Today / 18.38 Bellewstown

18.38

Good

John Purfield Memorial Handicap Hurdle (Div I)

  • Prize money: £5130.43
  • 2m 1f 40y
  • 18 runners
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John Purfield Memorial Handicap Hurdle (Div I)

Runners: 18 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

OUR TIP

Form: F7-260

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 9/1-06 D BF

Last run: 61 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Well backed when landing a novice handicap at Perth in June 2025; two runs this year over hurdles nowhere near that level; tongue tie added to cheekpieces; needs to revive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

26th Jun 2026

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 4

16:58 Cartmel

Garrick Painter

12st 0lb

J: Mr O McGill

T: Noel C Kelly

10lb higher than for his Perth win last June (2m, good), after which he ran well on the Flat at Galway; back from 289 days off when beaten about 12l at Wexford and that could have been needed; on a tough mark, though.

7/1

10th

2

16th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 0y

14:40 Wexford

Garrick Painter

12st 0lb

J: Carl Millar

T: Noel C Kelly

Returned from 181-day absence at Perth (2m, good) in June last year to get off the mark over hurdles with an easy victory off 95 when a well-backed 15-8 favourite; posted a fine third off top weight on the Flat at the Galway festival when last seen; big player but market will be crucial after his absence.

11/4

Form: 9-635

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 11lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Decent third in a Kilbeggan 4yo maiden hurdle last month (2m3f, good); didn't back it up over 15.5f (yld-sft) at Roscommon latest; could improve on handicap debut for top yard; can't discount.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

12

4th Aug 2026

Good

1m 7f 110y

18:00 Roscommon

Direct Approach

11st 1lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

A 70-rated Flat maiden with Donnacha O'Brien last year; had two low-key runs in maiden hurdles before showing signs of progress when third at Kilbeggan 11 days ago; has the measure of Earthwatch on that evidence.

6/1

3rd

4

24th Jul 2026

Good

2m 2f 200y

16:30 Kilbeggan

Direct Approach

10st 13lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

70-rated Flat maiden with Donnacha O'Brien last year; couple of underwhelming runs in maiden hurdles for current yard, latest after 7 months' absence at Downpatrick 10 days ago; may come on for that comeback run.

8/1

Form: 0P70-P D

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 10lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Veteran a capable performer on his day but hasn't won since November 2024; pulled up on return from an 83 day break in a Wexford handicap chase latest; wears cheekpieces for the first time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

22nd Jul 2026

Good

1m 7f 110y

15:20 Wexford

Tuckmill

11st 4lb

J: Ethan O’Sullivan

T: Peter Fahey

Three-time hurdle winner scored sole chase win at Down Royal in November 2024; however, lost his form last summer and two runs this year don't inspire confidence.

20/1

Form: 007-1

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Gained breakthrough win off 6lb lower at Kilbeggan earlier this month (2m, good) with Surviving Murmansk 5.5l back in sixth; extra furlong here should be fine for him; player again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

8th Aug 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

17:48 Kilbeggan

Convincing

11st 1lb

J: Eoghan Finegan

T: Ciaran Murphy

Three runs in maiden hurdles over the winter were nott devoid of promise; decent effort in first-time blinkers in a 1m handicap at Naas last month; cheekpieces tried for the first time over hurdles today; could go well at a big price.

14/1

5th

5

(6)

22nd Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

19:30 Naas

Convincing

9st 10lb

J: Gabriella Hill

T: Ciaran Murphy

A 17-race maiden; plenty to prove at this stage; failed to run to expectations at Killarney last week; quite well fancied then, at a venue where he has produced some of his better efforts; blinkered now.

20/1

Form: 754-

Last run: 339 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Similar RPRs in mid 80s in three maiden hurdles last year at 2m-2m1f on varying ground; three decent runs on the Flat since joining this yard so won't lack for fitness in first handicap hurdle; market check advised.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

8

(5)

20th Jul 2026

Good

1m 4f 179y

19:40 Ballinrobe

Masego

9st 3lb

J: Rory Mulligan

T: John C McConnell

Won a 1m5f (good) Leopardstown handicap off basement mark of 40 on final start for Mags Mullins in May; solid first two runs for this yard; 5l third of 16 at Bellewstown (1m4f, good) and denied by short head at Down Royal (1m5f, good) three days ago; big chance off 2lb lower.

3/1

2nd

7

(2)

17th Jul 2026

Good

1m 5f 0y

19:24 Down Royal

Masego

8st 7lb

J: Conor Cusack

T: John C McConnell

Bit of promise over hurdles last year for Mags Mullins; made all to beat 18 rivals over this trip on good ground at Leopardstown; little wrong with stable debut third over 1m4f at Bellewstown (second touched off since); 2lb wrong matters little and front-runner is a player.

15/8

Form: 0-0268

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Shaped promisingly when a 3.25l second at Cork in July off this mark but has failed to build on that; beaten 18l back at Cork on latest and needs to bounce back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

5

3rd Aug 2026

Good

2m 1f 0y

16:00 Cork

Let It Settle

11st 5lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Thomas R Hughes

Showed moderate form for Gavin Cromwell but the switch of stable appeared to have a big effect when runner-up over C&D last month on good (El Regalo fourth); unable to back that up at Wexford but remains of interest.

13/2

6th

4

23rd Jul 2026

Good

2m 0f 150y

19:30 Wexford

Let It Settle

11st 8lb

J: Harry Sexton

T: Thomas R Hughes

Showed moderate form for Gavin Cromwell but the switch of stable appeared to have a big effect on her at Cork last time when second of 23 (2m2f, good, 50-1), making up significant ground from the rear; contender with a repeat.

4/1

Form: 8-66PP

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 0000-0

Last run: 105 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: -02741 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 10st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Off the mark in decisive fashion at Cork on latest, beating Surviving Murmansk by 3.75l; 6lb rise for that seems reasonable and it looked like he had plenty in hand; likely to go well again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

15

3rd Aug 2026

Good

2m 1f 0y

16:00 Cork

Chesterbaylad

10st 3lb

J: Josh Williamson

T: Ms Helen P Markham

Pick of form when runner-up in 2m Punchestown handicap in May (good-to-yielding), two recent Kilbeggan runs not without merit; one to consider.

10/1

4th

16

10th Jul 2026

Good

2m 2f 160y

19:42 Kilbeggan

Chesterbaylad

10st 6lb

J: Josh Younge

T: Ms Helen P Markham

Attracted support at Down Royal in early May, let down by his jumping; much more like it when second in a 19-runner contest at Punchestown nine days later; failed to build on that at this venue next time, this longer trip may suit him better.

6/1

Form: 00-604

Last run: 16 days

W: 10st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Dual-purpose maiden ran his best race yet over hurdles at Ballinrobe 16 days ago when a 2l fourth of 15; could arguably have finished closer only for being squeezed out at the second last; enters calculations now off 1lb higher.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

13

10th Aug 2026

Good

2m 0f 109y

18:57 Ballinrobe

Lunar Landscape

10st 8lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: Thomas Coyle

Placed six times on the Flat; relatively unexposed over hurdles; needs to find extra judged on his handicap attempts at Wexford and Cork.

14/1

13th

20

10th Jul 2026

Good

2m 1f 60y

18:15 Cork

Lunar Landscape

10st 9lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: Thomas Coyle

0-19 but only raced four times over hurdles and wasn't disgraced on handicap hurdle debut at Wexford (beaten 10l; 2m1f, good to yielding).

14/1

Form: 0-P189 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Won in good style at Wexford in July but has come up short off revised mark twice since; beaten 11.5l at Sligo latest; needs to get back on track.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

15

6th Aug 2026

Good

2m 1f 193y

18:20 Sligo

Backinabit

10st 7lb

J: Josh Williamson

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Modest form for two previous trainers; much-improved in first-time blinkers on second start for yard when winning at Wexford (2m1f, good) but weakened and beaten 11l when favourite on return to that venue; scratched (due to soft ground) from chase at Roscommon on Tuesday.

10/1

Form: 0P-69F

Last run: 23 days

W: 10st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
0-7 over hurdles and well beaten on the Flat at Tramore on latest; fell on last start in this sphere in Cork race won by Chesterbaylad; tongue tie added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

14

(3)

15th Aug 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

19:55 Tramore

Crypto Crash

9st 0lb

T: David Kenneth Budds

Second reserve; 0-13 on the Flat and winless from seven over hurdles, including when falling at the sixth at Cork last time; two Flat runs this season do nothing to excite and 3lb wrong.

13

3rd Aug 2026

Good

2m 1f 0y

16:00 Cork

Crypto Crash

10st 5lb

J: Patrick M O’Brien

T: David Kenneth Budds

Placed over 1m4f on fast ground for David Marnane in 2024; moderate hurdles form and two recent flat efforts have been poor; others hold stronger claims.

20/1

Form: 820534

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 1lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Maiden has mostly run well this year; beaten just 2l when runner up at Tramore in May; beaten similar distances on last three starts and needs to find a bit more to get her head in front; cheekpieces replace blinkers worn last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

13

7th Aug 2026

Good

2m 0f 180y

17:16 Wexford

Avandra

10st 3lb

J: Shane O’Callaghan

T: P J Rothwell

0-21 but some reasons for hope in her runs this season; was a 2l second at Tramore in May (2m, good) and okay efforts at Cork (2m2f, good) when fifth of 23 and when third of ten over C&D last time (good); more needed to win but definite place possibilities.

5/1

3rd

12

23rd Jul 2026

Good

2m 0f 150y

19:30 Wexford

Avandra

10st 5lb

J: Shane O’Callaghan

T: P J Rothwell

Things picked up when second at Tramore (2m, good) and even though she ran poorly at Sligo next time, her recent outing at Cork also held promise when fifth of 23 (2m2f, good); may get involved.

9/1

Form: -60260 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 10st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Won off 1lb higher at Tramore last year; chased home Chesterbaylad at Cork earlier this month but not in same form twice since; beaten 25l on latest and others make more appeal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

14

16th Aug 2026

Good

2m 0f 140y

14:20 Tramore

Surviving Murmansk

10st 3lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: James M Barcoe

Sole win came in this race last year off the same mark; not bad efforts at Cork and Kilbeggan lately so has to enter calculations back at this venue.

5/1

6th

14

8th Aug 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

17:48 Kilbeggan

Surviving Murmansk

10st 1lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: James M Barcoe

Won a handicap hurdle at Tramore a year ago; right back to form when runner-up in a handicap hurdle at Cork on Monday; suited by a sharp, left-handed track and will go close if coming here in the same form.

7/2

Form: 9-875

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 5lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
First reserve; very modest form on the Flat and in four maiden hurdles; impossible to fancy on handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

6th Aug 2026

Good

2m 4f 168y

18:55 Sligo

Turlough Abu

10st 7lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: V T O’Brien

Nothing so far on the Flat and in three attempts over hurdles in Ballinrobe maidens.

50/1

7th

15

21st Jul 2026

Good

2m 1f 89y

16:36 Ballinrobe

Turlough Abu

10st 7lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: V T O’Brien

Nothing so far Flat or hurdles.

200/1

Form: 46-706

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Second reserve; placed in a couple of bumpers but not many positives to take from three maiden hurdle runs; cheekpieces go on for handicap bow; watch.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

9th Aug 2026

Good

2m 5f 180y

16:18 Downpatrick

Paymelater

11st 4lb

J: Ricky Doyle

T: S Michael Millar

Placed twice in bumpers; mildly encouraging hurdles debut in 2m3f maiden here in June (good) but poor effort at Bellewstown last month; eligible for a mark after today.

14/1

13th

10

4th Jul 2026

Good

2m 1f 40y

17:48 Bellewstown

Paymelater

11st 4lb

J: Ricky Doyle

T: S Michael Millar

Placed twice and other fair efforts in ten bumper outings; posed no threat on hurdles debut.

50/1

Form: F8P-60

Last run: 10 days

W: 10st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Third reserve; showed little in maiden hurdles and similar story when soundly beaten on handicap debut at Tramore on latest; others hold more pressing claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

10

16th Aug 2026

Good

2m 0f 140y

14:20 Tramore

Owls Delight

11st 0lb

J: P J O’Hanlon

T: R Donohoe

Well beaten in a bumper and four maiden hurdles but should do better now in handicaps.

20/1

6th

7

23rd Jul 2026

Good

2m 0f 150y

16:00 Wexford

Owls Delight

11st 4lb

J: Richard Deegan

T: R Donohoe

Three starts over hurdles have been littered with jumping errors, albeit he ran okay at Gowran Park when eighth of 12; needs a big step forward after 269 days off.

33/1

Betting Forcast

20/1 Codgers Rock, 14/1 Garrick Painter, 8/1 Direct Approach, 25/1 Tuckmill, 9/2 Convincing, 14/1 Masego, 16/1 Let It Settle, 66/1 Dictionary Corner, 33/1 Zarushio, 11/4 Chesterbaylad, 13/2 Lunar Landscape, 16/1 Backinabit, 10/1 Crypto Crash, 9/1 Avandra, 12/1 Surviving Murmansk, Turlough Abu, Paymelater, Owls Delight

Verdict

The recent Cork winner CHESTERBAYLAD has gone up 6lb but he seemed to have a fair bit in hand that day and he is taken to follow up. Surviving Murmansk was second in that race but has disappointed twice since. Convincing had a neck to spare when winning at Kilbeggan last time and this demands more off 6lb higher. Lunar Landscape has a chance and the 4yo handicap debutants Masego and Direct Approach need monitoring in the market. [Dave Stephens]

Selections

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Direct Approach

SPOTLIGHT:

Chesterbaylad

The Irish Sun:

Masego

POSTDATA:

Backinabit