August 26 / 18.25 Down Royal

18.25

Good

Walkers Maiden Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4957.98
  • 2m 4f 0y
  • 15 runners
RTV
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Walkers Maiden Hurdle

Runners: 15 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather:

OUR TIP

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.90
  • Place: £1.30

Form: 213 C

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Course bumper winner in June on second attempt, building on an encouraging debut second; put in a respectable effort under a penalty when third behind a Willie Mullins-trained odds-on shot Killarney; suited by good ground, should go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

24th Nov 2024

Yielding

2m 2f 0y

12:40 Punchestown

Champella

10st 11lb

J: Tom Harney

T: Ross O’Sullivan

Improved mare won handicaps at Galway and Listowel this term; might not have stayed 2m7f at Limerick last time and the drop to this trip should suit, so looks a player.

5/1

5th

2

24th Nov 2024

Yielding

2m 2f 0y

12:40 Punchestown

Champella

10st 11lb

J: Tom Harney

T: Ross O’Sullivan

Improved mare won handicaps at Galway and Listowel this term; might not have stayed 2m7f at Limerick last time and the drop to this trip should suit, so looks a player.

5/1

5th

2

19th Oct 2024

Good

2m 6f 180y

14:45 Limerick

Champella

10st 9lb

J: Tom Harney

T: Ross O’Sullivan

led narrowly or disputed lead, headed but prominent before 3rd, jumped right 2 out, weakened from last

4/1

Form: 53-202

Last run: 15 days

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Every chance of winning an ordinary maiden judged on seconds in rated races at Cork in May and at Tramore just over two weeks ago; official rating off 112 sets a reasonable standard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

12

18th Jul 2026

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 3

15:47 Cartmel

Evenwood Sonofagun

10st 2lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Three-time C&D winner, most recently in May; needs to bounce back from below-par run here three weeks ago but probably still on a workable mark; dangerous to ignore.

14/1

6th

11

28th Jun 2026

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 4

15:02 Cartmel

Evenwood Sonofagun

11st 0lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Yard also runs Rauzan but this one has three C&D wins from six visits here; latest win was last month and he went close under 7lb penalty over 3m1f here two days later; those were his only two runs since latest wind surgery; raised another 4lb today but he has to be on the shortlist.

5/1

2nd

7

27th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 83y

Class 5

19:38 Cartmel

Evenwood Sonofagun

11st 11lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Won the 2m6f handicap on this card 12 months ago and returned to form with a 2l success over that same trip on Monday (following a wind operation); did that comfortably and must have every chance under a penalty.

9/4

20/1

  • Place: £3.70

Form: 65

Last run: 18 days

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
18-race Flat maiden, rated 64; out of the money in two maiden hurdle outings this month; trainer has a much stronger candidate in Evenwood Sonofagun.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

(1)

20th Jan 2026

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 6

19:30 Southwell (AW)

Abstract

9st 0lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: Tony Carroll

Had a long absence before reappearing last January and he didn't offer a great deal of encouragement in 2025.

20/1

12

(4)

13th Sep 2025

Soft

2m 1f 24y

Class 6

15:28 Bath

Abstract

9st 6lb

J: Matthew Lloyd Slater

T: Tony Carroll

Yet to add to his 1m4f AW win in March 2023 and has had several chances off lowly marks this year; difficult to enthuse over.

25/1

7

(3)

29th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 209y

Class 6

16:03 Ffos Las

Abstract

9st 0lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: Tony Carroll

AW winner over 1m4f in 2023 but he's been big prices and well held in 2025; major turnaround needed.

20/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Very useful Flat performer for Jessica Harrington; won a 7f Cork maiden at two and ran good races in defeat in smart company at three, notably when second to subsequent Group 1 winner Poetic Flare in a Listed race; two moderate runs for Harrington this year before facing a stiff task over 7f at Naas on stable debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

1

(2)

13th Oct 2023

Standard

1m 4f 0y

20:15 Dundalk (AW)

Ace Aussie

10st 0lb

J: Leigh Roche

T: John Joseph Hanlon

Losing run since sole success in September 2020 and no sign of a return to form here a fortnight ago; up in trip.

50/1

13th

5

(2)

29th Sep 2023

Standard

1m 2f 150y

19:15 Dundalk (AW)

Ace Aussie

9st 12lb

J: Declan McDonogh

T: John Joseph Hanlon

Formerly Group 3-placed for Jessica Harrington but regressive in the last year for this yard; likely best watched on AW debut.

33/1

Form: 0-46

Last run: 12 days

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Finished a remote fourth at Kilbeggan on the second of two bumper starts; moderate sixth in a Tramore maiden won by a shorter-priced stablemate open to improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

2

11th Nov 2023

Heavy

2m 4f 0y

12:20 Gowran Park

Innellan Shore

11st 12lb

J: Jody McGarvey

T: Gordon Elliott

towards rear, not fluent 1st

25/1

0

9

21st Oct 2023

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

14:40 Limerick

Innellan Shore

11st 0lb

J: Carl Millar

T: Gordon Elliott

Just a hint of ability in maidens but opening two handicap efforts this time last year leave him with plenty to find.

16/1

Form: 9

Last run: 38 days

W: 10st 6lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Made no impact first time out at Ballinrobe and will need to pick up more experience.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

21st Aug 2024

Yielding

2m 4f 141y

18:40 Sligo

Realta Geal

11st 0lb

J: Benjamin P Kennedy

T: Francis J Flood

Pulled-up up on handicap debut last time back after a long absence and not easy to fancy.

50/1

14

8th Jul 2024

Good

3m 0f 149y

19:45 Roscommon

Realta Geal

11st 3lb

J: Benjamin P Kennedy

T: Francis J Flood

Modest form when last seen and can only be watched returning from a huge absence.

50/1

12th

14

30th Oct 2022

Soft

2m 4f 150y

14:35 Wexford

Realta Geal

10st 6lb

J: Gavin Brouder

T: Francis J Flood

in rear throughout, mistake 6th, tailed off

33/1

Form: 07

Last run: 42 days

W: 10st 6lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Killarney effort was a step in the right direction but not a likely winner at this stage.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

14

7th Nov 2023

Heavy

2m 4f 110y

15:23 Fairyhouse

Punk Rock Girl

11st 0lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Cian Collins

prominent, weakened before 4 out, not fluent 3 out, soon dropped to rear and pulled up

16/1

10th

18

22nd Sep 2023

Yielding To Soft

3m 0f 0y

14:40 Listowel

Punk Rock Girl

10st 13lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Cian Michael Collins

Drop in trip seemed to suit her last time when third at Bangor; pulled-up in this race last year; this distance may not be ideal judged on a couple of runs over staying distances during the summer.

8/1

Form: 79

Last run: 15 days

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Some promise on the Flat in Britain for Roger Charlton; looks more like one for handicaps after this third handicap run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

10

26th Aug 2022

Good

2m 4f 0y

18:25 Down Royal

Modestus

10st 13lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Cian Michael Collins

midfield, pushed along 3 out, no impression before 2 out

20/1

100/1

Form: P00P-4

Last run: 44 days

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Very modest form; would receive 29lb from Evenwood Sonofagun in a handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

18th Jun 2023

Good

2m 1f 65y

16:40 Downpatrick

Guest

10st 13lb

J: Charlie O’Dwyer

T: H Smyth

Appears very modest and tailed off on first run of the year at Down Royal.

25/1

16th

20

1st May 2023

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 180y

14:10 Down Royal

Guest

10st 13lb

J: Conor Clarke

T: H Smyth

prominent

10

7th Oct 2022

Yielding

2m 5f 110y

16:17 Downpatrick

Guest

10st 11lb

J: Shane O’Callaghan

T: H Smyth

towards rear, mistake and reminders 4 out, soon weakened and became detached, pulled up 3 out

33/1

Form:

Last run: 49 days

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Not a bad pedigree; showed up prominently before dropping away to finish at the back first time out in a bumper at Cork.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

9

1st Jan 2024

Heavy

2m 5f 120y

13:40 Tramore

Therailwayman

11st 0lb

J: Jody McGarvey

T: John Joseph Hanlon

midfield, dropped to rear and detached after 5 out, pulled up before 4 out

25/1

9th

8

3rd Sep 2022

Good

2m 0f 0y

14:10 Wexford

Therailwayman

10st 13lb

J: Philip Donovan

T: E Sheehy

in rear, slightly hampered 1st, not fluent 2nd, ridden 5 out, no impression when not fluent 2 out

33/1

Form: 8

Last run: 57 days

W: 10st 6lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Did not look an easy ride when a remote eighth in a bumper at Tipperary in June.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

13

26th Aug 2022

Good

2m 4f 0y

18:25 Down Royal

Nell C

10st 6lb

J: L P Dempsey

T: Kevin Michael Smith

always towards rear, awkward jump 3rd, became detached 4 out, tailed off

50/1

Form: 381

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed at Ballinrobe on the first of two Irish bumper starts; battled away to win a four-runner bumper at Perth 13 days ago; faces more demanding opposition now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

6th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 56y

Class 4

14:00 Wetherby

Finnthemagician

11st 11lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Nicky Richards

held up in rear on inner, awkward jump 2nd

10/1

4th

9

8th Oct 2022

Good To Soft

2m 4f 28y

Class 4

15:34 Hexham

Finnthemagician

11st 2lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Gordon Elliott

prominent on outer, pushed along after 2 out (usual 3 out), ridden and went second approaching last, lost second run-in, no extra and lost third final 110yds

2/1

Form: 78

Last run: 43 days

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Makes hurdling debut after two unplaced bumper runs; not an obvious contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

13

17th Jul 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

16:52 Killarney

Cullenwaine

10st 3lb

J: Shane O’Callaghan

T: David O’Sullivan

Modest strike rate of 1-21 over fences; took the runner-up spot on consecutive occasions at Limerick and Tramore in April/May, both over 2m6f on good; lesser run back at Tramore when last seen over fences (2m6f, good); poor effort back over hurdles at Limerick earlier this month.

9/1

4th

15

2nd Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

18:23 Limerick

Cullenwaine

10st 0lb

J: Shane O’Callaghan

T: David O’Sullivan

Modest strike-rate and both wins were in 2024; has been chasing; 5lb out of the handicap.

16/1

5th

9

30th May 2026

Good

2m 6f 0y

18:30 Tramore

Cullenwaine

10st 8lb

J: Shane O’Callaghan

T: David O’Sullivan

Poor strike-rate and both wins were in 2024; however, chased home previous-race contender Lake Chad here before a near miss at Limerick last week; solid chance.

5/1

Form: 67

Last run: 12 days

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Some merit in his recent run at Tramore but not enough to suggest he can win this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

12

1st Oct 2022

Good

2m 4f 0y

14:17 Gowran Park

Haitan

11st 10lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Josh Halley

midfield, not fluent 3rd, mistake 3 out, soon ridden but weakened

33/1

8

26th Aug 2022

Good

2m 4f 0y

18:25 Down Royal

Haitan

10st 13lb

J: Ricky Doyle

T: Josh Halley

midfield, pushed along before 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, no impression when fell last

20/1

Form: 7007

Last run: 54 days

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Some ability in evidence at Punchestown in May on the second of four starts; likely to need a handicap mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

13

9th Nov 2023

Heavy

2m 3f 80y

12:30 Clonmel

Open The Gate

11st 4lb

J: Charlie O’Dwyer

T: Conor O’Dwyer

didn't always jump with fluency, midfield, reminders after 7th

66/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €11.80
Straight Forecast €7.64
Trifecta €62.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Evenwood Sonofagun

RP Ratings (IRE):

Evenwood Sonofagun

TOPSPEED:

Evenwood Sonofagun

POSTDATA:

Evenwood Sonofagun

The Irish Sun:

Evenwood Sonofagun