13.40
HeavyEaster Festival Early Bird Maiden Hurdle
- Prize money: £5221.24
- 2m 0f 0y
- 19 runners
Runners: 19 runners
Type: Hurdle Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Showers
Abandoned
Form: —
Last run: —
W: 11st 12lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 7 (11) |
24th Apr 2026 Yielding 1m 2f 100y |
9st 5lb |
Four-time winner but not since Irish Cambridgeshire win of 2024; definite encouragement on second start back off reduced mark without quite staying this trip at Leopardstown; blinkers now replace visor and now 11lb below career-high mark but stamina remains a concern at this trip. |
10/1 |
|
6th 2 (11) |
15th Apr 2026 Yielding 1m 2f 0y |
10st 1lb |
Four-time winner; on a long losing sequence; towards the rear on seasonal debut at the Curragh; now 9lb below career-high mark but needs to show a spark of revival. |
14/1 |
|
16th 7 (1) |
3rd Apr 2026 Soft 1m 2f 0y |
9st 7lb |
Smart sort is only 4-29 but has run well in defeat many times in quality races including when beaten 2.5l into fourth over C&D off 95 in October; this ground could be a bit too testing for him on return but the veteran could still go well. |
25/1 |
Abandoned
Form: —
Last run: —
W: 11st 12lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9th 12 (7) |
28th Oct 2025 Soft 1m 3f 179y Class 6 |
9st 11lb |
Had a lot of racing in Ireland and was getting beaten in claiming hurdles when last seen during the summer; makes debut for Mickey Bowen but he's a 9yo now and hard to warm to. |
20/1 |
|
9th 12 (7) |
28th Oct 2025 Soft 1m 3f 179y Class 6 |
9st 11lb |
Had a lot of racing in Ireland and was getting beaten in claiming hurdles when last seen during the summer; makes debut for Mickey Bowen but he's a 9yo now and hard to warm to. |
20/1 |
|
3rd 8 |
10th Jun 2025 Good 2m 2f 96y |
10st 6lb |
Three-time Flat winner; yet to shine over hurdles (0-11); has been running in races of this type lately; needs to reverse Clonmel form with Mephisto; finished behind Must Meet Cecil at Wexford. |
25/1 |
Abandoned
Form: P5
Last run: 30 days
W: 11st 5lb
6 yo Mare
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7 |
28th Aug 2024 Good To Yielding 2m 1f 40y |
11st 7lb |
Four-time Flat winner (including at this venue) and placed ten times; 0-10 over hurdles; lost form after Tramore second at the end of the season before last; long absence to overcome. |
16/1 |
|
8th 10 |
13th Jun 2023 Good 2m 1f 133y |
11st 6lb |
took keen hold, prominent, went second before 2nd, hit 5th |
12/1 |
|
6th 10 |
2nd Jun 2023 Good 2m 0f 120y |
10st 9lb |
Four-time Flat winner; 0-8 over hurdles but has competitive form, including when second under a positive ride over C&D in April; Ballinrobe was nothing like so good but she's better than that. |
10/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 02
Last run: 81 days
W: 11st 4lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3 |
24th Jan 2026 Soft 2m 4f 0y Class 4 |
12st 0lb |
Won a maiden hurdle in Ireland back in March 2023; hasn't seen much action in the meantime and latest fourth at Wetherby (2m3f, soft) in this new headgear combination was a step back in the right direction; possible. |
11/2 |
|
6th 4 |
7th Mar 2025 Soft 2m 6f 151y Class 3 |
11st 2lb |
Won over hurdles in Ireland; has been keeping fair company in his four runs for current yard but hasn't got going; could still come good again. |
14/1 |
|
5th 3 |
20th Jan 2025 Good To Soft 2m 4f 0y Class 3 |
11st 9lb |
Hurdle winner in Ireland; yet to show progress for new yard, latterly switched to fences (fell then well-held second); doesn't look obviously well treated back at handicap level. |
12/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 276305
Last run: 47 days
W: 11st 4lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8th 4 |
25th May 2026 Good 2m 6f 100y |
11st 7lb |
Gained a fifth win over hurdles at Cartmel last June but has lost his way since; heavy defeats the last twice at Naas and Aintree; is at least back down to last winning mark, but needs a revival. |
22/1 |
|
20th 15 |
10th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 0y Class 1 |
11st 4lb |
Irish challenger who has done his winning at about 2m, mostly at Cartmel where he remains unbeaten; far from consistent and can be opposed in this highly competitive scenario back up in distance. |
66/1 |
Abandoned
Form: P
Last run: 18 days
W: 11st 4lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
14th 9 |
22nd Oct 2023 Heavy 2m 0f 0y |
11st 12lb |
Three-figure odds when pulled up in two Fairyhouse outings in January; can be ruled out; hooded now |
100/1 |
|
9 |
25th Jan 2023 Soft To Heavy 2m 0f 0y |
11st 4lb |
took keen hold, towards rear, in touch with leaders before 2nd, prominent before 5th |
100/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 2/2 BF
Last run: 24 days
W: 11st 4lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 10 |
25th Jan 2023 Soft To Heavy 2m 0f 0y |
11st 4lb |
prominent, not fluent 2nd, led after 5th |
11/10 |
|
2nd 19 |
26th Dec 2022 Soft 2m 0f 0y |
10st 13lb |
First reserve; second in an AQPS bumper 20 months ago; of obvious interest if getting in. |
Abandoned
Form: 68
Last run: 30 days
W: 11st 4lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 4 |
9th Mar 2026 Good 2m 7f 3y Class 3 |
11st 7lb |
Consistent sort who gained a first win of the current campaign in 3m Musselburgh handicap chase 37 days ago; not ruled out despite taking a 7lb hike in the weights. |
7/2 |
|
1st 5 |
31st Jan 2026 Good To Soft 2m 7f 138y Class 3 |
10st 11lb |
Front-runner who won twice last season (soft/good) and bounced back from heavy-ground blip to finish second at Aintree (3m1f, good to soft) on Boxing Day; runs well a lot more often than not and he's a leading player. |
5/2 |
Abandoned
Form: —
Last run: —
W: 11st 4lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
15th 17 (1) |
17th Aug 2023 Good 1m 1f 0y |
8st 9lb |
Maiden after 12 starts has been soundly beaten on last three runs and doesn't make a lot of appeal. |
50/1 |
|
11th 14 (16) |
26th Jul 2023 Soft 1m 0f 0y |
8st 12lb |
dwelt start, towards rear of midfield |
20/1 |
|
10th 18 (9) |
15th Jul 2023 Good To Yielding 1m 2f 0y |
9st 1lb |
Maiden's staying-on fifth under Bowen at Listowel (1m) was promising and didn't see out 1m5f latest; could go okay over this trip. |
16/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 00
Last run: 4 days
W: 11st 4lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 4 |
24th Jan 2026 Soft 2m 4f 0y Class 4 |
11st 13lb |
Struggled last time at Haydock but headed there in a fine run of form and he's still on a competitive mark; couldn't dismiss with trip/ground preferable. |
8/1 |
|
2 |
9th Mar 2025 Good To Soft 2m 4f 198y Class 4 |
11st 9lb |
held up in rear, bad mistake and fell 2nd |
7/4 |
|
1st 4 |
25th Feb 2025 Good To Soft 2m 3f 51y Class 3 |
10st 5lb |
held up in last |
7/2 |
Abandoned
Form: 00
Last run: 18 days
W: 11st 4lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3 |
6th Aug 2024 Good To Yielding 2m 5f 147y |
11st 11lb |
1-14 over hurdles but disappointed at Ballinrobe in that sphere last time out; previously ran a nice race at Bellewstown over 2m4f on good ground; not a bad run on chase debut at Downpatrick in June where 2m7f trip probably stretched him; cheekpieces on for handicap chase debut; probably best watched today unless the money comes. |
10/1 |
|
7th 4 |
23rd Jul 2024 Good To Yielding 2m 6f 0y |
11st 12lb |
Won at Punchestown and a cracking run at Bellewstown last time after his chasing debut; should be a big player off 2lb higher. |
5/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 34
Last run: 24 days
W: 11st 4lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 1 |
27th May 2026 Good To Yielding 3m 0f 0y |
11st 10lb |
Three-time hurdles winner; failed to adapt to chasing in six starts last season, including in novice handicaps on his last three outings; best hurdles form at 2m-2m4f, though ran with credit when fourth in a strong 3m handicap at Aintree last year. |
10/1 |
|
14th 23 |
1st May 2026 Yielding 2m 4f 55y |
10st 7lb
|
First reserve; three-time hurdles winner has been beaten a long way in five chase starts this season, including in novice handicaps the last twice; unseated at the fourth at Wexford last time; 10lb lower mark in this sphere and has won on good ground, so there are positives if returning to form. |
|
|
3 |
10th Apr 2026 Good To Yielding 2m 3f 100y |
11st 10lb |
Three-time hurdles winner; beaten a long way in three beginners' chases this term, most recently never counted on handicap debut in Naas Listed contest in February; hurdles form on better ground so these improved conditions could see improvement (10lb lower than over hurdles). |
14/1 |
Abandoned
Form: P/06
Last run: 11 days
W: 11st 4lb
10 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8th 9 |
15th Jan 2024 Soft 2m 4f 73y |
10st 12lb |
Gambled favourite for his stable debut at Fairyhouse two weeks ago after 11 months off but made no show after jumping poorly; unusual for this stable to get it so badly wrong so he had clearly been showing something; interesting once again, as will be the market. |
12/1 |
|
11th 11 |
1st Jan 2024 Heavy 2m 4f 143y |
10st 13lb |
Point winner showed a glimpse of ability over hurdles, including in a Navan handicap when last seen; interesting jockey booking and worth a market check; tongue-tie on. |
12/1 |
|
9th 3 |
12th Feb 2023 Yielding 2m 6f 100y |
11st 7lb |
Winning pointer; has shown some ability in maiden hurdles and looks fairly treated; interesting runner. |
14/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 3
Last run: 24 days
W: 11st 4lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 2 |
6th Aug 2025 Good 3m 1f 70y |
11st 6lb |
Course novice hurdle winner; hampered on two occasions when pulled up on Limerick return in May; lying second when falling two out here two weeks ago, worth considering in a weak race. |
13/2 |
|
1 |
23rd Jul 2025 Yielding To Soft 3m 1f 110y |
12st 0lb |
Novice hurdle winner here (3m) who went up 8lb for 2m6f Fairyhouse lady riders chase win in November (yielding); jumping issues when fifth of 17 to Sequestered at Leopardstown in December; hampered on two occasions (by left-jumping Ceroc) when pulled up on Limerick return in May so that run probably forgiven. |
8/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 09P
Last run: 42 days
W: 11st 4lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
11th 11 |
31st May 2023 Good 2m 1f 100y |
11st 2lb |
Fair run on heavy ground at Clonmel in March in his first handicap; has failed to build on that; cheekpieces on now. |
14/1 |
|
20 |
26th May 2023 Good 2m 3f 0y |
11st 2lb |
|
|
|
9th 6 |
21st Apr 2023 Yielding 3m 0f 0y |
11st 5lb |
Reportedly hung left when not running at all badly in a Clonmel handicap last month, not so good since at Navan; marked step up in trip here. |
16/1 |
Abandoned
Form: —
Last run: 12 days
W: 11st 4lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9th 13 (11) |
25th Sep 2023 Soft 1m 2f 75y |
8st 12lb |
Failed to build on early promise for Tony Mullins; very poor form in four starts this year, two on Flat, two over hurdles. |
25/1 |
|
22th 15 (10) |
16th Jun 2023 Good To Firm 0m 7f 0y |
9st 2lb |
Some promise back in the day for Tony Mullins; restricted campaign in recent years and hard to fancy on recent evidence. |
20/1 |
|
8 (16) |
4th Jun 2023 Good 1m 0f 0y |
9st 4lb |
Showed promise in his maidens and was a good fifth on handicap debut at the Curragh back in May 21 but has failed to make much of an impact since returning from 14-month break last October; last seen finishing 10th of 12 in a Dundalk handicap in April, racing freely in rear; doesn't make much appeal. |
40/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 2008
Last run: 124 days
W: 11st 4lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
17th 14 |
16th Nov 2023 Soft 2m 4f 175y |
11st 3lb |
towards rear of midfield |
20/1 |
|
7th 4 |
2nd Nov 2023 Soft 2m 0f 13y |
11st 10lb |
Bumper runner-up was too keen when tailed off on handicap debut over 2m5f at Downpatrick; may fare better over this trip. |
10/1 |
|
7th 1 |
6th Oct 2023 Yielding To Soft 2m 5f 110y |
11st 12lb |
midfield and took keen hold early, dropped to rear before 4th |
10/1 |
Abandoned
Form: —
Last run: —
W: 11st 4lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
11th 3 |
3rd Jun 2023 Good 2m 5f 120y |
11st 12lb |
Promise in a bumper on debut and bounced back from a lesser effort when fourth of 13 (beaten roughly 5l) at Downpatrick last time; sets the standard and could be hard to beat if he handles the quicker ground. |
11/8 |
|
4th 5 |
2nd Apr 2023 Yielding To Soft 2m 5f 160y |
11st 4lb |
towards rear |
33/1 |
|
13th 2 |
9th Feb 2023 Yielding 2m 6f 182y |
11st 4lb |
Showed promise in a Navan bumper won by Cheltenham favourite It's For Me; up sharply in trip for his hurdles debut; not discounted. |
12/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 2/P
Last run: 18 days
W: 11st 4lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3 |
30th May 2025 Good 2m 0f 213y Class 5 |
11st 12lb |
Player on winter 2024's frame finishes in 2m chases for Willie Mullins, albeit gained on soft/heavy; dispiriting return following wind surgery in a Fakenham claiming hurdle latest, from which cheekpieces are retained. |
16/1 |
|
3 |
30th May 2025 Good 2m 0f 213y Class 5 |
11st 12lb |
Player on winter 2024's frame finishes in 2m chases for Willie Mullins, albeit gained on soft/heavy; dispiriting return following wind surgery in a Fakenham claiming hurdle latest, from which cheekpieces are retained. |
16/1 |
|
5th 3 |
6th May 2025 Good 2m 0f 3y Class 4 |
11st 8lb |
soon prominent, lost position after 3 out, weakened after 2 out |
12/1 |
Verdict
There should be a fair amount of improvement to come from IN EXCESS following a second placing at Limerick on his Irish debut. Henry de Bromhead trains the winner of that race and now provides a strong challenger in Sam Magee. Abbeydale probably has more on his plate than when second at Wexford. Hurdling newcomers Coeur D’Or and Park Of Kings make some appeal. [Alan Sweetman]