October 21 / 14.05 Limerick

14.05

Heavy

King John’s Castle Maiden Hurdle

  • Prize money: £6787.61
  • 2m 0f 0y
  • 18 runners
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King John’s Castle Maiden Hurdle

Runners: 18 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

5/4 (Won)

  • Win: £1.40
  • Place: £1.02

Form: 1

Last run: 59 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Beat subsequent winner in 2m2f Sligo bumper on good ground in August; half-brother won 2m5f maiden for yard on hurdling debut; ground could be an issue but the one to beat.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

2nd Nov 2025

Good To Yielding

3m 4f 0y

15:20 Cork

A Penny A Hundred

11st 11lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: W P Mullins

Useful mare, though not as effective as she promised to be early in her career; -1-9 over fences, placed four times, including third in the Mayo National; moderate run at Sligo last time, but has to be taken seriously.

7/1

7th

2

2nd Nov 2025

Good To Yielding

3m 4f 0y

15:20 Cork

A Penny A Hundred

11st 11lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: W P Mullins

Useful mare, though not as effective as she promised to be early in her career; -1-9 over fences, placed four times, including third in the Mayo National; moderate run at Sligo last time, but has to be taken seriously.

7/1

7th

2

2nd Nov 2025

Good To Yielding

3m 4f 0y

15:20 Cork

A Penny A Hundred

11st 11lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: W P Mullins

Useful mare, though not as effective as she promised to be early in her career; -1-9 over fences, placed four times, including third in the Mayo National; moderate run at Sligo last time, but has to be taken seriously.

7/1

3/1

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 1- D

Last run: 286 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Flat-bred was 5s when making all in 10-runner Naas bumper on soft ground in January; form has worked out only okay; entitled to be better for first run since but not much depth in this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

3

(11)

24th Apr 2026

Yielding

1m 2f 100y

18:45 Cork

Cut The Rope

10st 7lb

J: Jamie Powell

T: Eddie & Patrick Harty

Bumper winner; 0-12 over hurdles and rated 112; solid run on the Flat when sixth of 23 at the Curragh in November (1m4f, heavy); this trip may be on the sharp side but each-way possibilities.

10/1

12th

10

22nd Feb 2026

Soft To Heavy

1m 7f 110y

15:00 Naas

Cut The Rope

10st 9lb

J: Kieren Buckley

T: Eddie & Patrick Harty

Bumper winner is 0-11 over hurdles but ran well in defeat at times in maidens; solid run on the Flat in November (1m4f, heavy) and was a close fifth at Leopardstown last time (2m4f, good to yielding); not ruled out and this ground may suit better.

8/1

16/1

  • Place: £4.90

Form: 8-

Last run: 205 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fared best of yard's three runners in this who ran in Naas maiden in March, late headway when eighth of 23.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

14

2nd Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

3m 4f 61y

16:55 Leopardstown

So They Tell Me

11st 4lb

J: Aidan Kelly

T: Padraig Roche

Punchestown handicap hurdle winner off 106 in 2024 (3m, yielding); beaten 29l in the only one of three beginners' chases which he completed; nicely improved on handicap chase debut at Navan last time when keeping on well for third behind a runaway winner who followed up next time (3m, heavy); not ruled out but perhaps better suited to better ground.

6/1

3rd

15

8th Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 0f 0y

16:20 Navan

So They Tell Me

10st 12lb

J: Aidan Kelly

T: Padraig Roche

Handicap hurdle winner over a staying trip at Punchestown early last season; questions to answer now, since his form in beginners' races has been poor, pulled up twice.

14/1

Form: 0-

Last run: 205 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Deliberate jumping when beaten 34l on Naas debut in March.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

9th May 2024

Yielding

3m 0f 0y

17:40 Tipperary

Milk Market

11st 11lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: Padraig Roche

Only his fifth run and second handicap when going close on his step up to 3m at Bellewstown (good to yielding); nudged up 3lb but surely has more to offer.

5/2

Form: 8

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Related to hurdles winners and ran okay on rules debut when mid-field in maiden at Listowel last month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

13th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

18:20 Punchestown

Tippin And Tappin

11st 10lb

J: Rian Lane

T: E Bolger

Four hurdle starts were in the second half of 2023; moderate form then, and also in points and over fences in 2024; much-improved last year, winning a point and back-to-back handicaps over fences, both over staying trips; this distance looks inadequate; stable's current form is a positive.

8/1

1st

5

18th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

16:15 Killarney

Tippin And Tappin

11st 6lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: E Bolger

Has found some form this year, getting off the mark in a point before staying on best to win at Limerick last time out; runner-up has boosted the form since and there's nothing wrong with a 5lb rise.

3/1

10

22nd May 2025

Good To Firm

2m 6f 160y

19:38 Limerick

Tippin And Tappin

11st 1lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: E Bolger

Well beaten in eight starts under rules but comfortably won Stowlin point-to-point 18 days ago; market will reveal expectations here.

14/1

Form: 5

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fair maiden on the Flat made decent start in this discipline when beaten 13l by stablemate at Roscommon (soft); place claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

19th Apr 2026

Good

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

16:18 Stratford

Chicago Storm

11st 13lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Daisy Hitchins

Out of form in December when last seen over hurdles but looked back in good nick when winning on AW in February and is 5lb lower than when scoring over C&D (good to soft) in March 2025; interesting.

7/1

6th

4

(3)

2nd Apr 2026

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 5

20:18 Southwell (AW)

Chicago Storm

9st 7lb

J: Millie Wonnacott

T: Daisy Hitchins

Steps back up in grade but looks shortlist material, having registered a C&D win under Millie Wonnacott most recently, taking well to Southwell at the first attempt and taking AW record to 2-7.

7/1

Form: 0-

Last run: 205 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Beaten 38l when mid-field on Naas debut in March.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17th

9

11th Nov 2023

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

13:58 Gowran Park

Step Into My Shoes

11st 7lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: Padraig Roche

prominent

10/1

7th

13

21st Oct 2023

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

14:05 Limerick

Step Into My Shoes

11st 7lb

J: Aidan Kelly

T: Padraig Roche

midfield

50/1

14

20th Apr 2023

Yielding

1m 7f 0y

16:50 Kilbeggan

Step Into My Shoes

11st 4lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: Padraig Roche

Champs Elysees gelding; dam placed 2m4f hurdle, half-sister to smart bumper/2m hurdle winner Spirit Leader; never counted on recent Naas debut; drier ground should suit but may need more time.

10/1

100/1

Form: 00

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Huge prices and shown nothing in first two maidens.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

28th Jan 2025

Soft To Heavy

2m 5f 0y

13:35 Limerick

Askwell

10st 6lb

J: Conor McNamara

T: E McNamara

led narrowly early, prominent after 2nd, dropped to midfield before 3rd, dropped to rear after 6th, weakening when slow jump 3 out, soon pulled up

22/1

12

28th Jan 2025

Soft To Heavy

2m 5f 0y

13:35 Limerick

Askwell

10st 6lb

J: Conor McNamara

T: E McNamara

led narrowly early, prominent after 2nd, dropped to midfield before 3rd, dropped to rear after 6th, weakening when slow jump 3 out, soon pulled up

22/1

11th

13

5th Nov 2024

Good

2m 7f 165y

16:00 Fairyhouse

Askwell

10st 13lb

J: Conor McNamara

T: E McNamara

Yet to reach the frame in seven runs over hurdles; well beaten in first three handicaps and now 8lb lower than initial rating; fell heavily at the first on latest start at Limerick last month; best watched on first try at this trip after that.

16/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
1m6f maiden winner on yielding is rated 70 on the level; brother to Champion Bumper winner A Dream To Share; one to note on hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

30th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 50y

19:30 Tramore

Liberated Light

11st 4lb

J: Mr J L Gleeson

T: John E & Thomas Kiely

Back to form with 1.75l front-running second over C&D on penultimate off this mark; never travelled and didn't jump well when poor at Wexford last time; cheekpieces replace blinkers; could rebound back at this venue.

10/1

11th

7

16th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 0y

14:40 Wexford

Liberated Light

11st 5lb

J: Mr J L Gleeson

T: John E & Thomas Kiely

Flat winner was successful over hurdles at Limerick in December 2024 off 7lb higher; moderate recent form until a change of tactics almost saw him make all at Tramore (2m1f, good to yielding) when headed late home in this headgear combination; could go one better if adopting the same tactics.

100/30

2nd

10

20th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 0f 80y

17:42 Tramore

Liberated Light

11st 4lb

J: Mr J L Gleeson

T: John E & Thomas Kiely

Just 1-18 over hurdles; has been poor on heavy ground lately but this drier surface can help him put in a better showing; blinkers added.

16/1

100/1

Form:

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Tailed off at Gowran on last month's debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

21st Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 54y

Class 5

14:50 Catterick

Kuriosa

10st 13lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Annabelle Sowray

0-7 over hurdles in Ireland in 2023-24 and, after an unsuccessful stint in points, he was tailed off/pulled up last month in his first two chases.

100/1

5th

4

10th Mar 2024

Heavy

2m 6f 60y

15:10 Limerick

Kuriosa

11st 8lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Paul Nolan

disputed lead, raced in second from 4th, not fluent 5 out, weakened before 2 out

50/1

Form:

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Unfancied when well beaten on rules debut in Killarney maiden.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

7th May 2024

Good

2m 0f 3y

Class 5

14:15 Fakenham

Phoebes Charm

10st 2lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Clare Hobson

Hasn't finished withing 25l of the winner in six starts over hurdles; first-time hood will need to have a dramatic effect from 8lb out of the handicap.

33/1

8th

8

7th May 2024

Good

2m 0f 3y

Class 5

14:15 Fakenham

Phoebes Charm

10st 2lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Clare Hobson

Hasn't finished withing 25l of the winner in six starts over hurdles; first-time hood will need to have a dramatic effect from 8lb out of the handicap.

33/1

8th

4

19th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 1f 162y

Class 5

16:05 Fontwell

Phoebes Charm

11st 11lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Clare Hobson

jumped slightly right throughout, prominent throughout, weakened after 6th, tailed off

33/1

OUR TIP

Form: 84

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Two quick runs last month, made the frame at Gowran but beaten over 50l; unlikely to contend.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

12

25th May 2026

Good

2m 6f 100y

17:35 Ballinrobe

Billy Lee Swagger

10st 13lb

J: Tiernan Power Roche

T: P J Rothwell

Two-time winner over hurdles; won easily off 9lb lower at Fairyhouse in November (20.5f, yld-sft); ran better than the bare result off this mark at Punchestown latest (raced wide); best form on soft, however, so could do with plenty of rain.

12/1

7th

24

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 7f 110y

16:15 Punchestown

Billy Lee Swagger

10st 0lb

J: Shane O’Callaghan

T: P J Rothwell

Won a Fairyhouse handicap in November but was poor twice since over hurdles and once over fences; little appeal from 2lb out of the handicap; blinkers.

50/1

1

29th Mar 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 3f 100y

17:00 Downpatrick

Billy Lee Swagger

11st 12lb

J: Tiernan Power Roche

T: P J Rothwell

Ran out an easy winner of a Fairyhouse handicap in November (2m5f, yielding to soft); had a tack malfunction when favourite to follow up at the same venue; less easy to ignore a dismal Naas run.

8/1

Form: 6

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Sixth of 12 in Roscommon maiden where he was 15l behind Chicago Storm.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

2

(2)

31st Jan 2024

Standard

1m 2f 150y

15:05 Dundalk (AW)

Fascinating Story

9st 10lb

J: Robbie Colgan

T: A J Martin

Soundly beaten in three maiden hurdles and in a bumper; unlikely to make an impact.

100/1

12

26th Dec 2023

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 0y

12:00 Leopardstown

Fascinating Story

11st 7lb

J: Simon Torrens

T: A J Martin

Soundly beaten in two maiden hurdles and in a bumper; unlikely to make an impact.

100/1

9th

4

3rd Dec 2023

Soft

2m 0f 0y

15:40 Fairyhouse

Fascinating Story

11st 10lb

J: Mr D G Lavery

T: A J Martin

Soundly beaten in two maiden hurdles and makes no appeal here.

150/1

Form: U-24 BF

Last run: 131 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Second at Perth and fourth at Roscommon in early-summer good-ground maidens; has since left Gordon Elliott.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

1st Jun 2024

Soft

2m 0f 50y

18:55 Tramore

Knocknacree

11st 9lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Robert Widger

took keen hold, prominent

25/1

0

12

19th Nov 2023

Soft To Heavy

2m 0f 0y

12:45 Navan

Knocknacree

11st 4lb

J: Ricky Doyle

T: Robert Widger

in rear, reminder after 4th, weakened after 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out

20/1

14th

7

21st Oct 2023

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

14:05 Limerick

Knocknacree

11st 7lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Robert Widger

towards rear of midfield

12/1

100/1

Form:

Last run: 88 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Didn't jump well when tailed off at Ballinrobe in July; fourth runner for yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

14

23rd Nov 2023

Yielding

2m 0f 46y

15:40 Thurles

Youmli

11st 4lb

J: Miss P Elvin

T: P J Rothwell

Has shown nothing in three maiden hurdle outings since July; safe to rule out.

66/1

15th

15

5th Nov 2023

Soft

2m 0f 0y

12:20 Cork

Youmli

11st 7lb

J: Conor Owens

T: P J Rothwell

Never involved in two maiden hurdles and best wait for handicaps.

200/1

15th

15

21st Oct 2023

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

14:05 Limerick

Youmli

11st 7lb

J: Conor Owens

T: P J Rothwell

towards rear

100/1

Form:

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Tailed off at Gowran on last month's debut; tongue-tie.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

30th Sep 2024

Yielding To Soft

2m 4f 63y

15:25 Roscommon

Mighty Momentum

11st 3lb

J: James O’Sullivan

T: P J Rothwell

Showed little in maidens but improved efforts in handicaps over further; this trip might suit better with cheekpieces added.

12/1

7th

13

25th Jul 2024

Good

3m 0f 0y

18:05 Wexford

Mighty Momentum

10st 12lb

J: Simon Torrens

T: P J Rothwell

Tailed off in maiden hurdles but showed a bit more when distant fifth at Limerick in May; may improve again for another couple of furlongs.

6/1

100/1

Form:

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Tailed off at Gowran on last month's debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

4th Mar 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 180y

17:22 Naas

Johnny Cakes

11st 2lb

J: Tiernan Power Roche

T: P J Rothwell

One win from 20 starts over hurdles; that win came over 2m4f at Punchestown on heavy ground in February last year off 78; good effort when third of 24 at Fairyhouse on New Year's Day (2m4f, yielding) but way below that level at Navan; a little hard to trust.

7/1

Form: 877

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Well beaten in bumper when fancied on debut and same story since including on hurdles bow at Fairyhouse.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

13

5th Nov 2023

Soft

2m 4f 0y

13:30 Cork

Calendar House

11st 6lb

J: G B Noonan

T: Joseph Hennessy

Has run in two bumpers and two maiden hurdles without showing any positive signs.

100/1

0

17

21st Oct 2023

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

14:05 Limerick

Calendar House

11st 0lb

J: Daniel King

T: Joseph Hennessy

midfield

33/1

Non-runners

Intent Approach, The Fairy Man, Win Some Lose Some

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €2.90
Straight Forecast €2.66
Trifecta €25.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

A Penny A Hundred

The Irish Sun:

So They Tell Me

POSTDATA:

Liberated Light