February 02 / 16.05 Leopardstown

16.05

Soft To Heavy

Barberstown Castle Handicap Chase (Listed Race)

  • Prize money: £51304.35
  • 2m 1f 0y
  • 14 runners
RTV
View Course
Barberstown Castle Handicap Chase (Listed Race)

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: —

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £3.00
  • Place: £1.60

Form: P-2312 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 143

Form & Verdict
Grade 3 novice hurdle winner last term; off the mark over fences at third attempt, taking a 2m Fairyhouse beginners' in first-time cheekpieces; down in trip now following a solid run when splitting two Mullins-trained runners in a Grade event at Punchestown; makes handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 75y

17:25 Punchestown

Jacobs Ladder

11st 12lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Grade 3 novice hurdle winner over 2m4f last season but is comfortable at this trip too; got off the mark over fences at Fairyhouse before winning a valuable Leopardstown handicap and Navan Grade 3, all over approx' 2m; fine fourth in the WillowWarm Gold Cup last time at 2m4f; can be involved.

14/1

4th

2

5th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 4f 0y

17:00 Fairyhouse

Jacobs Ladder

11st 10lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Grade 3 novice hurdle winner at Naas last season; off the mark over fences at third attempt, taking a 2m beginners' at this venue in first-time cheekpieces; split today's rivals Kappa JyPyke and Predators Gold in a Grade 3 event over a near-2m4f trip at Punchestown; won a DRF handicap and has since landed the odds in a 2m Grade 3 at Navan.

6/1

1st

3

28th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

15:35 Navan

Jacobs Ladder

11st 1lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Grade 3 novice hurdle winner at Naas last season; off the mark over fences at third attempt, taking a 2m Fairyhouse beginners' in first-time cheekpieces; split two Mullins-trained runners in a Grade 3 event over a near-2m4f trip at Punchestown; made a stylish entry to handicap company at the DRF and can continue on an upward curve; no issues with trip or ground.

4/5

20/1

  • Place: £6.90

Form: 517-P4 CD

Last run: 24 days

W: 10st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Won a C&D beginners' chase last March (yielding); disappointed on subsequent handicap chase debut when tailed off (made a bad mistake four out); pulled up after making a bad mistake in the race won by Addragoole here in December, needs to step on more recent Naas effort.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 75y

16:50 Punchestown

Golden Joy

11st 4lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

Pulled up after making a bad mistake in the race in which Release The Beast was second at Leopardstown in December; stepped up from a fourth placing at Naas when second in a valuable DRF handicap; Western Diego fourth then, Ballysax Hank sixth; each-way chance.

12/1

21

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Golden Joy

10st 7lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Gordon Elliott

Reserve; up and down since winning at Leopardstown (2m1f, yielding) last March on second chase start but returned to form with 5l second of 14 in handicap there (2m1f, soft) last month in first-time visor (retained); not ruled out.

25/1

2nd

8

2nd Feb 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 1f 0y

16:05 Leopardstown

Golden Joy

10st 9lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

Won a C&D beginners' chase last March (yielding); disappointed on subsequent handicap chase debut when tailed off (made a bad mistake four out); pulled up after making a bad mistake in the race won by Addragoole here in December, needs to step on more recent Naas effort.

20/1

OUR TIP

8/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 032141 CD

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
1-10 over hurdles; already a much better chaser; won 2m2f Sligo beginners' event in October; struggled at Cheltenham later that month; slotted into handicap company effectively with a C&D win at Christmas at a time when the stable was generally struggling for form; can continue to improve; Thyestes-winning rider takes the sting out of 10lb rise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

24th Aug 2026

Good

2m 1f 55y

19:00 Ballinrobe

Addragoole

11st 7lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

Won around Sligo last year and handicap winner over this trip at Leopardstown's Christmas meeting; also ran well when third at DRF; 2m6f was too far in the Galway Blazers, but fitter for that and this looks a good opportunity.

13/8

6th

1

31st Jul 2026

Good

2m 6f 111y

18:00 Galway

Addragoole

11st 13lb

J: Eoin Staples

T: Gavin Cromwell

Won twice over fences in 2025, most recently off 9lb lower at Leopardstown in December (2m1f, yielding); has come up short in three starts since, weakening on latest when upped to 2m5f in the Topham at Aintree; stamina a query upped further in trip.

14/1

Form: 258-31 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 3lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
Struggled in his first two handicap chase attempts before getting the hang of things with experience; shaped more encouragingly when third behind Drumgill at Fairyhouse in November, and now on an upward curve following an emphatic defeat of stablemate More Coko at the same venue; fair chance of confirming form with the second on these terms.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

2

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 75y

16:50 Punchestown

Western Diego

11st 11lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: W P Mullins

Inconsistent and just one win from his nine chase starts but that came in the Grade 3 Dan & Joan Moore Memorial Handicap at Fairyhouse (2m1f, yielding) in January; weakened when fourth of 14 in a 2m1f DRF handicap, only 3l behind runner-up Golden Joy; Grand Annual faller.

12/1

10

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Western Diego

11st 0lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: W P Mullins

Inconsistent and just one win from his eight chase starts but that came in a Grade 3 novice at Fairyhouse (2m1f, yielding) in January; weakened when fourth of 14 in handicap at Leopardstown (2m1f, soft) last month and today's forecast better ground could help; looks the type who may prove well suited by this big-field scenario; not discounted for top Irish stable.

16/1

4th

5

2nd Feb 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 1f 0y

16:05 Leopardstown

Western Diego

11st 3lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: W P Mullins

Struggled in his first two handicap chase attempts before getting the hang of things with experience; shaped more encouragingly when third behind Drumgill at Fairyhouse in November, and now on an upward curve following an emphatic defeat of stablemate More Coko at the same venue; fair chance of confirming form with the second on these terms.

9/2

Form: 13-F55 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 147

Form & Verdict
Grade 1 novice hurdle winner at Aintree in 2023; won a 2m Wexford beginners' chase last season; jumping frailties apparent in races at Naas; had an excuse (lost a shoe and suffered an overreach) at Navan in his first handicap; plenty to prove after a moderate fifth behind Western Diego at Fairyhouse.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

1

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 176y

Class 1

16:40 Aintree

Inthepocket

12st 0lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: Henry De Bromhead

His fortunes over fences have been mixed but he made good headway in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham (2m, good) last month prior to falling two out; finest hour came when winning Grade 1 Top Novices' Hurdle here (2m, good to soft) in April 2023; could have a big say if avoiding mishap.

13/2

5

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Inthepocket

11st 5lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: Henry De Bromhead

Won Grade 1 Top Novices' Hurdle at Aintree (2m, good to soft) in April 2023; he's raced seven times since, all over fences, with just one win (a beginners chase in October 2024) and he can be difficult to settle; however, he took a step back in the right direction when fifth of 14 in a handicap at Leopardstown (2m1f, soft) last month and is capable of building on that.

8/1

5th

1

2nd Feb 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 1f 0y

16:05 Leopardstown

Inthepocket

11st 12lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: Henry De Bromhead

Grade 1 novice hurdle winner at Aintree in 2023; won a 2m Wexford beginners' chase last season; jumping frailties apparent in races at Naas; had an excuse (lost a shoe and suffered an overreach) at Navan in his first handicap; plenty to prove after a moderate fifth behind Western Diego at Fairyhouse.

12/1

Form: 2-3128 BF

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 139

Form & Verdict
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.
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

Form: 10P-60 CD

Last run: 38 days

W: 10st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Failed to cope with stiff tasks at Cheltenham and Punchestown after winning this race last year off a 6lb lower mark than now; tailed off in a C&D event won by Addragoole last month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

1

23rd Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

17:10 Wexford

An Peann Dearg

12st 0lb

J: Miss Georgie Benson

T: Paul Nolan

Both wins of 20-race career came over fences back-to-back 18 months ago when landing competitive handicaps at Leopardstown over 2m1f; largely struggled since, pulled up on last two starts; last run over hurdles in October when beaten 16l in novice; up in trip and rated 10lb lower over hurdles; questions attached and yard perhaps holds better claims with Sean Mc.

12/1

1

30th Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

14:50 Wexford

An Peann Dearg

11st 12lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Paul Nolan

One of two runners for these connections; best run when winning a valuable 2m1f Leopardstown handicap chase in 2025; hasn't been as good since, with best runs coming back at that track; questions after pulled-up over C&D last time.

14/1

2

7th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 0y

18:08 Wexford

An Peann Dearg

11st 11lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Paul Nolan

Both chase wins have been in 2m1f handicaps at Leopardstown; sights are lowered here after running in stronger company at that venue during the winter.

10/1

Form: 117-P1

Last run: 30 days

W: 10st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Former hunter chase winner; gained a handicap win last time at Cork four weeks ago; 2lb wrong but a handy weight will be a help in these conditions; trip on the sharp side for him, given his background in points (three wins) and hunter chases.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

2

13th Oct 2026

Good

2m 7f 95y

15:20 Punchestown

Milan Forth

11st 11lb

J: Kevin Healy

T: Simon Cavanagh

Three wins in points, and a three-time chase winner, has run only four times over hurdles; can be rated a leading contender on his second over 3m at Roscommon; winner Smallcraftwarning followed up at Gowran.

8/1

2nd

2

28th Sep 2026

Good

3m 0f 25y

15:55 Roscommon

Milan Forth

11st 10lb

J: Kevin Healy

T: Simon Cavanagh

Three-time winner over fences; two runs over hurdles, admittedly over a shorter trip, leave him with something to find in a competitive heat.

25/1

8th

6

7th Sep 2026

Good

2m 5f 129y

17:09 Galway

Milan Forth

11st 0lb

J: Kevin Sexton

T: Simon Cavanagh

Winning pointer better known as a chaser and his three career wins under Rules have come over the bigger obstacles; rated 121 in that sphere, however, so this looks a shade too demanding.

20/1

Form: PP2318 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
Has prospered from taking on shorter distances since pulled up in the 3m Munster National and the 3m4f Cork National; good second over 2m at Gowran in November, fair third over 2m5f at Punchestown, and then won a 2m1f Fairyhouse event with Western Diego third; dropped away tamely in the race won by Western Diego last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

3rd Oct 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 4f 0y

17:25 Gowran Park

Drumgill

11st 1lb

J: Daniel King

T: John Patrick Ryan

Has been busy, like most from this yard, but to no avail of late; winner off 129 last November, so well treated now, but needs a revival in form.

10/1

11th

11

26th Sep 2026

Good

2m 6f 0y

17:05 Listowel

Drumgill

10st 7lb

J: Daniel King

T: John Patrick Ryan

Seven-time winner, last successful in a Listed 2m1f handicap chase at Fairyhouse in November; only bits and pieces of form since, a close third in a 3m1f conditions hurdle at Kilbeggan probably his best run; not dismissed, but others do arrive in better form.

14/1

5th

8

20th Sep 2026

Good

2m 1f 150y

16:48 Listowel

Drumgill

10st 8lb

J: Daniel King

T: John Patrick Ryan

Four hurdle and three chase wins while he has run well in defeat at this track; some good runs in defeat this year but needs to do more than on recent chase starts; 18l behind Jalila Moriviere last time.

14/1

Form: 22-345 D

Last run: 38 days

W: 10st 2lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Has won twice at around this distance in an 18-race chase career; fine second at 33-1 in a valuable Punchestown festival handicap last May; fourth in this last year and has performed creditably in races won by Drumgill and Addragoole this term; place chance at best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

25th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 136y

19:05 Ballinrobe

Dont Go Yet

10st 13lb

J: Sarah Kavanagh

T: Edward Cawley

Had some good form last spring and same again this time around; hurdles winner in March, third to Supreme Jet at Wexford and good third of 20 to exciting stablemate in 2m handicap at Punchestown festival; doesn't win often, though.

13/2

3rd

19

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 75y

16:50 Punchestown

Dont Go Yet

10st 3lb

J: Sarah Kavanagh

T: Edward Cawley

Dual chase winner who got off the mark over hurdles at Wexford in March; fair third back over fences at the same venue last time; held by several of these on running in a DRF handicap.

40/1

3rd

16

10th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 100y

18:38 Wexford

Dont Go Yet

10st 0lb

J: Philip Donovan

T: Edward Cawley

Dual chase winner who got off the mark over hurdles here last month in decisive fashion, going clear on the run-in over 2m (soft); second in this race last year (Krabat third) off 7lb higher so obvious claims (1lb wrong).

11/2

Form: 223P89 CD

Last run: 15 days

W: 10st 0lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Former hunter chase winner; gained a handicap win last time at Cork four weeks ago; 2lb wrong but a handy weight will be a help in these conditions; trip on the sharp side for him, given his background in points (three wins) and hunter chases.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

14

25th Sep 2026

Good

2m 3f 0y

16:30 Listowel

Grange Walk

11st 2lb

J: J J Slevin

T: John Patrick Ryan

Veteran whose last win came over hurdles in April 2025 and others make more appeal today.

33/1

7th

13

4th Sep 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 95y

18:45 Kilbeggan

Grange Walk

10st 0lb

J: Daniel King

T: John Patrick Ryan

4-39 over fences; shaped okay at Ballinrobe in May but lost form since and was beaten 23l over C&D on latest; 1lb wrong and others hold more pressing claims.

20/1

7th

8

8th Aug 2026

Good

2m 4f 40y

19:48 Kilbeggan

Grange Walk

10st 2lb

J: Daniel King

T: John Patrick Ryan

Six-time winner, 4-38 over fences; chase mark has tumbled but good third at Ballinrobe (2m4f, good) in veterans race in May and decent run over hurdles at Sligo over inadequate trip; brought down at first at Kilbeggan last time; yard won this last two years.

10/1

Form: 550-22 D BF

Last run: 101 days

W: 10st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
Dual winner over fences as a novice last season and finished 7l fifth in the Grand Annual; Listowel effort on return was encouraging (2m1f, yielding to soft); no match for the Dan Skelton-trained Calico at Cheltenham in October; winner backed that up with an Ascot win.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

8th Aug 2026

Good

2m 4f 40y

19:48 Kilbeggan

Jasko Des Dames

11st 12lb

J: Mike O’Connor

T: Henry De Bromhead

Consistent handicap chaser who had some good runs in top handicaps last season, such as fifth in the Grand Annual and fourth in Red Rum; returned from 99 days off with fifth at Killarney 22 days ago, weakening after being tight for room in the straight; should prove sharper for that and player if so; question whether step up in trip will suit but won his beginners chase over this distance two years ago.

5/1

5th

2

17th Jul 2026

Good

2m 1f 0y

15:07 Killarney

Jasko Des Dames

11st 6lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Two chase wins came in 2024 but some good runs in competitive handicaps last season, notably Grand Annual fifth and decent fourth in Red Rum at Aintree; down in grade with conditions to suit, so big player.

9/2

4th

6

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 176y

Class 1

16:40 Aintree

Jasko Des Dames

11st 3lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Returned to form back on better ground when fifth, beaten just over 10l, in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham (2m, good); he led jumping two out at the Festival and this less demanding track could be right up his street.

12/1

Form: -45892 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Soundly beaten in four starts in beginners' events; found his level on handicap debut at Fairyhouse, despite being 4lb out of the handicap, beating all bar stablemate Western Diego; might struggle to turn the tables but could reach the money.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

14th Aug 2026

Good

2m 5f 180y

17:05 Tramore

More Coko

10st 12lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: W P Mullins

Has won a bumper here, a maiden hurdle here and a novice hurdle at Carlisle, all at around 2m1f; yet to prove he stays this sort of trip and has jumped left at times in most recent chase starts; off since heavy handicap defeat at Fairyhouse in April.

11/2

6th

8

5th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 140y

16:25 Fairyhouse

More Coko

11st 4lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: W P Mullins

Standout run from seven attempts over fences when chasing home a stablemate in Grade 3 handicap over C&D in January from 4lb out of handicap proper (yielding); heavy ground probably against him when 10l off Jigoro at Gowran last time, will appreciate any drying.

12/1

6th

6

7th Mar 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

16:18 Gowran Park

More Coko

11st 4lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: W P Mullins

Soundly beaten in four starts in beginners' events; found his level on handicap debut at Fairyhouse, despite being 4lb out of the handicap, beating all bar stablemate Western Diego; fell at the sixth when one of the main fancies for a valuable DRF handicap; tongue-tie added.

5/1

Form: 913431 D

Last run: 50 days

W: 10st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Has improved since finishing third at the Listowel festival, splitting Jasko De Dames and Drumgill; recorded his third chase win at Navan in December; up in grade here following a 9lb rise in the ratings; handles testing conditions.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

2nd Feb 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 1f 0y

16:05 Leopardstown

Battle Of Ridgeway

10st 6lb

J: Liam McKenna

T: Martin Hassett

Has improved since finishing third at the Listowel festival, splitting Jasko De Dames and Drumgill; recorded his third chase win at Navan in December; up in grade here following a 9lb rise in the ratings; handles testing conditions.

10/1

6

26th Oct 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 130y

13:05 Wexford

Battle Of Ridgeway

10st 12lb

J: Liam McKenna

T: Martin Hassett

Got his second chasing win when taking a C&D handicap in August by a short head (good), probably value for more (idled and rider misjudged finish line); raised to current mark for run at Listowel and not disgraced when a keeping on third (17.5f, yielding to soft); one of the likelier contenders.

4/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €61.40
Straight Forecast €61.38
Tricast €327.64
Trifecta €429.90

Selections

The Irish Sun:

More Coko

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Milan Forth

POSTDATA:

Addragoole

SPOTLIGHT:

Jacob's Ladder

TOPSPEED:

Western Diego