February 18 / 16.02 Gowran Park

16.02

Soft

Joan Hodgins Memorial Supporting The Irish Injured Jockeys Fund Beginners Chase

  • Prize money: £6526.55
  • 2m 4f 0y
  • 17 runners
RTV
View Course
Joan Hodgins Memorial Supporting The Irish Injured Jockeys Fund Beginners Chase

Runners: 17 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

2/1 (Won)

  • Win: £2.10
  • Place: £1.20

Form: P4-3U2 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Point and maiden hurdle winner who shaped with plenty of promise when roughly 2l behind Thedevilscoachman on chase debut at Galway; bounced back from an unlucky unseat when beaten a neck by Bronn at Fairyhouse last month and a reproduction of that effort may be good enough.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

18th

6

28th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 3f 81y

15:05 Punchestown

Grandero Bello

11st 5lb

J: Kieren Buckley

T: Eddie & Patrick Harty

Has come up dry since winning a handicap chase at Galway in October 2024; soundly beaten all four starts this term; won his maiden hurdle here but others arrive in better form.

50/1

8th

4

8th Mar 2026

Heavy

3m 0f 174y

16:02 Naas

Grandero Bello

10st 11lb

J: Kieren Buckley

T: Eddie & Patrick Harty

Dual chase winner with last win coming at Galway in October 2024 (2m7f, soft); tailed off in a Grade 2 hurdle on seasonal return at Navan and similar story in a Listed handicap chase back there next time (2m5f, soft to heavy); distant third over hurdles at Gowran last month (2m4f, heavy); back down to winning mark now but others more likely.

12/1

3

3rd May 2025

Yielding

3m 0f 104y

16:15 Punchestown

Grandero Bello

11st 5lb

J: Ricky Doyle

T: Eddie & Patrick Harty

in touch with leaders, dropped to rear 7th

25/1

4/1

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 111P-4 C

Last run: 59 days

W: 11st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Rattled off a hat-trick over hurdles towards the end of last season; low-key chase debut in December but entitled to come on for that and has the best hurdle form of all these.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

7th Mar 2026

Heavy

3m 1f 0y

16:53 Gowran Park

Macs Charm

12st 0lb

J: Mr M J Love

T: Ciaran Murphy

Progressive handicap hurdler for Colm Murphy in 2022 and won a handicap chase in 2023; best of three runs in points for Ciaran Murphy when second to the very useful Wrappedupinmay on his penultimate start.

14/1

3

21st Apr 2025

Soft To Heavy

3m 0f 130y

17:40 Fairyhouse

Macs Charm

11st 3lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: C A Murphy

in rear

12/1

3

21st Apr 2025

Soft To Heavy

3m 0f 130y

17:40 Fairyhouse

Macs Charm

11st 3lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: C A Murphy

in rear

12/1

6/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 13-4F3

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Listed winner and Grade 3-placed over timber; distant fourth behind Fil Dor on chase debut wasn't a bad effort but fell at Leopardstown in December and he was disappointing when third of four finishers at Fairyhouse last time; jumped left at times, which won't help at this venue, but has shaped like a step up in trip might suit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

20th Aug 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

19:30 Worcester

Slip Of The Tongue

11st 2lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Useful when trained in Ireland but generally very disappointing for current stable since the autumn; ought to have coped much better with the soft ground when pulled up at Cartmel last month; others preferred.

20/1

5

21st Jul 2025

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:12 Cartmel

Slip Of The Tongue

11st 6lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Useful when trained in Ireland but generally very disappointing for current stable since the autumn; arrested decline with respectable fifth at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) three weeks ago but needs to build on that run.

20/1

13

29th Jun 2025

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

15:40 Uttoxeter

Slip Of The Tongue

10st 12lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Useful performer in Ireland back in the day but has regressed sharply and very opposable on exploits for current yard.

66/1

Form: 7006F

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in a point last year but shown very little under Rules so far.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

22nd Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

15:40 Kelso

Low Mileage

11st 1lb

J: Edward Austin

T: George Bewley

0-16 over fences; went close off much reduced mark at Musselburgh (2m4f, good to soft) in February and has claims here if judged on that form but didn't fire at Hexham last month.

5/1

6

22nd Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

15:40 Kelso

Low Mileage

11st 1lb

J: Edward Austin

T: George Bewley

0-16 over fences; went close off much reduced mark at Musselburgh (2m4f, good to soft) in February and has claims here if judged on that form but didn't fire at Hexham last month.

5/1

7th

6

13th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 15y

Class 5

14:22 Hexham

Low Mileage

11st 6lb

J: Edward Austin

T: George Bewley

18-race maiden; sound efforts in cheekpieces last twice, finishing third at Catterick (1m7f, good) and runner-up at Musselburgh (2m4f, good to soft); interesting.

7/2

Form: 212P-F

Last run: 292 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Jumped poorly in the Albert Bartlett and paid the price for errors when falling at Down Royal when last seen; hardly encouraging signs for chasing and off 292 days.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

24th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 5f 56y

Class 2

13:50 Cheltenham

Where It All Began

10st 4lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Gordon Elliott

Well suited by a slog in the mud but seems badly to have lost his way; needs combination of change of headgear and switch to cross-country chasing to rekindle his enthusiasm.

25/1

9

15th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

4m 2f 8y

Class 1

15:00 Uttoxeter

Where It All Began

11st 3lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

None too consistent and was well held when falling at Punchestown last time in the race won by stablemate Fortunedefortunata; however, he does have a valuable staying 3m3f handicap in the bag and was looking threatening in the Welsh National in December until he clouted four out (in first-time blinkers that have been retained since); his best days have been on slow ground.

16/1

Form: /556-0

Last run: 62 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Ran some solid races over hurdles last term; out of sorts more recently and this is a very tough ask on chase debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

5th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 0f 0y

12:55 Naas

Hurricane Cliff

11st 2lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Won a novice handicap chase at Limerick in March; pulled up when last seen in a Listed novice handicap at Fairyhouse over Easter; best watched.

10/1

5th

6

5th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 0f 0y

12:55 Naas

Hurricane Cliff

11st 2lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Won a novice handicap chase at Limerick in March; pulled up when last seen in a Listed novice handicap at Fairyhouse over Easter; best watched.

10/1

7

31st Mar 2024

Heavy

2m 0f 150y

16:20 Fairyhouse

Hurricane Cliff

10st 13lb

J: Rachael Blackmore

T: Henry De Bromhead

midfield, mistake 8th

7/2

Form: 40-858

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Seven-race maiden; completely tailed off on chase debut latest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

16

3rd May 2025

Yielding

2m 4f 118y

17:25 Punchestown

All For Rachel

10st 1lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Oliver McKiernan

midfield

40/1

9th

16

3rd May 2025

Yielding

2m 4f 118y

17:25 Punchestown

All For Rachel

10st 1lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Oliver McKiernan

midfield

40/1

Form: 14U-87 D

Last run: 54 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won back-to-back handicap hurdles at Punchestown last winter and rated 115 over timber; might need more time and/or handicaps as far as his chase career is concerned.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

10th Apr 2023

Soft

3m 0f 130y

17:40 Fairyhouse

Gain De Cause

10st 9lb

J: Simon Torrens

T: A J Martin

Dual hurdle winner; signs of getting the hang of fences when fourth on his handicap debut at Navan and duly built on that to score comfortably over 2m5f here on Saturday; up again in trip and now penalised, but he's looking nicely progressive.

5/1

1st

7

8th Apr 2023

Soft

2m 5f 150y

15:55 Fairyhouse

Gain De Cause

10st 7lb

J: Miss P Elvin

T: A J Martin

in touch with leaders

6/1

4th

5

20th Mar 2023

Soft To Heavy

2m 1f 0y

16:25 Navan

Gain De Cause

11st 9lb

J: Liam McKenna

T: A J Martin

Won back-to-back handicap hurdles last term; hasn't shown a great deal in three runs over fences and would need to match his peak hurdle form to win from this mark; best form is at 2m4f.

6/1

Form: 823235

Last run: 9 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed in bumpers and a maiden hurdle for former yard; shown nothing in two chase starts though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

21st May 2026

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 150y

20:18 Limerick

Battle Of Mirbat

11st 10lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Michael J McDonagh

Gained third chase win off 5lb lower at Down Royal in November; some decent runs in defeat since including when a 12.5l fourth of 13 at Leopardstown on latest (28.5f, yld-sft); this trip more suitable; place shout but may need more help from the handicapper to get his head back in front.

17/2

4th

2

2nd Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

3m 4f 61y

16:55 Leopardstown

Battle Of Mirbat

11st 11lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Michael J McDonagh

Added third chase win at Down Royal in November (3m, good to yielding); struggled off 8lb higher mark in following two runs; took the runner-up spot in a weak Cork contest in January after the leader unseated; weakened into a 12.5l fifth at Thurles last time (2m5f, yielding); tries this trip for the first time but probably not crying out for it.

10/1

5th

8

18th Jan 2026

Yielding

2m 4f 198y

14:50 Thurles

Battle Of Mirbat

10st 11lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Michael J McDonagh

Added third chase win at Down Royal in November (3m, good to yielding); struggled off 8lb higher mark in following two runs; took the runner-up spot in a weak Cork contest last time after the leader unseated; needs more to score again.

6/1

Form: 3094-6

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Five-race maiden, tailed off in a maiden hurdle last month; would need to be a different prospect over fences to have a say on chase debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

27th Jul 2023

Soft

3m 0f 0y

19:35 Limerick

Junior Alliance

11st 11lb

J: E Walsh

T: Thomas Gibney

Seems to have found his level ratings-wise having run a lot better in two of his last three starts; 3m seems fine and should handle the conditions.

8/1

5th

15

8th Jul 2023

Good

3m 0f 0y

20:00 Bellewstown

Junior Alliance

10st 10lb

J: E Walsh

T: Thomas Gibney

Signs more encouraging since coming down the weights, especially when fourth at Wexford (3m) on his penultimate run; Sligo's extended 3m1f perhaps a stretch last time.

16/1

7th

1

13th Jun 2023

Good

3m 1f 96y

19:43 Sligo

Junior Alliance

12st 4lb

J: Mr D McGill

T: Thomas Gibney

took keen hold, prominent, led 2nd, headed and raced in second 3rd

8/1

20/1

Form: 904127

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Maiden hurdle winner at Limerick earlier in the season; completely tailed off when only 6-1 for his chase debut last month; must leave that behind.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

25th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 99y

Class 1

14:55 Sandown

Brookie

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

Has proved difficult to place since last win in March 2025 and form has taken a downturn of late; has the worst chance at the weights back up in class.

66/1

13th

3

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 176y

Class 1

16:40 Aintree

Brookie

11st 13lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

Pulled up in Ascot handicap in November and tailed off on sole outing since in the Champion Chase last month; it's hard to say what sort of form he's in but this C&D brought out the very best in him when runner-up in the Grade 1 Maghull Novices' Chase (good) 12 months ago; could go well back here.

16/1

8th

1

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

16:00 Cheltenham

Brookie

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

Lacked fluency and ran poorly at Ascot when last seen; ran creditably in C&D handicap the time before but that form is a long way below Champion Chase standard and he's comfortably held by Majborough on Punchestown festival running; has the worst chance on ratings.

125/1

200/1

Form: 007

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Tailed off in three runs in maiden hurdles so far; huge ask.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

12

18th Feb 2023

Soft

2m 4f 0y

16:02 Gowran Park

Moonface

11st 12lb

J: Eoin G Kelly

T: Paul W Flynn

Tailed off in three runs in maiden hurdles so far; huge ask.

200/1

7th

7

31st Jan 2023

Soft

2m 0f 0y

14:07 Limerick

Moonface

11st 12lb

J: Benjamin P Kennedy

T: Paul W Flynn

Has finished towards the back in maidens at Naas and Punchestown, can be ruled out.

66/1

10

24th Jan 2023

Yielding To Soft

2m 1f 33y

12:40 Down Royal

Moonface

11st 4lb

J: Eoin G Kelly

T: Paul W Flynn

No impact in two hurdle runs so far; tongue-strap left on; hard to make a case for.

150/1

Form: 34P-80

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Some promise in maiden hurdles but shown nothing over fences in two runs so far.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

3

5th Mar 2023

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 0y

16:35 Wexford

Cru Bourgeois

11st 11lb

J: Richard Deegan

T: Paul Nolan

midfield

20/1

13th

5

18th Feb 2023

Soft

2m 4f 0y

16:02 Gowran Park

Cru Bourgeois

11st 12lb

J: Richard Deegan

T: Paul Nolan

Some promise in maiden hurdles but shown nothing over fences in two runs so far.

100/1

11th

6

25th Jan 2023

Soft To Heavy

2m 0f 0y

12:53 Fairyhouse

Cru Bourgeois

11st 12lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Paul Nolan

106-rated hurdler was tailed off on his chasing debut at Down Royal; can be ruled out.

33/1

Form: 180-4F D

Last run: 60 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Three-time hurdle winner rated 129 in that sphere but has really struggled in two chase starts; may do better at some stage and ground fine.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

9th Jun 2024

Good

2m 7f 66y

16:40 Punchestown

Aldo The Apache

11st 10lb

J: Richard Condon

T: C A Murphy

led but pestered

20/1

7th

2

13th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 50y

18:10 Killarney

Aldo The Apache

11st 9lb

J: Richard Condon

T: C A Murphy

Three wins over hurdles in 2021; has failed to complete the course in five of his last six appearances; can be ruled out.

25/1

7th

2

13th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 50y

18:10 Killarney

Aldo The Apache

11st 9lb

J: Richard Condon

T: C A Murphy

Three wins over hurdles in 2021; has failed to complete the course in five of his last six appearances; can be ruled out.

25/1

Form: 000-60

Last run: 84 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Tailed off in all six starts so far and has a mountain to climb on chase debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

18th Feb 2023

Soft

2m 4f 0y

16:02 Gowran Park

Limekiln Rock

11st 12lb

J: Jody McGarvey

T: M F Morris

in rear, detached when jumped right and pushed along 8th, mistake 9th, pulled up 10th

200/1

11th

10

26th Nov 2022

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

14:15 Gowran Park

Limekiln Rock

11st 12lb

J: Ricky Doyle

T: M F Morris

prominent, went second after 2nd

40/1

6th

5

30th Oct 2022

Soft

2m 6f 0y

16:30 Galway

Limekiln Rock

11st 12lb

J: Ricky Doyle

T: M F Morris

never better than mid-division, mistake 10th, ridden and no response before 2 out, soon weakened, tailed off

66/1

Form: 121-02

Last run: 90 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Point winner; 2-5 over hurdles and only beaten a neck when last seen at Punchestown; solid hurdle form and he'll be involved if he can replicate that form over the larger obstacles on chase debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 8y

Class 1

15:00 Uttoxeter

My Immortal

11st 11lb

J: Mr Finian Maguire

T: Barry Connell

Chasing career appeared to be going nowhere fast until popping up at 40-1 in a 3m3f Listed handicap at Punchestown (heavy; cheekpieces removed), in which he was well beaten the year before; whether he'll follow one good run with another is anyone's guess, though the softening ground has helped his cause.

14/1

1st

6

15th Feb 2026

3m 3f 60y

15:00 Punchestown

My Immortal

11st 4lb

J: Mr Finian Maguire

T: Barry Connell

2-5 over hurdles; has failed to reach the same standard over fences after keeping good company in beginners' events; has failed to reach the first six in last four handicap attempts; remote fourth in this event two years ago.

25/1

7th

3

26th Oct 2025

Yielding

2m 6f 111y

14:35 Galway

My Immortal

11st 1lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: Barry Connell

Dual hurdle winner who is 0-7 over fences but has been mixing it in smart company and was only 9-1 when failing to fire in the Thyestes on final appearance in January; has a race in him off this mark but confidence would be welcomed first time back.

10/1

100/1

Form: 06

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Shown nothing in two starts so far including chase debut last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

6th Mar 2023

Yielding

2m 1f 0y

16:00 Leopardstown

Islo

11st 12lb

J: L P Dempsey

T: T M Walsh

Shown nothing in three starts, looking laboured at Gowran last time; likely to need more time.

66/1

16

18th Feb 2023

Soft

2m 4f 0y

16:02 Gowran Park

Islo

11st 8lb

J: L P Dempsey

T: T M Walsh

Shown nothing in two starts so far including chase debut last time.

100/1

6th

9

21st Jan 2023

Soft To Heavy

3m 0f 0y

14:52 Navan

Islo

11st 4lb

J: L P Dempsey

T: T M Walsh

Tailed off on his only start in a maiden hurdle and this is a huge ask on chase debut.

100/1

Non-runners

My Immortal

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €7.20
Straight Forecast €5.67
Trifecta €45.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Grandero Bello

The Irish Sun:

Slip Of The Tongue

RP Ratings (IRE):

Grandero Bello

POSTDATA:

Grandero Bello