13.30

13/8 (Won)

Win: £3.50
Place: £1.60

Form: 1-11

Last run: 59 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 148

Form & Verdict

Easily won Naas maiden (2m3f, soft) on hurdling debut in December and firmly established himself as a top novice when darting clear in Grade 2 at Punchestown (2m, heavy) in January; has stamina to prove today but it's still very difficult to gauge how good he is; commands respect.

Place / No / Draw	Date / Going / Distance / Class	Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer	Verdict	Starting price
1	9th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 3m 0f 210y Class 1	14:55 Aintree Impaire Et Passe 11st 10lb J: Paul Townend T: W P Mullins	Unproven at this trip and reportedly never travelling when pulled up in the Ryanair at Cheltenham last month; however, he's won at this meeting in each of the last two seasons, landing the Grade 1 Manifesto Novices' Chase last April (2m4f, good to soft; Jango Baie third), and he produced a top performance in the Grade 2 Red Mills Chase at Gowran Park this February; could bounce back with big run for last year's winning trainer Willie Mullins.	7/2
5	12th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 127y Class 1	16:00 Cheltenham Impaire Et Passe 11st 10lb J: Paul Townend T: W P Mullins	A fine hurdler whose three Grade 1 wins included the Ballymore at this meeting in 2023; has reached the same standard over fences, winning at the top level at Aintree (about 2m4f, good to soft; first-time cheekpieces) last April, and he was ultimately quite convincing in a tactical race at Gowran (about 2m3f, heavy) last month; his form doesn't yet match that of stablemate Fact To File but he is considered for a place.	7/1

Place /
No / Draw

Date / Going /
Distance / Class

Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer

Verdict

Starting price

1

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

11st 10lb

Unproven at this trip and reportedly never travelling when pulled up in the Ryanair at Cheltenham last month; however, he's won at this meeting in each of the last two seasons, landing the Grade 1 Manifesto Novices' Chase last April (2m4f, good to soft; Jango Baie third), and he produced a top performance in the Grade 2 Red Mills Chase at Gowran Park this February; could bounce back with big run for last year's winning trainer Willie Mullins.

7/2

5

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

11st 10lb

A fine hurdler whose three Grade 1 wins included the Ballymore at this meeting in 2023; has reached the same standard over fences, winning at the top level at Aintree (about 2m4f, good to soft; first-time cheekpieces) last April, and he was ultimately quite convincing in a tactical race at Gowran (about 2m3f, heavy) last month; his form doesn't yet match that of stablemate Fact To File but he is considered for a place.

7/1

2nd

3

Gaelic Warrior

J: Mr P W Mullins

7/1

Place: £1.40

Form: 32-111

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 157

Form & Verdict

Lost out by a short head when hot favourite for Boodles Juvenile Handicap here on stable debut 12 months ago and is 3-3 this term (on heavy ground two starts back); not bred to benefit from this step up in trip but was odds-on winner of major handicap at Leopardstown (2m, yielding) last month, despite tending to jump to his right, and brings very solid form back into novice company.

Place / No / Draw	Date / Going / Distance / Class	Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer	Verdict	Starting price
1st 3	29th Apr 2026 Yielding 3m 0f 213y	18:05 Punchestown Gaelic Warrior 11st 10lb J: Paul Townend T: W P Mullins	Confirmed his staying power with Bowl win at Aintree last year; got his campaign off to a fine start with John Durkan victory from Fact To File over 2m4f here; third in a blanket finish in the King George before 5l second to a restored Fact To File at Leopardstown; travelled powerfully for stunningly impressive Gold Cup triumph to leap-frog Fact To File in the ratings.	11/10
1st 3	13th Mar 2026 Good 3m 2f 70y Class 1	16:00 Cheltenham Gaelic Warrior 11st 10lb J: Paul Townend T: W P Mullins	Won the Arkle here (2m, soft) in March 2024 and relished the step up to 3m1f in the Grade 1 Bowl at Aintree (good to soft) last April; that win has been the catalyst for a string of excellent efforts, including his third in a blanket finish in the King George (3m, good to soft) in December and his 5l second in the Irish Gold Cup (3m, soft) last month; can be difficult to settle which is something of a concern in view of today's stiff stamina test, but on the flip side he's been finishing his races strongly; respected.	4/1
2nd 5	2nd Feb 2026 Soft To Heavy 3m 0f 100y	15:30 Leopardstown Gaelic Warrior 11st 10lb J: Mr P W Mullins T: W P Mullins	Won the Arkle at Cheltenham in 2024; kept at shorter distances until impressive in the Grade 1 Bowl at Aintree (3m1f, good to soft) last April; ended the campaign with a fine Sandown win and began again in style, edging out Fact To File in the John Durkan; third in a thrilling King George; will need to settle better to maximise his chance at this track.	5/1

Place /
No / Draw

Date / Going /
Distance / Class

Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer

Verdict

Starting price

1st

3

29th Apr 2026

Yielding

3m 0f 213y

11st 10lb

Confirmed his staying power with Bowl win at Aintree last year; got his campaign off to a fine start with John Durkan victory from Fact To File over 2m4f here; third in a blanket finish in the King George before 5l second to a restored Fact To File at Leopardstown; travelled powerfully for stunningly impressive Gold Cup triumph to leap-frog Fact To File in the ratings.

11/10

1st

3

13th Mar 2026

Good

3m 2f 70y

Class 1

11st 10lb

Won the Arkle here (2m, soft) in March 2024 and relished the step up to 3m1f in the Grade 1 Bowl at Aintree (good to soft) last April; that win has been the catalyst for a string of excellent efforts, including his third in a blanket finish in the King George (3m, good to soft) in December and his 5l second in the Irish Gold Cup (3m, soft) last month; can be difficult to settle which is something of a concern in view of today's stiff stamina test, but on the flip side he's been finishing his races strongly; respected.

4/1

2nd

5

2nd Feb 2026

Soft To Heavy

3m 0f 100y

11st 10lb

Won the Arkle at Cheltenham in 2024; kept at shorter distances until impressive in the Grade 1 Bowl at Aintree (3m1f, good to soft) last April; ended the campaign with a fine Sandown win and began again in style, edging out Fact To File in the John Durkan; third in a thrilling King George; will need to settle better to maximise his chance at this track.

5/1

3rd

2

Champ Kiely

J: Danny Mullins

T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

8/1

Place: £1.90

Form: 1-1141 D

Last run: 66 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 149

Form & Verdict

Below form in 2m Royal Bond at Fairyhouse but quickly got back on track with game, front-running success in Grade 1 at Naas (2m4f, soft) in January; has no stamina concerns and ought to play a significant role.

Place / No / Draw	Date / Going / Distance / Class	Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer	Verdict	Starting price
1	29th Apr 2026 Yielding 3m 0f 213y	18:05 Punchestown Champ Kiely 11st 10lb J: Danny Mullins T: W P Mullins	Won the Grade 1 novice here last year, beating stablemate Ballyburn; has experienced a torrid campaign after starting off with a second placing over 2m; remote seventh behind Fact To File in the Irish Gold Cup; not a bad effort in the Grand National; making up the numbers here.	33/1
8th 12	11th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 4m 2f 74y Class 1	16:00 Aintree Champ Kiely 11st 1lb J: Danny Mullins T: W P Mullins	The furthest he's been is 3m1f in Grade 1 novice at Punchestown Festival (good to yielding) last April which he won in good style, showing improved form; went close over 2m in November and although he slipped up next time and met with heavy defeats twice since, he went well enough to the home turn in Irish Gold Cup on latest; whether he'll stay 4m2f is a big question but he could outrun his odds for a long way.	28/1
7th 2	2nd Feb 2026 Soft To Heavy 3m 0f 100y	15:30 Leopardstown Champ Kiely 11st 10lb J: J J Slevin T: W P Mullins	Grade 1 novice hurdle winner came back from a long absence last season; won three races as a novice chaser, notably a Grade 1 win at Punchestown over 3m1f; a fine second to the 11lb-receiving Only By Night over 2m at Naas on return; clipped heels and unseated rider early on in the Savills; race may have come too soon when disappointing at Tramore four days later.	50/1

Place /
No / Draw

Date / Going /
Distance / Class

Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer

Verdict

Starting price

1

29th Apr 2026

Yielding

3m 0f 213y

11st 10lb

Won the Grade 1 novice here last year, beating stablemate Ballyburn; has experienced a torrid campaign after starting off with a second placing over 2m; remote seventh behind Fact To File in the Irish Gold Cup; not a bad effort in the Grand National; making up the numbers here.

33/1

8th

12

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

11st 1lb

The furthest he's been is 3m1f in Grade 1 novice at Punchestown Festival (good to yielding) last April which he won in good style, showing improved form; went close over 2m in November and although he slipped up next time and met with heavy defeats twice since, he went well enough to the home turn in Irish Gold Cup on latest; whether he'll stay 4m2f is a big question but he could outrun his odds for a long way.

28/1

7th

2

2nd Feb 2026

Soft To Heavy

3m 0f 100y

11st 10lb

Grade 1 novice hurdle winner came back from a long absence last season; won three races as a novice chaser, notably a Grade 1 win at Punchestown over 3m1f; a fine second to the 11lb-receiving Only By Night over 2m at Naas on return; clipped heels and unseated rider early on in the Savills; race may have come too soon when disappointing at Tramore four days later.

50/1

4th

4

Good Land

J: Michael O’Sullivan

T: Barry Connell

100/30

Form: 2/1U11

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 147

Form & Verdict

Early mishap on hurdling debut in December but has won twice since, holding on well to land Grade 1 at Leopardstown (2m6f, yielding) last month; others have shown better form and created better visual impressions but, nevertheless, he's well worth his place in this line-up.

Place / No / Draw	Date / Going / Distance / Class	Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer	Verdict	Starting price
3rd 4	26th Jan 2025 Soft 3m 0f 175y	14:30 Naas Good Land 11st 0lb J: Mr Finian Maguire T: Barry Connell	High class staying novice hurdler two seasons ago, winning a Grade 1 at Leopardstown and fourth in the Ballymore at Cheltenham; respectable efforts in two runs over fences including when a 15 length fourth in the Grade 1 at Limerick last month; yet to tackle 3m and likely to find at least one too good.	7/1
3rd 4	26th Jan 2025 Soft 3m 0f 175y	14:30 Naas Good Land 11st 0lb J: Mr Finian Maguire T: Barry Connell	High class staying novice hurdler two seasons ago, winning a Grade 1 at Leopardstown and fourth in the Ballymore at Cheltenham; respectable efforts in two runs over fences including when a 15 length fourth in the Grade 1 at Limerick last month; yet to tackle 3m and likely to find at least one too good.	7/1
4th 1	28th Dec 2024 Yielding To Soft 2m 3f 100y	13:40 Limerick Good Land 11st 12lb J: Mr Finian Maguire T: Barry Connell	raced in third, lost position after 3 out, ran on from last, went fourth towards finish	20/1

Place /
No / Draw

Date / Going /
Distance / Class

Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer

Verdict

Starting price

3rd

4

26th Jan 2025

Soft

3m 0f 175y

11st 0lb

High class staying novice hurdler two seasons ago, winning a Grade 1 at Leopardstown and fourth in the Ballymore at Cheltenham; respectable efforts in two runs over fences including when a 15 length fourth in the Grade 1 at Limerick last month; yet to tackle 3m and likely to find at least one too good.

7/1

3rd

4

26th Jan 2025

Soft

3m 0f 175y

11st 0lb

High class staying novice hurdler two seasons ago, winning a Grade 1 at Leopardstown and fourth in the Ballymore at Cheltenham; respectable efforts in two runs over fences including when a 15 length fourth in the Grade 1 at Limerick last month; yet to tackle 3m and likely to find at least one too good.

7/1

4th

1

28th Dec 2024

Yielding To Soft

2m 3f 100y

11st 12lb

raced in third, lost position after 3 out, ran on from last, went fourth towards finish

20/1

5th

8

Marble Sands

J: Paddy Brennan

T: Fergal O’Brien

66/1

Form: 2-1151 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict

3-8 over hurdles, the latest win gained in small-field Listed race at Huntingdon (2m3f, good) last month; that was a career-best performance but he'll need to take another big step forward to trouble the principals here.

Place / No / Draw	Date / Going / Distance / Class	Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer	Verdict	Starting price
30	11th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 4m 2f 74y Class 1	16:00 Aintree Marble Sands 10st 5lb J: Kielan Woods T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson	Negotiated these fences safely in the 2m5f Topham one year ago, albeit fading into 12th; a strong-staying display to win at Cheltenham (near 3m4f, soft; 5lb higher today) in November hints at untapped potential over long distances.	50/1

Place /
No / Draw

Date / Going /
Distance / Class

Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer

Verdict

Starting price

30

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Marble Sands

10st 5lb

J: Kielan Woods

Negotiated these fences safely in the 2m5f Topham one year ago, albeit fading into 12th; a strong-staying display to win at Cheltenham (near 3m4f, soft; 5lb higher today) in November hints at untapped potential over long distances.

50/1

6th

5

Hermes Allen

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

4/1

Form: 111 CD

Last run: 74 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 150

Form & Verdict

Out of a French Grade 3 hurdle winner and was bought for big money after Irish point win in 2021; made all in C&D Grade 2 on good ground in November and proved he's fully effective on soft when coasting up the run-in for very comfortable success in Grade 1 Challow at Newbury (2m4f) in December; leading contender.

Place / No / Draw	Date / Going / Distance / Class	Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer	Verdict	Starting price
3	3rd Feb 2024 Good To Soft 2m 4f 10y Class 1	14:35 Sandown Hermes Allen 11st 7lb J: Harry Cobden T: Paul Nicholls	raced in second, chased clear leader after 6th, not fluent 8th, still plenty to do 3 out, 13 lengths down when fell 2 out	11/10
2nd 2	26th Dec 2023 Good 3m 0f 0y Class 1	13:20 Kempton Hermes Allen 11st 7lb J: Harry Cobden T: Paul Nicholls	Won 2m4f Grade 1 Challow Hurdle during last year's festive period; failed to justify favouritism at the spring festivals but had wind surgery prior to his successful chase debut at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft) and that was impressive in many ways; unraced over this far under rules but with his pointing background he should stay well; still unexposed and held in the highest regard by a trainer who has won this five times.	13/8
1st 2	1st Dec 2023 Good To Soft 2m 3f 187y Class 1	13:50 Newbury Hermes Allen 11st 4lb J: Harry Cobden T: Paul Nicholls	Below-par favourite in Grade 1 novice hurdles at the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals but may well benefit from the subsequent wind surgery and he starts this campaign as a major prospect for novice chases; earlier progress culminated in an easy win in the Challow here (2m4f, soft; Grade 1) and that form has worked out well; point winner; leading player.	11/8

Place /
No / Draw

Date / Going /
Distance / Class

Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer

Verdict

Starting price

3

3rd Feb 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 10y

Class 1

11st 7lb

raced in second, chased clear leader after 6th, not fluent 8th, still plenty to do 3 out, 13 lengths down when fell 2 out

11/10

2nd

2

26th Dec 2023

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 1

11st 7lb

Won 2m4f Grade 1 Challow Hurdle during last year's festive period; failed to justify favouritism at the spring festivals but had wind surgery prior to his successful chase debut at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft) and that was impressive in many ways; unraced over this far under rules but with his pointing background he should stay well; still unexposed and held in the highest regard by a trainer who has won this five times.

13/8

1st

2

1st Dec 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 187y

Class 1

11st 4lb

Below-par favourite in Grade 1 novice hurdles at the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals but may well benefit from the subsequent wind surgery and he starts this campaign as a major prospect for novice chases; earlier progress culminated in an easy win in the Challow here (2m4f, soft; Grade 1) and that form has worked out well; point winner; leading player.

11/8

7th

1

American Mike

J: Davy Russell

T: Gordon Elliott

33/1

Form: 2-3124 BF

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict

Second to Facile Vega in Champion Bumper here a year ago and collected Down Royal maiden (2m6f, soft) with minimal fuss on hurdling debut in November; however, could not justify 2-7 odds in Navan Grade 3 later that month, and was again a beaten favourite when fourth in Listed race in February; tongue-tie fitted for first time; has a point to prove.

Place / No / Draw	Date / Going / Distance / Class	Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer	Verdict	Starting price
5th 1	24th May 2026 Good 2m 4f 0y Class 2	16:03 Uttoxeter American Mike 12st 0lb J: Sean Bowen T: Olly Murphy	Classy customer in these colours for Gordon Elliott; only his fourth run for current yard when forcing a dead-heat at Perth (3m, good; 3lb lower) and he's versatile trip-wise; likely contender in new cheekpieces.	5/4
1st 1	23rd Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 7f 180y Class 3	15:40 Perth American Mike 12st 2lb J: Sean Bowen T: Olly Murphy	Smart novice over fences for Gordon Elliott; not quite as good these days but fair third at Newbury in November (2m4f, good to soft) on latest chase start; now 5lb lower and, following a decent run over hurdles last time, is worth considering.	11/4
2nd 1	27th Mar 2026 Good 3m 0f 26y Class 3	16:20 Wetherby American Mike 12st 0lb J: Sean Bowen T: Olly Murphy	Ran poorly in a Pertemps qualifier most recently (second start for new yard) but is interesting off current mark dropped in class, being so attractively treated on the pick of his form for Gordon Elliott.	5/1

Place /
No / Draw

Date / Going /
Distance / Class

Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer

Verdict

Starting price

5th

1

24th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

12st 0lb

Classy customer in these colours for Gordon Elliott; only his fourth run for current yard when forcing a dead-heat at Perth (3m, good; 3lb lower) and he's versatile trip-wise; likely contender in new cheekpieces.

5/4

1st

1

23rd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 3

12st 2lb

Smart novice over fences for Gordon Elliott; not quite as good these days but fair third at Newbury in November (2m4f, good to soft) on latest chase start; now 5lb lower and, following a decent run over hurdles last time, is worth considering.

11/4

2nd

1

27th Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 26y

Class 3

12st 0lb

Ran poorly in a Pertemps qualifier most recently (second start for new yard) but is interesting off current mark dropped in class, being so attractively treated on the pick of his form for Gordon Elliott.

5/1

8th

9

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

150/1

Form: -3F226

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict

0-5 over hurdles; has shown fairly useful form in defeat, most notably when second here (2m1f, good) in December; could plausibly have untapped potential over 2m5f but faces a very tall order today.

Place / No / Draw	Date / Going / Distance / Class	Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer	Verdict	Starting price
6th 8	12th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 127y Class 1	16:00 Cheltenham Master Chewy 11st 10lb J: Sam Twiston-Davies T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies	Finished a creditable close second of three finishers in a Grade 2 at Kempton (about 2m4f, good) in January but he's an infrequent winner and it's two years since he ran well in a Grade 1 (not far away when falling two out in the Arkle here, then touched off at Aintree); well adrift in this race last year and there's no reason to expect much better today.	100/1
5th 1	7th Feb 2026 Soft 2m 0f 92y Class 1	14:45 Newbury Master Chewy 11st 8lb J: Sam Twiston-Davies T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies	Landed this prize last year but incurs a bigger penalty this time, making him worse off with runner-up Libberty Hunter, and concedes weight to some other notable rivals that include a very promising 5yo; outgunned by 12yo Edwardstone at Kempton most recently; chance of doing the Game Spirit double partly depends on how well he responds to first-time headgear.	11/1
2	26th Oct 2025 Good 2m 3f 200y Class 1	14:55 Aintree Master Chewy 11st 6lb J: Sam Twiston-Davies T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies	Unproven at this trip but kept on well to win Grade 2 Game Spirit at Newbury (2m, soft) in February and his two subsequent defeats came in Grade 1s; likes it here, with course form figures of 122, and he's fine on good ground; from in-form yard and can play leading role if seeing out the trip.	4/1

Place /
No / Draw

Date / Going /
Distance / Class

Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer

Verdict

Starting price

6th

8

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

16:00 Cheltenham

11st 10lb

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Finished a creditable close second of three finishers in a Grade 2 at Kempton (about 2m4f, good) in January but he's an infrequent winner and it's two years since he ran well in a Grade 1 (not far away when falling two out in the Arkle here, then touched off at Aintree); well adrift in this race last year and there's no reason to expect much better today.

100/1

5th

1

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 92y

Class 1

14:45 Newbury

11st 8lb

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Landed this prize last year but incurs a bigger penalty this time, making him worse off with runner-up Libberty Hunter, and concedes weight to some other notable rivals that include a very promising 5yo; outgunned by 12yo Edwardstone at Kempton most recently; chance of doing the Game Spirit double partly depends on how well he responds to first-time headgear.

11/1

2

26th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 1

14:55 Aintree

11st 6lb

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Unproven at this trip but kept on well to win Grade 2 Game Spirit at Newbury (2m, soft) in February and his two subsequent defeats came in Grade 1s; likes it here, with course form figures of 122, and he's fine on good ground; from in-form yard and can play leading role if seeing out the trip.

4/1

9th

6

Ho My Lord

J: Mark Walsh