August 04 / 15.30 Galway

15.30

Good To Yielding

Lord Hemphill Memorial Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £15391.3
  • 2m 2f 54y
  • 9 runners
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Lord Hemphill Memorial Handicap Chase

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

OUR TIP

100/30 (Won)

  • Win: £7.50
  • Place: £2.20

Form: 5622-0

Last run: 4 days

W: 11st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 156

Form & Verdict
Smart chaser who put in two promising efforts when runner-up in the Red Rum at Aintree and a competitive handicap at Punchestown behind Plate winner Pinkerton; well held behind that rival four days ago but has leading claims back down to a more suitable trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

4th Aug 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 2f 54y

15:30 Galway

Saint Roi

11st 12lb

J: Aidan Kelly

T: W P Mullins

Smart chaser who put in two promising efforts when runner-up in the Red Rum at Aintree and a competitive handicap at Punchestown behind Plate winner Pinkerton; well held behind that rival four days ago but has leading claims back down to a more suitable trip.

100/30

17th

3

31st Jul 2024

Good

2m 6f 111y

19:10 Galway

Saint Roi

11st 8lb

J: Aidan Kelly

T: W P Mullins

Won a 2m1f Grade 1 at Leopardstown the season before last; returned to form when second in the Red Rum at Aintree; beaten a short head in a valuable 2m Punchestown festival handicap; finished second in a 2m4f Grade 1 at Aintree as a novice, but not certain to stay effectively enough to win a race of this high standard.

14/1

Form: 69-123

Last run: 16 days

W: 10st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Showed a good attitude to gain second win over fences at Kilbeggan in May before another good runner-up effort at the same track, both over 2m4f; beaten 22l into third at Killarney since however and others better treated.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

26th Oct 2025

Yielding

2m 6f 111y

14:35 Galway

The Dasher Conway

10st 2lb

J: Patrick M O’Brien

T: Mrs Gillian Callaghan

Ran well over hurdles in July but well behind last time at Navan, that after a pull-up over fences; only 4-41 overall and opposable in a race of this nature.

25/1

5

20th Sep 2025

Yielding

1m 7f 165y

14:00 Navan

The Dasher Conway

11st 5lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Mrs Gillian Callaghan

Two disappointing runs over fences since placed in a handicap hurdle at Kilbeggan in July; probably vulnerable to younger and less exposed rivals.

16/1

2

17th Aug 2025

Good

2m 6f 0y

16:30 Tramore

The Dasher Conway

11st 10lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Mrs Gillian Callaghan

Not at his best since second to the high-class Saint Roi at Galway last season; was promoted to 133 as a result of that display; now 15lb lower, showed signs of a return to form when third over hurdles at Kilbeggan last month; slightly disappointing at Galway this year but is dropped in grade now and is a course winner.

9/2

12/1

  • Place: £4.80

Form: -12456

Last run: 16 days

W: 10st 4lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
Grade 2 winning novice hurdler who put in a useful display over fences when beating Magic Tricks by 8l in May; not built on that since and was tailed off at Killarney lto (2m1f); needs to bring his A-game.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

25th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 136y

19:05 Ballinrobe

Dreal Deal

11st 10lb

J: Shane O’Callaghan

T: P J Rothwell

Bled in this last year; good form in first two starts for this yard at Killarney in the summer and creditable third of 17 in valuable 2m4f veterans' contest at Haydock last month; chance on that form.

10/1

7th

12

29th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 4f 80y

17:25 Punchestown

Dreal Deal

10st 4lb

J: Simon Torrens

T: P J Rothwell

Last win came at Killarney last summer but retains level of ability judged on recent Haydock veterans' handicap third (good), best run for some time; whether or not he can back that up against more progressive types is debatable.

14/1

3rd

10

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 2

15:20 Haydock

Dreal Deal

11st 1lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: P J Rothwell

Irish challenger who could be in the picture judged on his good form at Killarney last summer, and he's one to watch in the betting; however, he's been soundly beaten on his last three starts and has to get back on track.

25/1

Form: F8-521

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 4lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
Consistent type who is 2-30 over fences; decisive winner at Wexford 22 days ago, beating Flash De Touzaine by 2.25l; 6lb higher now and should be on the premises.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

(4)

28th Jan 2026

Standard

1m 2f 150y

17:02 Dundalk (AW)

Railway Hurricane

9st 11lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: Paul W Flynn

Dual winner over both hurdles and fences albeit some time ago; returned from 277-day absence for current yard in October, well held on the Flat and twice over hurdles; belated AW debut and only second career Flat start.

13/2

11th

13

(15)

21st Oct 2025

Soft

1m 4f 0y

16:25 Curragh

Railway Hurricane

11st 4lb

J: Miss C Flynn

T: Paul W Flynn

Useful four-time jumps winner; has never run on the Flat and lacks a recent outing; has moved from Gavin Cromwell to Paul Flynn.

50/1

4th

5

17th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 89y

Class 2

13:25 Market Rasen

Railway Hurricane

11st 7lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Gavin Cromwell

Has modest 2-36 strike-rate over fences but is largely consistent and has been as good as ever this season; not beaten far when seventh in competitive Leopardstown handicap (2m1f, good to yielding) just after Christmas and should be fine over today's longer trip; ought to be on the premises.

15/2

Form: 43640- D

Last run: 204 days

W: 10st 5lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Four-time chase winner who ran well when sixth in a competitive heat at Fairyhouse in December but has struggled the last twice and has a 204 day absence to overcome.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

14

25th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 136y

19:05 Ballinrobe

Grange Walk

10st 6lb

J: Daniel King

T: John Patrick Ryan

Won a hurdle at Limerick (fair fourth in corresponding contest latest) before finishing fourth in this race last year; over three years since latest chase win and struggling in this discipline lately, despite declining mark.

18/1

4th

3

16th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 5f 100y

13:35 Limerick

Grange Walk

11st 5lb

J: Daniel King

T: John Patrick Ryan

Last year's winner off 1lb lower but hasn't won since; below his best chasing this season, albeit set some stiff tasks; not discounted back hurdling but veteran will need to improve significantly.

10/1

Form: 11294- CD

Last run: 155 days

W: 10st 13lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 143

Form & Verdict
Won this race last year but has gone up 20lb in the ratings after scoring at Listowel and finishing runner-up at Fairyhouse; struggled on last handicap outing and low key run in Grade 2 company in March; needs a big step forward back down in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

25th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 136y

19:05 Ballinrobe

Fighting Fit

11st 9lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: J P Dempsey

Long time winless; showed a spark over hurdles in October; mark was 144 after he finished second to Solness in late 2023; no worthwhile chase form since and handicapper has now relented; still, big revival needed under Cobden.

16/1

4

10th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 100y

18:38 Wexford

Fighting Fit

10st 13lb

J: Gavin Brouder

T: J P Dempsey

Better chaser, although last win came over 2m1f at Listowel festival in 2023 (off 132); encouraging hurdles return at Galway in October but hasn't built on that in three starts since; back chasing here off considerably higher mark so claims not obvious but yard going well.

20/1

3

29th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 6f 126y

16:25 Thurles

Fighting Fit

11st 10lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: J P Dempsey

Better chaser; generally well below best last season; encouraging run at Galway on return despite slipped saddle; led most of the way when weakening at Navan; remote fifth at Tramore; 1-1 at the track; well treated relative to chase mark.

12/1

Form: 1P27-0 CD

Last run: 23 days

W: 10st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
Landed a novice chase over C&D (soft) in October and ran a big race when runner-up to The Folkes Tiara at Leopardstown in December (2m1f); no impact on return over hurdles 23 days ago but should come on plenty for that outing; each-way claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

1st Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 2

14:50 Musselburgh

The Big Chap

11st 10lb

J: Gavin Brouder

T: Paul W Flynn

in rear

20/1

8th

2

1st Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 2

14:50 Musselburgh

The Big Chap

11st 10lb

J: Gavin Brouder

T: Paul W Flynn

in rear

20/1

1

28th Dec 2024

Yielding To Soft

2m 3f 100y

14:15 Limerick

The Big Chap

11st 12lb

J: Aidan Kelly

T: Paul W Flynn

Outran his 80-1 odds when third at Navan three weeks ago (2m4f, soft) but looks to have little margin for error off this mark.

12/1

Form: /2247- CD

Last run: 107 days

W: 10st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
C&D winner in October 2022 and tends to run well here, runner-up in this race last year off 4lb lower; beaten 5.25l into sixth on the Flat here on Wednesday and has strong claims off this mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

(2)

27th Aug 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 110y

19:45 Bellewstown

Barnacullia

11st 2lb

J: Mr Finian Maguire

T: Michael Mulvany

midfield, some headway under 2f out, in touch with leaders when switched left inside final furlong, kept on

22/1

10th

11

(2)

17th Aug 2024

Yielding

2m 0f 80y

19:30 Tramore

Barnacullia

9st 4lb

J: Wesley Joyce

T: Michael Mulvany

Useful dual-purpose performer had good form in staying handicaps last year; around 5l off Busselton at Galway and weighted to turn the tables; no show over fences later in the week at Ballybrit; ran well on sole previous outing here.

11/1

Form: 44556- CD

Last run: 94 days

W: 10st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
C&D winner in October; latest win came at Naas in January over 2m; holding his form reasonably well since and didn't run badly lto when beaten 11.5l into sixth by Galway Plate winner Pinkerton; likes soft ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

4th Aug 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 2f 54y

15:30 Galway

Pats Choice

10st 0lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Gordon Elliott

C&D winner in October; latest win came at Naas in January over 2m; holding his form reasonably well since and didn't run badly lto when beaten 11.5l into sixth by Galway Plate winner Pinkerton; likes soft ground.

11/1

6th

17

2nd May 2024

Yielding

2m 0f 55y

16:15 Punchestown

Pats Choice

10st 1lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Gordon Elliott

Has enjoyed a good season in handicaps at around this trip, winning at Wexford, Galway and Naas; has found things too demanding since Naas success in January, but now back on a mark that gives him a fair chance.

16/1

6th

17

2nd May 2024

Yielding

2m 0f 55y

16:15 Punchestown

Pats Choice

10st 1lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Gordon Elliott

Has enjoyed a good season in handicaps at around this trip, winning at Wexford, Galway and Naas; has found things too demanding since Naas success in January, but now back on a mark that gives him a fair chance.

16/1

Non-runners

Magic Tricks, The Folkes Tiara, Varna Gold

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €48.30
Straight Forecast €46.71
Tricast €606.15
Trifecta €558.50

Selections

TOPSPEED:

The Big Chap

SPOTLIGHT:

Barnacullia

POSTDATA:

Railway Hurricane

The Irish Sun:

Fighting Fit

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Saint Roi