January 27 / 14.50 Fairyhouse

14.50

Soft

SBK Maiden Hurdle

  • Prize money: £6413.04
  • 2m 0f 0y
  • 11 runners
RTV
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SBK Maiden Hurdle

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

9/2 (Won)

  • Win: £2.00
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 178-5 BF

Last run: 48 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Point winner who won a Naas bumper this time last year; seventh having been hampered in the Champion Bumper was a big effort but hasn't been near that level since including hurdle bow last month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

2

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 75y

16:50 Punchestown

Western Diego

11st 11lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: W P Mullins

Inconsistent and just one win from his nine chase starts but that came in the Grade 3 Dan & Joan Moore Memorial Handicap at Fairyhouse (2m1f, yielding) in January; weakened when fourth of 14 in a 2m1f DRF handicap, only 3l behind runner-up Golden Joy; Grand Annual faller.

12/1

10

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Western Diego

11st 0lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: W P Mullins

Inconsistent and just one win from his eight chase starts but that came in a Grade 3 novice at Fairyhouse (2m1f, yielding) in January; weakened when fourth of 14 in handicap at Leopardstown (2m1f, soft) last month and today's forecast better ground could help; looks the type who may prove well suited by this big-field scenario; not discounted for top Irish stable.

16/1

4th

5

2nd Feb 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 1f 0y

16:05 Leopardstown

Western Diego

11st 3lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: W P Mullins

Struggled in his first two handicap chase attempts before getting the hang of things with experience; shaped more encouragingly when third behind Drumgill at Fairyhouse in November, and now on an upward curve following an emphatic defeat of stablemate More Coko at the same venue; fair chance of confirming form with the second on these terms.

9/2

5/2

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 1- D

Last run: 461 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Plenty to like about his debut when winning a Limerick bumper in October 2022; that form is nothing spectacular but likely improver if ready for his return and yard are in-form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

28th Dec 2024

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 0y

12:30 Limerick

Shoot The Blues

11st 12lb

J: Mr Finian Maguire

T: Barry Connell

chased clear leader, led after 3 out, headed approaching last, no extra and lost second run-in

6/4

3rd

6

28th Dec 2024

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 0y

12:30 Limerick

Shoot The Blues

11st 12lb

J: Mr Finian Maguire

T: Barry Connell

chased clear leader, led after 3 out, headed approaching last, no extra and lost second run-in

6/4

3rd

14

25th Feb 2024

Soft To Heavy

1m 7f 144y

13:55 Naas

Shoot The Blues

11st 12lb

J: Michael O’Sullivan

T: Barry Connell

Plenty to like about his debut when beating a Willie Mullins-trained favorite in a Limerick bumper in October 2022; off for 15 months before chasing home the Mullins-trained Western Diego at Fairyhouse, well clear of the third Undeniable Alibi who has won since at Clonmel.

7/4

3/1

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 5 BF

Last run: 55 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won a Punchestown point last year but was turned over when even money for a course bumper in December; may need further but not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

20th Jan 2025

Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 3

15:27 Ayr

Undeniable Alibi

11st 3lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Gordon Elliott

pressed leader

100/30

1st

3

20th Jan 2025

Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 3

15:27 Ayr

Undeniable Alibi

11st 3lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Gordon Elliott

pressed leader, joined leader 3 out, led narrowly 2 out, going best before last, pushed out run-in, comfortably

100/30

7th

5

11th Jan 2025

2m 5f 203y

14:51 Fairyhouse

Undeniable Alibi

11st 5lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Gordon Elliott

prominent

9/1

Form: 0/7-66 D

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
French bumper winner; has shown promise without setting the world alight since; probably his best effort since when sixth of 23 in a Leopardstown maiden hurdle last month; will need further progress.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

12th Aug 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 165y

17:53 Ballinrobe

Houlanbatordechais

11st 12lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Dual bumper winner in France; has contested some good races since joining Willie Mullins with his best effort a sixth to King Of Kingsfield in a Leopardstown maiden at Christmas; last time was disappointing but the ability is there to play a leading role.

15/8

4th

4

27th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 0f 0y

14:50 Fairyhouse

Houlanbatordechais

11st 12lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: W P Mullins

didn't jump well, prominent, lost touch before 2 out

9/2

6th

9

26th Dec 2023

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 0y

12:35 Leopardstown

Houlanbatordechais

11st 12lb

J: Michael O’Sullivan

T: W P Mullins

Dual AQPS Flat winner has been disappoininting so far for Mullins yard; beaten 25l in this race last year on hurdling debut and well held on return at Cork earlier this month.

50/1

Form: 40

Last run: 12 days

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Promising fourth in a Curragh maiden for Dermot Weld but tailed off in two maiden hurdles since; handles testing ground and yard are in-form; could run well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

25th May 2026

Good

2m 6f 100y

17:35 Ballinrobe

Collaborative

11st 2lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Oliver McKiernan

2-14 over hurdles; is 10lb above last win but has hit the frame in each of his last four runs; beaten just 2.75l at Limerick latest (21.5f, soft); new visor could eke out more, but he would prefer softer ground.

6/1

3rd

2

16th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 5f 100y

13:35 Limerick

Collaborative

11st 12lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Oliver McKiernan

Won Navan handicap hurdle (2m4f, soft) in January of last year off 102 before following up in Fairyhouse novice (2m, heavy); moderate seasonal return at Punchestown but pair of runner-up finishes followed at 2m4f/3m; fair fourth at Naas (15.5f) on latest; solid chance in first-time blinkers.

4/1

4th

6

22nd Feb 2026

Soft To Heavy

1m 7f 110y

15:00 Naas

Collaborative

11st 3lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Oliver McKiernan

Winner of a Navan (2m4f, soft) handicap hurdle in January last year off 102 and followed up next time in a Fairyhouse novice contest (2m, heavy); moderate seasonal return at Punchestown but good effort when second at Navan in December (2m4f, soft to heavy); tried 3m for first time at Limerick later that month and saw out the trip well for second; he's solid.

8/1

Form: 8-

Last run: 613 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Flat winner; distant eighth on hurdle/yard debut at Punchestown in May 2022 wasn't devoid of promise but this looks like a tough ask on the back of an absence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

26th Oct 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 11y

16:13 Galway

Red Glory

11st 12lb

J: Patrick M O’Brien

T: Henry De Bromhead

Flat winner; took his second hurdle race when scoring at Tipperary in July; not a bad Wexford run after, poor at Killarney on next start; addition of tongue-tie seemed to have a positive effect when second at Fairyhouse just over two weeks ago; 5lb claimer rode last Sunday's Munster National winner.

4/1

2nd

2

11th Oct 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

14:52 Fairyhouse

Red Glory

11st 9lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Flat winner took his second hurdle race when scoring at Tipperary in July; not a bad Wexford run after but was poor at Killarney since; has to rebound and tongue-tie might help.

8/1

5

30th Aug 2025

Good

1m 4f 0y

17:47 Curragh

Red Glory

12st 6lb

J: Jessica Kinsella

T: Henry De Bromhead

Flat win came over this trip fully five years ago; dual hurdles winner since, including last month; others appear more likely.

16/1

Form: 2558

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Narrowly denied in a Downpatrick bumper in August; hasn't looked quite as effective over shorter trips on slower ground since; may be one for handicaps at this point.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

12

13th Feb 2024

Heavy

1m 7f 132y

14:33 Thurles

Stagecoach Mary

10st 11lb

J: Kevin Sexton

T: Garry Caldwell

made virtually all, didn't always jump with fluency, headed when mistake last, soon ridden, rallied when led again towards finish

12/1

7th

11

27th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 0f 0y

14:50 Fairyhouse

Stagecoach Mary

11st 5lb

J: Kevin Sexton

T: Garry Caldwell

Narrowly denied in a Downpatrick bumper in August; hasn't looked quite as effective over shorter trips on slower ground since; may be one for handicaps at this point.

16/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Pulled up on only point start in April 2022; unlikely to be suited by this test; wears a tongue-tie.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16th

9

2nd Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 2f 72y

15:55 Leopardstown

Fremantle Doctor

11st 3lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: John C McConnell

No wins from 11 and fairly moderate hurdles form; took second in a Bellewstown handicap off 99 in his final start last season (2m5f, good); well beaten at Navan on seasonal return (2m3f, yielding); decent third in a Sligo beginners' chase in October but 20l behind at Clonmel in a handicap chase when last seen; back over hurdles now.

17/2

3rd

2

1st Oct 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 5f 27y

15:35 Sligo

Fremantle Doctor

11st 12lb

J: Ben Harvey

T: John C McConnell

Maiden has run well enough at times in seven hurdle starts but last time at Navan was below form, though back from a break; was runner-up on chasing debut at Roscommon but then pulled-up at Killarney, both last year; needs best.

7/2

1

20th Sep 2025

Yielding

2m 3f 0y

15:45 Navan

Fremantle Doctor

12st 0lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: John C McConnell

Back on track with a 3l second at Bellewstown in April (20.5f, good) when well backed; off since and likely to have different ground to contend with here down slightly in trip; interesting to see if his backers return.

9/2

Form: 97560

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Poor bumper form and hasn't progressed over timber since.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

11

15th Jul 2024

Good

2m 1f 165y

15:50 Downpatrick

Lake Manzaleh

10st 12lb

J: Mark McDonagh

T: Patrick Griffin

took keen hold, prominent

25/1

14

21st May 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

14:28 Punchestown

Lake Manzaleh

10st 13lb

J: Mark McDonagh

T: Patrick Griffin

No closer than 28l in his races to date and was 40-1 when pulled up at Taunton latest.

100/1

14

21st May 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

14:28 Punchestown

Lake Manzaleh

10st 13lb

J: Mark McDonagh

T: Patrick Griffin

No closer than 28l in his races to date and was 40-1 when pulled up at Taunton latest.

100/1

Form: PP/00

Last run: 51 days

W: 11st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Failed to complete in both 2021 starts and showed very little for new yard towards the end of last year.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

1

27th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 0f 0y

14:50 Fairyhouse

Duke Of Doyen

11st 12lb

J: Jack G Gilligan

T: Darren Collins

Failed to complete in both 2021 starts and showed very little for new yard towards the end of last year.

200/1

14th

4

7th Dec 2023

Soft

2m 0f 43y

12:02 Clonmel

Duke Of Doyen

11st 12lb

J: Jack G Gilligan

T: Darren Collins

Pulled up on first two runs in 2021 and tailed off on the back of an absence last week; best watched.

33/1

12th

3

26th Nov 2023

Soft

2m 0f 0y

12:35 Cork

Duke Of Doyen

11st 12lb

J: Jack G Gilligan

T: Darren Collins

Pulled up on both starts in May/June 2021 for David Christie, failing to settle in bumper and jumped poorly in Down Royal maiden hurdle; can only be watched on return.

100/1

OUR TIP

Form: /7-709

Last run: 178 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Promising fourth in a bumper back in April 2022 on debut but tailed off in all four starts since and showed very little on both hurdle starts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

20th Sep 2025

Yielding

2m 3f 0y

15:45 Navan

Get It Right

11st 7lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Sean Aherne

Chase winner is 0-8 over hurdles and rated 6lb lower in this sphere; best form is on good ground so the forecast rain is a big concern; others preferred.

16/1

11th

3

23rd Jul 2025

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 0y

15:38 Wexford

Get It Right

12st 0lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Sean Aherne

Confirmed the promise of a placed effort at Tramore when getting off the mark over fences at Limerick in May (2m2f, good); struggled from the front at Tipperary since after being raised 7lb; can't be discounted.

9/1

Non-runners

Touch Me Not

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €9.20
Straight Forecast €7.06
Trifecta €21.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Shoot The Blues

POSTDATA:

Houlanbatordechais

The Irish Sun:

Western Diego