April 20 / 18.20 Kilbeggan

18.20

Yielding

KilbegganRaces.com Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5743.36
  • 2m 7f 70y
  • 12 runners
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KilbegganRaces.com Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

5/1 (Won)

  • Win: £7.60
  • Place: £3.00

Form: 52F324 BF

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Three-time point winner last year has been consistent in maidens; form of her Punchestown third in February has worked out well and narrowly denied over 3m at Limerick next time; not as effective over a shorter trip at Clonmel latest; back up in trip for handicap bow and experienced amateur claims a handy 7lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

7th Nov 2024

Good

2m 4f 171y

14:05 Clonmel

Desert Heather

10st 4lb

J: Mike O’Connor

T: Rodger Sweeney

Three-time hurdles winner at around 3m but not as good a chaser to-date, best effort latest when second in 2m6f Galway handicap last month off a lowly mark of 86; looks out of her depth here.

66/1

6th

5

7th Nov 2024

Good

2m 4f 171y

14:05 Clonmel

Desert Heather

10st 4lb

J: Mike O’Connor

T: Rodger Sweeney

Three-time hurdles winner at around 3m but not as good a chaser to-date, best effort latest when second in 2m6f Galway handicap last month off a lowly mark of 86; looks out of her depth here.

66/1

5/1

  • Place: £3.00

Form: 521895

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 13lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Won off 90 at Downpatrick last summer (2m6f, good to yielding); encouraging reappearance after winter break when fifth of 23 (winner has followed up) over this trip at Naas last month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

6

19th Jul 2024

Good

2m 7f 0y

16:50 Killarney

Townhill Penny

11st 6lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

Won a 2m6f Downpatrick handicap hurdle in the summer of 2022; largely disappointing since, including when pulled up at Downpatrick over hurdles latest; in top hands but is impossible to recommend at present.

16/1

1

15th Jul 2024

Good

2m 5f 185y

17:30 Downpatrick

Townhill Penny

11st 12lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Gordon Elliott

C&D winner in 2022; has struggled to make a telling mark in the interim and under a drive a fair way from home when a modest third over fences latest; could probably do with sliding another few pound but not without a squeak either.

9/1

25/1

  • Place: £5.10

Form: 905599

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Modest maiden only beaten 8l in 3m handicap at Clonmel last month but heavy defeats in three subsequent starts; 1lb wrong.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

20th Jun 2023

Good

3m 1f 70y

17:17 Wexford

Whip Whitaker

10st 13lb

J: Liam Quinlan

T: John Patrick Ryan

Maiden in fair form over hurdles and fences lately; long way adrift of Rule Of June and Drimsree Lad when fourth at Clonmel, pulled up at Kilbeggan yesterday.

10/1

16

19th Jun 2023

Good

3m 0f 100y

17:43 Kilbeggan

Whip Whitaker

10st 13lb

J: Liam Quinlan

T: John Patrick Ryan

15-race maiden; ran okay over fences on chase debut at Clonmel 10 days ago; each-way claims if he builds on that.

6/1

4th

8

9th Jun 2023

Good To Firm

2m 6f 169y

20:30 Clonmel

Whip Whitaker

11st 0lb

J: Liam Quinlan

T: John Patrick Ryan

midfield

33/1

Form: 103730 D

Last run: 144 days

W: 11st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Wexford winner on handicap debut last May and only beaten 2l off this mark at Sligo (3m1f, yielding to soft) in October; nice run on the Flat lately will have tuned him up for this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

28th Aug 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 110y

17:18 Bellewstown

Yenillik

11st 5lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: H Rogers

Sole win came over 3m two years ago; off for over a year and well beaten last time at Wexford; tongue-tie tried here.

20/1

11th

7

25th Jul 2024

Good

3m 0f 0y

18:35 Wexford

Yenillik

11st 8lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: H Rogers

not fluent 11th

12/1

5th

13

12th Jul 2024

Good

3m 0f 180y

19:20 Kilbeggan

Yenillik

11st 7lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: H Rogers

Is 1-10 over hurdles but hasn't run in this sphere for over a year; Flat maiden was beaten a long way in that sphere last time and others preferred.

28/1

Form: 134223 C

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Ultra-consistent in similar contests since winning off 86 here in September (3m, good); might improve from her latest third at Thurles which came after three months off; hood tried there stays on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

12th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 172y

19:58 Sligo

Ballyglass Beauty

10st 10lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Cian Collins

C&D winner; last scored in September 2023 but back to form with a 1.25l second at Clonmel on latest; raised 3lb for that but is still 10lb below his last success; C&D form figures read 41343; leading claims.

7/2

2nd

13

14th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 7f 0y

17:42 Clonmel

Ballyglass Beauty

10st 4lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Cian Collins

One of two for yard; last of three wins came at Listowel in 2023; fourth on both starts for this stable at this venue over 3m but beaten 31l (on heavy) and 52l (on yielding); on a dangerous mark now, however, and cheekpieces might provide a spark.

16/1

4th

5

19th Mar 2026

Yielding To Soft

3m 0f 45y

17:00 Cork

Ballyglass Beauty

11st 7lb

J: Jan Ilik

T: Cian Collins

Three wins all at 3m, most recently at Listowel festival in 2023; back down to competitive mark on evidence of clear second over same trip at Limerick in October; following month in contention when brought down two out at this venue; well beaten fourth on yard debut at Clonmel.

6/1

7/1

Form: 82P154

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in pair of Fairyhouse handicaps before beating Cheerful Chap over 3m at Punchestown (yielding) in February; not as effective since and blinkers go on; stays very well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

6th Aug 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 7f 213y

18:30 Roscommon

Dr Val

11st 2lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: E Sheehy

Won over 3m at Punchestown in early 2023; ended poor run of form over same trip at Wexford last month when only denied second late on; visor replaces blinkers here and considered.

10/1

3rd

5

25th Jul 2024

Good

3m 0f 0y

18:35 Wexford

Dr Val

11st 8lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: E Sheehy

Won over this trip at Punchestown in 2023; twice pulled-up over fences this season and beaten 33l over hurdles at Kilbeggan last time.

28/1

9th

6

12th Jul 2024

Good

3m 0f 180y

19:20 Kilbeggan

Dr Val

11st 10lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: E Sheehy

Pulled up twice over fences lately and was out of form when last seen over hurdles, so has plenty to prove.

28/1

Form: 5-4100 C

Last run: 237 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Popped up at 33-1 in six-runner 3m novice here last June; nothing in two subsequent starts and off eight months.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

15

5th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 6f 195y

16:02 Thurles

He Fitz In

10st 7lb

J: Dylan O’Connor

T: D E Fitzgerald

Three-time winner but stuck on a losing run and hasn't shaped like a winner waiting to happen returned to hurdles the last twice.

25/1

6th

9

24th Oct 2025

Good To Yielding

3m 1f 80y

17:30 Sligo

He Fitz In

10st 6lb

J: Calum Hogan

T: D E Fitzgerald

The last of his two hurdle wins came just over two years ago off 5lb higher; close third over fences here two starts ago but below that level since; has to rebound back hurdling.

11/1

Form: 8316F5

Last run: 46 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in pair of staying handicaps on decent ground just over a year ago before landing 2m4f Bellewstown maiden in August; outclassed on return at Leopardstown but that run will have brought him on and yard going well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

1st Aug 2023

Yielding

2m 2f 54y

17:40 Galway

Pale Blue Dot

11st 12lb

J: Daniel King

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

in touch with leaders early, jumped slightly left 4th, lost touch after 5th, no impression

50/1

5th

11

21st Jul 2023

Yielding

2m 6f 180y

15:05 Killarney

Pale Blue Dot

10st 4lb

J: Philip Donovan

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Back to something like his best when third of nine behind Dartan 13 days ago but hard to see him reversing that form and he's not been the most consistent of late.

8/1

3

9th Jul 2023

Good

3m 1f 88y

16:55 Sligo

Pale Blue Dot

11st 13lb

J: Philip Donovan

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Won a 2m4f Bellewstown maiden hurdle last August; hasn't matched that since and mixed form over fences lately; needs a return to best.

25/1

Form: -600P6

Last run: 11 days

W: 11st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
12-race maiden showed a bit more when sixth of 16 at Cork recently, making some late gains to be beaten 12l over a similar trip; not ruled out if he can build on that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

31st May 2023

Good

3m 0f 0y

20:00 Wexford

Champagne Monarch

11st 7lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Sean Aherne

13-race maiden was well beaten when last seen at Kilbeggan in April; mark declining but still opposable.

25/1

9th

8

20th Apr 2023

Yielding

2m 7f 70y

18:20 Kilbeggan

Champagne Monarch

11st 2lb

J: Mike O’Connor

T: Sean Aherne

prominent

12/1

6th

11

9th Apr 2023

Yielding

3m 0f 80y

16:40 Cork

Champagne Monarch

10st 13lb

J: Mike O’Connor

T: Sean Aherne

towards rear

66/1

Form: 03PP0F

Last run: 47 days

W: 11st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Trainer has always thought a bit of him and placed in three maidens over staying trips; good third behind facile winner Cadatharla in 2m3f Naas handicap in January but the wheels have come off big time since then.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

14

9th Mar 2025

Soft

2m 0f 7y

15:10 Naas

Simply Shabra

11st 1lb

J: Oakley Brown

T: Anthony McCann

1-22 over hurdles; C&D win early last year came out of the blue; has failed to show similar form since; pulled up at Clonmel last month on first run since last May.

25/1

7

13th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 0y

14:55 Clonmel

Simply Shabra

11st 8lb

J: Miss A B O’Connor

T: Anthony McCann

Lost form since Naas win (2m, soft) just over a year ago off 86; suspect stayer and hard to be confident in.

12/1

Form: 621882

Last run: 57 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Won off 95 at Tramore (2m5f, soft) on handicap bow and back to form when chasing home Dr Val over 3m at Punchestown; 3lb higher now and returns from a break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

4th Oct 2025

Yielding

3m 0f 0y

15:40 Gowran Park

Cheerful Chap

10st 12lb

J: Tiernan Power Roche

T: P J Rothwell

Three wins over hurdles; placed in six consecutive attempts over fences between May 2024 and March 2025; fine second in Listed novice handicap chase at Navan in March; had a possible excuse (skin scrapes) when beaten favourite at Kilbeggan in June; trip-versatile.

10/1

Form: P04680

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 0lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Remote second over 2m6f at Galway in September was her only time to be placed in 15 starts over hurdles; well behind Townhill Penny when down the field at Naas last time; 1lb wrong.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

19

10th Dec 2024

Yielding

2m 7f 182y

15:20 Punchestown

Getaclan

10st 6lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: D McNamara

Career highlight Galway second came some time ago; absent since April 2023 and watching brief advised.

25/1

15th

19

10th Dec 2024

Yielding

2m 7f 182y

15:20 Punchestown

Getaclan

10st 6lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: D McNamara

Career highlight Galway second came some time ago; absent since April 2023 and watching brief advised.

25/1

11

20th Apr 2023

Yielding

2m 7f 70y

18:20 Kilbeggan

Getaclan

10st 0lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: D McNamara

in touch with leaders

33/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €55.10
Straight Forecast €65.51
Tricast €888.15
Trifecta €746.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Ballyglass Beauty

POSTDATA:

Desert Heather

RP Ratings (IRE):

Cheerful Chap

TOPSPEED:

Ballyglass Beauty

The Irish Sun:

Desert Heather