14.38
HeavyBillie And Bertie FitzGerald Memorial Handicap Hurdle
- Prize money: £5643.48
- 2m 5f 185y
- 11 runners
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Runners: 11 runners
Type: Hurdle Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Cloudy
Abandoned
Form: 13OO60
Last run: 57 days
W: 12st 0lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 109
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3 |
21st Aug 2024 Good 2m 4f 0y Class 4 |
11st 7lb |
Took nine attempts to get off the mark over hurdles but did so with very smooth success in Warwick maiden (2m3f, good) in May and has strong claims here. |
5/4 |
|
1st 7 |
30th May 2024 Good 2m 3f 0y Class 4 |
11st 7lb |
Punchestown bumper winner for Niall Madden in June 2023; highly tried on first three starts for Willie Mullins, running out in the Greatwood on first occasion before creditable sixth at Ascot in December (1m7f, good); bit disappointing when second in a Ballinrobe handicap last time (2m6f, soft; set plenty to do); strong contender in this maiden. |
7/4 |
Abandoned
Form: 780U5P
Last run: 15 days
W: 11st 11lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 106
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 5 |
23rd Mar 2026 Good 1m 7f 50y Class 4 |
10st 4lb |
Best of three hurdle runs for new stable this season when second of five in soft-ground Leicester seller (2m4f) in December; reverts to this code after going close off his basement Flat mark three weeks ago but others have more compelling claims; first ride under rules for Elizabeth Feakes. |
6/1 |
|
2nd 8 (2) |
2nd Mar 2026 Standard 1m 4f 51y Class 6 |
8st 10lb |
This season's hurdling form for Fergal O'Brien was uninspiring and he was safely held when fourth in C&D classified race on Flat return in January; difficult to enthuse over. |
14/1 |
|
4th 1 (6) |
26th Jan 2026 Standard 1m 4f 51y Class 6 |
9st 9lb |
Triple hurdle winner but his last success was in 2023 and he was well held at Taunton last Saturday; now returns to the Flat for the first time in 16 months and he's 1-24 in this sphere; opposable. |
12/1 |
Abandoned
Form: /9-037
Last run: 34 days
W: 11st 9lb
7 yo Mare
OR: 104
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 4 |
20th May 2025 Good 2m 4f 28y Class 3 |
10st 8lb |
Ex-Gordon Elliott; Irish point winner in 2021 but yet to win under rules; creditable second in a maiden hurdle at Carlisle in February (2m3f, good to soft) but lesser run over that same C&D back in handicap company last time; others stronger. |
7/1 |
|
1st 4 |
20th May 2025 Good 2m 4f 28y Class 3 |
10st 8lb |
Ex-Gordon Elliott; Irish point winner in 2021 but yet to win under rules; creditable second in a maiden hurdle at Carlisle in February (2m3f, good to soft) but lesser run over that same C&D back in handicap company last time; others stronger. |
7/1 |
Abandoned
Form: -09F00
Last run: 54 days
W: 11st 7lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 102
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 2 |
31st May 2026 Good To Yielding 2m 3f 20y |
11st 9lb |
Over four years since he won back-to-back handicap hurdles for Brian Hamilton; lightly raced in recent seasons; bounced back to form on second start for Noel Kelly when second to Kalsman over 2m4f at Down Royal last month; notched another second behind the improving Bella Union over 2m1f at Down Royal on latest; may go one better now. |
7/2 |
|
2nd 6 |
4th May 2026 Good 2m 1f 88y |
11st 6lb |
Over four years since he won back-to-back handicap hurdles for Brian Hamilton; lightly raced in last couple of seasons and mark is much lower nowadays; bounced back to form on second start for Noel Kelly when second here over 2m4f; this shorter trip possibly not ideal, but obvious claims. |
5/1 |
Abandoned
Form: -04132 BF
Last run: 29 days
W: 11st 6lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 101
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 1 |
28th Sep 2024 Soft 2m 2f 0y |
11st 13lb |
Is 1-9 over hurdles; last sighted in May beating a subsequent two-time winner in a beginners' chase at Downpatrick (19.5f, good); sole win over timber came in November of last year off 90 on soft at Cork (2m); seems best going right handed and might need this on his return from 127 days off. |
11/2 |
|
1st 3 |
24th May 2024 Good 2m 3f 100y |
11st 12lb |
Record of 1-9 over hurdles but has been consistent enough in handicaps, mostly on easier ground; has 10l to find with Warm In Gorey from his chasing debut at Wexford but will have improved from then; yard in great form and a player. |
5/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 439113 BF
Last run: 35 days
W: 11st 5lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 100
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 2 |
16th May 2026 Good To Yielding 2m 1f 0y |
11st 13lb |
Three-time hurdles winner returned to form when runner-up at Down Royal (2m1, soft, 7-2 fav') in final start for Gary McGill in January; unfancied and well beaten in two runs for new yard; may go well back in 0-100 company now. |
10/1 |
|
6th 4 |
29th Mar 2026 Yielding To Soft 2m 1f 165y |
11st 3lb |
Three-time hurdles winner returned to form when second of 11 finishers at Down Royal (2m1f, soft) in January off 3lb lower; weak in the market for Ayr run last time, weakening quickly to finish last of six finishers; in the mix at his best. |
9/2 |
|
6th 6 |
7th Mar 2026 Soft 2m 0f 0y Class 4 |
11st 2lb |
Has won three times, including over C&D two years ago when trained by current handler, who has taken over once more after eight starts for Gary McGill; returned to form when second of 11 finishers at Down Royal (2m1f, soft) in January and this Irish-trained challenger should be in the firing line. |
7/2 |
Abandoned
Form: 7-644
Last run: 100 days
W: 11st 0lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 95
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 9 |
27th Mar 2025 Yielding To Soft 2m 7f 0y |
11st 4lb |
Winning chase debut in 2m6f Galway handicap (soft) in October; moderate hurdles run at Punchestown in December; much better back over fences when second at Down Royal in January; has potential for further progress as a chaser. |
9/2 |
Abandoned
Form: 658068
Last run: 21 days
W: 10st 4lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 85
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 3 |
9th Sep 2024 Good To Soft 2m 7f 207y Class 5 |
11st 8lb |
Is 0-17 but comes here in good nick, third of 19 in 3m Down Royal handicap ten days ago; he can make his presence felt once more. |
5/1 |
|
14 |
30th Aug 2024 Good 3m 0f 0y |
11st 1lb |
Remains a maiden but went close at Downpatrick in May (2m6f, good) from 3lb lower; had the race at his mercy when a faller at Perth next time; failed to quicken when fourth at Downpatrick when sent off favourite this month but has a 13lb pull in the weights with the reopposing Mister Vic. |
10/1 |
|
4th 6 |
11th Aug 2024 Good 2m 5f 180y |
11st 9lb |
Remains a maiden but nearly put that right over C&D in May when 4lb lower and had every chance when falling at Perth next time; it wasn't a bad run back there four weeks ago and he's in the mix. |
4/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 109220 CD
Last run: 45 days
W: 10st 4lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 85
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
12th 10 |
29th Mar 2026 Yielding To Soft 2m 5f 185y |
10st 7lb |
Veteran is 3-38 over hurdles, the last win coming at Punchestown (2m4f, good) in November 2024 off 84; decent fourth at Clonmel (2m4f, heavy) before dismal effort at Punchestown next time (2m3f, heavy); bounced back with rallying runner-up finish at Clonmel last time (2m, heavy); on career low mark and can't be ruled out. |
15/2 |
|
2nd 11 |
26th Feb 2026 Heavy 2m 0f 76y |
10st 12lb |
Veteran is 3-37 over hurdles, the last win coming at Punchestown (2m4f, good) in November 2024; handles testing ground and ran well when fourth here (2m4f) last month; needs to bounce back from dismal effort at Punchestown. |
16/1 |
|
9th 8 |
26th Jan 2026 Heavy 2m 3f 0y |
10st 9lb |
Veteran is 3-36 over hurdles, the last win coming here over 2m4f (good) in November 2024; handles testing ground, is 3lb below that last success and ran okay at Clonmel latest; could go well. |
8/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 84P0P0
Last run: 46 days
W: 10st 0lb
11 yo Gelding
OR: 81
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
14 |
30th May 2024 Good To Firm 2m 3f 0y |
11st 0lb |
Good form in 2020, a winner over hurdles and fences; missed all of 2022 and struggled for different trainers last season; hard to fancy. |
20/1 |
Abandoned
Form: -79005
Last run: 21 days
W: 10st 0lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 80
| 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 |
11st 13lb |
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 |
11st 4lb |
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 |
Verdict
Top-weight Onlyamatteroftime could be chucked in here but there are certainly enough question marks to oppose him. The consistent Gamigin comes here in good form, even if very heavy ground could be a negative. Despite going up the handicap, the selection is DGALWAYGALLIVANTOR who still looks progressive and the stable remain in form. [Justin O’Hanlon]