July 05 / 18.30 Bellewstown

18.30

Good

QuinnBet Bellewstown Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £29256.2
  • 2m 1f 40y
  • 16 runners
RTV
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QuinnBet Bellewstown Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 16 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £8.00
  • Place: £1.80

Form: 312-13 BF

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Wide-margin maiden hurdle winner at Limerick in January; bounced back from disappointing run at Ayr when staying on well to land a Tramore handicap hurdle, getting the better of Hasten Slowly; subsequent Downpatrick defeat implies he is vulnerable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

6th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 3f 180y

15:50 Fairyhouse

Bowensonfire

11st 3lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Gordon Elliott

Admirably consistent handicapper who didn't run too badly when midfield in the County Hurdle last month; however, this is a step up the ladder for him and regular rider Jack Kennedy evidently prefers the chances of The Yellow Clay.

10/1

13th

3

13th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 179y

Class 1

14:00 Cheltenham

Bowensonfire

11st 11lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Big improver in recent months, winning strong 2m Leopardstown handicaps at the Christmas meeting (yielding) and at the Dublin Racing Festival (heavy); will need to improve again to complete a hat-trick of big-field successes but that can't be ruled out in his current mood.

14/1

1st

2

1st Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

15:52 Leopardstown

Bowensonfire

11st 4lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Steady improver put up his best effort when winning over C&D last time; is 8lb higher in a tougher race so will have to progress again, but is possible he could do so.

7/1

12/1

  • Place: £2.40

Form: F25-41 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Point winner; took a Clonmel maiden on hurdles debut before losing form during the winter; found his form again and posted solid runs in defeat before beating First Dare at Listowel; rider's claim will help offset the extra 5lb incurred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

29th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 110y

17:55 Tramore

Stuntman Steve

11st 8lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

Two-time hurdles winner is 0-5 in chases; out of form in 2026 but has yet to get his favoured good ground; could go well in first-time cheekpieces with conditions to suit.

7/1

5th

7

17th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 0f 110y

Class 3

14:20 Ayr

Stuntman Steve

11st 4lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

Hard to fancy on the evidence of his four runs over fences this year; however, he's well handicapped on last summer's hurdle form and he's from a respected Irish stable; one to watch in the betting.

13/2

5/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: PU152- BF

Last run: 66 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Bumper and chase winner; maiden over hurdles; big chance despite having gone up 5lb for his second placing behind the David Pipe-trained Thanksforthehelp at the Punchestown festival; looks the pick of his trainer's three runners.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

1

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 75y

16:50 Punchestown

Ballysax Hank

11st 12lb

J: James Bowen

T: Gavin Cromwell

Summer Plate winner at Market Rasen (2m5f, good) last July and went close in the American Grand National (2m5f, firm) in October; excuses on both winter starts; has around 5lb to find with Release The Beast on Cheltenham running; big task under this weight and would prefer further.

10/1

6th

14

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Ballysax Hank

10st 12lb

J: James Bowen

T: Gavin Cromwell

5l win in the Summer Plate at Market Rasen (2m5f, good) last July and went close in the American Grand National (2m5f, firm) in October; excuses on both winter starts (3m then soft ground); the drop back to 2m poses a question but the stiff track and strong pace will help; possible player.

10/1

6th

4

2nd Feb 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 1f 0y

16:05 Leopardstown

Ballysax Hank

11st 4lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

2-5 over fences, won the Summer Plate at Market Rasen (21.5f, good) in July off 128; won sole Flat start next time at Gowran on good to yielding before a fine second to Zanahiyr over hurdles in the American Grand National (2m5f, firm); failed to stay 3m in the Paddy Power at Christmas; ground conditions not certain to suit.

8/1

10/1

  • Place: £3.80

Form: 3213-5 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 10st 10lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Some decent form on the Flat without winning; off the mark over hurdles in a Clonmel maiden in April before a solid third at Punchestown; now needs to reverse the form of a Listowel clash with Stuntman Steve and First Dare.
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

Form: 138/7-

Last run: 230 days

W: 10st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Useful staying handicapper on Flat; absent since unplaced in the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham last November; may need the run but worth a look with the Galway festival in mind.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

10

25th May 2026

Good

2m 6f 100y

17:35 Ballinrobe

Toll Stone

11st 1lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Emmet Mullins

Sole success over hurdles a Fairyhouse maiden (2m, heavy) in February 2024; beaten a head off 3lb lower at the Galway Festival last August (2m1f, good); shaped like this trip might suit when remote third behind Jacovec Tavern at Punchestown (19.5f, yielding) in sole start since; could go well.

5/1

3rd

10

29th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 3f 58y

14:30 Punchestown

Toll Stone

11st 11lb

J: Elizabeth Gale

T: Emmet Mullins

Won over 1m6f on the Flat at the 2024 Galway festival; never landed a blow when 6-1 for the big amateur handicap at the same fixture last July; different proposition later that week, only just denied in a valuable 2m1f handicap hurdle; could be a big player if fit and ready.

9/1

2nd

14

2nd Aug 2025

Good

2m 0f 175y

14:37 Galway

Toll Stone

10st 9lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Emmet Mullins

Won over 1m6f on the Flat at this meeting last year; never landed a blow when 6-1 for the Q.R. Flat race earlier this week; best form is on testing ground so rain would enhance his chance.

12/1

Form: 45P1-2 CD BF

Last run: 50 days

W: 10st 3lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
C&D maiden hurdle winner in April; unplaced on Flat since runner-up over hurdles at Kilbeggan; no easy task for a four-year-old in a race of this standard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17

25th Sep 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

15:25 Listowel

Kaptain Bay

10st 0lb

J: Harry Sexton

T: Adrian Sexton

Won a Bellewstown maiden hurdle in April for Noel Meade and some decent runs in defeat since; can be forgiven a poor Flat run on testing ground at Gowran five days ago but still needs more; 5lb out of the handicap.

25/1

12

(18)

20th Sep 2025

Yielding To Soft

1m 1f 100y

17:10 Gowran Park

Kaptain Bay

9st 9lb

J: Jack Cleary

T: Adrian Sexton

Bellewstown maiden hurdle winner in April and runner-up in a Kilbeggan handicap was his best run since; well beaten in Flat return in a claimer around here last month (1m, good); cheekpieces on now but others preferred.

40/1

Form: 42614- C

Last run: 246 days

W: 11st 4lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Bolted up in a handicap hurdle at Killarney last August; out of her depth in a Grade 3 contest on final outing before a winter break; 9lb higher than for Killarney win and lacks a recent run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

27th Sep 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 0y

15:20 Listowel

Miss Fourie

11st 2lb

J: Jake Coen

T: Peter Fahey

Two-time winner over hurdles; won off 113 at Killarney (2m1f, good) last August; showed signs of returning to form when falling when still going well off this mark back at Killarney latest; stays this far and can go well if that fall hasn't left a mark.

11/2

5

21st Aug 2025

Good

2m 1f 0y

17:07 Killarney

Miss Fourie

10st 12lb

J: Jake Coen

T: Peter Fahey

Easy winner of this 12 months ago off 9lb lower and just the three starts since, one of those behind Brighterdaysahead; returned with a 10l defeat to Bowensonfire at Bellewstown and ran better at Galway, albeit looking a hard ride at times in the new cheekpieces (soon discarded); should feature.

10/1

3

30th Jul 2025

Good

2m 0f 110y

18:05 Galway

Miss Fourie

11st 6lb

J: Jake Coen

T: Peter Fahey

Gained a second win over timber when landing a decent pot at Killarney last summer; shaped like she needed her return but mark looks on the high side at present; tried with first-time cheekpieces.

16/1

Form: 214-

Last run: 64 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Won a 2m maiden hurdle at Naas in April; good form in staying handicaps at the Curragh lately; interesting in his first handicap hurdle.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

11

25th May 2026

Good

2m 6f 100y

17:35 Ballinrobe

Zoffman

11st 0lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Noel Meade

Dual-purpose; won a Naas maiden hurdle (2m, gd-yld) in April 2025; has come up short in handicap hurdles since and just okay runs on the Flat on last two starts; stamina to prove for this trip and others look more convincing.

14/1

8th

17

(18)

3rd May 2026

Yielding

1m 4f 30y

15:43 Cork

Zoffman

8st 8lb

J: Chris Hayes

T: Noel Meade

Dual-purpose 7yo whose losing run on the Flat stretches back to October 2022; hard to be confident against that background; yard in form.

16/1

6th

6

(7)

9th Apr 2026

Soft

1m 4f 0y

19:45 Gowran Park

Zoffman

9st 5lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Noel Meade

Dual-purpose 7yo whose losing run on the Flat stretches back to October 2022; absent since down the field in Leopardstown premier handicap in October; okay mark but probably wants a bit better ground.

7/1

Form: 5/82-1 C

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 2lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Won a maiden hurdle over a longer trip at this venue last year; good 6l second at Navan in December, in a race that worked out well; had two runs on the Flat before winning well back over hurdles at Downpatrick last month; strongly-run race could suit her.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

14th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 159y

19:50 Clonmel

Theflyingbee

11st 7lb

J: Mr J R Martin

T: F G Hand

Useful mare; went a bit high in the ratings after winning at Downpatrick last June; now back on a mark only one pound higher and holds a big chance in this company on the strength of her third placing in a 24-runner contest at the Punchestown festival.

5/1

3rd

17

1st May 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 45y

19:10 Punchestown

Theflyingbee

11st 8lb

J: Mr J R Martin

T: F G Hand

Added a second hurdling win at Downpatrick last June off 2lb lower (2m3f, yielding to soft), but recent runs had gotten progressively worse until return to form of sorts at Bellewstown last month when an 8.5l third (2m1f, yielding).

15/1

3rd

2

18th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 1f 30y

15:15 Bellewstown

Theflyingbee

11st 10lb

J: Mr J R Martin

T: F G Hand

Dual winning hurdler, with the latest win coming at Downpatrick last June off 3lb lower (2m3f, yielding to soft); good second at Navan in September (2m, soft to heavy) but performances have become progressively worse since and beaten 30l at Naas last time (2m3f, heavy).

10/1

Form: 6116-5 BF

Last run: 36 days

W: 10st 8lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Gained back-to-back wins at Wexford and Limerick during March/April; appears held by Raydamann on Punchestown form and by Bowensfire on running at Tramore.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

29th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 110y

17:20 Tramore

Mercury Mission

11st 12lb

J: Liam McKenna

T: P Cluskey

Three-time hurdle winner with a mark of 113; placed in both completed starts over fences, last time running as well as he was entitled to at Wexford; in the mix.

100/30

3rd

7

7th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 0y

17:02 Wexford

Mercury Mission

11st 12lb

J: Liam McKenna

T: P Cluskey

Three-time hurdles winner (rated 113); unseated early on stable and chase debut at Downpatrick; ran a fine race from the front at 80-1 when second to the useful Royal Hollow at Clonmel last month; should be able to pick up a race over fences on that evidence but this looks like a more competitive race.

14/1

2nd

2

14th Apr 2026

Yielding

1m 7f 131y

18:42 Clonmel

Mercury Mission

11st 12lb

J: Liam McKenna

T: P Cluskey

Hurdles winner (rated 113) unseated early when 50-1 on stable and chase debut at Downpatrick latest; prefers good ground and a clear round will likely be the aim here.

33/1

OUR TIP

Form: /619P-

Last run: 65 days

W: 11st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Course winner on the Flat; six wins over hurdles, best form over longer distances; faces a tough task under a big weight.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

29th Aug 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

18:53 Down Royal

Building Bridges

11st 10lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Gary McGill

The last of his six hurdle wins came at Perth in September 2024; a solid effort at Aintree in April over this trip but not as good over 2m at Bellewstown; tough task on these terms.

18/1

11th

1

5th Jul 2025

Good

2m 1f 40y

18:30 Bellewstown

Building Bridges

11st 12lb

J: Mr O McGill

T: Gary McGill

Course winner on the Flat; six wins over hurdles, best form over longer distances; faces a tough task under a big weight.

20/1

18

1st May 2025

Yielding

2m 7f 110y

16:15 Punchestown

Building Bridges

11st 1lb

J: Mr D McGill

T: Gary McGill

Ran okay to be beaten about 10l at Aintree (behind Park Of Kings) and that was after a lengthy break; however, he's an exposed dual-purpose performer and others are more intriguing.

50/1

12/1

Form: 66F-62 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Filly

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Stayed on into second behind Stuntman Steve at Listowel; has an edge over fifth-placed Raydamann; this looks more competitive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

8th Aug 2025

Good

2m 0f 180y

17:28 Wexford

First Dare

11st 0lb

J: Eoin Staples

T: Liz Doyle

Three-time hurdles winner was back to form when runner-up at Listowel in June but tailed off at Bellewstown following that; got loose at the start and was withdrawn at Galway last week; mark still looks on the high side.

15/1

6

30th Jul 2025

Good

2m 0f 110y

18:05 Galway

First Dare

11st 2lb

J: Eoin Staples

T: Liz Doyle

Back to form when runner-up at Limerick last month but tailed off at Bellewstown since and marks seems on the high side for now.

25/1

12th

12

5th Jul 2025

Good

2m 1f 40y

18:30 Bellewstown

First Dare

11st 0lb

J: Mr B T Stone

T: Liz Doyle

Stayed on into second behind Stuntman Steve at Listowel; has an edge over fifth-placed Raydamann; this looks more competitive.

12/1

Form: 45-132 D BF

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Has been running well over longer distances; holding her form since 2m4f Killarney win; may find a few too quick over this trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

11th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 50y

18:07 Killarney

My Gaffer

11st 3lb

J: Liam McKenna

T: John Patrick Ryan

Dual chase winner who is rated lower over hurdles; won this last year and he returns on the back of a narrow win at Clonmel (2m7f); has to enter the equation.

6/1

1st

6

14th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 7f 0y

17:42 Clonmel

My Gaffer

11st 9lb

J: Liam McKenna

T: John Patrick Ryan

Two-time chase (including here) and hurdling winner has failed to exploit his lower hurdles mark on his last three starts; likes it here but remains 5lb above his last hurdles win and stamina to prove for this trip.

18/1

6

15th Oct 2025

Good

2m 4f 45y

15:05 Punchestown

My Gaffer

11st 4lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: John Patrick Ryan

Dual-hurdles and chase winner is rated 8lb lower over timber; very comfortable winner of a handicap chase at Kilbeggan in August (2m4f, good to yielding) but unable to follow up back over hurdles off lower mark at Killarney; set a tall task in a Grade 3 chase at Tipperary last time; not out of it at his best but seems to be better over fences.

11/1

Form: 83100- D

Last run: 67 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Emphatic winner on Flat at Limerick two weeks ago; two handicap hurdle attempts have been very poor; should be capable of better now, but others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

12

(7)

18th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 17y

19:50 Roscommon

God Of Thunder

8st 10lb

J: Reese Holohan

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Won over hurdles and on the Flat at Limerick last year; well exposed in this discipline; money for him over C&D last week when showed a bit more than of late, beaten around 6l; up in grade here.

10/1

7th

9

(16)

11th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 46y

19:53 Roscommon

God Of Thunder

9st 9lb

J: Jared Huggan

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Won off 8lb higher at Limerick last year (12.5f, good); yet to hit form this season and behind a few of these when last of 20 at Navan latest; revival needed.

20/1

Form: 31-635

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Bumper and maiden hurdle winner for Harry Kelly; ran well on the Flat at this venue on final start for Kelly; has run poorly in two of his three runs for this stable; makes handicap debut; his two stablemates appear to hold stronger credentials.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

5th Jul 2025

Good

2m 1f 40y

18:30 Bellewstown

Black Heather

11st 2lb

J: Patrick M O’Brien

T: Gavin Cromwell

Bumper and maiden hurdle winner for Harry Kelly; ran well on the Flat at this venue on final start for Kelly; has run poorly in two of his three runs for this stable; makes handicap debut; his two stablemates appear to hold stronger credentials.

12/1

2

7th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 100y

13:10 Punchestown

Black Heather

11st 12lb

J: Kieren Buckley

T: Gavin Cromwell

Ballinrobe bumper winner last July; won a Naas maiden hurdle easily at the first attempt in April; let down by jumping on stable debut when finishing last in a Cork rated novice (2m1f, good); improved jumping display when a good third in a rated hurdle at Wexford last time; he won't be far away.

9/2

3rd

8

28th May 2025

Good To Firm

2m 1f 0y

17:30 Wexford

Black Heather

11st 4lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

Ballinrobe bumper winner last summer readily landed Naas maiden (2m, good to yielding) on hurdling debut last month; slowly away when narrowly beaten on the flat at Bellewstown two days later but let down by jumping on yard debut in Cork rated novice latest; likely improver if getting jumping sorted.

7/1

Form: 184-U2 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 1lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Useful dual-purpose sort; four wins on Flat, 2-8 over hurdles; caught late by Bowensonfire at Tramore; needs to find extra.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

27th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 0y

16:42 Wexford

Hasten Slowly

11st 8lb

J: Dylan Kidd

T: John C McConnell

Two of her three wins over hurdles have come at Tramore; however, she was a long way below her best in a similar race to this at that course last month; that run was prefaced by weak form at Dundalk during the winter.

4/1

6th

5

20th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 0f 80y

16:10 Tramore

Hasten Slowly

11st 8lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: John C McConnell

Two of her three wins over hurdles have come over C&D including her last score in August; well below her best on AW last three runs but respected back over flights here; best form is on good ground, though.

4/1

8th

11

(14)

13th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 2f 150y

18:00 Dundalk (AW)

Hasten Slowly

9st 5lb

J: Donagh O’Connor

T: John C McConnell

Won over hurdles last August; quite a while since she showed her best form on the Flat; down the field in the race won by Aingeal Dorcha three weeks ago.

20/1

Non-runners

Billie Frechette, Fast Felix

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €44.50
Straight Forecast €86.22
Tricast €318.44
Trifecta €399.00

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Bowensonfire

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Raydamann

SPOTLIGHT:

Ballysax Hank

POSTDATA:

Kaptain Bay

The Irish Sun:

Bowensonfire