February 24 / 15.50 Fairyhouse

15.50

Heavy

Tote.ie Bobbyjo Chase (Grade 3)

  • Prize money: £14621.74
  • 3m 1f 88y
  • 4 runners
RTV
View Course
Tote.ie Bobbyjo Chase (Grade 3)

Runners: 4 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

OUR TIP

5/4 (Won)

  • Win: £1.50

Form: 41-143 C

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 158

Form & Verdict
Irish Grand National winner who rounded off his novice status by winning the Grade 1 Drinmore here in December; up against it last twice against Galopin Des Champs but debatable whether he did himself justice; has to give weight all round here but these calmer waters might bring out the best in him again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

I Am Maximus

11st 12lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

His only three long-distance events resulted in an Irish National win in 2023, a storming success in this race in 2024 (soft) and a valiant second, from further off the pace, in repeat bid here in 2025 (good to soft); what a record that is, and 50-1 second in a 3m Grade 1 at Leopardstown on penultimate start gives every encouragement that all his ability remains; the return of cheekpieces (tried once in 2022) is interesting but, off 1lb higher than last year, he should be set for another prominent finish.

7/1

5th

8

2nd Feb 2026

Soft To Heavy

3m 0f 100y

15:30 Leopardstown

I Am Maximus

11st 10lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: W P Mullins

Won the 2023 Irish National and a brilliant winner of the 2024 Grand National; gave a terrific display to split his stablemates Nick Rockett and Grangeclare West at Aintree last season; tailed off in the John Durkan on reappearance; spirited display when keeping on for second in the Savills after being hampered at the last; adds substance to the stable's challenge.

10/1

Form: 22-550

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 151

Form & Verdict
Had not shown a lot coming into this race last year when a close second to Kemboy en route to finishing second in the Grand National; comes here in similar form this year and a big run can be expected on his way to another crack at Aintree.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 5f 56y

Class 2

15:20 Cheltenham

Vanillier

10st 7lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: Gavin Cromwell

Thorough stayer who came second in the 2023 Grand National; not very consistent nowadays but did very well to finish third behind Stumptown in this race last year (good to soft), having lost ground when nearly taking the wrong course in early stages, and returns here after a win on Bank course at Punchestown (3m1f, soft to heavy) last month.

7/1

Form: 2P-1P3 C

Last run: 54 days

W: 11st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 146

Form & Verdict
Fortunate winner from I Am Maximus in a beginners chase here last season; won a Wexford Listed chase in November and possibly a career best when a close third in a Tramore Grade 3 last month; deserves to be taken seriously.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

15th Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 125y

Class 2

17:00 Haydock

Minella Crooner

10st 13lb

J: James Best

T: Sarah Humphrey

Once very smart for Gordon Elliott but left that yard on a downer and has continued in similar vein for current team; too risky at the minute.

25/1

11

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 5f 56y

Class 2

15:20 Cheltenham

Minella Crooner

10st 5lb

J: James Best

T: Sarah Humphrey

Very useful at his best for Gordon Elliott but was pulled up in this race last year and changed hands after a heavy defeat over regulation fences at Punchestown festival; struggled when dropped back to 2m4f for last month's stable debut; 6lb wrong here and has too much to prove.

100/1

1

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 19y

Class 3

15:58 Newcastle

Minella Crooner

12st 2lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Sarah Humphrey

His last win was at the Punchestown festival (3m, soft) in May 2024; right out of form in his last three starts (same Punchestown race last time) and this is his first start since leaving Gordon Elliott for £10,000 last May; probably best watched this time.

20/1

Form: F5-060 C

Last run: 71 days

W: 11st 8lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 150

Form & Verdict
Seven-time winner, including in Grade 1 company as a novice; well below his best for some time though including in a cross-country at Cheltenham in December; the least likely of these.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

3rd Jun 2024

Good

2m 3f 0y

16:20 Listowel

Fury Road

11st 2lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Gordon Elliott

in rear, detached from 3rd, pulled up with one circuit to go

20/1

4th

3

13th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 100y

18:40 Killarney

Fury Road

11st 8lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

in touch with leaders, pushed along briefly after 10th, struggling and weakened after 4 out

20/1

4th

3

13th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 100y

18:40 Killarney

Fury Road

11st 8lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

in touch with leaders, pushed along briefly after 10th, struggling and weakened after 4 out

20/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €3.40
Straight Forecast €4.81
Trifecta €4.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

I Am Maximus

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Vanillier

POSTDATA:

Minella Crooner

TOPSPEED:

I Am Maximus

The Irish Sun:

Vanillier