February 05 / 15.40 Leopardstown

15.40

Yielding

Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)

  • Prize money: £78318.58
  • 2m 0f 0y
  • 7 runners
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Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

10/1 (Won)

Form: 354-12 D

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 144

Form & Verdict
Saw nothing but the rear end of stablemate Vauban last year in the juvenile division; easily landed an ordinary maiden hurdle at Thurles before keeping Facile Vega reasonably honest in the Grade 1 here at Christmas; decent chance of following the two principals home.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

28th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 98y

18:05 Punchestown

Il Etait Temps

11st 12lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Ground versatile; not the biggest in stature but a hugely talented performer who has won eight of his 11 chase starts, including six Grade 1s; bolted up in the Champion Chase on latest, immediately bouncing back from a rare blip at Sandown; won a Grade 1 novice over C&D at this meeting last year and he's preferred by Townend; leading chance.

7/4

1st

4

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

16:00 Cheltenham

Il Etait Temps

11st 10lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Acts on any ground; small in stature but big in talent and his record of 7-10 over fences features five Grade 1 wins, the most recent impressively in this season's Tingle Creek at Sandown; not bombproof in this scenario as he's 0-3 at the Cheltenham Festival (finishing positions 553) and was let down by his jumping in the 2024 Arkle, admittedly posting a good placed effort in the circumstances; possible denting of confidence is another concern as he was winded and took a while to get up from a late fall in the Clarence House most recently (under pressure and not responding when the tumble occurred); removal of usual hood adds to the uncertainty; otherwise a huge player provided he's in top form.

4/1

2

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 172y

Class 1

15:30 Ascot

Il Etait Temps

11st 10lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Hugely likeable chaser who made it 7-9 over fences when slamming Jonbon by 9l in the Grade 1 Tingle Creek at Sandown (1m7f, good to soft; fine on softer) six weeks ago; that represented another personal best and he's the clear pick on the ratings; has excellent credentials.

8/15

Form: 11 D

Last run: 47 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
Ready winner of a Wexford maiden hurdle before accounting for subsequent Fairyhouse winner Three Card Brag in a 2m4f Grade 2 at Naas in December; just about saw it out that day so the drop back in trip might not be much of a negative; the best is probably still to come from him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

1

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 176y

Class 1

16:40 Aintree

Inthepocket

12st 0lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: Henry De Bromhead

His fortunes over fences have been mixed but he made good headway in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham (2m, good) last month prior to falling two out; finest hour came when winning Grade 1 Top Novices' Hurdle here (2m, good to soft) in April 2023; could have a big say if avoiding mishap.

13/2

5

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Inthepocket

11st 5lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: Henry De Bromhead

Won Grade 1 Top Novices' Hurdle at Aintree (2m, good to soft) in April 2023; he's raced seven times since, all over fences, with just one win (a beginners chase in October 2024) and he can be difficult to settle; however, he took a step back in the right direction when fifth of 14 in a handicap at Leopardstown (2m1f, soft) last month and is capable of building on that.

8/1

5th

1

2nd Feb 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 1f 0y

16:05 Leopardstown

Inthepocket

11st 12lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: Henry De Bromhead

Grade 1 novice hurdle winner at Aintree in 2023; won a 2m Wexford beginners' chase last season; jumping frailties apparent in races at Naas; had an excuse (lost a shoe and suffered an overreach) at Navan in his first handicap; plenty to prove after a moderate fifth behind Western Diego at Fairyhouse.

12/1

Form: 11/1 CD

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Dual bumper winner in the spring of 2021; off for 20 months until running out a good winner of a maiden hurdle here at Christmas; very likely that there is more to come from him but he faces a very stiff test here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

15th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Aintree

Dark Raven

11st 7lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Has lost an unbeaten record since upped in class but far from disgraced in those two Grade 1 races, sixth in the Supreme at Cheltenham (soft) latest; major player if he stays the new trip (first go beyond 2m).

4/1

6th

2

14th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 0f 87y

Class 1

13:30 Cheltenham

Dark Raven

11st 7lb

J: Daryl Jacob

T: W P Mullins

2-2 in bumpers in spring 2021 (2m, yielding) and returned from a long absence to win on hurdle debut at Leopardstown (2m, soft) in December; remains open to improvement but he was a near-10l third of six to stablemate Il Etait Temps in the Grade 1 Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown (2m, yielding) last month and others have stronger credentials.

25/1

3rd

1

5th Feb 2023

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

15:40 Leopardstown

Dark Raven

11st 12lb

J: Daryl Jacob

T: W P Mullins

towards rear, not fluent 1st, left in fourth just after 4th

12/1

Form: 21-122 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 143

Form & Verdict
Won a weak Cork maiden hurdle and very solid Grade 1 form since when runner-up in the Royal Bond at Fairyhouse and the Lawlor's at Naas over 2m and 2m4f; probably the best yardstick in the race and where he finishes will tell plenty about the quality of the race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

3rd May 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 45y

18:00 Punchestown

Irish Point

11st 12lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

led

100/30

2nd

2

3rd May 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 45y

18:00 Punchestown

Irish Point

11st 12lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

led

100/30

Form: 111-11 CD

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 153

Form & Verdict
Brilliant bumper horse; dominated his maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse; slightly less convincing, although a mistake at the last did not help, when beating stablemate Il Etait Temps here at Christmas; this is tougher again in all likelihood.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

14th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 3f 168y

Class 1

13:30 Cheltenham

Facile Vega

11st 7lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Has raced only at 2m-2m1f; versatile ground-wise; an exciting horse early in career and has performed well in both Cheltenham Festival attempts, winning the Champion Bumper in 2022 then runner-up in the Supreme last year; beaten twice since scoring on debut over fences but wasn't disgraced in the Irish Arkle latest; may take his form to the next level over this new trip, being out of Quevega who won the 2m4f Mares' Hurdle at this meeting six times; very interesting with that in mind.

15/8

3rd

1

3rd Feb 2024

Soft

2m 1f 0y

14:25 Leopardstown

Facile Vega

11st 12lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

soon raced in second, joined leader after 3 out, challenging when carried left before last, not fluent and pecked on landing last, soon lost second and ridden, no match for first two

9/2

4th

1

26th Dec 2023

Yielding

2m 1f 0y

14:20 Leopardstown

Facile Vega

11st 12lb

J: Mr P W Mullins

T: W P Mullins

Top bumper horse two seasons ago, winning all four starts, including Grade 1s at Cheltenham and Punchestown; won three of his five starts over hurdles last season, and second in the Supreme Novices'; had an excuse at this venue in February; gradually warmed to his task on his chasing debut at Navan; room for improvement in his jumping; hard to oppose.

2/7

Form: 1 CD

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
One-time Derby favourite who never discovered his best form for Ballydoyle last year; survived some ropey jumping to account for very smart mare Jetara in a maiden hurdle here at Christmas; could be capable of significant improvement again and be a huge threat to Facile Vega.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

28th Apr 2023

Yielding

2m 3f 80y

18:00 Punchestown

High Definition

11st 12lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

raced in second, not fluent 2nd, not fluent 7th, joined leader before 3 out, ridden after 2 out, led home turn, headed approaching last, no extra when hit rail and stumbled after last, kept on, no match for winner

9/1

7th

7

14th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 0f 87y

Class 1

13:30 Cheltenham

High Definition

11st 7lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Went close in Group 1 on the Flat last May and, despite failing to shine on his final few Flat starts, he beat some talented rivals to win on hurdle debut at Leopardstown (2m, soft) in December; mid-race unseat in the Grade 1 Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle subsequently; has plenty of potential in this code given his peak Flat ability but there is a worry about his jumping; this race is likely to expose any frailties in that department.

14/1

3

5th Feb 2023

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

15:40 Leopardstown

High Definition

11st 12lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

raced in second, mistake 1st, joined leader 2nd, mistake then pecked on landing and unseated rider 4th

7/1

Form: 14-11 D

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Decisive winner of a Thurles maiden hurdle before winning a tactical battle for a 2-runner Grade 2 at Limerick; hard to assess and probably needs to find plenty to be a factor but cannot rule out totally.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

19

2nd May 2026

Yielding

2m 4f 118y

17:30 Punchestown

No Looking Back

10st 0lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Oliver McKiernan

Smart form as a younger horse but on losing run since Grade 2 success at Limerick in December 2022; a step in the right direction in a 2m Cork conditions hurdle on latest but he's unproven at this trip; 4lb wrong and hard to fancy.

28/1

3rd

6

5th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 70y

13:50 Cork

No Looking Back

11st 2lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Oliver McKiernan

Smart form in his younger days, including a Grade 2 win, but has lost his way; soundly beaten at Leopardstown last time when well behind Soir De Garde and he's poorly treated by these race conditions.

25/1

4th

5

2nd Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 2f 72y

15:25 Leopardstown

No Looking Back

11st 2lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Oliver McKiernan

Won a Grade 2 in 2022 (2m, heavy); has struggled since then; more likely to return to winning ways in a handicap; looks out of his depth here with blinkers replacing previously work cheekpieces.

50/1

Non-runners

No Looking Back

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Straight Forecast €132.18

Selections

RP Ratings (IRE):

Facile Vega

SPOTLIGHT:

High Definition

TOPSPEED:

Facile Vega

POSTDATA:

Facile Vega

The Irish Sun:

Facile Vega