August 02 / 18.40 Galway

18.40

Soft

Tote Galway Plate (Handicap Chase) (Grade 3)

  • Prize money: £140973.45
  • 2m 6f 111y
  • 22 runners
RTE2
View Course
Tote Galway Plate (Handicap Chase) (Grade 3)

Runners: 22 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

9/1 (Won)

  • Win: £8.10
  • Place: £2.30

Form: 1422-2

Last run: 53 days

W: 10st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 145

Form & Verdict
Only one pound higher than when fourth to Hewick in this race 12 months ago; interesting now with another year under his belt and with handicap mark protected; returned from a good break with satisfactory hurdles run in June; pleasing recent Flat run at Roscommon last month; capable of a big run with Danny Gilligan allowed to claim 7lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

28th May 2025

Good To Firm

3m 0f 0y

19:30 Wexford

Ash Tree Meadow

11st 5lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

Dual Grade 2 chase scorer and 2023 Galway Plate winner; has only a maiden win to his name from seven starts over hurdles and was beaten at odds-on at Punchestown last June on his only start in this discipline last season; ran in good company over fences at Killarney 16 days ago; well suited by the race conditions and will be hard to beat if jumping adequately.

11/10

4th

3

28th May 2025

Good To Firm

3m 0f 0y

19:30 Wexford

Ash Tree Meadow

11st 5lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

Dual Grade 2 chase scorer and 2023 Galway Plate winner; has only a maiden win to his name from seven starts over hurdles and was beaten at odds-on at Punchestown last June on his only start in this discipline last season; ran in good company over fences at Killarney 16 days ago; well suited by the race conditions and will be hard to beat if jumping adequately.

11/10

4th

2

12th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 100y

18:38 Killarney

Ash Tree Meadow

11st 8lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

Dual Grade 2 winner in addition to a score in the 2023 Galway Plate plus he won this race last year; hasn't had much racing since but has been mostly below form; didn't jump that well at Aintree over the 'big' fences last time; needs best.

8/1

25/1

  • Place: £4.10

Form: 14456-

Last run: 96 days

W: 10st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 146

Form & Verdict
Won three in a row as a novice in the first half of last season, including 9l defeat of Ash Tree Meadow in Grade 3 event at Tipperary; struggled when raised in class later on; appears held by stablemate Kilcruit on Punchestown festival form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

1st Nov 2025

Good

2m 0f 172y

Class 1

14:05 Ascot

Authorized Art

10st 7lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Flashes of smart form for Willie Mullins but a 10yo now and hasn't yet threatened a breakthrough win for the Moores; needed to run a lot better than he did at Kempton two weeks ago.

33/1

9

1st Nov 2025

Good

2m 0f 172y

Class 1

14:05 Ascot

Authorized Art

10st 7lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Flashes of smart form for Willie Mullins but a 10yo now and hasn't yet threatened a breakthrough win for the Moores; needed to run a lot better than he did at Kempton two weeks ago.

33/1

1

19th Oct 2025

Good

2m 2f 0y

Class 3

15:16 Kempton

Authorized Art

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Useful for Willie Mullins; 0-5 for current yard, beaten in a veterans' event when last seen; however, this drop in grade may have positive effect, off a reduced mark.

9/1

12/1

  • Place: £3.20

Form: /14P4- D

Last run: 97 days

W: 10st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Best hurdles form came over 2m4f-2m6f; all four runs over fences have been over shorter; looked ready to step up in trip when staying-on fourth over 2m at the Punchestown festival; relatively unexposed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

2nd May 2025

Yielding

3m 0f 160y

16:15 Punchestown

Hollow Games

12st 0lb

J: Mr J H Williamson

T: Gordon Elliott

midfield, pushed along after 5th, some headway and went remote third before 2 out, kept on, no match for first two

8/1

Form: 03P9-4

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 143

Form & Verdict
Most recent victory came in a Grade B 2m1f handicap chase at the 2022 Dublin racing festival; early faller in this race last year; ninth in Grand National; ran well at a huge price when fourth in a Grade 3 hurdle at Tipperary last month; could prove best of the McManus trio.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

15th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 90y

19:40 Kilbeggan

A Wave Of The Sea

11st 6lb

J: Charlie O’Dwyer

T: J P Broderick

A Grade 1-winning juvenile hurdler in his younger days, far from the force of old but still well capable; latest win came in handicap chase over C&D in September; down the field at Leopardstown and in veterans' event at Wexford last twice; dropped 3lb; 3-6 at this track and each-way player.

12/1

12th

9

10th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 100y

18:38 Wexford

A Wave Of The Sea

10st 7lb

J: Simon Torrens

T: J P Broderick

Fine servant won a Grade 1 juvenile hurdle and most recent successes came in 2m4f Kilbeggan handicap chases last year; penultimate Thurles fourth his best recent effort, stamina test probably beyond him in valuable 2m6f Leopardstown handicap latest; more suitable trip/ground here and drops in grade.

8/1

14th

19

1st Feb 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 5f 107y

14:45 Leopardstown

A Wave Of The Sea

10st 0lb

J: Charlie O’Dwyer

T: J P Broderick

Fine servant won a Grade 1 juvenile hurdle at this meeting in 2021; a record of 5-43 over fences and a decent effort at Thurles last time, but needs more from 1lb out of the handicap.

25/1

Form: 2263-0 C

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 148

Form & Verdict
Grade 1-placed as a novice last season; has had a recent spin over hurdles in a Tipperary Grade 3 event in which A Wave Of The Sea fared much better; makes handicap debut off a stone higher than his hurdles mark; plenty to do.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

23rd Aug 2025

Good

2m 4f 180y

16:50 Killarney

Visionarian

11st 12lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

Dropping down the ratings since he won a three-runner Grade 2 contest at Gowran last autumn; no signs of a revival at Wexford last month when finishing well behind; it is hard to fancy him at the moment.

22/1

9th

1

4th Jul 2025

Good

2m 3f 110y

16:25 Wexford

Visionarian

11st 12lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

Winner of a three-runner Grade 2 at Gowran in October (2m4f, good); well held in stronger Graded contests; poor run in a DRF handicap chase and pulled up when last seen in a handicap chase at the Punchestown festival last time from a 3lb higher mark.

18/1

Form: 5/07U-

Last run: 110 days

W: 10st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 147

Form & Verdict
Won his first three chase starts; has failed to make a significant impact in handicaps; seventh behind The Goffer in the Leopardstown Chase; did not take to the National fences in the Topham.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

2nd May 2025

Yielding

3m 0f 160y

16:15 Punchestown

Ciel De Neige

12st 0lb

J: Mr B Dunleavy

T: Mary Ellen Doyle

prominent behind clear leader

33/1

3

2nd May 2025

Yielding

3m 0f 160y

16:15 Punchestown

Ciel De Neige

12st 0lb

J: Mr B Dunleavy

T: Mary Ellen Doyle

prominent behind clear leader

33/1

10th

1

23rd Sep 2024

Good

2m 3f 188y

Class 4

16:15 Sedgefield

Ciel De Neige

12st 0lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Ben Haslam

Formerly smart; yet to be placed for Ben Haslam (mostly chasing) but mark continues to fall and there have been positive signs; not ruled out.

7/1

Form: /011P- C

Last run: 241 days

W: 10st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 148

Form & Verdict
Winner of both completed races over fences, including at the first attempt in a 2m2f event at last year's festival; backed that up at Roscommon in September; let down by his jumping in the Drinmore and did not appear again until a handsome Flat maiden won at Leopardstown in June; should be in prime shape now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(8)

22nd Aug 2025

Good

2m 0f 180y

20:15 Killarney

Enniskerry

11st 7lb

J: Mr Finian Maguire

T: Barry Connell

An 11yo who remains capable of running well on the Flat and he's been in good form over jumps, going close in the Grade 3 Grimes Hurdle at Tipperary before a respectable run in the Galway Hurdle; others are preferred but he can give his running.

8/1

4

31st Jul 2025

Good

2m 0f 11y

16:30 Galway

Enniskerry

11st 7lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: Barry Connell

Grade 3 winner over fences, rated 150 in that sphere; won a handicap hurdle from a mark of 134 at Leopardstown last Christmas; now promoted to 145 after a fine second to Jesse Evans at Tipperary with Sunchart, Gaucher and Winter Fog among those behind.

12/1

2nd

7

3rd Jul 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 0y

18:10 Tipperary

Enniskerry

11st 1lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: Barry Connell

Grade 3 winner over fences and best hurdle run when scoring off 134 at Leopardstown over Christmas; entitled to need this and it's a tough looking return to action.

16/1

Form: 314P4- D

Last run: 95 days

W: 10st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 146

Form & Verdict
Last season's Leopardstown Chase winner over 2m5f Dublin Racing Festival; ran well to take fourth behind Corach Ranbler in the Ultima at Cheltenham; pulled-up after four out in the Irish Grand National; much better again when fourth in big Sandown handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

19

2nd May 2026

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 90y

14:30 Punchestown

The Goffer

11st 7lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

Third reserve; second to Vanillier in P P Hogan Memorial over C&D in February and most recently a close third (beaten 1.25l) to Busselton in 4m1f La Touche here on Thursday; big player if turning out again.

3rd

13

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

4m 1f 11y

15:40 Punchestown

The Goffer

11st 7lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Fourth behind Stumptown in the 2025 Glenfarclas Chase; went on to finish third in the Topham and fifth in this race; twice second over the shorter course here this season, behind Desertmore House in November and behind Vanillier in February; may rebound after below-par effort at Cheltenham.

4/1

10th

13

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 5f 56y

Class 2

15:20 Cheltenham

The Goffer

10st 5lb

J: Josh Williamson

T: Gordon Elliott

Has made the frame at two Cheltenham Festivals, more recently when staying on from long way off the pace to take fourth behind Stumptown in this race in 2025 (good to soft); returns here after a pretty good second to Vanillier on Bank course at Punchestown (3m1f, soft to heavy) but, from out of the weights, is effectively 5lb higher than last year; sports first-time cheekpieces.

14/1

Form: 72-284

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 0lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 141

Form & Verdict
Only a 14-1 chance when unseated rider at the first in this last year; looks held by Foxy Jacks on running in the Midlands National at Kilbeggan, a race she won last season.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

7

20th Oct 2024

Good

3m 0f 0y

15:50 Limerick

Hurricane Georgie

11st 2lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Gordon Elliott

4-28 over fences; respectable seventh in the Galway Plate and reappeared four days later to win a conditions event at the same venue, beating the 14lb-conceding Easy Game with Janidil third; did not jump well in Kerry National.

14/1

16

25th Sep 2024

Good

2m 7f 180y

16:20 Listowel

Hurricane Georgie

10st 10lb

J: Kevin Sexton

T: Gordon Elliott

Is 4-27 over fences, including Midlands National at Kilbeggan in 2022; respectable seventh in the Galway Plate and reappeared four days later to win a conditions event at the same venue; first-time with cheekpieces; lowest-rated of stable's five runners.

25/1

Form: 2343U-

Last run: 109 days

W: 11st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 155

Form & Verdict
Best run last season was over 3m when second in the Troytown; went up 5lb for that and remains on a mark that looks very demanding; badly hampered and unseated at the ninth (Valentines) in the Grand National.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

11th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 7f 0y

19:37 Killarney

Lifetime Ambition

11st 11lb

J: Mr Derek O’Connor

T: P M J Doyle

Third when odds-on for this race 12 months ago; he'll run better this time if he can repeat his close fourth behind some class acts at Punchestown (3m, yielding).

2/1

4th

9

1st May 2026

Yielding

3m 0f 160y

16:15 Punchestown

Lifetime Ambition

12st 0lb

J: Mr J L Scallan

T: P M J Doyle

7-14 in points and a five-time winner on the track; has often run well in races at this level, notably when second to Its On The line in this race in 2024 and third in the 2025 Aintree Foxhunter; no match for Panda Boy at Thurles in January; readily outpointed by Wonderwall at Dromahane 19 days ago

12/1

2nd

5

18th Jan 2026

Yielding

3m 0f 184y

15:55 Thurles

Lifetime Ambition

11st 11lb

J: Ms E C Costello

T: P M J Doyle

Thoroughly reliable performer on points, seven wins and five seconds from 13 starts; also a five-time winner under rules with smart form in this category; best of the Irish when third in last season's Aintree Foxhunters; beaten odds-on chance when third to Bartlemy Boy at Killarney in May; won readily at Turtulla nine weeks ago; rider doing well in points.

11/2

Form: 30506- CD

Last run: 109 days

W: 10st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
No further success since winning the Galway Blazers here at the 2021 festival; fifth behind Gabbys Cross in the same race last year; down the field in the Magners at Cheltenham before gallant sixth in the Grand National; warmed up for this with a recent Flat run; 3lb wrong.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

9

3rd Feb 2025

Soft To Heavy

3m 0f 193y

13:00 Punchestown

Born By The Sea

11st 4lb

J: Jack G Gilligan

T: Paul John Gilligan

Talented on his day but hasn't produced his best for some time; pulled up in his last two starts in point-to-points; can only be watched on his Cross Country debut.

16/1

11th

9

3rd Feb 2025

Soft To Heavy

3m 0f 193y

13:00 Punchestown

Born By The Sea

11st 4lb

J: Jack G Gilligan

T: Paul John Gilligan

Talented on his day but hasn't produced his best for some time; pulled up in his last two starts in point-to-points; can only be watched on his Cross Country debut.

16/1

10th

6

2nd Aug 2024

Good

2m 6f 111y

18:00 Galway

Born By The Sea

11st 4lb

J: Jack G Gilligan

T: Paul John Gilligan

midfield

12/1

Form: 5683U- CD

Last run: 109 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 143

Form & Verdict
Won the Galway Blazers here last year off a 6lb lower mark; has tended to make the odd mistake in valuable handicaps; unseated at 15th (Chair) in the Grand National and absent since.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

12

25th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 146y

Class 1

15:30 Sandown

Gabbys Cross

10st 7lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Nick Scholfield

Ex-Irish 11yo (six races for current yard) who has not won since 2022 but went close with first-time cheekpieces (kept since) over 3m2f at Newbury in February; second of three at Ascot (3m) in another veterans' race next time was creditable in the end, after he'd been detached at one point; that helps to envisage him as a stayer but he jumped poorly on heavy in Scottish National (40-1, pulled up) last week and this race also looks tough.

66/1

14

18th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 7f 176y

Class 1

15:35 Ayr

Gabbys Cross

11st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Nick Scholfield

Ex-Irish 11yo (five races for current yard) who has not won since July 2022 but nearly put that right in first-time cheekpieces (kept since) over 3m2f at Newbury in February, losing out in the final strides; second of three at Ascot (3m) three weeks ago was creditable in the end, after he'd been detached at one point, and that helps to envisage him as a stayer, but this race is so much tougher.

33/1

2nd

3

29th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 185y

Class 2

16:50 Ascot

Gabbys Cross

11st 8lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Nick Scholfield

Ex-Irish 11yo (four races for current yard) who has not won since July 2022 but so nearly put that right in first-time cheekpieces at Newbury four weeks ago when Copperhead wrested back the advantage in the final strides; back up 4lb and Sean Bowen takes over; clearly capable of a bold show.

9/4

Form: 3FB2F-

Last run: 110 days

W: 10st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 139

Form & Verdict
Two wins in novice races last season were achieved in weak races; absent since Topham fall; Gabbys Cross is probably the main hope for the stable that won this in 2015 and 2017.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

15

30th Apr 2024

Yielding

2m 3f 93y

15:05 Punchestown

Upping The Anti

10st 10lb

J: Rachael Blackmore

T: Henry De Bromhead

midfield

20/1

10th

15

30th Apr 2024

Yielding

2m 3f 93y

15:05 Punchestown

Upping The Anti

10st 10lb

J: Rachael Blackmore

T: Henry De Bromhead

midfield

20/1

5th

4

2nd Mar 2024

Heavy

2m 4f 0y

14:40 Navan

Upping The Anti

11st 10lb

J: Rachael Blackmore

T: Henry De Bromhead

Had been struggling this winter but definite step back in the right direction at Naas last time when only beaten 2l; will relish the longer trip and he acts on this ground.

6/1

Form: U1F1-4 CD

Last run: 74 days

W: 11st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 167

Form & Verdict
Winner of the bet365 Gold Cup, this race, and the Grand National Hurdle in America inside six months last year; beaten when falling two from home in the Cheltenham Gold Cup; won Grade 2 at Sandown and emerged with credit when fourth in Grade 1 stayers' hurdle at Auteuil; 12lb higher than last year; the prospect of testing ground for his repeat bid is a concern.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 7f 110y

16:15 Punchestown

Hewick

12st 0lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: John Joseph Hanlon

Has been a fantastic standard-bearer for his yard, winning 12 races between hurdles and fences including the King George in 2023; hasn't been at that level in the last year but ran respectably in the Stayers' Hurdle; has to bounce back from a poor Aintree run.

20/1

3

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

15:05 Aintree

Hewick

11st 10lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: John Joseph Hanlon

Career highlight when winning the King George over fences at Kempton in December 2023; won two conditions hurdles last year; gave it a very good go from the front when seventh in the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham (3m, good) last month following wind surgery but this 11yo is probably vulnerable once more.

22/1

7th

5

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

15:20 Cheltenham

Hewick

11st 10lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: John Joseph Hanlon

Career highlight when winning the 2023 King George and he was running well when falling two out in the Gold Cup here that year; won two conditions hurdles last year; soundly beaten behind Impose Toi in Grade 2 Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury (3m, soft) in November last time and, although he's had a wind op and better ground may aid his cause, this 11yo looks up against it.

33/1

Form: F5P16- C

Last run: 98 days

W: 10st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
Ended lean spell with when winning 2m6f Leopardstown handicap in March; well beaten off revised mark in Punchestown race won by Hereditary Rule; others have much stronger credentials; stable supplied the 2014 winner.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

9th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 194y

Class 4

18:40 Hereford

Lieutenant Command

12st 2lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tim Reed

Regressive and inconsistent 11yo; belied triple-digit odds when runner-up in gruelling race at Carlisle (2m5f, soft) in December, his second start for Tim Reed, but the rest of last season's form was disappointing; now back with Tim Reed after two runs for Tristan Davidson; not an easy one to predict.

10/1

2nd

1

9th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 194y

Class 4

18:40 Hereford

Lieutenant Command

12st 2lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tim Reed

Regressive and inconsistent 11yo; belied triple-digit odds when runner-up in gruelling race at Carlisle (2m5f, soft) in December, his second start for Tim Reed, but the rest of last season's form was disappointing; now back with Tim Reed after two runs for Tristan Davidson; not an easy one to predict.

10/1

1

25th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 15y

Class 4

16:50 Hexham

Lieutenant Command

12st 2lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tristan Davidson

prominent, not fluent 2nd, not fluent 3rd, soon lost ground, unseated 7th

10/1

Form: 1351-0

Last run: 74 days

W: 11st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 160

Form & Verdict
Former top-class bumper horse; limitations evident as a novice hurdler and novice chaser; found his niche when making all for an unchallenged win on handicap debut in a 2m5f contest at the Punchestown festival; towards the rear in Auteuil Grade 1 hurdle in which Hewick was fourth; 12lb higher than at Punchestown, but further progress is feasible; stable selected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

21st Apr 2025

Soft To Heavy

2m 3f 170y

16:20 Fairyhouse

Kilcruit

11st 4lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: W P Mullins

Has run only five times since a runaway Punchestown festival handicap chase success in 2023; failed to beat a single opponent in his two races this season; only mild encouragement from last month's third over hurdles at Thurles.

20/1

7

21st Apr 2025

Soft To Heavy

2m 3f 170y

16:20 Fairyhouse

Kilcruit

11st 4lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: W P Mullins

Has run only five times since a runaway Punchestown festival handicap chase success in 2023; failed to beat a single opponent in his two races this season; only mild encouragement from last month's third over hurdles at Thurles.

20/1

3rd

4

15th Mar 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 6f 42y

16:15 Thurles

Kilcruit

11st 0lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: W P Mullins

Has run only four times since a runaway Punchestown festival handicap chase success in 2023; has failed to beat a single opponent in two runs this season, the first in a hurdle race at Limerick

10/1

Form: /4PP-3 D

Last run: 65 days

W: 10st 1lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Struggled in three runs last season, failing to complete twice in valuable handicaps; has had a run over hurdles this term; that should have helped his confidence, but the stable has stronger candidates.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

18th May 2024

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 3

18:30 Uttoxeter

Fighter Allen

12st 0lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

took keen hold, prominent

25/1

1

18th May 2024

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 3

18:30 Uttoxeter

Fighter Allen

12st 0lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

took keen hold, prominent

25/1

Form: 1115F- D

Last run: 110 days

W: 10st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 149

Form & Verdict
Made giant strides over fences last term, winning five in a row over a range of distances; 10lb rise for Dublin Festival win found him out when he managed only fifth in the Grand Annual; fell at the 13th (Valentines) in the Topham; should be in top shape for this after Flat handicap win at Bellewstown.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

29

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Final Orders

10st 5lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Gavin Cromwell

10yo who's had 70 races (only one of today's rivals has managed even half that) and won 11; latest was the 3m5f cross-country at Cheltenham Festival, comfortably holding off Favori De Champdou for career-best form off the same mark as today; having taken so well to that discipline (he also won there in December) and produced his best performances away from soft ground, he has to be considered seriously.

25/1

1st

3

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 5f 56y

Class 2

15:20 Cheltenham

Final Orders

10st 9lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Gavin Cromwell

High-mileage 10yo who took very well to this C&D (good) in December, winning quite comfortably by just over 4l; weakened into fifth in soft-ground C&D contest won by Favori De Champdou in January but ran well for a long way and ought to be better suited by the less testing conditions today; each-way claims at least.

7/1

5th

2

24th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 5f 56y

Class 2

13:50 Cheltenham

Final Orders

11st 12lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

High-mileage 10yo who took very well to this C&D (good) last month, leading from the ninth fence and beating J'Arrive De L'Est quite comfortably by over 4l; went up 9lb for that, though, and may not be ideally suited by the slower ground today.

4/1

Form: 336F5- D

Last run: 98 days

W: 11st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 155

Form & Verdict
Former Grade 1 novice chaser winner; failed to add to his tally after Grade 2 Down Royal win last November, third in two Grade 1s at Leopardstown; early faller in Grand National; never in the hunt in Punchestown Gold Cup; has done much of his racing at the top level; Jack Kennedy aboard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

3rd Jun 2024

Good

2m 3f 0y

16:20 Listowel

Fury Road

11st 2lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Gordon Elliott

in rear, detached from 3rd, pulled up with one circuit to go

20/1

4th

3

13th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 100y

18:40 Killarney

Fury Road

11st 8lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

in touch with leaders, pushed along briefly after 10th, struggling and weakened after 4 out

20/1

4th

3

13th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 100y

18:40 Killarney

Fury Road

11st 8lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

in touch with leaders, pushed along briefly after 10th, struggling and weakened after 4 out

20/1

OUR TIP

Form: 0111-1 C

Last run: 58 days

W: 11st 4lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 159

Form & Verdict
Terrific money-spinner in small-field conditions events since finishing second in this event two years ago; has won eight of his last nine races, the exception being this race last season when beaten around 18l in tenth behind Hewick; his cause was not helped by interference then; may find a few too good.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

4th Aug 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 6f 111y

14:55 Galway

Easy Game

11st 10lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

prominent, briefly led 7th

5/2

18th

2

31st Jul 2024

Good

2m 6f 111y

19:10 Galway

Easy Game

11st 10lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: W P Mullins

midfield, bad mistake 4th

20/1

1st

1

3rd Jun 2024

Good

2m 3f 0y

16:20 Listowel

Easy Game

11st 12lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

raced in third behind clear leader, went second halfway, clear with one other 5 out, nudged along to lead 2 out, shaken up and went clear run-in

6/4

Form: 3788U-

Last run: 98 days

W: 10st 9lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 150

Form & Verdict
Second in the 2022 Grand Annual, never found his best form last season; up against it now judging by performances at Cheltenham and Punchestown festivals.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

16th Mar 2024

Heavy

2m 6f 193y

16:15 Thurles

Andy Dufresne

11st 0lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

Promise behind Zanahiyr in October but really struggled for form since; tailed off in Grade 2 chase latest; drops in class at least.

10/1

5th

3

2nd Mar 2024

Heavy

2m 4f 90y

16:23 Navan

Andy Dufresne

11st 3lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Gordon Elliott

raced wide

8/1

15th

5

4th Feb 2024

Soft

2m 0f 0y

15:50 Leopardstown

Andy Dufresne

11st 6lb

J: Kevin Sexton

T: Gordon Elliott

Five career wins but out of form for some time and looks up against it here.

50/1

Form: F0U-21

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 147

Form & Verdict
Game front-running winner of the Midlands National at Kilbeggan; that was his first success in over two years and the extra 8lb may anchor him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

4th May 2024

Yielding

3m 0f 90y

14:30 Punchestown

Foxy Jacks

12st 3lb

J: Gavin Brouder

T: M F Morris

4-29 over fences, including Midlands National at Kilbeggan last summer and a Cheltenham cross-country race (3m5f, good to soft) last November, having failed to compete on two earlier attempts at that course; finished third behind Delta Work over C&D in November 2022; struggling a long way from home in the Grand National.

9/2

3

4th May 2024

Yielding

3m 0f 90y

14:30 Punchestown

Foxy Jacks

12st 3lb

J: Gavin Brouder

T: M F Morris

4-29 over fences, including Midlands National at Kilbeggan last summer and a Cheltenham cross-country race (3m5f, good to soft) last November, having failed to compete on two earlier attempts at that course; finished third behind Delta Work over C&D in November 2022; struggling a long way from home in the Grand National.

9/2

12

13th Apr 2024

Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

15:00 Aintree

Foxy Jacks

11st 4lb

J: Gavin Brouder

T: M F Morris

Best of his runs on heavy was his win in a maiden hurdle in 2020; fell in the 2022 Topham over these fences; won a Cheltenham cross-country race (3m5f, good to soft) in November, having come a cropper on two earlier attempts at that course, but this 8lb higher mark seems to demand another major career best.

40/1

Non-runners

Gevrey, Hereditary Rule, Vina Ardanza

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €153.50
Straight Forecast €95.78
Tricast €862.50
Trifecta €2087.60

Selections

RP RATINGS (IRE):

The Goffer

SPOTLIGHT:

Ash Tree Meadow

The Irish Sun:

Hollow Games

POSTDATA:

Easy Game

TOPSPEED:

Fury Road