October 18 / 16.00 Limerick

16.00

Good

Master Chefs Classic Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5607.44
  • 2m 0f 70y
  • 11 runners
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Master Chefs Classic Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

6/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.50
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 4575

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 11lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Flat winner; mild promise in maiden hurdles and again on handicap hurdle debut at Gowran latest (16.5f, soft) when catching the attention of the stewards after meeting trouble in running; this better ground will suit and he could go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

(10)

7th Jul 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

20:00 Tramore

Matt Connor

9st 12lb

J: Colin Keane

T: J P Dempsey

Dual-purpose performer; has won three of his last five races, two over hurdles and on the Flat at Gowran before finishing in mid-division in a handicap hurdle at the Punchestown festival; best Flat form at around 1m2f.

9/2

12th

4

28th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 3f 81y

15:05 Punchestown

Matt Connor

11st 9lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: J P Dempsey

Dual-purpose; has won three of his last four, two over hurdles and on the Flat at Gowran on latest; raised 11lb for his latest win over timber at Naas (18.5f, heavy) in January; this is harder but he did that easily and he is ground versatile; player.

10/1

1st

10

(13)

8th Apr 2026

Soft To Heavy

1m 1f 100y

16:55 Gowran Park

Matt Connor

9st 6lb

J: Colin Keane

T: J P Dempsey

Dual-purpose winner scored over hurdles at Naas when last seen; won twice on the Flat over 1m2f in 2023; lost his form in this sphere last year but jockey booking takes the eye and considered.

11/4

25/1

  • Place: £4.90

Form: 0785

Last run: 65 days

W: 10st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Didn't show a whole lot in a quartet of maidens at 2m-1m1f on good and good to yielding ground; yard amongst winners and nicely bred so could improve on handicap debut; check the market; 1lb wrong.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17th

11

10th Jul 2026

Good

2m 1f 60y

18:15 Cork

Footstepstoglory

11st 3lb

J: Cian Quirke

T: David Harry Kelly

Performed as well as could have been expected in three Flat maidens last month and was beaten only a neck on handicap hurdle debut at Limerick in October (2m, yielding); 6lb higher than that day but he's one of the better options.

4/1

13th

2

(13)

27th Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

17:40 Curragh

Footstepstoglory

10st 1lb

J: Gavin Ryan

T: David Harry Kelly

Placed over hurdles, two Flat runs this month, possibly one for handicaps after this.

33/1

6th

1

(10)

10th Jun 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 0f 0y

17:50 Limerick

Footstepstoglory

10st 5lb

J: Gavin Ryan

T: David Harry Kelly

Placed hurdler never sighted on Flat debut at Gowran 9 days ago; best watched.

33/1

4/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 443-46

Last run: 23 days

W: 10st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Not a bad run on stable debut at Listowel (2m, gd-yld) after almost unseating at the first obstacle; should strip fitter for that and could go well for local yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

22nd Mar 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 50y

14:23 Limerick

Lenjoleur De Palma

11st 12lb

J: Tom Kelly

T: E McNamara

In fine form for local yard; won off 13lb lower over C&D (heavy) in November; career best off 103 when a 1.75l runner-up in a C&D Listed handicap hurdle in December, although form not working out so well; nudged up another 3lb but clearly loves it here and he's a huge player in this modest grade.

13/8

Form: 96P3-0 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner is 0-6 over hurdles; not a bad run when a 6l third at Clonmel (2m1f, gd-yld) in April; mixed hurdles and the Flat to no avail since but still early days and ran respectably in a C&D maiden last December; can't discount.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

(15)

30th Jun 2026

Good

1m 4f 17y

20:30 Roscommon

Quint Major

9st 9lb

J: James Ryan

T: M A Molloy

Bumper winner and rated 105 over hurdles; not beaten far on Flat debut at Leopardstown in June 2025 (1m7f, good, RPR 80), but below that level when beaten 17.5l at Thurles in October; place shout if he repeats that Leopardstown effort.

10/1

4th

3

18th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 70y

16:00 Limerick

Quint Major

11st 9lb

J: Liam McKenna

T: M A Molloy

Bumper winner is 0-6 over hurdles; not a bad run when a 6l third at Clonmel (2m1f, gd-yld) in April; mixed hurdles and the Flat to no avail since but still early days and ran respectably in a C&D maiden last December; can't discount.

12/1

6th

4

(1)

9th Oct 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 66y

16:40 Thurles

Quint Major

10st 2lb

J: James Ryan

T: M A Molloy

Bumper winner on good; had first run on the Flat in June when an eyecatching sixth of 13 behind A Dream To Share at Leopardstown (1m7f, good) after a slow break; poor over hurdles since but not out of things if the ground doesn't soften.

12/1

Form: 305138

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Breakthrough success at Downpatrick in August off 4lb lower (2m2f, good); came up short off revised mark twice since, beaten 25l at Listowel latest; may be on a tough mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

12th Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 116y

15:25 Sligo

Pahlavi

11st 11lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: John Joseph Hanlon

1-22 over hurdles with the win coming at Downpatrick last August off 3lb higher (2m2f, good); poor in four runs this season; blinkers go on but he's opposable.

12/1

5th

4

29th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 70y

Class 4

14:40 Stratford

Pahlavi

11st 6lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: John Joseph Hanlon

Won a handicap hurdle at Downpatrick (2m2f, good) last August but he's been out of sorts in three runs (chase/hurdle) this spring and overall record is now 1-31; opposable.

25/1

100/30

Form: F53324 D

Last run: 7 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Knocking on the door in recent starts; beaten 2.75l when fourth of 16 off this mark in a 0-100 at Fairyhouse on latest; this is harder so the new blinkers will need to eke out more if he is to get his head back in front.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

18th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 70y

16:00 Limerick

Farrokh

11st 4lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: Barry Connell

Knocking on the door in recent starts; beaten 2.75l when fourth of 16 off this mark in a 0-100 at Fairyhouse on latest; this is harder so the new blinkers will need to eke out more if he is to get his head back in front.

100/30

4th

1

11th Oct 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

16:40 Fairyhouse

Farrokh

12st 0lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: Barry Connell

Record of 1-11 over hurdles but has been consistent enough in defeat lately, just denied off 3lb lower at Bellewstown last time; goes best on good ground and has a shout.

5/2

Form: -69306

Last run: 4 days

W: 10st 1lb

7 yo Filly

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Flat winner extended record over hurdles to 0-17 at Punchestown four days ago but wasn't disgraced; went close in lower grade at Tramore in August off 1lb lower; each-way claims with a reproduction of that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

10

18th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 70y

16:00 Limerick

Arthurs Victory

10st 1lb

J: Gavin Brouder

T: J A Nash

Flat winner extended record over hurdles to 0-17 at Punchestown four days ago but wasn't disgraced; went close in lower grade at Tramore in August off 1lb lower; each-way claims with a reproduction of that.

17/2

6th

17

14th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 46y

14:35 Punchestown

Arthurs Victory

10st 0lb

J: Gavin Brouder

T: J A Nash

Three-time Flat winner, 0-16 over hurdles; good run at Tramore on penultimate start; down the field at Roscommon; others preferred

20/1

OUR TIP

Form: -48160 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 12lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Roscommon maiden winner (15.5f, gd-yld) has struggled in first two handicaps, though he was set a tough task from out of the weights on latest; this easier but others appeal more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

11

14th Jun 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 165y

15:20 Downpatrick

Yosemite Gold

10st 5lb

J: Gavin Brouder

T: Eoin Doyle

Roscommon maiden hurdle winner last August; soundly beaten in handicaps since and poor efforts on the AW in 2026; failed to beat a rival in 1m Dundalk claimer latest; others make more appeal.

28/1

10th

2

(7)

26th May 2026

Standard

1m 0f 0y

17:07 Dundalk (AW)

Yosemite Gold

10st 2lb

J: Wesley Joyce

T: Eoin Doyle

107-rated hurdler won a maiden in that sphere last summer; ordinary enough Flat form and doubt dropping back from last two runs over 1m4f will be the answer.

25/1

13th

5

(4)

1st Apr 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

20:15 Dundalk (AW)

Yosemite Gold

10st 2lb

J: Wesley Joyce

T: Eoin Doyle

Maiden hurdle winner last year has run well enough in four Flat starts including on AW when trained in Britain; fair bit to find with Sir Callisto on recent C&D run, although that was seasonal debut so could improve; hood now re-fitted.

14/1

Form: UP49-9 D

Last run: 7 days

W: 11st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Has lost his way since scoring off 8lb lower at Downpatrick last December; rated much higher over fences but didn't show enough on return from a break at Fairyhouse to make him of interest here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

10

29th Mar 2026

Yielding To Soft

3m 4f 120y

16:27 Downpatrick

St Deniss Well

10st 11lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Mixed form this season, best efforts over hurdles at Navan, winning 2m handicap and second to a progressive horse over 2m4f last time; two less encouraging runs over fences, well beaten in sixth in the 3m6f Porterstown Chase and pulled up at Leopardstown when found to have blood at both nostrils; trainer won this last year.

11/2

2nd

4

28th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 4f 0y

14:25 Navan

St Deniss Well

11st 9lb

J: James Smith

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Six-time winner split evenly between hurdles and fences; began season with two poor runs over hurdles but returned to form when making all to land a gamble in a 2m handicap hurdle here in November (heavy); well beaten in sixth in the 3m6f Poterstown Chase and pulled up at Leopardstown when last seen when found to have blood at both nostrils; chance at his best

13/2

9th

5

18th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 70y

16:00 Limerick

St Deniss Well

11st 6lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Has lost his way since scoring off 8lb lower at Downpatrick last December; rated much higher over fences but didn't show enough on return from a break at Fairyhouse to make him of interest here.

16/1

Form: P0003-

Last run: 180 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Dual Flat winner in Germany; out of depth in hot Flat handicaps at Galway Festival last twice; good effort on last start over timber at Fairyhouse in April (2m, sft-hvy); raised 4lb for that 2.25l third and might prefer softer ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

(1)

2nd Jul 2026

Good

1m 4f 71y

20:23 Bellewstown

Weston

11st 0lb

J: Mr L P Shanahan

T: H Rogers

Two-time Flat winner when trained in France; has run a couple of decent races for this yard and one of his better efforts came when beaten just 2.5l by Lark In The Mornin when third in this last year; 10lb better off now and should strip fitter for his okay comeback run at Navan; chance.

4/1

5th

12

(8)

30th Mar 2026

Heavy

1m 6f 0y

15:18 Navan

Weston

8st 8lb

J: Wayne Lordan

T: H Rogers

Two wins when trained in Germany but yet to get his head in front on these shores; handicapper giving him a chance but soundly beaten on last two starts over hurdles and on the Flat and needs to leave those efforts well behind; best watched after break.

25/1

10th

8

18th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 70y

16:00 Limerick

Weston

11st 2lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: H Rogers

Dual Flat winner in Germany; out of depth in hot Flat handicaps at Galway Festival last twice; good effort on last start over timber at Fairyhouse in April (2m, sft-hvy); raised 4lb for that 2.25l third and might prefer softer ground.

7/1

Form: U-4369

Last run: 65 days

W: 11st 6lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Dual-purpose; clear promise in maiden hurdles but was 25-1 and always behind on handicap hurdle debut at Tramore when last seen in August; best watched unless the market speaks.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

11

(4)

7th Jul 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

20:30 Tramore

Synchronize

8st 13lb

J: Julian Pietropaolo

T: J Morrison

Maiden gelding by Frankel; started his career with the Gosdens; has shown potential for a belated breakthrough in his two most recent races; recovered from interference at the start to finish fourth over this trip at Down Royal in May; leading contender based on his second to solid yardstick Jurality over 1m5f at Navan; same good 7lb claimer aboard now.

11/4

2nd

14

(15)

7th Jun 2026

Good

1m 5f 0y

17:12 Navan

Synchronize

8st 10lb

J: Julian Pietropaolo

T: J Morrison

Maiden produced one of his better efforts on latest when not far behind a couple of these rivals at Down Royal (2m, good); place shout if he backs that up, but overall profile suggests that's not guaranteed.

9/1

4th

14

(12)

29th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

19:25 Down Royal

Synchronize

8st 10lb

J: Shay Wallace

T: J Morrison

Dual-purpose maiden showed some ability in maiden hurdles but has been poor in handicaps; of limited appeal back on the Flat.

16/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €115.70
Straight Forecast €109.38
Tricast €497.26
Trifecta €901.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Matt Connor

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Quint Major

TOPSPEED:

Matt Connor

POSTDATA:

Matt Connor

The Irish Sun:

Matt Connor