18:12 Botanica International Handicap Hurdle

1st

5

Le Diablo

J: J J Slevin

T: John Patrick Ryan

25/1 (Won)

Win: £38.20
Place: £5.10

Form: -5407P

Last run: 194 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict

Mild promise in four starts for Pat Doyle; 33-1 when pulled up on handicap debut last October.

Place / No / Draw	Date / Going / Distance / Class	Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer	Verdict	Starting price
4th 2	31st Aug 2026 Good 2m 1f 165y	14:47 Downpatrick Le Diablo 11st 10lb J: J J Slevin T: John Patrick Ryan	Won a 2m1f Clonmel handicap in April off 91 back from a break; kept busy since; second over 2m1f at Wexford in July and fair third over 2m2f at Ballinrobe next time; bounced back from a poor Cork effort when a 5.25l seventh of 14 at Ballinrobe last time; could play a role.	8/1
7th 8	10th Aug 2026 Good 2m 0f 109y	18:27 Ballinrobe Le Diablo 10st 12lb J: J J Slevin T: John Patrick Ryan	Won 2m1f Clonmel handicap in April (yielding); has been kept busy; second over 2m1f at Wexford, fair third behind Max Meridius over a slightly longer trip at this venue; needs to bounce back from a poor run at Cork last week.	8/1

Place /
No / Draw

Date / Going /
Distance / Class

Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer

Verdict

Starting price

4th

2

31st Aug 2026

Good

2m 1f 165y

11st 10lb

Won a 2m1f Clonmel handicap in April off 91 back from a break; kept busy since; second over 2m1f at Wexford in July and fair third over 2m2f at Ballinrobe next time; bounced back from a poor Cork effort when a 5.25l seventh of 14 at Ballinrobe last time; could play a role.

8/1

7th

8

10th Aug 2026

Good

2m 0f 109y

10st 12lb

Won 2m1f Clonmel handicap in April (yielding); has been kept busy; second over 2m1f at Wexford, fair third behind Max Meridius over a slightly longer trip at this venue; needs to bounce back from a poor run at Cork last week.

8/1

2nd

16

Katzoff

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

14/1

Place: £3.00

Form: 6S690P

Last run: 166 days

W: 10st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict

0-18 over hurdles, placed once; unplaced in eight runs over fences

Place / No / Draw	Date / Going / Distance / Class	Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer	Verdict	Starting price
8	20th Jul 2026 Good To Firm 2m 6f 31y Class 5	14:42 Cartmel Katzoff 10st 7lb J: Harry Skelton T: Dan Skelton	0-47 under all codes, having spent the bulk of his career in Ireland; flopped badly when favourite for recent stable debut at Stratford (2m2f, good to firm) but tries a new trip and sports first-time blinkers here; no surprise if Dan Skelton finds the key to him soon.	7/2
6	30th Jun 2026 Good To Firm 2m 2f 148y Class 5	19:48 Stratford Katzoff 10st 11lb J: Harry Skelton T: Dan Skelton	46-race maiden under all codes, including 19 starts over hurdles; runner-up at Clonmel (2m1f, yielding) in April but failed to build on that next time; makes stable debut for a leading yard and, though he has plenty to prove, it'll be interesting to see what they can do with him.	9/4

Place /
No / Draw

Date / Going /
Distance / Class

Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer

Verdict

Starting price

8

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

10st 7lb

0-47 under all codes, having spent the bulk of his career in Ireland; flopped badly when favourite for recent stable debut at Stratford (2m2f, good to firm) but tries a new trip and sports first-time blinkers here; no surprise if Dan Skelton finds the key to him soon.

7/2

6

30th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

10st 11lb

46-race maiden under all codes, including 19 starts over hurdles; runner-up at Clonmel (2m1f, yielding) in April but failed to build on that next time; makes stable debut for a leading yard and, though he has plenty to prove, it'll be interesting to see what they can do with him.

9/4

3rd

4

Space Warrior

J: Sean Cleary-Farrell

T: Thomas Mullins

10/1

Place: £2.20

Form: 7864P6 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 94

Form & Verdict

No success since a juvenile maiden hurdle win at Fairyhouse in November 2024; has dropped a long way in the ratings from an opening mark of 111 to 94.

Place / No / Draw	Date / Going / Distance / Class	Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer	Verdict	Starting price
6th 18	13th Oct 2026 Good 2m 7f 95y	15:20 Punchestown Space Warrior 10st 0lb J: Sean Cleary-Farrell T: Thomas Mullins	Juvenile hurdle winner at Fairyhouse two years ago; now 1-16 with patchy handicap form; fair sixth at Gowran on latest.	20/1
6th 21	2nd Oct 2026 Yielding To Soft 2m 4f 40y	15:41 Gowran Park Space Warrior 11st 7lb T: Thomas Mullins	First reserve; juvenile hurdle winner at Fairyhouse two years ago; patchy handicap form but rain will help.

Place /
No / Draw

Date / Going /
Distance / Class

Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer

Verdict

Starting price

6th

18

13th Oct 2026

Good

2m 7f 95y

15:20 Punchestown

Space Warrior

10st 0lb

J: Sean Cleary-Farrell

T: Thomas Mullins

Juvenile hurdle winner at Fairyhouse two years ago; now 1-16 with patchy handicap form; fair sixth at Gowran on latest.

20/1

6th

21

2nd Oct 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 4f 40y

15:41 Gowran Park

Space Warrior

11st 7lb

T: Thomas Mullins

First reserve; juvenile hurdle winner at Fairyhouse two years ago; patchy handicap form but rain will help.

4th

10

Old Kenmare

J: Ricky Doyle

T: Eamon Courtney

8/1

Place: £2.10

Form: 032-F8

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict

Placed twice here last spring and would go close with a reproduction of his second 12 months ago; fell at the fourth at Cork on his first run after a lengthy break; may have needed the race here 12 days ago; should not be ruled out.

Place / No / Draw	Date / Going / Distance / Class	Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer	Verdict	Starting price
4th 10	14th Apr 2026 Yielding 2m 0f 216y	18:12 Clonmel Old Kenmare 11st 0lb J: Ricky Doyle T: Eamon Courtney	Placed twice here last spring and would go close with a reproduction of his second 12 months ago; fell at the fourth at Cork on his first run after a lengthy break; may have needed the race here 12 days ago; should not be ruled out.	8/1
8th 14	2nd Apr 2026 Soft 1m 7f 200y	19:00 Clonmel Old Kenmare 10st 4lb J: Calum Hogan T: Eamon Courtney	Improved for a switch to course handicaps last season, a good third (18.5f, good) followed by 2l second of 11 (2m1f, good to yielding) in April; still had plenty to do when a faller four out on Cork return last month; unproven in the mud.	14/1

Place /
No / Draw

Date / Going /
Distance / Class

Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer

Verdict

Starting price

4th

10

14th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 216y

11st 0lb

Placed twice here last spring and would go close with a reproduction of his second 12 months ago; fell at the fourth at Cork on his first run after a lengthy break; may have needed the race here 12 days ago; should not be ruled out.

8/1

8th

14

2nd Apr 2026

Soft

1m 7f 200y

10st 4lb

Improved for a switch to course handicaps last season, a good third (18.5f, good) followed by 2l second of 11 (2m1f, good to yielding) in April; still had plenty to do when a faller four out on Cork return last month; unproven in the mud.

14/1

6th

11

Nukies Artic

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Eoin Christopher McCarthy

20/1

Form: 7P0-08

Last run: 47 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict

Poor form in maidens; in rear on handicap debut at this venue; tongue-tie will need to make a huge difference; top rider.

Place / No / Draw	Date / Going / Distance / Class	Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer	Verdict	Starting price
2nd 11	28th Sep 2026 Good 1m 7f 135y	14:10 Roscommon Nukies Artic 10st 13lb J: Thomas O’Connor T: Eoin Christopher McCarthy	Mildly encouraging effort on the second of two runs in Clonmel handicaps; unseated at the fourth at Wexford on latest; needs to improve his jumping technique	14/1
15	28th Aug 2026 Good 2m 0f 190y	16:15 Wexford Nukies Artic 10st 10lb T: Eoin Christopher McCarthy	First reserve; not without market support when mildly encouraging effort on most recent of two runs in Clonmel handicaps (first-time tongue-tie); needs to jump better though.
6th 11	14th Apr 2026 Yielding 2m 0f 216y	18:12 Clonmel Nukies Artic 10st 11lb J: Jack Kennedy T: Eoin Christopher McCarthy	Poor form in maidens; in rear on handicap debut at this venue; tongue-tie will need to make a huge difference; top rider.	20/1

Place /
No / Draw

Date / Going /
Distance / Class

Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer

Verdict

Starting price

2nd

11

28th Sep 2026

Good

1m 7f 135y

14:10 Roscommon

Nukies Artic

10st 13lb

J: Thomas O’Connor

T: Eoin Christopher McCarthy

Mildly encouraging effort on the second of two runs in Clonmel handicaps; unseated at the fourth at Wexford on latest; needs to improve his jumping technique

14/1

15

28th Aug 2026

Good

2m 0f 190y

16:15 Wexford

Nukies Artic

10st 10lb

T: Eoin Christopher McCarthy

First reserve; not without market support when mildly encouraging effort on most recent of two runs in Clonmel handicaps (first-time tongue-tie); needs to jump better though.

6th

11

14th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 216y

18:12 Clonmel

Nukies Artic

10st 11lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Eoin Christopher McCarthy

Poor form in maidens; in rear on handicap debut at this venue; tongue-tie will need to make a huge difference; top rider.

20/1

7th

9

Baltinglass Hill

J: Dylan Robinson

T: P J Rothwell

14/1

Form: 5337PP D

Last run: 4 days

W: 11st 1lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict

Pulled up in a chase at Wexford last Friday; much more effective as a hurdler, though he he has added only one win to his tally since 2021.

Place / No / Draw	Date / Going / Distance / Class	Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer	Verdict	Starting price
11	18th Sep 2026 Good 2m 1f 165y	15:22 Downpatrick Baltinglass Hill 10st 7lb J: Tiernan Power Roche T: P J Rothwell	Three-time hurdles winner, the latest at Roscommon in the summer of 2024 off 11lb higher; returned when mid-division in 19.5f course handicap chase 18 days ago; others preferred.	25/1
8th 15	31st Aug 2026 Good 2m 3f 100y	17:04 Downpatrick Baltinglass Hill 10st 1lb J: Simon Torrens T: P J Rothwell	Three-time hurdles winner is yet to score from 14 starts over fences; pulled up when last seen in this sphere at Wexford in April; tailed off over hurdles at Punchestown last time.	25/1
16th 15	13th May 2026 Good 2m 0f 0y	18:20 Punchestown Baltinglass Hill 10st 12lb J: Tiernan Power Roche T: P J Rothwell	Spent most of last season over fences; mid-division over hurdles at Clonmel on latest after being pulled up in consecutive chases; almost two years since the most recent of his three wins.	25/1

Place /
No / Draw

Date / Going /
Distance / Class

Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer

Verdict

Starting price

11

18th Sep 2026

Good

2m 1f 165y

15:22 Downpatrick

Baltinglass Hill

10st 7lb

J: Tiernan Power Roche

T: P J Rothwell

Three-time hurdles winner, the latest at Roscommon in the summer of 2024 off 11lb higher; returned when mid-division in 19.5f course handicap chase 18 days ago; others preferred.

25/1

8th

15

31st Aug 2026

Good

2m 3f 100y

10st 1lb

Three-time hurdles winner is yet to score from 14 starts over fences; pulled up when last seen in this sphere at Wexford in April; tailed off over hurdles at Punchestown last time.

25/1

16th

15

13th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

18:20 Punchestown

Baltinglass Hill

10st 12lb

J: Tiernan Power Roche

T: P J Rothwell

Spent most of last season over fences; mid-division over hurdles at Clonmel on latest after being pulled up in consecutive chases; almost two years since the most recent of his three wins.

25/1

8th

2

No Big Deal

J: Mark Walsh

T: Charles O’Brien

9/2

Form: 321409 CD

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict

Deserved his C&D win in an amateur handicap last October after several solid displays; doubts raised by subsequent form but still merits respect in a race of this standard.

Place / No / Draw	Date / Going / Distance / Class	Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer	Verdict	Starting price
9th 4	13th Oct 2026 Good 2m 4f 0y	17:07 Punchestown No Big Deal 11st 9lb J: Mark Walsh T: Charles O’Brien	Flat maiden scored sole hurdle success at Clonmel (2m1f) almost a year ago; best run since when a close fourth at Gowran last time; up 1lb and a player.	11/2
4th 6	2nd Oct 2026 Yielding To Soft 2m 4f 40y	15:41 Gowran Park No Big Deal 11st 8lb J: Mark Walsh T: Charles O’Brien	Won a 2m1f handicap hurdle at Clonmel almost a year ago; only five runs since; faded behind Mother Ship at Navan last month; should strip fitter but has a bit to find.	12/1
8th 6	19th Sep 2026 Good 2m 3f 0y	15:26 Navan No Big Deal 11st 9lb J: Jordan Gainford T: Charles O’Brien	Landed a 2m Clonmel handicap hurdle last year off 2lb lower; disappointing favourite at the same venue when last seen in April; others preferred.	14/1

Place /
No / Draw

Date / Going /
Distance / Class

Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer

Verdict

Starting price

9th

4

13th Oct 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

11st 9lb

Flat maiden scored sole hurdle success at Clonmel (2m1f) almost a year ago; best run since when a close fourth at Gowran last time; up 1lb and a player.

11/2

4th

6

2nd Oct 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 4f 40y

11st 8lb

Won a 2m1f handicap hurdle at Clonmel almost a year ago; only five runs since; faded behind Mother Ship at Navan last month; should strip fitter but has a bit to find.

12/1

8th

6

19th Sep 2026

Good

2m 3f 0y

11st 9lb

Landed a 2m Clonmel handicap hurdle last year off 2lb lower; disappointing favourite at the same venue when last seen in April; others preferred.

14/1

9th

7

Glendine Billy

J: Danny Mullins

T: Anthony Mullins

14/1

Form: 5P0-0P

Last run: 243 days

W: 11st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict

0-12 over hurdles; has a couple of placed efforts to his name but hard to fancy on early-season form; cheekpieces tried at Tramore last August are discarded

Place / No / Draw	Date / Going / Distance / Class	Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer	Verdict	Starting price
11th 8	21st Aug 2026 Good 3m 1f 180y	19:05 Kilbeggan Glendine Billy 11st 3lb J: Danny Mullins T: Anthony Mullins	Winless from 15 tries over hurdles; respectable efforts without threatening the last twice at Wexford; related to winning chaser O'Faolains Lad so perhaps this discipline can unlock more from him.	13/1
4th 7	7th Aug 2026 Good 3m 0f 0y	18:26 Wexford Glendine Billy 11st 2lb J: Danny Mullins T: Anthony Mullins	14-race maiden over hurdles; well beaten at Clonmel on seasonal return (2m1f, yielding); some improvement over 2m1f here (good) when a 5.25l eighth of 13; back up to 3m now.	12/1

Place /
No / Draw

Date / Going /
Distance / Class

Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer

Verdict

Starting price

11th

8

21st Aug 2026

Good

3m 1f 180y

11st 3lb

Winless from 15 tries over hurdles; respectable efforts without threatening the last twice at Wexford; related to winning chaser O'Faolains Lad so perhaps this discipline can unlock more from him.

13/1

4th

7

7th Aug 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

11st 2lb

14-race maiden over hurdles; well beaten at Clonmel on seasonal return (2m1f, yielding); some improvement over 2m1f here (good) when a 5.25l eighth of 13; back up to 3m now.

12/1

OUR TIP

11th

1

Cock And Bull

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Emmet Mullins

5/2

Form: 857

Last run: 43 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 100

Form & Verdict

Four-time Flat winner for Michael Bell, rated 78 at his peak; best form on good/good to firm and has been soundly beaten in three hurdle starts for this stable; potentially interesting if the ground is not too slow.

Place / No / Draw	Date / Going / Distance / Class	Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer	Verdict	Starting price
1st 1 (3)	29th Jul 2026 Yielding 2m 0f 110y	20:20 Galway Cock And Bull 10st 2lb J: Sam Coen T: Emmet Mullins	Three flat wins for Michael Bell came at 1m6f on quick ground; ordinary enough hurdles form for current yard but fine run on the flat over this trip at the Curragh on Derby weekend back on decent ground, only losing second late on when 2lb out of handicap; down in grade here and tongue-tie tried; has to be respected.	13/2
3rd 11 (1)	26th Jun 2026 Good 2m 0f 76y	19:55 Curragh Cock And Bull 8st 7lb J: Rory Cleary T: Emmet Mullins	Dual-purpose; 3-13 on the Flat for Michael Bell, all three wins over 1m6f on fast ground; has placed AW form at around this trip; modest form on easy ground over hurdles so far for this yard but return to quicker conditions on the Flat could revive; 2lb wrong.	14/1

Place /
No / Draw

Date / Going /
Distance / Class

Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer

Verdict

Starting price

1st

1

(3)

29th Jul 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 110y

10st 2lb

Three flat wins for Michael Bell came at 1m6f on quick ground; ordinary enough hurdles form for current yard but fine run on the flat over this trip at the Curragh on Derby weekend back on decent ground, only losing second late on when 2lb out of handicap; down in grade here and tongue-tie tried; has to be respected.

13/2

3rd

11

(1)

26th Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 76y

8st 7lb

Dual-purpose; 3-13 on the Flat for Michael Bell, all three wins over 1m6f on fast ground; has placed AW form at around this trip; modest form on easy ground over hurdles so far for this yard but return to quicker conditions on the Flat could revive; 2lb wrong.

14/1

13th

15

Added Bonus

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Brendan Maurice Walsh

10/1

Form: 859604 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 0lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict

Veteran showed that he retains some ability when fourth in a 2m3f handicap here last month; however, that was his first time to make the frame since a Naas second in December 2024.

Place / No / Draw	Date / Going / Distance / Class	Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer	Verdict	Starting price
13th 15	14th Apr 2026 Yielding 2m 0f 216y	18:12 Clonmel Added Bonus 10st 0lb J: Sean O’Keeffe T: Brendan Maurice Walsh	Veteran showed that he retains some ability when fourth in a 2m3f handicap here last month; however, that was his first time to make the frame since a Naas second in December 2024.	10/1
4th 16	26th Mar 2026 Soft 2m 2f 188y	17:42 Clonmel Added Bonus 10st 0lb J: Phillip Enright T: Brendan Maurice Walsh	Veteran has won twice over fences at Thurles; however, he has failed to make the frame in 15 consecutive starts since a Naas second in December 2024.	33/1

Place /
No / Draw

Date / Going /
Distance / Class

Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer

Verdict

Starting price

13th

15

14th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 216y

18:12 Clonmel

Added Bonus

10st 0lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Brendan Maurice Walsh

Veteran showed that he retains some ability when fourth in a 2m3f handicap here last month; however, that was his first time to make the frame since a Naas second in December 2024.

10/1

4th

16

26th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 2f 188y

17:42 Clonmel

Added Bonus

10st 0lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Brendan Maurice Walsh

Veteran has won twice over fences at Thurles; however, he has failed to make the frame in 15 consecutive starts since a Naas second in December 2024.

33/1

15th

13

La Rocca Lass

J: Philip Donovan

T: Dermot Day

33/1

Form: d36900

Last run: 40 days

W: 10st 7lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 79

Form & Verdict

Placed only once in seven bumper starts; tailed off at huge odds in four maiden hurdles; up against it.

Place / No / Draw	Date / Going / Distance / Class	Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer	Verdict	Starting price
10th 14	7th Aug 2026 Good 2m 0f 180y	17:16 Wexford La Rocca Lass 10st 3lb J: Joshua Halford T: Dermot Day	Placed just once in seven bumpers; tailed off in all six starts over hurdles, the latest two in handicaps; tongue tie goes on.	50/1
10th 18	20th Apr 2026 Soft 2m 5f 0y	18:12 Tramore La Rocca Lass 10st 4lb T: Dermot Day	Second reserve; Placed only once in seven bumper starts; tailed off at huge odds in four maiden hurdles; tailed off on handicap debut at Cllonmel last Tuesday.

Place /
No / Draw

Date / Going /
Distance / Class

Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer

Verdict

Starting price

10th

14

7th Aug 2026

Good

2m 0f 180y

10st 3lb

Placed just once in seven bumpers; tailed off in all six starts over hurdles, the latest two in handicaps; tongue tie goes on.

50/1

10th

18

20th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 5f 0y

18:12 Tramore

La Rocca Lass

10st 4lb

T: Dermot Day

Second reserve; Placed only once in seven bumper starts; tailed off at huge odds in four maiden hurdles; tailed off on handicap debut at Cllonmel last Tuesday.

6

Ray Gun

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: J P Flavin

10/1

Form: 800

Last run: 92 days

W: 11st 5lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 99

Form & Verdict

Won at a modest level on AW in Britain; weak maiden hurdle form in three outings since December; better ground may help; top rider booked.

Place / No / Draw	Date / Going / Distance / Class	Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer	Verdict	Starting price
9th 8	28th Aug 2026 Good 2m 4f 100y	16:50 Wexford Ray Gun 11st 0lb J: Daniel King T: J P Flavin	AW winner over 1m4f in UK; glimpses of ability over hurdles and not beaten far at Tramore last time over slightly further; can go well but might not want too much rain.	13/2

Place /
No / Draw

Date / Going /
Distance / Class

Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer

Verdict

Starting price

9th

8

28th Aug 2026

Good

2m 4f 100y

11st 0lb

AW winner over 1m4f in UK; glimpses of ability over hurdles and not beaten far at Tramore last time over slightly further; can go well but might not want too much rain.

13/2

8