April 08 / 17.05 Fairyhouse

17.05

Soft

RYBO Handicap Hurdle (Grade A)

  • Prize money: £52212.39
  • 2m 0f 90y
  • 16 runners
RTV
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RYBO Handicap Hurdle (Grade A)

Runners: 16 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

14/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.30
  • Place: £1.40

Form: -213P2 BF

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Maiden hurdle winner at Punchestown in November and back to that level of form when runner-up on handicap debut at Down Royal last month; 3lb higher in a tougher race but there's more to come.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

5th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 0y

15:00 Cork

Monbeg Park

11st 8lb

J: Eoin Staples

T: Jack Foley

Better known as a chaser but has shown smart hurdles form in the past; would have a squeak if back in top form off a lower hurdle mark.

14/1

9th

4

2nd Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 5f 120y

16:25 Leopardstown

Monbeg Park

11st 6lb

J: Michael Kenneally

T: Jack Foley

Two wins include this race last year off 2lb lower; standout run this term when second in Grade 3 Punchestown contest (2m7f), tame effort last time (albeit stiff task) in Grade 2 at Thurles; not one to rule out back in handicap company.

15/2

4th

5

18th Jan 2026

Yielding

2m 4f 66y

15:20 Thurles

Monbeg Park

11st 3lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Jack Foley

Useful sort; best form at Punchestown, including when second to the talented Heart Wood three starts ago; 2-16 record over fences is not a great return bearing in mind his 147 rating; inferior to the four Mullins-trained runners on official figures

12/1

9/2

  • Place: £1.90

Form: -154F3

Last run: 25 days

W: 10st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Won twice over hurdles in France and looked like the probable winner jumping the last in the Fred Winter last time before getting caught by Jazzy Matty and Byker; like her re-opposing rival, she seemed to have a tough enough race that day but can't be ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

29th Dec 2024

Yielding

2m 4f 0y

13:20 Leopardstown

Risk Belle

11st 3lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: W P Mullins

midfield early, prominent behind clear leaders after 2nd

9/1

4

29th Dec 2024

Yielding

2m 4f 0y

13:20 Leopardstown

Risk Belle

11st 3lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: W P Mullins

midfield early, prominent behind clear leaders after 2nd

9/1

2nd

1

24th Nov 2024

Yielding

2m 2f 0y

12:40 Punchestown

Risk Belle

11st 4lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: W P Mullins

Won a Grade 3 at Fairyhouse on return last year and some decent efforts in defeat since; however, below form the last thrice (an excuse in Galway Hurdle) and has to bounce back.

5/1

16/1

  • Place: £3.70

Form: 1/2-22 BF

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
French bumper winner; has hit the crossbar in three runs in maiden hurdles for this yard; mixed messages on the form of those races and the handicapper has not taken any chances with a mark of 128; Townend prefers Tax For Max.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

2nd May 2026

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 2

14:35 Uttoxeter

Horantzau Dairy

11st 1lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

Now 5lb lower than when second for Micheal Keady here (2m4f, good) just under a year ago but both subsequent runs for Sara Bradstock were disappointing and he was well beaten in Cheltenham Festival cross-country chase on stable debut in March; now sports cheekpieces; needs to get career back on track.

20/1

11th

10

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 5f 56y

Class 2

15:20 Cheltenham

Horantzau Dairy

10st 5lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

Very useful handicap chaser for Willie Mullins in 2024 and placed for Michael Keady last spring (2m4f, good) but absent since pulled up for Sara Bradstock in September (bled from the nose); now with another new stable for cross-country debut; 4lb wrong; best to look elsewhere.

66/1

1

23rd Sep 2025

Good

3m 1f 100y

Class 3

16:30 Warwick

Horantzau Dairy

12st 0lb

J: Miss Lily Bradstock

T: Mrs Sara V Bradstock

Temptingly treated on the best of his form for Willie Mullins; had two runs for Michael Keady, outclassed in the Grand National but then runner-up at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good); ran well for a long way in Market Rasen's Summer Plate (2m5f) on debut for current yard and this trip is a better fit; respected.

5/1

OUR TIP

12/1

  • Place: £3.30

Form: 1-6101 D

Last run: 197 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
Won handicap hurdle at Killarney in July and bounced back from a lesser run to win a valuable handicap at Listowel when last seen in September; 9lb rise demands more and best form is on good but not discounted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

25th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 136y

19:05 Ballinrobe

Magnor Glory

11st 7lb

J: Alan O’Sullivan

T: Terence O’Brien

Capable handicap hurdler back in the day and has won over hurdles and fences here; couldn't cut it in novice company after chase debut win here in 2024 (after longer layoff); nice run on the Flat when last seen in August and, given his track record, this race may have been the plan for a while.

10/1

5th

5

14th Aug 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

20:05 Tramore

Magnor Glory

11st 0lb

J: Miss Georgie Benson

T: Terence O’Brien

Five-time winner (four over hurdles and one chasing); last win was in a beginners' at Ballinrobe last year (2m1f, yielding); form dipped markedly in two runs at the end of that summer and he was never involved when pulled up in a novice handicap chase back from a 223-day absence at Wexford in April; questions to answer based on form but his hurdles rating puts him in the thick of things.

9/2

Form: 143160 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
Back to his best when justifying favouritism at Punchestown in November and ran with credit in a valuable handicap at the Dublin Racing Festival (beaten 8l behind stablemate Gaelic Warrior); too bad to be true when tailed off in the Coral Cup latest; doesn't look particularly well treated but not without a chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

22nd Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 4

15:30 Ludlow

Tax For Max

11st 9lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Three wins at around 2m in Ireland and latest was over fences for Willie Mullins in June 2023; record of 0-8 for current yard but he rallied well when a creditable third here (2m, good) last month; this is a different test at this new trip but he's well treated on his old form and needs watching in the market; tongue-tie back on.

5/1

3rd

2

19th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 212y

Class 4

15:50 Ludlow

Tax For Max

11st 7lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Another previously useful ex-Mullins horse who's yet to score for this yard; some fair efforts, though, including when second of six at Huntingdon (2m4f, good to soft) at the start of the month; drops back in trip and also needs considering from a career-low mark.

15/8

2nd

5

1st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 189y

Class 3

14:45 Huntingdon

Tax For Max

10st 11lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Hurdles/chase winner for Willie Mullins but is 0-6 since joining current stable and returning from long absence; failed to derive benefit from going back over fences the last twice; current mark reflects a decline in his form (20lb higher at his peak).

14/1

Form: 883571 D

Last run: 51 days

W: 10st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Left previous form behind when winning a maiden hurdle at Clonmel by a wide margin when last seen; however, may have been flattered by that and seemed to relish the soft ground; handicapper hasn't gone overboard with revised mark and he could have a say if the ground doesn't dry out too much.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

21st Sep 2025

Yielding To Soft

2m 1f 150y

16:58 Listowel

Captains Nephew

11st 1lb

J: Tiernan Power Roche

T: P J Rothwell

Still 7lb above the mark at which he gained his last chase win in March 2024, tough task on his first outing since the Punchestown festival; behind Dutch Scultz (fourth) but on the positive side, he was in front of Gaelic Art and Jasko Des Dames in that race.

12/1

7th

8

1st May 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 75y

15:05 Punchestown

Captains Nephew

10st 10lb

J: G B Noonan

T: P J Rothwell

sweating

25/1

7th

8

1st May 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 75y

15:05 Punchestown

Captains Nephew

10st 10lb

J: G B Noonan

T: P J Rothwell

sweating

25/1

Form: 134B6/ D

Last run: 707 days

W: 11st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Looked promising a couple of seasons ago and was last seen finishing sixth of 24 in a valuable handicap at the 2021 Punchestown festival; handicapper has given him a squeak dropping him 4lb for his return but Townend seemingly prefers Tax For Max; off 707 days.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

5th Nov 2023

Soft

2m 4f 0y

14:40 Cork

Power Of Pause

11st 0lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Former point winner and useful 132-rated hurdler, though pulled up in two of his last three races in that sphere; made an encouraging start over fences when making almost all to beat the error-prone favourite Genois at Listowel; will need to raise his game to win here.

5/1

1st

7

20th Sep 2023

Good

2m 6f 0y

17:00 Listowel

Power Of Pause

11st 12lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Useful hurdler is rated 132 in that sphere but has been pulled-up on two of last four starts; has the ability to go well if his jumping holds up; has won a point' which can help.

3/1

0

7

5th Aug 2023

Good To Yielding

2m 6f 108y

14:30 Galway

Power Of Pause

11st 2lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Off the track for two years and gradually coming back to form; stayed on well to be runner-up in a competitive Ballinrobe handicap in May; should be spot on for this.

8/1

Form: -25751 D

Last run: 62 days

W: 10st 2lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Promising handicap debut over 2m here before landing a valuable mares' handicap hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival; 8lb higher and back against the males but useful apprentice helps by taking off 7lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

4th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 5f 45y

14:40 Fairyhouse

Ballybawn Belter

11st 0lb

J: Simon Torrens

T: Liz Doyle

Off the mark over fences when easy winner of 2m4f Limerick Listed handicap at Christmas (soft-to-heavy); out of frame in competitive Leopardstown handicaps twice since, most recently running well for long way and may have got a bit closer but for mistake last; drops in grade, one to consider.

9/2

6th

8

2nd Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 5f 120y

16:25 Leopardstown

Ballybawn Belter

10st 6lb

J: Simon Torrens

T: Liz Doyle

Three hurdle wins include at this track; off the mark over fences when easy winner of 2m4f Limerick Listed handicap at Christmas (soft-to-heavy) but didn't appear to quite get home over this C&D in Grade Leopardstown Chase last month off 7lb higher mark; not one to dismiss all the same.

10/1

7th

15

1st Feb 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 5f 107y

14:45 Leopardstown

Ballybawn Belter

10st 5lb

J: Simon Torrens

T: Liz Doyle

Three hurdle wins including at this track; got off the mark over fences when an easy winner of a Limerick Listed chase last time; a 7lb rise looks manageable and handles the ground, so a player.

8/1

Form: 6-2225 D

Last run: 55 days

W: 10st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Dual bumper winner last term; too keen when tailed off at Listed level last time but had previously gone close in a trio of maiden hurdle efforts this season; seems to be on a good mark for handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

12th Oct 2025

Good

2m 1f 140y

16:37 Cork

The Big Doyen

10st 6lb

J: Kevin Sexton

T: Declan Queally

Talented hurdler placed at Grade 2 level in that sphere; 0-4 over fences and has been sparingly raced in the last two seasons; off since below par effort on debut for this yard at Wexford in May; capable but probably best watched on return to action.

16/1

8th

1

28th May 2025

Good To Firm

2m 1f 0y

17:30 Wexford

The Big Doyen

11st 12lb

J: Kevin Sexton

T: Declan Queally

Dual bumper and hurdles winner for Peter Fahey but not as good a chaser last season; changed yards and reverts to hurdles off reduced mark and goes well fresh.

12/1

Form: UP4153 D

Last run: 41 days

W: 10st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Won handicap hurdle at Thurles in January from an 11lb lower mark and two creditable runs in defeat since but suspicion he might be in the handicapper's grip now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

22th

18

30th Nov 2024

Yielding

2m 4f 55y

15:05 Fairyhouse

Hey Johnny

10st 7lb

J: Jody McGarvey

T: Thomas Mullins

midfield

100/1

22th

18

30th Nov 2024

Yielding

2m 4f 55y

15:05 Fairyhouse

Hey Johnny

10st 7lb

J: Jody McGarvey

T: Thomas Mullins

midfield

100/1

12th

3

3rd Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 60y

13:10 Cork

Hey Johnny

11st 10lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Thomas Mullins

midfield

33/1

Form: 1713-4 D

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Botled up in a maiden hurdle at Gowran last season and has shown that was no fluke with two good runs in defeat since; only 5l behind Fil Dor in a Grade 3 in February and may come on for that run; workable mark for handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

9th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

15:35 Killarney

Da Capo Glory

11st 4lb

J: Michael Kenneally

T: Padraig Butler

Three hurdle wins and ran a fine race in the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham, beaten only 8l; unluckily unseated at Punchestown last week; his best chase effort of three came at Gowran in February; gets weight from some of his rivals today and has a solid chance.

2/1

3

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 7f 110y

16:15 Punchestown

Da Capo Glory

10st 13lb

J: Michael Kenneally

T: Padraig Butler

Three hurdle wins including at this track and ran respectably in this race in 2024; mixing chasing with hurdles after returning from an absence this season; not a bad run in the Martin Pipe last time; needs a bit more.

20/1

Form: 011315 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Has been a progressive sort this term and has won three handicap hurdles since Christmas but signs the handicapper may have caught up when fifth at Navan last time; return to drying ground may help.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

9

25th Sep 2025

Yielding

2m 4f 0y

16:35 Listowel

Little Mixup

11st 5lb

J: Mark McDonagh

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Has won four times over hurdles but chasing didn't go well a year ago and has mostly struggled back over hurdles.

33/1

7th

9

17th Mar 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 0y

15:20 Wexford

Little Mixup

10st 11lb

J: Daniel King

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Four-time winner over hurdles but very much out of form this winter after unhappy spell over fences in early autumn; hard to support at present.

40/1

Form: 521541 CD

Last run: 25 days

W: 10st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Battled on gamely to get back up and win the Fred Winter at Cheltenham last month and only 2lb higher here; top apprentice retains the ride and claims 5lb rather than 3lb this time; arriving on the back of a hard race is the main concern.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

16

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:45 Aintree

Jazzy Matty

11st 4lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Cian Collins

Better over fences; stays 2m5f; had wind surgery prior to the latest Cheltenham Festival (2m, good) where he very nearly recorded a second success in the Grand Annual; not guaranteed to transfer the form back to hurdles but he is attractively treated off a much lower mark in this sphere.

9/1

2nd

8

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Jazzy Matty

11st 2lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Cian Collins

8lb higher than when winning this last year (good to soft) and his subsequent form (chiefly over hurdles) hasn't been at the same level; however, he's had a wind op since last time and his 2-2 record at the Cheltenham Festival (also won the Fred Winter in 2023) means he's firmly in calculations.

7/1

6th

2

18th Jan 2026

Yielding

1m 7f 168y

13:40 Thurles

Jazzy Matty

11st 11lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Cian Collins

Five-time winner, including wins in the Fred Winter and last season's Grand Annual; generally below since, beaten 26l in the Galway Plate; respectable effort back over hurdles at Cheltenham last time when a 12.5l fifth of 20; took the runner-up spot in this race last year from 1lb lower, so not ruled out.

5/1

Form: 3/1227 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Seemingly not quite the force of old but showed he retains plenty of ability when runner-up in a handicap hurdle at Naas in February and followed that up with a good front-running effort in the Morebattle; lacklustre on the Flat last week but that trip was sharp and he's on a good mark in this sphere at present.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

19th Sep 2025

Yielding

2m 1f 165y

14:46 Downpatrick

Wajaaha

11st 4lb

J: Anna McGuinness

T: Patrick J McKenna

Three hurdle wins; best effort this season was when just denied over fences at this track in July; not as good since and questions after being pulled-up on last two hurdle starts.

20/1

6

25th Aug 2025

Good

2m 1f 165y

17:28 Downpatrick

Wajaaha

11st 2lb

J: G B Noonan

T: Patrick J McKenna

Pushed Lakefield Flyer all the way over 2m3f here last month but has since pulled up over hurdles at Galway and finished last of the four in a beginners chase; did face a tough task last time and this is more realistic.

10/1

5

15th Aug 2025

Good

2m 5f 180y

17:00 Tramore

Wajaaha

10st 12lb

J: Liam McKenna

T: Patrick J McKenna

Maiden chaser last won in November 2022; went close in a handicap chase at Downpatrick last month off 104; pulled up over hurdles at Galway latest; likely up against it in this company.

25/1

Form: 41/0-2 CD

Last run: 141 days

W: 11st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
Rated 104 on the Flat and encouraging return to hurdles when runner-up at Ascot in October; 6lb lower here and capable of having a big say if fully tuned up after 141 days off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

1st Nov 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 190y

13:35 Down Royal

Shanroe

10st 13lb

J: Eoin Staples

T: Karl Thornton

Dual-purpose veteran has won 11 of his 39 starts under Rules but he's shown virtually nothing since a Listed Chester win on the Flat in September 2023; needs a revival.

40/1

8th

7

1st Nov 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 190y

13:35 Down Royal

Shanroe

10st 13lb

J: Eoin Staples

T: Karl Thornton

Dual-purpose veteran has won 11 of his 39 starts under Rules but he's shown virtually nothing since a Listed Chester win on the Flat in September 2023; needs a revival.

40/1

150/1

Form: 21-0P0 D

Last run: 41 days

W: 10st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Maiden hurdle winner for Joseph O'Brien but has really struggled in a trio of handicap starts for this yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

1

(4)

22nd Dec 2023

Standard

2m 0f 0y

18:30 Dundalk (AW)

Vultan

10st 2lb

J: Siobhan Rutledge

T: A J Martin

Hasn't won on the Flat since a 1m4f success on turf back in 2021; ran okay over 1m4f here a fortnight ago on all-weather debut and well worth another go at this trip.

12/1

4th

6

(2)

8th Dec 2023

Standard

1m 4f 0y

20:30 Dundalk (AW)

Vultan

8st 7lb

J: Siobhan Rutledge

T: A J Martin

Useful handicapper on turf in 2021 when he also won over hurdles; unable to make much impact under either code this year and now makes AW debut.

12/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €33.60
Straight Forecast €32.58
Tricast €424.76
Trifecta €503.50

Selections

POSTDATA:

Jazzy Matty

RP Ratings (IRE):

Captains Nephew

The Irish Sun:

Hey Johnny

TOPSPEED:

Da Capo Glory

SPOTLIGHT:

Wajaaha