February 22 / 16.00 Punchestown

16.00

Yielding

Hospitality At Festival 2023 Handicap Hurdle (Div I)

  • Prize money: £5482.3
  • 2m 4f 100y
  • 19 runners
RTV
View Course
Hospitality At Festival 2023 Handicap Hurdle (Div I)

Runners: 19 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.30
  • Place: £1.60

Form: /090-3

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Point winner; distant third over 3m here last month was his best effort for a while; may come on for that but his best form has come on more testing ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

12

19th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 5f 140y

16:28 Tramore

Rochestown

11st 0lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Brendan Maurice Walsh

Five wins under Rules, with four coming at this venue; has won the last two renewals of this race, on good and gd-yld, but handles softer conditions; below best when last seen in December but goes well fresh and return to his favourite track could spark a revival; dangerous to dismiss.

9/1

1st

6

13th Apr 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 5f 160y

16:20 Tramore

Rochestown

10st 12lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Brendan Maurice Walsh

raced in third, lost third before 11th, went third again 13th

5/1

1st

6

13th Apr 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 5f 160y

16:20 Tramore

Rochestown

10st 12lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Brendan Maurice Walsh

raced in third, lost third before 11th, went third again 13th

5/1

5/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 433-P2

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Won back-to-back handicap hurdles over 3m+ last season and returned to form when beaten half a length earlier this month; probably needs further than this though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

15th Sep 2023

Good

2m 1f 165y

16:35 Downpatrick

Chelseas Friend

11st 5lb

J: Mike O’Connor

T: James Joseph Mangan

Useful level of form a couple of seasons ago; signs of a revival on her penultimate outing but pulled up a fortnight ago and others preferred.

20/1

0

5

1st Sep 2023

Good

3m 1f 0y

19:25 Wexford

Chelseas Friend

11st 5lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: James Joseph Mangan

Point' and dual hurdle winner twice ran well over fences last year; hasn't been as good in three chase runs this year, though not bad at Tramore last time; better ground today should suit.

9/1

3rd

1

18th Aug 2023

Good

2m 5f 120y

17:00 Tramore

Chelseas Friend

12st 0lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: James Joseph Mangan

in touch with leaders, prominent after 3 out, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened gradually

20/1

25/1

  • Place: £5.60

Form: 09-550

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Six-race maiden; didn't show much in bumpers and she was tailed off in a maiden hurdle here last month; this looks tough on handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

23rd Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

17:10 Wexford

Costanuci

11st 4lb

J: Miss O M Queally

T: John Queally

Won three handicap hurdles on varying ground in 2023; good runs in 2024 but below form last year; improved on Punchestown return to be beaten 11.5l into fifth at Cork 13 days ago; holds each-way claims but needs more off this mark.

9/1

5th

8

10th Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

18:50 Cork

Costanuci

11st 4lb

J: Mr S P Queally

T: John Queally

Three-time hurdle winner in 2023; some good runs in the meantime - including over fences - and perhaps needed last month's comeback run at Punchestown (it looked that way).

14/1

10/1

  • Place: £2.60

Form: 9052-3

Last run: 291 days

W: 11st 1lb

10 yo Mare

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Sole win came on testing ground over 3m1f at Ballinrobe at the start of last season; running well in defeat when last seen at the end of last season but will probably need this and may find this test sharp enough.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

14th Apr 2023

Soft To Heavy

2m 6f 22y

18:20 Ballinrobe

Stolen Moment

10st 0lb

J: Miss S Ahern

T: Sean Aherne

Won a Clonmel 3m handicap hurdle last month but Limerick run after might have come too soon; since made amends by winning on chasing debut in a Wexford handicap (3m1f); handles conditions and has a chance.

8/1

1st

6

31st Mar 2023

Heavy

3m 1f 100y

19:10 Wexford

Stolen Moment

11st 5lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Sean Aherne

towards rear, headway from 5 out, disputing second when not fluent 2 out, ridden to lead last, ridden out towards finish

12/1

7th

7

12th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 6f 0y

14:50 Limerick

Stolen Moment

11st 9lb

J: Miss S Ahern

T: Sean Aherne

held up in rear

100/30

Form: 8-6097

Last run: 13 days

W: 10st 13lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
13-race maiden; one of her better efforts when seventh of 15 at Thurles 13 days ago but she needs more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16th

21

12th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 0f 0y

14:42 Naas

Red Finch

10st 13lb

J: Mr D Doyle

T: Timothy Doyle

18-race maiden yet to trouble the judge, even during the stable's purple patch last year; back to 2m here after being pulled up over 3m at Listowel when last seen; others preferred.

25/1

0

18

22nd Sep 2023

Yielding To Soft

3m 0f 0y

15:15 Listowel

Red Finch

10st 13lb

J: Mr D Doyle

T: Timothy Doyle

0-17, never in the first four; mid-field both starts this season, hard to fancy despite stable's good current form.

14/1

8th

19

11th Sep 2023

Good To Yielding

2m 6f 55y

17:05 Galway

Red Finch

10st 13lb

J: Mr D Doyle

T: Timothy Doyle

Yet to finish in the first three and isn't easy to fancy even though yard is in top form.

28/1

Form: 00700P

Last run: 88 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Struggled so far including handicaps on her last two starts and she was pulled up 4 out at Gowran last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

12th Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

20:10 Worcester

Penthouse Poppet

10st 2lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Matt Sheppard

Minor form in a range of disciplines and although there isn't much between her and Remember Moi on their Stratford run last month she was struggling from a long way out before pulled up there since.

33/1

8

31st May 2025

Good

2m 0f 70y

Class 5

18:30 Stratford

Penthouse Poppet

10st 11lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Matt Sheppard

0-11 in Irish points and 0-12 under rules; ran well to a point over C&D on stable debut in March but two lesser efforts have followed (2m7f/2m6f; cheekpieces refitted last time); others look stronger.

14/1

8

31st May 2025

Good

2m 0f 70y

Class 5

18:30 Stratford

Penthouse Poppet

10st 11lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Matt Sheppard

0-11 in Irish points and 0-12 under rules; ran well to a point over C&D on stable debut in March but two lesser efforts have followed (2m7f/2m6f; cheekpieces refitted last time); others look stronger.

14/1

Form: 063361

Last run: 76 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Much improved when getting off the mark at Clonmel in December; 8lb rise could be lenient for that wide margin success with that form working out well since and has run well on quicker ground previously; has to be high on any shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

10

25th Oct 2025

Yielding

3m 0f 0y

16:45 Galway

Hard Target

10st 12lb

J: Cian Quirke

T: David Harry Kelly

Hasn't won since December 2022 or placed since April 2024; well handicapped on old form and yard going well but hard to fancy on recent showings.

33/1

6th

8

29th Sep 2025

Yielding

2m 4f 53y

15:25 Roscommon

Hard Target

11st 5lb

J: Cian Quirke

T: David Harry Kelly

Losing run stretches back to December 2022; no signs of the barren spell ending in recent starts and remains 3lb above that sole success; pulled up at Wexford latest; others preferred.

11/1

4

8th Aug 2025

Good

2m 4f 100y

19:48 Wexford

Hard Target

11st 1lb

J: Cian Quirke

T: David Harry Kelly

Only win came in December 2022; hasn't looked like ending the drought in two Limerick starts this year and remains 4lb above last winning mark.

10/1

Form: 093516 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Off the mark at the 15th attempt when winning a maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse on her penultimate outing; not as good when stepped up to 2m7f latest but should appreciate a return to this trip and she's one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

19th Oct 2024

Good

2m 5f 0y

16:25 Limerick

Maggie Walsh

11st 12lb

J: Niall Prendergast

T: Michael J Bowe

in rear

17/2

3rd

2

10th Oct 2024

Soft

2m 0f 0y

14:40 Tramore

Maggie Walsh

11st 10lb

J: Niall Prendergast

T: Michael J Bowe

One of her two hurdle wins came over C&D last year; outclassed and tailed-off on comeback from an absence six days ago; this is more realistic and can run well if on form.

6/1

3

4th Oct 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

15:35 Gowran Park

Maggie Walsh

10st 11lb

J: Niall Prendergast

T: Michael J Bowe

Won a Fairyhouse maiden hurdle and a Tramore handicap hurdle last year; not seen since August last year and best watched on her return.

33/1

Form: P-3628

Last run: 116 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Seven-race maiden who was only beaten a neck on her handicap debut at Killarney (2m7f good); probably didn't appreciate conditions when tailed off on testing ground at Galway since but may bounce back if she handles the shorter trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

16th Jun 2025

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 100y

17:48 Kilbeggan

Twoplustwo Equals

11st 2lb

J: Liam McKenna

T: Paul Tobin

Placed on her only start in 2024; some positives attached to her two most recent races at Wexford and Punchestown.

14/1

7th

16

7th Jun 2025

Good

2m 7f 180y

16:10 Punchestown

Twoplustwo Equals

11st 1lb

J: Mike O’Connor

T: Paul Tobin

Maiden has run well at times, including a fourth at Wexford over this trip last time, though jumping lacked fluency; go well with a repeat.

12/1

Form: 8S00

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Poor form at massive odds in four runs so far; hard to recommend back up in trip on handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

14

30th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 0f 0y

15:25 Limerick

Emilys Fortune

10st 6lb

J: P J O’Hanlon

T: P J Rothwell

prominent

66/1

10th

15

12th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 6f 0y

14:50 Limerick

Emilys Fortune

11st 2lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: P J Rothwell

towards rear of midfield

50/1

10th

9

22nd Feb 2023

Yielding

2m 4f 100y

16:00 Punchestown

Emilys Fortune

11st 4lb

J: Simon Torrens

T: P J Rothwell

towards rear of midfield, weakened 2 out

40/1

Form: 35-84P

Last run: 56 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Hit the frame on handicap debut last season but hasn't managed to build on that; needs to bounce back from a poor run when pulled up at Limerick over Christmas; back down in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16

12th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 6f 0y

14:50 Limerick

Getaway Abbey

11st 2lb

J: Hugh Morgan

T: Shane Patrick O’Brien

towards rear

25/1

11th

10

22nd Feb 2023

Yielding

2m 4f 100y

16:00 Punchestown

Getaway Abbey

11st 4lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Shane Patrick O’Brien

led, headed 2nd, led again after 3 out, headed and weakened before 2 out

33/1

19

28th Dec 2022

Soft To Heavy

3m 0f 0y

15:15 Limerick

Getaway Abbey

10st 0lb

J: G B Noonan

T: Shane Patrick O’Brien

First reserve; promising placed effort on handicap debut at this venue but well held in three subsequent runs.

Form: 67/P8-

Last run: 375 days

W: 12st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Hasn't looked like the easiest to train in recent years and returns from 375-day absence here; workable mark on his peak form from four years ago but likely to need this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

22nd Feb 2023

Yielding

2m 4f 100y

16:00 Punchestown

Lucky Ranger

12st 0lb

J: Liam Quinlan

T: Ms M Flynn

always towards rear, lost touch from 2 out, soon pulled up

33/1

OUR TIP

Form: -0652P

Last run: 52 days

W: 11st 13lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Point winner who won a mares' bumper on Rules debut last season; struggled in maiden hurdles subsequently but bounced right back to form when runner-up on handicap debut at Tramore in December; couldn't build on that when pulled up a long way out last month; workable mark if returning to form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

31st Mar 2023

Heavy

3m 1f 100y

18:40 Wexford

Fons Vivus

11st 7lb

J: Mike O’Connor

T: Padraig Butler

prominent, reminders and dropped to rear before 5th, slow jump and became detached 6th

16/1

3

12th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 6f 0y

14:50 Limerick

Fons Vivus

11st 12lb

J: Kieran Callaghan

T: Padraig Butler

prominent, briefly led 1st, chased clear leader from 2nd

33/1

3

22nd Feb 2023

Yielding

2m 4f 100y

16:00 Punchestown

Fons Vivus

11st 13lb

J: Mr D Allen

T: Padraig Butler

prominent, weakened 2 out, soon pulled up

13/2

Form: /000-P

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Seven-race maiden; promise on debut in a bumper but struggled since and he was pulled up on return from a lengthy absence when making his chase debut 13 days ago; workable mark for handicap debut but may need a couple more runs to get going.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

22nd Feb 2023

Yielding

2m 4f 100y

16:00 Punchestown

The Boys In Blue

11st 8lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Oliver McKiernan

in touch with leaders, weakened halfway, lost touch and pulled up before 2 out

33/1

8

9th Feb 2023

Yielding

2m 0f 77y

13:30 Thurles

The Boys In Blue

11st 12lb

J: Richard Condon

T: Oliver McKiernan

Quite lightly raced maiden hurdler returns from 21 months absence for chasing debut and likely all the better for the experience.

66/1

Form: 000-

Last run: 466 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Tailed off in three runs in maiden hurdles so far and has a 466-day absence to defy on handicap debut; new yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

12

26th May 2023

Good

2m 3f 0y

18:45 Limerick

My Little Lily

11st 1lb

J: Niall Moore

T: S M Duffy

Pulled up on his stable debut at Punchestown in February; visor tried but hard to make a case for.

100/1

11

22nd Feb 2023

Yielding

2m 4f 100y

16:00 Punchestown

My Little Lily

11st 4lb

J: Aidan Kelly

T: S M Duffy

midfield, weakened halfway, lost touch before 2 out, soon pulled up

40/1

Form: -5P0P0

Last run: 13 days

W: 10st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
17-race maiden and shown nothing in recent starts; best effort came at 3m.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

16

21st Jul 2023

Good To Yielding

2m 2f 0y

17:35 Kilbeggan

Silverstrand

10st 13lb

J: Ricky Doyle

T: John C McConnell

midfield, headway and in touch with leaders before 3 out, went second after last, kept on, no match for winner

8/1

7th

11

13th Jul 2023

Yielding

2m 5f 170y

17:35 Downpatrick

Silverstrand

11st 0lb

J: Ben Harvey

T: John C McConnell

No win in 14 hurdle starts but solid runs at Naas (3m) and Ballinrobe (2m6f) earlier this year; questions to answer after being tailed-off at Kilbeggan since.

10/1

Form: -00908

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

28th Aug 2026

Good

2m 0f 190y

16:15 Wexford

Bella Union

11st 1lb

J: Eoghan Finegan

T: John C McConnell

Back-to-back winner at Bellewstown (2m1f, yielding) and Down Royal (2m2f, good) in April/May; decent C&D effort on penultimate when a clear runner-up off this mark; pulled up here last time though, so hard to know what to expect now.

10/1

10

3rd Jul 2026

Good

2m 1f 55y

17:50 Wexford

Bella Union

11st 1lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: John C McConnell

Veteran finally made the breakthrough in 2m1f Bellewstown handicap in April and duly followed up at Down Royal off 5lb higher; solid C&D run since off further 8lb higher mark when chasing home a clear-cut winner; contender again.

7/1

Form: 0000

Last run: 37 days

W: 10st 11lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

6

25th Jul 2024

Good

2m 0f 150y

19:35 Wexford

Nemean

11st 9lb

J: Daniel King

T: Mrs C O’Leary

Maiden posted his best run over hurdles when runner-up in a C&D handicap last year; best run since when fifth in blinkers at Cork last time; can be involved.

9/1

5th

8

5th Jul 2024

Good

2m 0f 190y

17:40 Cork

Nemean

11st 9lb

J: Daniel King

T: Mrs C O’Leary

midfield

14/1

12th

9

(1)

14th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

19:25 Fairyhouse

Nemean

9st 8lb

J: James Ryan

T: Mrs C O’Leary

towards rear

20/1

Form: FP-P40

Last run: 32 days

W: 10st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

9

10th May 2024

Good

2m 0f 178y

Class 5

20:05 Sedgefield

Hide Out

10st 11lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: Danny Brooke

Ran well when second off 3lb higher over C&D (soft) in January but two lesser efforts have followed (chase/hurdle) and his career strike-rate now stands at 0-30.

12/1

8th

9

10th May 2024

Good

2m 0f 178y

Class 5

20:05 Sedgefield

Hide Out

10st 11lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: Danny Brooke

Ran well when second off 3lb higher over C&D (soft) in January but two lesser efforts have followed (chase/hurdle) and his career strike-rate now stands at 0-30.

12/1

6th

6

19th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:45 Wetherby

Hide Out

10st 10lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Danny Brooke

0-29 under all codes but hasn't been with current stable long and posted a good effort when second at Sedgefield (2m1f, soft) in January; not in same form over fences there last month but still enters calculations.

7/1

Non-runners

Bella Union, Nemean, Hide Out

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €37.60
Straight Forecast €32.58
Tricast €529.12
Trifecta €515.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Hard Target

The Irish Sun:

Fons Vivus

POSTDATA:

Chelseas Friend

RP Ratings (IRE):

Hard Target