April 26 / 16.15 Punchestown

16.15

Yielding To Soft

Connolly’s RED MILLS Irish EBF Auction Hurdle Series Final

  • Prize money: £39159.29
  • 2m 3f 180y
  • 13 runners
RTE2
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Connolly’s RED MILLS Irish EBF Auction Hurdle Series Final

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

15/8 (Won)

  • Win: £2.50
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 7-2133 C

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 141

Form & Verdict
Both wins have come at this track, including 2m6f maiden earlier this term; fine efforts in defeat in Grade 1 staying novices last two starts, going close over 3m in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham last time; dropping in trip not ideal but soft ground will make it a test.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

9th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

15:35 Killarney

Sandor Clegane

11st 10lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Paul Nolan

Useful sort at his best and has run well in defeat in Grade 1 company over hurdles and fences; finally got off the mark over fences at Down Royal last time over 2m4f; this trip will suit better; a big player.

5/2

1st

4

12th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 88y

16:07 Down Royal

Sandor Clegane

11st 12lb

J: Eoin Staples

T: Paul Nolan

Promising novice chaser in 2023-2024 season and ran well in Graded hurdles in winter of 2024-2025; fairly moderate form this season but he shaped better than the bare result in the Kim Muir last time when making smooth headway turning in before his effort petered out (3m3f, good); tongue tie goes back on now and this is a good opportunity.

13/8

10th

5

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 70y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Sandor Clegane

11st 7lb

J: Mr J W Hendrick

T: Paul Nolan

Promising novice chaser in 2023-24 season and ran well in Graded hurdles in winter 2024-25; well handicapped on his peak form but he's failed to produce it over the last 12 months; 0-9 over fences and last hurdle win was in April 2023; a major turnaround is needed in first-time cheekpieces.

20/1

33/1

  • Place: £3.00

Form: 423F13

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 1lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Improving mare off the mark over hurdles in Leopardstown novice before even better effort in defeat in Limerick mares' conditions hurdle, both over 2m; stays this trip but has plenty to find.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

23rd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 3

15:40 Perth

Della Casa Lunga

11st 1lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

Mainly in fair form this season and can be forgiven a below-par run on testing ground at Exeter last time; these conditions suit; each-way chance with cheekpieces back on.

13/2

3rd

3

20th Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 0f 54y

Class 1

15:14 Exeter

Della Casa Lunga

11st 0lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

Three front-running hurdle wins in 2024 (2m5f/3m, soft/good to soft) and she was running pretty well in defeat towards the end of 2025; 10l second of four at Carlisle 17 days ago on chase debut, showing she has some way to go before she's matching today's rivals over fences.

5/1

2nd

4

3rd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 198y

Class 3

14:00 Carlisle

Della Casa Lunga

10st 12lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

Three front-running hurdle wins in 2024 (2m5f/3m, soft/good to soft) and she was running pretty well in defeat against fellow mares towards the end of 2025; receives 7lb from the males today and holds leading claims if taking to fences at the first attempt.

13/8

5/2

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 2-211 CD

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Point' winner got off the mark over hurdles over C&D in February and stepped-up on that form to take a Navan novice over 2m6f last time; improving type is ground versatile and is one to take seriously.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

20

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Senior Chief

10st 10lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Lightly raced 8yo; 10-1 when pulled up in the Irish National (3m5f, heavy) last April, in touch five out on his only go at a marathon trip; reappearance win at Cheltenham (3m1f, good) in October was a great deal more auspicious, staying on strongly; creditable sixth off this 9lb higher mark in Coral Gold Cup next time and had a hurdle race in February; needs a second look.

33/1

6th

20

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Senior Chief

10st 10lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Lightly raced 8yo; 10-1 when pulled up in the Irish National (3m5f, heavy) last April, in touch five out on his only go at a marathon trip; reappearance win at Cheltenham (3m1f, good) in October was a great deal more auspicious, staying on strongly; creditable sixth off this 9lb higher mark in Coral Gold Cup next time and had a hurdle race in February; needs a second look.

33/1

9th

1

23rd Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 7f 20y

15:50 Naas

Senior Chief

11st 12lb

J: Rachael Blackmore

T: Henry De Bromhead

Two-time winner over timber; won a handicap chase on his return to action off 142 at Cheltenham in October and wasn't disgraced off 9lb higher in the Coral Gold Gup at Newbury subsequently; could be well treated off 135 in his first handicap hurdle and handles heavy; chance.

17/2

Form: -13116 C

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
Has come a long way this season; won a Fairyhouse bumper, maiden hurdle here and a Naas novice, all over 2m; was well below form in a Grade 2 novice at Fairyhouse last time but has a shout if bouncing back to form over this longer trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

(2)

31st May 2024

Good

1m 2f 0y

20:00 Down Royal

Nucky Johnson

9st 9lb

J: Ben Coen

T: Noel Meade

Bumper winner and useful 132-rated hurdler; no surprise if he's competitive on Flat debut but has been off 10 months.

4/1

13th

3

4th Aug 2023

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 11y

17:00 Galway

Nucky Johnson

11st 9lb

J: Liam McKenna

T: Noel Meade

Showed useful form last Autumn, particularly when landing a Naas novice hurdle before a below-par effort in Grade 2 company; bounced back when fourth in strong looking contest at Punchestown 100 days ago and could figure on handicap debut.

14/1

Form: 22143

Last run: 51 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Consistent sort won a Listowel bumper last September and wasn't disgraced on hurdling debut behind Della Casa Lunga at Leopardstown; however, has loads of improvement to find.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

10

17th Jul 2026

Good

2m 6f 180y

14:32 Killarney

My Gaffer

11st 0lb

J: Michael Kenneally

T: John Patrick Ryan

Dual chase winner who is rated lower over hurdles, making all over 2m7f at Clonmel in April and fair fourth here following month (2m4f); return to longer trip to suit and yard going well.

9/1

4th

5

11th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 50y

18:07 Killarney

My Gaffer

11st 3lb

J: Liam McKenna

T: John Patrick Ryan

Dual chase winner who is rated lower over hurdles; won this last year and he returns on the back of a narrow win at Clonmel (2m7f); has to enter the equation.

6/1

1st

6

14th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 7f 0y

17:42 Clonmel

My Gaffer

11st 9lb

J: Liam McKenna

T: John Patrick Ryan

Two-time chase (including here) and hurdling winner has failed to exploit his lower hurdles mark on his last three starts; likes it here but remains 5lb above his last hurdles win and stamina to prove for this trip.

18/1

Form: -13215 D

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
Comfortably beat Sandor Clegane and Nucky Johnson in a Galway maiden hurdle (2m) on seasonal debut; was then just denied by Inthepocket in a Naas Grade 2 before winning a Fairyhouse novice, both over this trip; might not have stayed 3m in the Albert Bartlett and the drop back to this trip should suit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

11th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 100y

18:37 Killarney

Three Card Brag

11st 0lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Gordon Elliott

Shares the highest official mark with Gentleman De Mee but he's a strong stayer who hasn't raced over this short a trip since 2023; finished ninth in the Grand National last time.

13/2

9th

15

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Three Card Brag

11st 0lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Gordon Elliott

Career-best form in the autumn this season, including a win at Cheltenham (3m1f) and second to Panic Attack in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury (3m2f); flopped when favourite in the Grade 3 won by Grangeclare West at Fairyhouse in February, admittedly after 12 weeks off but there's the additional worry of last year's Grand National in which he was 16-1 and raced very prominently but faded steadily from three out.

50/1

7th

10

21st Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 2f 0y

15:15 Fairyhouse

Three Card Brag

11st 0lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Has performed well in big field 3m+ chases this season; finished second to Spanish Harlem in the Kerry National at Listowel (3m, yielding) then went one better at Cheltenham (3m1f, good); posted another good performance when runner-up in the Coral Gold Cuo at Newbury (3m2f, good to soft) when last seen; ground is fine for him; player.

9/2

Form: 233 BF

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Has run to a similar level when placed on all three of his maiden hurdle tries and can win one in time; however, he is facing some higher quality opposition today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

5

9th Jun 2026

Good

3m 1f 170y

19:30 Sligo

Free Flowing

11st 13lb

J: Mr S Connor

T: Norman Lee

Maiden hurdle winner in 2023 but not at that level in two hurdles and one chase run since coming back after an absence.

22/1

Form: 242206

Last run: 37 days

W: 10st 10lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner in 2021 has been runner-up four times in maiden hurdles, while was a solid sixth last time; has a lot on her plate in this company.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

(6)

13th May 2024

Good

1m 4f 40y

19:25 Roscommon

Mollys Glory

9st 4lb

J: Danny Sheehy

T: M C Grassick

Bumper/hurdle winner who stays 3m over jumps; never dangerous at 100-1 in a 1m2f Cork maiden last month.

14/1

Form: 55542

Last run: 60 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Has run respectably in maiden and novice hurdles without winning and can win one of those in time but faces some stiff opposition today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

29th Aug 2025

Yielding

2m 3f 100y

18:35 Wexford

Fine Margin

11st 9lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: W P Mullins

A 126-rated hurdler; narrowly made a winning start as a chaser over C&D before struggling in a Grade 3 at Galway when 25-1; finished well behind Intellotto that day.

7/1

9th

2

31st Jul 2025

Good

2m 2f 54y

14:10 Galway

Fine Margin

11st 1lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: W P Mullins

Won three hurdle races in a row in Britain last summer on good ground; back from winter break for winning chasing debut in 2m4f Wexford beginners early this month, fresh but jumping well to beat two race-fit market principals on favoured good ground; looks like making a better chaser than hurdler and not one to dismiss despite jump in class.

12/1

3

4th Jul 2025

Good

2m 3f 110y

15:50 Wexford

Fine Margin

11st 12lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: W P Mullins

Won three hurdle races in a row in Britain last summer at around 2m4f on good ground; pulled up in a better quality race next time at Worcester on soft ground (2m4f); 50l behind in a novice hurdle at Cheltenham last October; tries fences now but needs to bounce back.

7/2

OUR TIP

Form: 316F58 D

Last run: 6 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Won a maiden hurdle in this series at Bellewstown in August; however, was beaten a long way in a Kilbeggan handicap last week and difficult to fancy.
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: 909P89

Last run: 52 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Has been well beaten in bumpers and maiden hurdles and has a lot to find.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

29th May 2024

Yielding To Soft

2m 1f 0y

18:30 Wexford

Grand Rouge

11st 4lb

J: Kieran Callaghan

T: James M Barcoe

prominent behind clear leader

5/1

5th

6

18th Apr 2024

Heavy

2m 0f 76y

17:45 Clonmel

Grand Rouge

11st 4lb

J: Cian Quirke

T: James M Barcoe

Showed little in maiden hurdles and similar story following a year off on his handicap debut (3m) a fortnight ago; may come on for that but best run came on quicker ground and possibly gearing up for a summer campaign.

20/1

5th

6

18th Apr 2024

Heavy

2m 0f 76y

17:45 Clonmel

Grand Rouge

11st 4lb

J: Cian Quirke

T: James M Barcoe

Showed little in maiden hurdles and similar story following a year off on his handicap debut (3m) a fortnight ago; may come on for that but best run came on quicker ground and possibly gearing up for a summer campaign.

20/1

Form: 362452

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Maiden after five starts over hurdles but has run well several times; however, needs to step hugely to take this; blinkers added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

17th Aug 2025

Good

2m 6f 0y

16:30 Tramore

Iks Man

10st 13lb

J: John Shinnick

T: Terence O’Brien

Gained a breakthrough success in a 2m7f Clonmel handicap in March off a 9lb lower mark; fair fourth at Killarney on penultimate start but hard to be confident about his chance

12/1

10

23rd Jul 2025

Yielding To Soft

3m 1f 110y

16:45 Wexford

Iks Man

11st 0lb

J: John Shinnick

T: Terence O’Brien

Off the mark in 2m7f Clonmel handicap in March off 10lb lower mark; okay runs since over shorter trips, stamina unproven over this far.

10/1

4th

3

12th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 100y

19:08 Killarney

Iks Man

11st 10lb

J: John Shinnick

T: Terence O’Brien

in touch with leaders on inner, prominent 8th, disputing third approaching last, kept on

14/1

Form: -11P76

Last run: 74 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Won Bangor bumper and Limerick maiden hurdle last year but well below that level in her last three starts; has plenty to find.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

26th Apr 2023

Yielding To Soft

2m 3f 180y

16:15 Punchestown

Rocco Bay

11st 3lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: Peter Fahey

Won Bangor bumper and Limerick maiden hurdle last year but well below that level in her last three starts; has plenty to find.

66/1

6th

6

11th Feb 2023

Yielding

2m 3f 0y

13:40 Naas

Rocco Bay

11st 3lb

J: Kevin Sexton

T: Peter Fahey

Followed up a Bangor mares' bumper win with a maiden hurdle success at Limerick early in the season but shown nothing twice winter; has a bit to find too; wears first-time hood.

20/1

7th

6

18th Dec 2022

Frozen

1m 7f 111y

14:14 Thurles

Rocco Bay

10st 11lb

J: Kevin Sexton

T: Peter Fahey

Finished third behind Pink in the Park in a Listowel bumper before winning a Limerick maiden hurdle; pulled up over 2m4f last time out in very testing conditions; needs to bounce back here.

12/1

Non-runners

Pale Blue Dot

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €27.50
Straight Forecast €27.70
Tricast €85.12
Trifecta €115.70

Selections

RP Ratings (IRE):

Sandor Clegane

SPOTLIGHT:

Three Card Brag

POSTDATA:

Three Card Brag

TOPSPEED:

Sandor Clegane

The Irish Sun:

Sandor Clegane