Desmond McDonogh

Tailed off throughout after starting very sluggishly here four weeks ago; hasn't won for a long time now.

25/1

10

2nd May 2023

Yielding

2m 0f 139y

17:48 Ballinrobe

Peace Party

11st 7lb

J: Kieran Callaghan

T: Desmond McDonogh

Hasn't won in a long time but three times runner-up at this track last summer including in this event; back from a break and has to be respected given his record around here.

8/1

Form: F050

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Hasn't shown much in four maiden hurdles so far at big prices, tailed off again latest; enough to prove on handicap bow.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

10th Mar 2023

Good

2m 4f 100y

Class 5

14:35 Ayr

No Mor Isolation

11st 0lb

J: Daryl Jacob

T: S R B Crawford

One of three Irish challengers in the field; holds weak claims on form and proved reluctant to race at Sedgefield most recently; however, may improve with Daryl Jacob up for first time.

16/1

12

13th Jan 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 188y

Class 5

13:50 Sedgefield

No Mor Isolation

11st 2lb

J: James Bowen

T: S R B Crawford

Trained in Northern Ireland; lightly raced but low-level form at best, beaten 27l, 29l and 55l in his three handicaps; tried cheekpieces on latest start, now has a tongue-tie and visor.

25/1

9

2nd Jan 2023

Heavy

2m 4f 100y

Class 5

13:15 Ayr

No Mor Isolation

11st 8lb

J: J J Slevin

T: S R B Crawford

Irish-trained maiden who has finished well down the field at Musselburgh on his last two starts, most recently yesterday in first-time cheekpieces; now wears a first-time visor and has plenty to prove.

16/1

50/1

Form: 006-00

Last run: 12 days

W: 10st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Tailed off on chase debut last time and same result when last seen over hurdles in a C&D event in May; 1lb wrong.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

11

24th Feb 2024

Heavy

2m 4f 135y

15:15 Fairyhouse

Ventnor

10st 7lb

J: J J Slevin

T: James M Barcoe

towards rear

12/1

7th

14

26th Nov 2023

Soft

2m 0f 0y

13:10 Cork

Ventnor

10st 0lb

J: Kieran Callaghan

T: James M Barcoe

led, headed but prominent after 2nd, lost position before 4th

14/1

Form: 96-334

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Sole win came in France two years ago; has returned to form in his last couple of starts and only beaten 1l at Ballinrobe last time but doesn't look particularly well treated at present.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

15th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 137y

18:18 Clonmel

Makfils

11st 4lb

J: Tom Harney

T: Ross O’Sullivan

1-27 over hurdles, that win coming for Peter Fahey at Punchestown (2m, good to yielding) last May off 92; no impact first two runs for this yard but well-backed last time at Limerick when reluctant to race and slowly away; headgear combination tried now.

10/1

11

15th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 137y

18:18 Clonmel

Makfils

11st 4lb

J: Tom Harney

T: Ross O’Sullivan

1-27 over hurdles, that win coming for Peter Fahey at Punchestown (2m, good to yielding) last May off 92; no impact first two runs for this yard but well-backed last time at Limerick when reluctant to race and slowly away; headgear combination tried now.

10/1

9th

4

10th Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

14:52 Limerick

Makfils

11st 7lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Ross O’Sullivan

slowly away, in rear, not fluent 4 out

14/1

Form: 1O22-4 D BF

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 1lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Won four on the spin over fences last year; didn't manage to capitalise on his lower hurdle mark subsequently and he was a beaten favourite on return at Tramore 15 days ago, but entitled to come on for that; hard to put a line through.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

15th Sep 2023

Good

2m 1f 165y

15:25 Downpatrick

Downthecellar

12st 0lb

J: Rachael Blackmore

T: E J O’Grady

Has failed to finish in four of his last six starts and pulled up in two recent handicap chases; wouldn't want much rain to arrive and others preferred.

33/1

0

3

1st Sep 2023

Good

2m 3f 140y

18:55 Wexford

Downthecellar

11st 11lb

J: Mark McDonagh

T: E J O’Grady

Won four on the bounce over fences in 2021, including three at Tramore; below form this term and pulled-up over C&D last time.

33/1

0

4

11th Aug 2023

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 170y

19:15 Wexford

Downthecellar

11st 10lb

J: Ben Harvey

T: E J O’Grady

Won four handicap chases in 2021; losing run since and pulled up over fences on this season's return; probably best watched having struggled from his lower hurdle mark twice since.

20/1

Form: 0671 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Left his maiden hurdle form behind with a half length success on handicap debut at Kilbeggan earlier this month; 6lb higher but open to further progress and has to be high on any shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

15

(6)

15th Mar 2024

Standard

1m 2f 150y

17:15 Dundalk (AW)

Tincurra Lad

10st 2lb

J: Luke McAteer

T: W J Martin

led

9th

3

(12)

31st Jan 2024

Standard

1m 2f 150y

15:05 Dundalk (AW)

Tincurra Lad

9st 10lb

J: Killian Leonard

T: W J Martin

Won a 2m handicap hurdle on good ground at Kilbeggan in August 2022; out form over jumps last year; well beaten over 1m4f here recently.

100/1

9th

4

(6)

16th Jan 2024

Standard

1m 4f 0y

13:05 Dundalk (AW)

Tincurra Lad

9st 12lb

J: Rory Mulligan

T: W J Martin

Won a 2m handicap hurdle on good ground at Kilbeggan in August 2022; has fallen in three of his four chase starts since August; down the field in three handicap hurdle outings in the same period.

25/1

40/1

Form: 009P-6

Last run: 13 days

W: 10st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
23-race maiden; too keen on yard debut when making his return 13 days ago; entitled to come on for that but others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

10

6th Oct 2023

Yielding To Soft

2m 1f 165y

15:00 Downpatrick

Crecerelle

10st 8lb

J: John Shinnick

T: S Wilson

Modest sort outran his mark in a 2m6f novice here in July but 28-race maiden can't be relied upon to reproduce that here.

20/1

4th

6

13th Jul 2023

Yielding

2m 5f 170y

17:00 Downpatrick

Crecerelle

11st 0lb

J: John Shinnick

T: S Wilson

towards rear but in touch with leaders, dropped to rear 3 out, not fluent 2 out, kept on run-in, went fourth towards finish

100/1

10th

10

18th Jun 2023

Good

2m 1f 65y

16:40 Downpatrick

Crecerelle

10st 13lb

J: Jody McGarvey

T: S Wilson

Modest maiden nowadays in all codes; pulled up at Down Royal in March; makes no appeal.

25/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €73.70
Straight Forecast €62.70
Tricast €221.25
Trifecta €844.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Doyenna

RP Ratings (IRE):

Bite That

POSTDATA:

Makfils

TOPSPEED:

Peace Party

The Irish Sun:

Doyenna