November 04 / 16.50 Down Royal

16.50

Yielding To Soft

WorkPal INH Flat Race

  • Prize money: £5949.58
  • 2m 0f 190y
  • 3 runners
TG4
View Course
WorkPal INH Flat Race

Runners: 3 runners

Type: NH Flat

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

6/4 (Won)

  • Win: £3.20

Form: 3/138- D

Last run: 191 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Progressed from a promising debut in Goffs Land Rover Bumper at Punchestown in 2021 to win a lower grade bumper at Ayr second time out; distant third behind Facile Vega at Leopardstown in February was another promising run and scoped badly after disappointing in Grade 1 company at Punchestown when last seen; can be forgiven that and he's a fascinating contender on return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

10

2nd May 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

18:35 Punchestown

Carnfunnock

12st 0lb

J: Sophie Connor

T: S R B Crawford

Two-time hurdles winner, rated 126 over fences, 3m his best trip, this too sharp.

10/1

10th

2

13th Mar 2026

Good

3m 2f 70y

Class 2

16:40 Cheltenham

Carnfunnock

12st 0lb

J: Mr S Connor

T: S R B Crawford

Ran well for a 100-1 shot in this last year (sixth), doing best work late on; that was also the case when only 6l off Its On The Line at Down Royal over Christmas and, like last year, he arrives here after winning a point; cheekpieces offered nothing when tried once before (hurdles); place squeak.

33/1

2

2nd May 2025

Yielding

3m 0f 160y

16:15 Punchestown

Carnfunnock

12st 0lb

J: Mr S Connor

T: S R B Crawford

midfield

10/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Made easy work of a point in February and was subsequently sold for £350,000 at the Cheltenham Festival sales; smart pedigree with a blend of speed and stamina; market should reveal plenty on debut and yard have a good record at this meeting (including a win in this race last year).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

28th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 4f 90y

16:08 Navan

Better Days Ahead

11st 8lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Gordon Elliott

Won the 2024 Martin Pipe, then third to Dancing City in 3m Grade 1 at Punchestown; won two small-field Grade 2 chases at this venue last season and finished third in the Brown Advisory; sixth in the Irish Grand National; returned with a satisfactory second behind a shorter-priced stablemate in the Boyne Hurdle here; capable sort is again the stable's number two.

7/2

2nd

5

8th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 5f 180y

14:50 Navan

Better Days Ahead

11st 3lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

Won the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham two seasons ago, then third to Dancing City in 3m Grade 1 at Punchestown; won two small-field Grade 2 chases at this venue last season and finished third in the Brown Advisory; sixth in the Irish Grand National, running off a mark of 154; hurdles rating of 145 is the lowest of this sextet.

9/2

6th

1

21st Apr 2025

Soft To Heavy

3m 5f 37y

17:00 Fairyhouse

Better Days Ahead

11st 12lb

J: Mr R James

T: Gordon Elliott

Won the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham last year, then third to Dancing City in 3m Grade 1 at Punchestown; 2-4 over fences, including Grade 2 at Navan over 3m on soft to heavy, when jumped notably well; on better ground, failed to confirm form with Stellar Story when third in the Brown Advisory; big burden for a novice, rider's 7lb claim a major asset.

11/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Leading Light filly; half-sister to winners Lord Getaway (2m7f hurdle/chase), Champagne To Go (bumper/2m4f hurdle) and Milan Lady (point); dam French 1m-1m2f winner, half-sister to 1m2f Flat/smart 2m jump winner Great Travel; stiff task on debut against two nice prospects.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

26th Dec 2022

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 50y

11:40 Down Royal

Do As Your Told

10st 11lb

J: Conor Smithers

T: R K Watson

Tailed off at huge prices in two starts so far; hood now tried.

100/1

6th

7

20th Nov 2022

Yielding

2m 0f 100y

15:50 Punchestown

Do As Your Told

11st 7lb

J: Miss Sioned Whittle

T: R K Watson

raced freely, prominent early, towards rear after 4f, pushed along and no impression 3f out

150/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €3.30
Straight Forecast €3.58
Trifecta €3.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Better Days Ahead

POSTDATA:

Carnfunnock

The Irish Sun:

Better Days Ahead