16.17
SoftW.B. Gavin & Co. Handicap Hurdle
- Prize money: £11486.73
- 2m 5f 200y
- 15 runners
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Runners: 15 runners
Type: Hurdle Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Scattered showers
11/2 (Won)
- Win: £4.20
- Place: £1.50
Form: 232-43
Last run: 35 days
W: 11st 12lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 138
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 3 (7) |
8th Jul 2026 Good To Firm 1m 5f 200y |
9st 8lb |
Smart staying hurdler/chaser, midfield in BetMGM Handicap at Cheltenham in March when last seen; lightly raced on Flat, winning 1m5f Ballinrobe maiden last season, well held in Leopardstown handicap subsequently; may just need this comeback run with Galway on the horizon. |
8/1 |
|
40 |
11th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 4m 2f 74y Class 1 |
10st 2lb
|
Reserve; far better known as a smart hurdler, runner-up at this meeting in 2023 and 2024, with latter race the 3m Grade 1; below form over jumps over the last year, however, and he looks poorly handicapped (particularly from 4lb wrong) judged on his results over fences. |
100/1 |
|
11th 5 |
11th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 5f 0y Class 1 |
11st 8lb |
Third in the 2m4f Martin Pipe at this meeting in 2023; creditable fifth in last year's Grade 1 Stayers' here but he's not really sparked since, including over fences; 6lb lower now than his peak British mark; equipped with cheekpieces on latest outing (stiff task) and today. |
40/1 |
7/1
- Place: £2.60
Form: 83U-07 C
Last run: 38 days
W: 10st 8lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 120
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 5 |
28th Jun 2026 Good 2m 7f 70y Class 2 |
11st 2lb |
Campaigned mostly in veterans' chases during his spell with Nick Scholfield and this return to hurdles isn't guaranteed to produce a positive result on debut for another new stable; hasn't won since 2022. |
20/1 |
|
8th 12 |
25th Apr 2026 Good 3m 4f 146y Class 1 |
10st 7lb |
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 |
11st 0lb |
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 |
10/1
- Place: £6.80
Form: 1/PPP-
Last run: 304 days
W: 10st 13lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 125
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4 |
16th May 2025 Good 3m 0f 50y |
11st 6lb |
11yo runner whose last win came in a handicap chase last year (2m4f, yielding); beaten 29l when last seen; may want it softer but cannot be totally ruled out. |
12/1 |
|
4 |
16th May 2025 Good 3m 0f 50y |
11st 6lb |
11yo runner whose last win came in a handicap chase last year (2m4f, yielding); beaten 29l when last seen; may want it softer but cannot be totally ruled out. |
12/1 |
16/1
Form: 15146- D
Last run: 212 days
W: 10st 0lb
7 yo Mare
OR: 110
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5 |
16th Mar 2024 Heavy 2m 1f 192y |
11st 7lb |
prominent, lost ground and dropped to midfield halfway, weakened and pulled up before 5 out |
8/1 |
|
3rd 5 |
7th Feb 2024 Heavy 2m 5f 65y |
11st 7lb |
4-19 over hurdles; fair fourth at Cork on latest, previously a moderate seventh at Limerick in December when bidding to repeat last season's success in a 2m4f mares' handicap hurdle; best run in 2023 when fourth behind the progressive Buddy One over 2m6f at Galway in October; lacks chasing experience. |
8/1 |
12/1
Form: 25033-
Last run: 212 days
W: 10st 2lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 114
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 4 |
30th Jan 2024 Soft To Heavy 2m 5f 0y |
11st 2lb |
Two wins over hurdles, the most recent over 3m at Thurles nearly two years ago; seasonal best on return to his original trainer when second over 3m at this venue after Christmas; unplaced in a handicap of a higher standard at Fairyhouse last time; stablemate Bal De Rio is marginally better suited by the race conditions but lacks a recent run. |
3/1 |
|
7 |
13th Jan 2024 Soft 3m 0f 0y |
11st 0lb |
Two wins over hurdles include over this trip at Thurles nearly two years ago; seasonal-best on return to original trainer when second over this trip at Limerick over Christmas on heavy; 3lb rise for that so more needed. |
13/2 |
8/1
Form: 3U141- D
Last run: 212 days
W: 10st 4lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 116
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
25th Oct 2025 Yielding 2m 2f 54y |
11st 5lb |
Three-time hurdles winner (rated 123) at around 2m4f on soft/heavy; absent since pulled up after never travelling at Fairyhouse in February but has run well fresh so don't rule out on chase debut. |
12/1 |
8/1
Form: 74125-
Last run: 184 days
W: 10st 8lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 120
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 5 |
25th May 2026 Good 3m 1f 83y Class 2 |
11st 7lb |
Returned to form with two placed runs towards end of last season (2m7f/3m, good), and wasn't beaten far when eighth, behind Al Sayah, at Haydock (3m, good) this month; Sean Bowen rides here; can make presence felt. |
11/1 |
|
8th 10 |
9th May 2026 Good 3m 0f 58y Class 2 |
10st 6lb |
Inconsistent and only 1-18 under rules; placed twice from four starts over C&D, including when third to Serious Chat on latest start, but there appear to be more potent options among his rivals. |
12/1 |
|
3rd 10 |
15th Apr 2026 Good 3m 0f 58y Class 2 |
10st 7lb |
Only 1-17 but has flashes of smart form in good handicaps and easily his best run for ages when a rallying second at Bangor last month (2m7f, good; effective on softer); weighted to win races and seriously considered. |
6/1 |
8/1
Form: 3FF9-2
Last run: 29 days
W: 10st 6lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 118
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 9 |
25th May 2026 Good 2m 3f 136y |
11st 3lb |
Pair of Limerick wins last season and fair fourth to Supreme Jet at Wexford on latest chase start; well beaten in last year's renewal and best on testing ground. |
12/1 |
|
14th 19 |
28th Apr 2026 Yielding 2m 3f 81y |
10st 6lb |
Three-time chase winner is 0-23 over hurdles; rated 12lb lower in this sphere but failed to exploit his lesser mark on last start over timber at Gowran; cheekpieces need to eke out more. |
33/1 |
|
4th 11 |
10th Apr 2026 Good To Yielding 2m 3f 100y |
10st 4lb |
In good form this season, gaining second Limerick win last month, coming late under patient ride to win going away (2m4f) on preferred heavy ground; nudged up to near career-high mark now and quicker ground a slight concern. |
7/1 |
20/1
Form: F9-508 BF
Last run: 26 days
W: 10st 0lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 107
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9 |
21st Oct 2025 Good 2m 4f 35y Class 4 |
10st 5lb |
Unable to justify prominence in the betting when well beaten at Kelso (2m5f, good) this month and remains without a win since 2021; others have much more appealing profiles. |
20/1 |
|
12 |
24th Sep 2025 Good To Soft 2m 4f 35y Class 4 |
10st 5lb |
Soundly beaten over 3m here this month and remains without a win since Irish maiden success in 2021; continues to slide down the weights and may benefit from this drop back in trip but still makes only limited appeal. |
20/1 |
7/1
Form: /480-1
Last run: 26 days
W: 10st 3lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 115
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 7 |
5th Apr 2026 Good To Yielding 3m 0f 15y |
11st 0lb |
Two-time winner was well beaten in this last year but ran a nice race on sole start since at Fairyhouse (3m2f, yielding) in January; 3lb rise for that 6l second seems harsh and this is harder but he has to be considered for yard that won this in 2024. |
9/1 |
|
17th 11 |
20th Apr 2025 Good To Yielding 3m 0f 80y |
11st 1lb |
Without a win over timber since October 2023 at Fairyhouse (3m, soft) off 102 and remains 8lb above that mark; has been out of form this season and no signs of a revival when pulled up on latest; others hold stronger claims. |
40/1 |
|
17th 11 |
20th Apr 2025 Good To Yielding 3m 0f 80y |
11st 1lb |
Without a win over timber since October 2023 at Fairyhouse (3m, soft) off 102 and remains 8lb above that mark; has been out of form this season and no signs of a revival when pulled up on latest; others hold stronger claims. |
40/1 |
10/1
Form: 42155-
Last run: 222 days
W: 11st 7lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 133
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2 |
28th Jan 2025 Good To Soft 2m 7f 91y Class 3 |
11st 12lb |
Lost his way for Gordon Elliott and sold on for 22,000euros; the form of his first three races for this yard stacks up well (from 2m4f to 3m) and reportedly bled when below par last time; definite chance should the wheels stay on. |
15/2 |
|
2 |
28th Jan 2025 Good To Soft 2m 7f 91y Class 3 |
11st 12lb |
Lost his way for Gordon Elliott and sold on for 22,000euros; the form of his first three races for this yard stacks up well (from 2m4f to 3m) and reportedly bled when below par last time; definite chance should the wheels stay on. |
15/2 |
|
6th 3 |
7th Dec 2024 Good To Soft 3m 0f 45y Class 3 |
11st 2lb |
in touch with leaders, hit 7th |
5/1 |
16/1
Form: -32554
Last run: 43 days
W: 10st 0lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: 113
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6 |
16th Apr 2026 Soft 2m 5f 100y |
10st 9lb |
Won Ballinrobe maiden hurdle for Gordon Elliott on debut in April 2023 but not seen since down the field in Galway handicap 901 days ago; first run for new yard; best watched. |
14/1 |
|
12th 13 |
28th Oct 2023 Soft 2m 5f 200y |
10st 0lb |
Ballinrobe debut maiden winner in April and has run respectably since without showing major progression, latest Downpatrick novice fourth to a stablemate possibly his best effort; opposable on second handicap attempt (1lb wrong). |
16/1 |
16/1
Form: 17-090 D
Last run: 18 days
W: 10st 0lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 112
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 7 |
16th May 2026 Good 2m 7f 70y Class 2 |
10st 4lb |
Veteran; mixes chasing with hurdling; sound run over hurdles when beaten a neck at Perth last time (3m2f, good); not out of it, but Sean Bowen rides stable companion Secret Trix. |
8/1 |
|
2nd 12 |
24th Apr 2026 Good 3m 2f 127y Class 3 |
10st 9lb |
Had lots of racing in Ireland before joining this yard last year; returned from a wind operation to win this 12 months ago off this very mark but he's an 11yo now and his last two runs, over fences and hurdles, weren't that encouraging. |
12/1 |
|
7th 6 |
23rd Jan 2026 Good To Soft 3m 1f 5y Class 4 |
11st 6lb |
Had lots of racing in Ireland before joining this yard last year; won a 3m2f handicap hurdle at Perth last April (good to soft; 2lb lower) and one of his three recent chase runs was very respectable; exposed but has each-way claims. |
12/1 |
16/1
Form: 45P-39 BF
Last run: 13 days
W: 11st 6lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 132
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8th 1 |
25th Apr 2025 Good To Yielding 2m 3f 200y |
11st 12lb |
prominent |
6/1 |
|
8th 1 |
25th Apr 2025 Good To Yielding 2m 3f 200y |
11st 12lb |
prominent, stumbled after 2 out, soon jockey looked down to see if something was amiss and eased |
6/1 |
10/1
Form: 3U16F- D
Last run: 300 days
W: 11st 9lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 135
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
16th 11 |
4th Feb 2024 Yielding To Soft 2m 5f 107y |
10st 9lb |
Three-time winner over fences but pulled up in both runs this season and up against it. |
100/1 |
|
0 1 |
23rd Dec 2023 Good To Soft 2m 2f 175y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
Useful for Willie Mullins, including when third of 15 finishers in the Galway Plate (2m6f, good; has won on soft/heavy) in July 2022; however, he has failed to complete in two starts this year, pulling up for new yard over hurdles in October, and has something to prove back over fences. |
20/1 |
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | €36.10 |
| Straight Forecast | €22.16 |
| Tricast | €382.88 |
| Trifecta | €325.30 |
Selections
The Irish Sun:
Shadow Rider