March 17 / 14.17 Down Royal

14.17

Soft

Powered By Bluegrass Handicap Hurdle (Div I)

  • Prize money: £5130.43
  • 2m 4f 0y
  • 12 runners
RTV
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Powered By Bluegrass Handicap Hurdle (Div I)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly coudy

25/1 (Won)

  • Win: £24.80
  • Place: £6.70

Form: 00059U

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
A couple of okay runs in handicap hurdles at Clonmel and Punchestown in December; back over hurdles after unseating on his chase debut at Thurles 12 days ago; could sneak into a place.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

19:15 Ffos Las

Perfect Pupil

11st 5lb

J: Daire McConville

T: Martin Keighley

Won handicap hurdle at Down Royal last March but inconsistent and has not made a serious impact with cheekpieces enlisted for his two runs for new yard; balance of form suggests he has work to do.

16/1

6

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

19:15 Ffos Las

Perfect Pupil

11st 5lb

J: Daire McConville

T: Martin Keighley

Won handicap hurdle at Down Royal last March but inconsistent and has not made a serious impact with cheekpieces enlisted for his two runs for new yard; balance of form suggests he has work to do.

16/1

4th

2

26th Mar 2025

Good

2m 4f 194y

Class 5

16:42 Hereford

Perfect Pupil

12st 0lb

J: Daire McConville

T: Martin Keighley

Won handicap hurdle at Down Royal last March but inconsistent and beaten 20l when fourth of five finishers on this month's stable debut at Leicester (2m4f, good to soft); that made it 0-5 over fences; others preferred.

10/1

50/1

  • Place: £3.20

Form: 090F0

Last run: 8 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Little to recommend from her maiden form; best watched here on her handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

10

16th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 3f 60y

16:30 Limerick

Rebel Cowgirl

11st 1lb

J: Cian Quirke

T: M A Cahill

Off the mark at the 15th attempt at Punchestown last month (2m4f, soft), making all and scoring by 0.5l; the runner-up, third and fifth have all won since; 8lb higher but should still make another bold bid.

4/1

3/1

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 004-91 D

Last run: 48 days

W: 11st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Convincing winner of a handicap over this distance at Punchestown in January; up 9lb for that but this is not a strong contest and high on the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

13

13th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

17:50 Punchestown

Silent Flight

10st 12lb

J: Michael Kenneally

T: Philip M Byrne

Heavy-ground winner over 2m4f at this venue in January 2024; out of sorts over fences last year; getting on in years now.

20/1

10

1st Jul 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 120y

14:48 Tipperary

Silent Flight

11st 2lb

J: Aidan Kelly

T: Philip M Byrne

Heavy ground hurdles winner has fallen and pulled up on his last two starts over fences; trip probably too far on latest at Punchestown but he may need softer ground than this.

40/1

Form: 080-P7 D

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Fancied to do better on his most recent handicap start at Clonmel last month; Jack Kennedy on board again and interesting to see what he can do.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

24th Apr 2025

Good

2m 2f 50y

18:15 Kilbeggan

The Niffler

11st 13lb

J: Hugh Morgan

T: Eamonn O’Connell

towards rear, headway on outer from 2 out, ran on well from last, went third inside final 110yds

15/2

3rd

1

24th Apr 2025

Good

2m 2f 50y

18:15 Kilbeggan

The Niffler

11st 13lb

J: Hugh Morgan

T: Eamonn O’Connell

towards rear, headway on outer from 2 out, ran on well from last, went third inside final 110yds

15/2

2nd

10

6th Oct 2024

Yielding

2m 0f 50y

16:15 Tipperary

The Niffler

10st 8lb

J: Jack Foley

T: Eamonn O’Connell

slowly away, towards rear, soon detached, joined main group halfway, headway and went fourth 2 out, ran on well from last, went second post

10/1

Form: P-7900

Last run: 82 days

W: 10st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Won a Naas handicap hurdle for the McConvilles two years ago; no show on his stable debut here at Christmas; worth a market check but others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

23rd Oct 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 205y

14:52 Clonmel

Flashthelights

11st 13lb

J: Mr O McGill

T: Noel C Kelly

Won twice on good ground last year, at Punchestown and Wexford; a long way best in two 2025 outings, five months apart; may do better now.

7/1

5

10th Oct 2025

Yielding To Soft

2m 1f 65y

15:23 Downpatrick

Flashthelights

11st 4lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: Noel C Kelly

One of three for yard; has won three over timber but tailed off in his last couple of starts and needs the ground to dry out to see him at his best.

15/1

Form: 740-0P

Last run: 171 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Some maiden hurdle ability but well beaten in handicaps at up to 3m; off since September and hard to fancy.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

14th Jun 2025

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

17:28 Hexham

College Causeway

11st 11lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: John C McConnell

0-13 under rules and 0-4 over fences; however, travelled sweeter in the cheekpieces when second at Downpatrick last time (2m7f, good) and should have a part to play here.

7/2

2nd

7

9th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 150y

19:42 Downpatrick

College Causeway

11st 1lb

J: Dylan Kidd

T: John C McConnell

Maiden ran a fine race over 3m2f at Down Royal last time though came under pressure early; needs to travel a bit better over this trip but cheekpieces could help.

5/1

2nd

7

9th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 150y

19:42 Downpatrick

College Causeway

11st 1lb

J: Dylan Kidd

T: John C McConnell

Maiden ran a fine race over 3m2f at Down Royal last time though came under pressure early; needs to travel a bit better over this trip but cheekpieces could help.

5/1

OUR TIP

Form: 2-5843

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Ran well in a Navan handicap hurdle in November and again at the same venue over this trip two weeks ago; solid handicap form in the context of this race and unlikely to be too far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

11th Nov 2024

Good

2m 3f 210y

Class 5

15:05 Carlisle

Maimies Magic

11st 11lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: S R B Crawford

Two hurdle wins, at 2m2f and 2m1f, and has form over 2m6f; below best under conditions that should have suited in March and rather hard to know what to expect now sent over fences with tongue-tie left off.

9/2

10/1

Form: -64849

Last run: 25 days

W: 10st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Stays further and putt in a couple of good efforts in handicap hurdles at Fairyhouse; probably didn't get home over 3m1f at Punchestown last month; respected on his best form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

21

4th Apr 2024

Soft To Heavy

2m 7f 180y

16:50 Naas

Ferrum

10st 13lb

J: Conor Maxwell

T: G A Kingston

Modest maiden made the frame over this trip at Fairyhouse in November and over 2m4f at same venue in February; well held since; blinkers replace cheekpieces.

25/1

21

4th Apr 2024

Soft To Heavy

2m 7f 180y

16:50 Naas

Ferrum

10st 13lb

J: Conor Maxwell

T: G A Kingston

Modest maiden made the frame over this trip at Fairyhouse in November and over 2m4f at same venue in February; well held since; blinkers replace cheekpieces.

25/1

8th

15

17th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 4f 0y

14:17 Down Royal

Ferrum

10st 13lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: G A Kingston

towards rear

10/1

Form: -05307

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 8lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Winning hurdler-chaser; solid third in a Naas handicap hurdle in January and ran on from some way back in a ladies handicap hurdle at Thurles last time; each-way claims although not really proven yet over this sort of trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15

22nd Nov 2024

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 110y

12:47 Tipperary

Joeswayornoway

11st 2lb

J: Harry Sexton

T: E Sheehy

Two wins from 46 starts; ran okay in a mares handicap at Gowran two weeks ago; chance on her best form.

16/1

15

22nd Nov 2024

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 110y

12:47 Tipperary

Joeswayornoway

11st 2lb

J: Harry Sexton

T: E Sheehy

Two wins from 46 starts; ran okay in a mares handicap at Gowran two weeks ago; chance on her best form.

16/1

6th

8

9th Nov 2024

Yielding

2m 3f 180y

15:22 Gowran Park

Joeswayornoway

11st 4lb

J: Harry Sexton

T: E Sheehy

No wins over hurdles since 2021 and unseated over fences here last month; wasn't disgraced on previous hurdles start in August and down to a good mark but others are more convincing.

20/1

Form: 07/70-

Last run: 399 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Not much to show for three maiden runs but put up a better effort at Navan his on second handicap start when last seen 13 months ago; not dismissed but needs to find more and entitled to need it after a lengthy absence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

12

17th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 4f 0y

14:17 Down Royal

Fairly Bold

11st 2lb

J: James O’Sullivan

T: P J Rothwell

towards rear, not fluent 5th

25/1

12

23rd Mar 2023

Soft

2m 4f 0y

16:25 Cork

Fairly Bold

11st 2lb

J: Mr T P Harney

T: P J Rothwell

Not much to show for three maiden runs but put up a better effort at Navan last time on second h'cap start; more needed but not one to dismiss; watch market.

14/1

16

6th Mar 2023

Yielding

3m 0f 0y

15:25 Leopardstown

Fairly Bold

10st 5lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: P J Rothwell

Off the track for 19 months before running respectably at Fairyhouse in January before midfield behind Wa Wa at Navan; plenty to find off same mark.

20/1

Form: 506520 D

Last run: 142 days

W: 10st 13lb

13 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Veteran with nine career wins and kept his form in a very busy campaign last year; has tended to need his first run and that is unlikely to have changed at this age.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

25th Aug 2025

Good

2m 6f 61y

18:43 Ballinrobe

Father Jed

10st 2lb

J: Daniel King

T: John Patrick Ryan

Winner of nine of his 94 races; has veteran status and is on a long losing sequence; only positive is his decent record at this venue, where he has won three times.

25/1

13

22nd Aug 2025

Good

3m 1f 180y

18:55 Kilbeggan

Father Jed

10st 2lb

J: Daniel King

T: John Patrick Ryan

Teenager is a nine-time winner but was poor when last seen and others make more appeal.

40/1

14th

15

5th Nov 2024

Good

2m 7f 165y

16:00 Fairyhouse

Father Jed

10st 13lb

J: John Aherne

T: John Patrick Ryan

13yo veteran has won seven times over hurdles; mixing chasing and hurdling lately but hasn't looked like adding to his haul; however, he has won here before over shorter and he is 5lb below his last winning mark; not totally discounted but a revival is needed.

33/1

Form: F031-3 BF

Last run: 281 days

W: 10st 13lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Winner of a banks race at last year's Punchestown festival and followed up with a solid third in a conventional handicap chase at the same venue; off since June but if fit enough and if he handles the ground he has to be respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

3rd May 2025

Yielding

3m 0f 90y

14:30 Punchestown

Subset

11st 12lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Peter Maher

33-1 winner of this event in 2023 with Three By Two back in third; nothing to suggest he can cause a similar upset; last of nine finishers in Thursday's La Touche.

66/1

8

3rd May 2025

Yielding

3m 0f 90y

14:30 Punchestown

Subset

11st 12lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Peter Maher

33-1 winner of this event in 2023 with Three By Two back in third; nothing to suggest he can cause a similar upset; last of nine finishers in Thursday's La Touche.

66/1

9th

12

1st May 2025

Yielding

4m 1f 11y

15:40 Punchestown

Subset

11st 7lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Peter Maher

midfield, in touch with leaders halfway

50/1

Non-runners

Lady Iseult, Party Pack, Flicker Of Hope, Portnacoo, Essential Part

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €506.90
Straight Forecast €294.49
Tricast €1108.19
Trifecta €3545.80

Selections

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Maimie's Magic

SPOTLIGHT:

Silent Flight

POSTDATA:

Maimie's Magic

The Irish Sun:

Silent Flight