July 29 / 16.50 Galway

16.50

Yielding

Galmont Hotel & The Galway Bay Hotel Novice Hurdle

  • Prize money: £10773.91
  • 2m 0f 130y
  • 13 runners
RTE1
View Course
Galmont Hotel & The Galway Bay Hotel Novice Hurdle

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £4.30
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 1 D

Last run: 56 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Ran to a decent level on the flat (best RPR 87). Hacked up on his hurdling debut on second start for current yard in a 16f Listowel maiden and the 4th from that race has boosted the form. Looks a very promising recruit and could be up to winning this, even with a 7lb penalty.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

18th Jan 2026

Yielding

1m 7f 168y

13:40 Thurles

Feud

11st 12lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Richard John O’Brien

Maiden/novice wins during the summer of 2024; mostly disappointing in the meantime, 35l behind at Leopardstown last time (2m, yielding); others preferred.

33/1

1

27th Sep 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 0y

15:20 Listowel

Feud

11st 12lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: Richard John O’Brien

Dual novice winner (including here over 2m) last year; best effort in 2025 a neck second at Wexford (2m1f, gd-yld) on penultimate; didn't back that up off 7lb higher at Newton Abbott latest (pulled up); talented on his day but difficult to predict.

11/1

1

30th Aug 2025

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 2

16:30 Newton Abbot

Feud

12st 0lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: Richard John O’Brien

Launched hurdling career with two 2m wins in novice company last year and was close second on handicap debut at Wexford (2m1f, good to yielding) this month; could have untapped potential over this longer trip; commands respect.

5/2

5/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: B3-321 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won on the flat at Killarney over 14.5f 13 days ago; previously hosed up in Sligo maiden hurdle over 17f (RPR 115); comes into this race in form and hails from a strong yard but needs more to win this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

15th May 2026

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 50y

18:30 Kilbeggan

Mordor

11st 12lb

J: Josh Williamson

T: Gordon Elliott

Dual hurdles winner was last seen over timber finishing eighth of 24 in the 2025 Martin Pipe (2m5f, good to soft); kept on Flat since then and added a third win in that sphere when successful at Navan last time (1m6f, heavy); most of his wins came on good ground, so leading contender back over obstacles fit and in form.

9/4

3rd

3

2nd May 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

18:35 Punchestown

Mordor

12st 6lb

J: Maxime De Chambord

T: Gordon Elliott

Rated 126 over fences and 94 on the Flat, 1m6f win off 87 at Navan latest, leading chance.

9/4

1st

8

(6)

30th Mar 2026

Heavy

1m 6f 0y

15:18 Navan

Mordor

9st 1lb

J: Chris Hayes

T: Gordon Elliott

Two-time Flat winner scored off 8lb lower at Killarney last May (2m1f, good); solid second in 20.5f handicap at Goodwood (soft) in August; no impact in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket when last seen; not a great record fresh and testing ground another concern.

12/1

6/1

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 2291-3 D BF

Last run: 62 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Top rated in the field with a mark of 126; won 16f Punchestown handicap hurdle off 118 in early May. Beaten at odds on in 4yo hurdle at Ballinrobe when last sighted two months ago; needs to rediscover his best form to feature at the business end; cheekpieces retained.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

16th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 77y

Class 4

17:05 Bangor-on-Dee

Pigeon House

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Charles & Adam Pogson

Can do too much in front but no alarms when making all in a Catterick claiming hurdle for Jennie Candlish in March (1m7f, good); out of a half-sister to a minor chase winner, but not bred for this job otherwise.

8/1

9th

5

(9)

2nd Apr 2026

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 5

20:18 Southwell (AW)

Pigeon House

9st 3lb

J: David Nolan

T: Charles & Adam Pogson

Claimed out of Jennie Candlish's yard for £12,000 after winning over hurdles at Catterick last time; could go well but looks no certainty to follow up, being 0-12 on the Flat (mostly turf starts).

10/1

1st

1

4th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 156y

Class 4

14:10 Catterick

Pigeon House

12st 0lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

No win since August 2024 (Ballinrobe, 2m2f; for Jessica Harrington) but has finished runner-up on both visits to this track, including when racing too freely on return from a seven-month break over 2m4f (33-1) latest; top-rated, and dropping back in trip should suit; key player.

13/8

13/8

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
French recruit for last year's winning yard; hard to weigh up the form of his 2m Nort-Sur-Edre win but likely to be well schooled and fit for his first run over hurdles; should go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

2nd Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 0f 19y

14:25 Leopardstown

Sysko

10st 6lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: W P Mullins

Hasn't added to Punchestown maiden win (2m3f, good) of last summer, decent second to Grann's Boy at Listowel but never counting behind Duke Silver over just shy of this trip here at Christmas; questions to answer.

33/1

10

27th Sep 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 0y

15:20 Listowel

Sysko

11st 2lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Lightly raced 5yo won a 2m3f Punchestown maiden in June (gd-yld); came up short when last of seven in a listed hurdle at Galway (16.5f, good) on latest; back up in trip for handicap debut and has to be respected for top yard.

4/1

OUR TIP

Form: 8516-2 D BF

Last run: 59 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Dual purpose performer; won 12f handicap at Bellewstown 24 days ago; beaten off 112 at Tramore in a 16f handicap on last hurdle start; in form but probably place claims at best in this contest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

10

(7)

9th Oct 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 66y

17:15 Thurles

Macinamillion

9st 2lb

J: Robert Whearty

T: Gavin Cromwell

Versatile sort has won over hurdles, fences and on the Flat; got first chase win at Downpatrick (2m2f, good) in August; won on the level at Bellewstown off 53 on good; fell when travelling okay in Listowel beginners' chase on latest.

8/1

Form: 4-4

Last run: 79 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Signs of promise when finishing 4th in two bumper runs, beaten 13L in both; makes hurdling debut in tough race; watching brief is advised.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

29th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 3f 58y

15:05 Punchestown

Eagles Quest

11st 6lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: Ms Margaret Mullins

Has run twice on the Flat since winning a maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse in February; has a slight edge over Ifallgoeswell on previous Gowran running.

10/1

11th

2

(8)

9th Apr 2026

Soft

1m 1f 130y

18:45 Gowran Park

Eagles Quest

9st 9lb

J: N G McCullagh

T: Ms Margaret Mullins

Recent maiden hurdle winner; midfield over 1m4f on first Flat start; 1m looked inadequate when staying on late to take ninth of 25 at the Curragh last month; could improve up in trip.

25/1

9th

1

(24)

15th Mar 2026

Heavy

1m 0f 0y

16:55 Curragh

Eagles Quest

10st 7lb

J: N G McCullagh

T: Ms Margaret Mullins

Recent maiden hurdle winner; mid-field over 1m4f on only Flat start; 1m may be inadequate.

20/1

Form: 3

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Locally trained; unplaced in two point-to-points; mildly promising debut under rules when third behind Mordor at Sligo in a 17f maiden hurdle but was beaten by 32L; would be a surprise winner.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

25th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 54y

18:05 Ballinrobe

Bobbysingindablues

11st 12lb

J: Jack G Gilligan

T: Paul John Gilligan

0-7 over hurdles and rated 100; stopped quickly when pulled up on chasing debut at Kilbeggan on first run for 267 days; watching brief advised for now.

50/1

2

24th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 6f 70y

18:59 Kilbeggan

Bobbysingindablues

11st 12lb

J: Jack G Gilligan

T: Paul John Gilligan

Minor placed form over hurdles in 2024; nothing of much note in his form since then; readily discounted.

50/1

Form: 4

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Maiden; decent level of ability on the flat when trained by Ger Lyons (best RPR 89); well beaten on first start for Tom Gibney at Bellewstown earlier this month; hard to fancy after that effort; tongue tie on for first time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

(7)

27th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 3f 180y

16:25 Galway

Hutton Glen

9st 11lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: Thomas Gibney

Has been in decline since showing useful form for Ger Lyons two seasons ago; no sign of a revival despite his slump in the ratings.

25/1

8th

3

(7)

27th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 3f 180y

16:25 Galway

Hutton Glen

9st 11lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: Thomas Gibney

Has been in decline since showing useful form for Ger Lyons two seasons ago; no sign of a revival despite his slump in the ratings.

25/1

15

(15)

21st Oct 2025

Soft

1m 0f 0y

17:35 Curragh

Hutton Glen

9st 2lb

J: Nicola Burns

T: Thomas Gibney

15-race maiden and shown very little since 2023 in either sphere; hard to fancy.

25/1

Form: 4520-

Last run: 139 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
10f flat winner who remains a maiden after four runs over hurdles; well beaten on heavy in the Boodles Juvenile Hurdle at Cheltenham; first run since; could improve on better ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17th

11

28th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 3f 81y

15:05 Punchestown

Bright Legend

10st 12lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Faye Bramley

Flat winner is 1-17 over hurdles, the win coming in a Sedgefield maiden on latest (2m4f, good); previously proved no match for Laughing John in a handicap at Wincanton and work to do to turn that form around in new headgear.

20/1

1st

1

1st Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 188y

Class 4

16:10 Sedgefield

Bright Legend

11st 5lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Faye Bramley

A fairly useful maiden hurdler/chaser for Denis Hogan; went too keenly on his first three outings for his current yard but bounced back to form when (refitted with tongue strap) third of 15 in 2m4f Wincanton handicap 35 days ago; the clear form pick back in maiden company; headgear retained.

5/4

3rd

7

25th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 179y

Class 4

15:20 Wincanton

Bright Legend

11st 12lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Faye Bramley

0-15 over hurdles and needs to produce more than he's managed this term; however, his reduced mark appeals on his useful form up to last March and Harry Cobden is 4-9 this season for Faye Bramley, whose stable is in good form; no surprise to see a bold show now back in a handicap.

10/1

Form: 00

Last run: 62 days

W: 10st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
No show in two maiden hurdle runs at Kilbeggan and Ballinrobe. Out of her depth.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

12

28th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 200y

18:20 Limerick

Celtic Crossing

10st 9lb

J: Philip Donovan

T: Darren Collins

Was entitled to need her comeback run at Sligo after a long absence; one fair run when fifth at Roscommon in 2024; otherwise little of note in her form.

20/1

11th

14

12th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

19:28 Sligo

Celtic Crossing

10st 10lb

J: Philip Donovan

T: Darren Collins

Off the track since 31l defeat at Punchestown in October 2024; likely to need this run after such a long layoff.

25/1

Form: 83P2-1 D

Last run: 79 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Shaped well in 16f flat handicap at the Curragh last time off 79; scored in 17f Cork maiden hurdle in May; had Morder 5L behind when runner up at Limerick in April; wears tongue tie; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

25th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 15y

Class 2

16:40 Sandown

Palamon

10st 10lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Returned to form and rewarded heavy market support at Bangor (2m4f, good; tongue-tie refitted) last month, his fifth start for Dan Skelton; just a respectable sixth under penalty in the Red Rum at Aintree (2m, good to soft) nine days later and his mark is another 5lb higher here, but he remains very much of interest.

11/4

6th

15

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 176y

Class 1

16:40 Aintree

Palamon

10st 2lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Dan Skelton

Well-backed, even-money favourite at Bangor (2m4f) last Tuesday, when reverting to good ground in a reapplied tongue-tie and returning to form with a convincing win; 9lb higher in a much hotter race today but not ruled out for his top yard on the back of that stylish success.

9/1

1st

8

31st Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 72y

Class 4

15:50 Bangor-on-Dee

Palamon

11st 5lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Maiden chaser and with an overall strike-rate of 2-32; he hasn't got anything going over fences for current yard but he's dropped sharply in the weights and getting back on good ground can only help; would be interesting if the market offered encouragement.

5/2

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Two time winner on the flat as a 2yo in the UK; raced only on the flat since moving to current yard and was well beaten off 57 at Ballinrobe when last seen. Likely to come up short here; tongue tie and blinkers retained.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

12

(1)

12th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 31y

18:40 Killarney

Nibras Rainbow

9st 2lb

J: Leigh Roche

T: Paul W Flynn

Four-time winner but needed to run better on his recent stable debut to be seriously considered.

25/1

16th

10

(7)

24th Apr 2026

Yielding

1m 0f 0y

18:15 Cork

Nibras Rainbow

9st 4lb

J: Leigh Roche

T: Paul W Flynn

Four career wins include at Dundalk last November for Gavin Cromwell; joined new yard since last run in January and may just need this.

16/1

6th

5

(3)

30th Jan 2026

Standard

1m 2f 150y

18:45 Dundalk (AW)

Nibras Rainbow

9st 7lb

J: Jack Kearney

T: Gavin Cromwell

Gained fourth career success off this mark over C&D in November; below best thrice since and latest third in a C&D claimer was remote; yard back in form but others make more appeal.

10/1

Form: 1F D

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Locally trained; 50-1 winner of 16f Ballinrobe maiden hurdle on debut; that form has not worked out and she was tailed off when falling in a 20f Roscommon novice hurdle on her second start; rated 99 and is best watched for now; wears hood.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

1st Oct 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 5f 27y

16:10 Sligo

St Anthonys Corner

11st 1lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Norman Lee

Surprise debut maiden hurdle winner in 2024 but has been mostly disappointing since and needs a revival chasing with cheekpieces added.

22/1

7

8th Sep 2025

Yielding To Soft

2m 6f 97y

17:52 Galway

St Anthonys Corner

11st 3lb

J: Shane O’Callaghan

T: Norman Lee

Shock winner on debut at Ballinrobe in May 2024; ran well in a handicap back there (21.5f, good) in April but poor twice since; soft ground a concern.

18/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €35.20
Straight Forecast €28.23
Trifecta €97.70

Selections

The Irish Sun:

Sysko

POSTDATA:

Mordor

SPOTLIGHT:

Feud

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Palamon

TOPSPEED:

Bright Legend