January 08 / 14.20 Naas

14.20

Soft

Lawlor’s Of Naas Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)

  • Prize money: £52212.39
  • 2m 3f 212y
  • 9 runners
RTV
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Lawlor’s Of Naas Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.70
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 1-114 BF

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Impressively took the scalp of Cheltenham winner Brazil in a Grade 3 at Tipperary in October; probably over-raced a little and didn't get home in the Royal Bond at Fairyhouse subsequently and probably prefers better ground; looks the outsider of the Closutton duo here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

29th Apr 2026

Yielding

3m 0f 213y

18:05 Punchestown

Champ Kiely

11st 10lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: W P Mullins

Won the Grade 1 novice here last year, beating stablemate Ballyburn; has experienced a torrid campaign after starting off with a second placing over 2m; remote seventh behind Fact To File in the Irish Gold Cup; not a bad effort in the Grand National; making up the numbers here.

33/1

8th

12

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Champ Kiely

11st 1lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: W P Mullins

The furthest he's been is 3m1f in Grade 1 novice at Punchestown Festival (good to yielding) last April which he won in good style, showing improved form; went close over 2m in November and although he slipped up next time and met with heavy defeats twice since, he went well enough to the home turn in Irish Gold Cup on latest; whether he'll stay 4m2f is a big question but he could outrun his odds for a long way.

28/1

7th

2

2nd Feb 2026

Soft To Heavy

3m 0f 100y

15:30 Leopardstown

Champ Kiely

11st 10lb

J: J J Slevin

T: W P Mullins

Grade 1 novice hurdle winner came back from a long absence last season; won three races as a novice chaser, notably a Grade 1 win at Punchestown over 3m1f; a fine second to the 11lb-receiving Only By Night over 2m at Naas on return; clipped heels and unseated rider early on in the Savills; race may have come too soon when disappointing at Tramore four days later.

50/1

OUR TIP

7/2

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 321-12

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Grade 1 bumper winner in France; overcame some poor jumping to easily land an ordinary maiden hurdle at Cork; stepped up considerably on that when touched off on the post in the Royal Bond at Fairyhouse; has the form to win a race like this and no reason why he shouldn't handle the step up in trip; sets a good standard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

3rd May 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 45y

18:00 Punchestown

Irish Point

11st 12lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

led

100/30

2nd

2

3rd May 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 45y

18:00 Punchestown

Irish Point

11st 12lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

led

100/30

8/1

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 311 D

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Well adrift of Champ Kiely in a Galway maiden hurdle but has improved considerably since; easy winner of a Listowel maiden hurdle and was staying on when things worked out to his advantage with Affordale Fury's last flight fall at Navan; probably still improving and should run a solid race here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(4)

3rd Jun 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

19:20 Curragh

Dawn Rising

9st 9lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

No wins last season but strong form in defeat in big staying handicaps; fourth in the amateur handicap at Galway, fifth in the Irish Cesarewitch and signed off with a fine second in the Cesarewitch; recent run here was over an inadequate trip, more expected of here and seemingly McMonagle's pick.

10/1

12th

1

(7)

23rd May 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 2f 0y

14:30 Curragh

Dawn Rising

10st 1lb

J: J M Sheridan

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

No wins last season but strong form in defeat in big staying handicaps; fourth in the amateur handicap at Galway, fifth in the Irish Cesarewitch and signed off with a fine second in the Cesarewitch; runs over an inadequate trip here on second start of the season.

16/1

8th

1

(3)

30th Mar 2026

Heavy

1m 6f 0y

15:18 Navan

Dawn Rising

10st 2lb

J: Gary Halpin

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

No wins last season but ran some excellent races in defeat; finished fourth in the QR handicap at Galway, fifth in the Irish Cesarewitch and then signed off with a fine second in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket; course winner over hurdles but might just need this run.

6/1

Form: 11

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Unbeaten in two starts on heavy, just getting on top close home when beating Imagine at Gowran last time; shapes as though the step up in trip will suit but has to improve again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

29th Apr 2026

Yielding

3m 0f 213y

18:05 Punchestown

Inothewayurthinkin

11st 10lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

Cheltenham Gold Cup winner last year; no sign of best form on his first three runs this term; repeated previous Cheltenham trend of leaving winter form behind to finish third in the Gold Cup, despite not jumping particularly well; 0-4 at this venue and was trounced by Gaelic Warrior here as a novice; will need to catch the big two on an off-day.

8/1

3rd

7

13th Mar 2026

Good

3m 2f 70y

Class 1

16:00 Cheltenham

Inothewayurthinkin

11st 10lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: Gavin Cromwell

Disappointing on his three runs this term and a major turnaround is required; however, he's left his winter form behind to win at the Cheltenham Festival in each of the last two seasons (soft/good to soft), including this race last year by 6l, and he attracted market support last week; cheekpieces go on and he'll be tough to beat if rediscovering his brilliant best.

7/1

9

2nd Feb 2026

Soft To Heavy

3m 0f 100y

15:30 Leopardstown

Inothewayurthinkin

11st 10lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

Last year's Cheltenham Gold Cup winner; had failed to test Galopin Des Champs in two C&D clashes before justifying his supplementary entry by denying the Mullins-trained star a Gold Cup hat-trick; found the trip inadequate in the John Durkan; stable's relatively poor form at the time offers a partial excuse for a lifeless run in the Savills; plenty to prove all the same.

10/1

Form: 1-1 D

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Cost a mammoth 430,000Euro after winning a Lingstown point-to-point and unbeaten in two starts on the track; returned from an 18-month absence to blow his rivals away in quite a competitive Navan maiden hurdle in November; could still be anything and looks well worth the early step up into Grade 1 company.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

29th Apr 2026

Yielding

3m 0f 213y

18:05 Punchestown

Grangeclare West

11st 10lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: W P Mullins

Excellent third in last season's Grand National; set tough tasks in Grade 1s this season before dropped in class to beat Gerri Colombe in the Bobbyjo at Fairyhouse; unseated at the first when 9-1 for the Grand National; stable's third string now.

14/1

4

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Grangeclare West

11st 10lb

J: Mr P W Mullins

T: W P Mullins

Excellent 3l third in last year's renewal, somehow renewing his effort after diving at the final fence cost him plenty of momentum; creditable fifth at Sandown just three weeks later and surging clear from Gerri Colombe at Fairyhouse this February, after another last-fence dive, showed that he's at least as good as ever; 3lb higher than 12 months ago but lots to like.

9/1

1st

7

21st Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 2f 0y

15:15 Fairyhouse

Grangeclare West

11st 0lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Excellent third in the Grand National last season, rallying well after a mistake at the last; poor seasonal return in the John Durkan but his 6.25l fourth behind Affordale Fury in the Savills was much better; tailed off in the Irish Gold Cup last time; it's interesting that Townend chooses him and he's well suited by the weightings; however, his best form is on better ground.

3/1

Form: 11F

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bumper and maiden hurdle winner at Galway before stepping up in class in a Grade 3 at Navan in November and was a length up when falling at the last in the race won by Dawn Rising; the winner was staying on but very difficult to predict what would have happened; jumping does need to improve but looks well worth his place in this contest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

2nd Feb 2026

Soft To Heavy

3m 0f 100y

15:30 Leopardstown

Affordale Fury

11st 10lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Noel Meade

A revelation this season; runner-up in a Gowran Grade 2 before chasing home Envoi Allen in Down Royal Grade 1; took advantage of a drop in class when scoring at Thurles; came of age with a terrific effort under a positive ride in the Savills here at Christmas; his race-fitness was possibly a major factor and several of his victims may be closer to peak shape now.

9/1

Form: 1-15 BF

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won a bumper and a maiden hurdle at Gowran; favourite for a 2m7f Grade 2 at Limerick 12 days ago but could never get competitive; drops back in trip here but looks up against it.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

9th Mar 2025

Soft

2m 4f 29y

16:12 Naas

Kalanisi Star

11st 12lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Oliver McKiernan

Point, bumper and maiden hurdle winner who wasn't disgraced in graded company over timber a couple of seasons ago; missed last term, tailed off over timber on return and beaten a distance in a beginners' on chase debut last month; questions to answer now.

20/1

6th

5

20th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 6f 150y

13:55 Punchestown

Kalanisi Star

11st 12lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Oliver McKiernan

Campaigned at a high level over hurdles in 2022-23 season; should be better for his comeback run in Grade 2 hurdle at Gowran last month.

16/1

Form: 1-122

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Narrow winner of a Wexford maiden hurdle in October; better efforts in defeat when a close third in the For Auction at Navan before narrowly outpointed by Inothewayurthinkin at Gowran; probably set for a minor role here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

22nd Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 187y

Class 2

14:40 Newbury

Imagine

11st 8lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Ex-Irish 7yo who has contested three handicap chases for new stable, looking a non-stayer over 3m1f on second occasion but that's far better than his 2m4f/2m5f races either side; dropped 6lb in the process and he now wears a tongue-tie and cheekpieces, both for the first time.

10/1

3rd

1

14th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 5f 133y

Class 2

15:20 Kelso

Imagine

12st 0lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Ex-Irish 7yo who has raced in two major handicaps for new stable, non-stayer over 3m1f latest; had some strong pieces of form for previous yard and, with that in mind, looks interesting back down in trip/grade.

5/2

5th

4

18th Jan 2025

Heavy

3m 1f 125y

Class 1

14:30 Haydock

Imagine

10st 6lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Lightly raced 7yo who won a Grade 2 novice chase at Punchestown (2m, soft) in November 2023 for Gordon Elliott; it's very early days for him with his up-and-coming trainer and he stayed 2m4f over hurdles, but there's a big stamina question to answer today and he was pulled up in the Paddy Power Gold Cup in November on his seasonal and stable debut; others have less to prove.

12/1

Form: 13-213 D BF

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
No match for Affordale Fury at Galway; won an ordinary maiden hurdle at Punchestown before a creditable effort in a 3m Grade 3 at Cork; back to 2m4f here but overall form leaves him with plenty to find.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

5th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 0y

15:00 Cork

Monbeg Park

11st 8lb

J: Eoin Staples

T: Jack Foley

Better known as a chaser but has shown smart hurdles form in the past; would have a squeak if back in top form off a lower hurdle mark.

14/1

9th

4

2nd Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 5f 120y

16:25 Leopardstown

Monbeg Park

11st 6lb

J: Michael Kenneally

T: Jack Foley

Two wins include this race last year off 2lb lower; standout run this term when second in Grade 3 Punchestown contest (2m7f), tame effort last time (albeit stiff task) in Grade 2 at Thurles; not one to rule out back in handicap company.

15/2

4th

5

18th Jan 2026

Yielding

2m 4f 66y

15:20 Thurles

Monbeg Park

11st 3lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Jack Foley

Useful sort; best form at Punchestown, including when second to the talented Heart Wood three starts ago; 2-16 record over fences is not a great return bearing in mind his 147 rating; inferior to the four Mullins-trained runners on official figures

12/1

Non-runners

Imagine

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €13.10
Straight Forecast €16.29
Tricast €86.53
Trifecta €73.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Irish Point

RP Ratings (IRE):

Dawn Rising

The Irish Sun:

Grangeclare West

TOPSPEED:

Irish Point

POSTDATA:

Dawn Rising