October 15 / 13.55 Punchestown

13.55

Good

BetVictor Maiden Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5851.24
  • 2m 0f 95y
  • 13 runners
RTV
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BetVictor Maiden Hurdle

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

5/4 (Won)

  • Win: £3.70
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 1 D

Last run: 85 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Supremely comfortable winner of a Ballinrobe bumper for Andrew Slattery, who has been flying in bumpers; makes stable debut now and his former trainer felt he was one of his best bumper horses; big chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 90y

14:30 Punchestown

Gameball

11st 12lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Impressive winner of a Ballinrobe bumper on debut last year for Andrew Slattery and moved to this yard after; won a C&D maiden hurdle in October before finishing fourth to in a Fairyhouse Grade 2 novice; hood added after a break and seems yard's first-string so a contender.

5/1

1st

2

15th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 95y

13:55 Punchestown

Gameball

11st 12lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Supremely comfortable winner of a Ballinrobe bumper for Andrew Slattery, who has been flying in bumpers; makes stable debut now and his former trainer felt he was one of his best bumper horses; big chance.

5/4

4

22nd Jul 2025

Yielding

1m 7f 119y

20:12 Ballinrobe

Gameball

12st 0lb

J: Mr A P Ryan

T: Andrew Slattery

Yeats gelding, closely related to bumper and smart 2m-3m hurdle winner Marie's Rock, half-brother to bumper, 2m Flat (RPR 107) and useful 2m hurdle winner Arcadian Sunrise; plenty of appeal on paper and feared if market speaks favourably.

8/1

8/1

  • Place: £2.40

Form: 9/33

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
81-rated Flat horse is 1-10 in that sphere following a Leopardstown maiden win in April 2021 for Jessica Harrington; two recent third placings in maiden hurdles are promising but needs to keep improving.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

4th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 88y

13:35 Down Royal

OReilly

11st 12lb

J: John Shinnick

T: Peter Fahey

An 80-rated Flat winner ran fine races in his first three hurdle attempts last autumn but was poor in a hood at this track when last seen; however, has a chance if restored to best on return; first-string for a yard that had a Punchestown winner.

10/1

11th

7

1st Nov 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 190y

13:00 Down Royal

OReilly

11st 12lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Peter Fahey

81-rated Flat horse has been placed on latest three of four attempts hurdling, most recently chasing home a 6l winner at Punchestown; tried hooded now and place claims again, more needed to play a major role in a stronger maiden.

12/1

11th

7

1st Nov 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 190y

13:00 Down Royal

OReilly

11st 12lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Peter Fahey

81-rated Flat horse has been placed on latest three of four attempts hurdling, most recently chasing home a 6l winner at Punchestown; tried hooded now and place claims again, more needed to play a major role in a stronger maiden.

12/1

7/1

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 16- D

Last run: 177 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Wide-margin point winner who got off the mark immediately under rules when winning a Leopardstown bumper last Christmas (yielding); likely didn't handle soft-heavy conditions when tailed off in a Fairyhouse bumper in April; can do better now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

7

6th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 5f 110y

15:15 Fairyhouse

Kovanis

11st 1lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Point-to-point, bumper and maiden hurdle winner; highly tried to no avail the last twice in a Grade 2 novice at Navan and in a Grade 1 novice at Naas (both 2m4f on soft and heavy); makes handicap debut now and preferred by Kennedy, but others appeal more.

9/1

3rd

3

15th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 95y

13:55 Punchestown

Kovanis

11st 12lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Wide-margin point winner who got off the mark immediately under rules when winning a Leopardstown bumper last Christmas (yielding); likely didn't handle soft-heavy conditions when tailed off in a Fairyhouse bumper in April; can do better now.

7/1

Form:

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Sent off at 33-1 on debut at Listowel and completely tailed off; may need more time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

14th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 3f 185y

17:12 Clonmel

The Guinness Boys

10st 13lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Gavin Cromwell

Pulled up in a chase last time; handicap hurdle form is unconvincing, pulled up twice and not in the first eight in two completed starts.

16/1

17

17th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 3f 100y

16:32 Wexford

The Guinness Boys

12st 0lb

J: Kevin Sexton

T: Gavin Cromwell

First reserve; mixed fortunes in his four handicaps over hurdles, beaten 11l and 14l on the good days; makes chase debut here.

4

3rd Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

16:05 Fairyhouse

The Guinness Boys

11st 6lb

J: Patrick M O’Brien

T: Gavin Cromwell

Third runner for yard and the market can be revealing; was beaten 11l on second handicap start last time at Punchestown over nearly 2m4f; needs more dropped 2lb and in trip.

12/1

Form: /67-57

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Dundalk winner in January but couldn't find another win in three subsequent starts at that venue, nor at Leopardstown; switch to hurdles doesn't seem to have brought about improvement on the evidence of his two maiden hurdle starts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

11

(12)

1st Jun 2026

Good

1m 4f 40y

14:34 Gowran Park

Pavilion End

9st 9lb

J: Declan McDonogh

T: Charles O’Brien

Dual-purpose AW winner; out of form at Dundalk earlier this year and disappointing return to turf at the Curragh eight days ago; eased 1lb and down in trip, but others arrive in better fettle.

33/1

13th

21

(21)

24th May 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 6f 0y

17:40 Curragh

Pavilion End

9st 0lb

J: Gavin Ryan

T: Charles O’Brien

Has only had one Flat run on turf; fair performer at up to 2m on AW at Dundalk, maiden winner (1m4f) and placed twice, including when third off this mark in October (1m4f); should be suited by ground conditions.

33/1

Form: 1- C

Last run: 165 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Looked a smart prospect when winning a festival bumper here on debut when 7-4 favourite; goes hurdling now and is a big player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

29th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 3f 58y

15:05 Punchestown

Vitorio Piel

11st 12lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Emmet Mullins

Bumper winner at last year's festival on yielding ground; off the mark over hurdles at fourth attempt when dropped back to 2m in a four-runner Leopardstown novice early last month, outpacing odds-on favourite Grey Jude from the last; beat all bar the unconsidered Sept Etoile in a 3m handicap at Fairyhouse; strong chance.

9/4

2nd

4

4th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 7f 170y

16:25 Fairyhouse

Vitorio Piel

11st 10lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Emmet Mullins

Punchestown festival bumper (yielding) winner last term, got off the mark over hurdles at fourth attempt when dropped back to 2m in 4-runner Leopardstown novice last month, outpacing odds-on favourite from last (heavy); type to keep improving, stays at least 2m5f; one to consider on handicap debut.

9/1

1st

4

2nd Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 0f 0y

14:25 Leopardstown

Vitorio Piel

11st 7lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Emmet Mullins

Punchestown festival bumper (yielding) winner last term has coped with softer conditions on latest two runs in 2m5f maiden hurdles, hampered by winner run-in when clear second at same venue and at Thurles last month only tired late on when third (conceding 8lb to first two); much better suited at the weights here an drops in trip.

9/4

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
One of two for trainer; 79-rated Flat horse was a two-time winner in that sphere in the UK for Amy Murphy in 2020; unseen since July 2022 and now makes hurdling/stable debut with a first-time tongue tie; likely to need this after such a long absence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

(7)

15th Apr 2026

Yielding

1m 1f 0y

16:17 Leopardstown

Urban War

10st 9lb

J: Ms E J Kavanagh

T: John Joseph Hanlon

Won twice as a 2yo in Britain for Amy Murphy in 2020; fairly moderate runs over hurdles and on AW since returning from three-year hiatus; others preferred.

25/1

6th

8

(9)

6th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

19:15 Dundalk (AW)

Urban War

9st 9lb

J: Ronan Whelan

T: John Joseph Hanlon

Won twice as 2yo in Britain for Amy Murphy in 2020; mild promise in maiden hurdles returning from three-year hiatus; made no impact here (1m) last month; safe to rule out.

33/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Tenth foal; half-sister to winners Miss Mackie (2m/2m1f chase), Manintheshadows (2m7f-3m1f hurdle) and Imperial Lord (bumper); dam unraced half-sister to high-class bumper and 1m7f-3m hurdle/chase winner Otago Trail; best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

13

30th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 80y

15:51 Listowel

Tellmemamema

10st 12lb

J: Kieren Buckley

T: Edward Buckley

Outran 80-1 odds at Down Royal (2m2f, good) on handicap debut earlier this month when fourth of 20, staying on well; this trip could bring further improvement.

9/1

4th

12

4th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 88y

14:10 Down Royal

Tellmemamema

10st 12lb

J: Tom Buckley

T: Edward Buckley

Related to winners and first maiden run was respectable; one to note on handicap debut, especially if money comes.

20/1

10th

13

14th Jan 2026

Yielding

2m 2f 55y

13:15 Fairyhouse

Tellmemamema

11st 7lb

J: Kieren Buckley

T: Edward Buckley

Showed a little at Punchestown in October; tailed off at Thurles on second attempt.

200/1

Form:

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
300-1 for debut and finished completely tailed off; left out of calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

27th Oct 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 100y

14:57 Wexford

Magnificent Era

11st 12lb

J: Ryan Treacy

T: John F Gleeson

Tailed-off on hurdling debut at Listowel but more encouraging at Punchestown since; this is a drop in class so should get closer.

12/1

5th

4

27th Oct 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 100y

14:57 Wexford

Magnificent Era

11st 12lb

J: Ryan Treacy

T: John F Gleeson

Tailed-off on hurdling debut at Listowel but more encouraging at Punchestown since; this is a drop in class so should get closer.

12/1

9th

4

15th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 95y

13:55 Punchestown

Magnificent Era

11st 12lb

J: Ryan Treacy

T: John F Gleeson

300-1 for debut and finished completely tailed off; left out of calculations.

100/1

Form: 0-5

Last run: 157 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
One of two for trainer; well beaten in four point-to-point starts and similar story when sent off big prices for two maiden hurdle starts; a little better last time, but hard to fancy all the same.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

9

6th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 0y

13:50 Cork

Back To Cali

11st 4lb

J: Adam Leahy

T: John Joseph Hanlon

Maiden's best run in four handicap starts was when third of 20 at Down Royal (2m1f, yielding) at Christmas; twice well held on more testing ground since; might go okay on likely better surface here.

12/1

4th

1

26th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 76y

13:59 Clonmel

Back To Cali

11st 12lb

J: Adam Leahy

T: John Joseph Hanlon

Modest form in maidens; remote fourth on handicap debut at Limerick (2m, heavy); much better when third of 20 at Down Royal (2m1f, yielding); failed to see out 2m4f on soft at Fairyhouse; drop in trip will help.

7/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Second foal; dam bumper winner, sister to point winner Book Of Love, out of maiden half-sister to smart 2m7f hurdle winner Torboy; likely to need more time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

12

15th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 95y

13:55 Punchestown

On The High Seas

11st 5lb

J: Patrick M O’Brien

T: Dermot A McLoughlin

Second foal; dam bumper winner, sister to point winner Book Of Love, out of maiden half-sister to smart 2m7f hurdle winner Torboy; likely to need more time.

28/1

Form: R09

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Refused to race at Galway and tailed off in two subsequent starts; rule him out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

25th Oct 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 90y

15:03 Galway

Premier Banner

11st 12lb

J: Jack G Gilligan

T: Paul John Gilligan

Refused to race here on debut; heavy defeats at long odds three starts since; seems safe to rule out.

100/1

12th

8

15th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 95y

13:55 Punchestown

Premier Banner

11st 12lb

J: Jack G Gilligan

T: Paul John Gilligan

Refused to race at Galway and tailed off in two subsequent starts; rule him out.

100/1

8

26th Sep 2025

Yielding

2m 2f 0y

13:23 Listowel

Premier Banner

11st 12lb

J: Jack G Gilligan

T: Paul John Gilligan

Refused to race Galway; tailed off at Killarney, can be left out of calculations.

100/1

Form: 87-

Last run: 220 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Made some late progress on her Naas bumper debut, but well beaten all the same; tailed off when last seen in March; makes hurdling debut now but an unlikely winner.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

13th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

17:20 Punchestown

Something Black

11st 7lb

J: Gavin Brouder

T: Kieran P Egan

Weak bumper form; unseated rider at the first on hurdling debut at this venue; down the field at Fairyhouse last November

100/1

16

4th Nov 2025

Soft

2m 0f 0y

14:15 Fairyhouse

Something Black

10st 11lb

J: Shane O’Callaghan

T: Kieran P Egan

Weak bumper form; huge price when unseating rider at the first on hurdling debut at Punchestown last month.

66/1

12th

16

4th Nov 2025

Soft

2m 0f 0y

14:15 Fairyhouse

Something Black

10st 11lb

J: Shane O’Callaghan

T: Kieran P Egan

Weak bumper form; huge price when unseating rider at the first on hurdling debut at Punchestown last month.

66/1

Non-runners

Minella Hollow

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €27.90
Straight Forecast €24.80
Trifecta €95.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Gameball

POSTDATA:

Vitorio Piel

The Irish Sun:

Gameball