January 24 / 14.05 Fairyhouse

14.05

Heavy

Easter Festival Early Bird Maiden Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5130.43
  • 2m 0f 0y
  • 15 runners
RTV
View Course
Easter Festival Early Bird Maiden Hurdle

Runners: 15 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

8/13 (Won)

  • Win: £1.40
  • Place: £1.02

Form: 1-2 D BF

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Made easy work of a bumper on rules debut; beaten at odds on when debuting over hurdles at Leopardstown on Stephen's Day; jumping right didn't help there but can build on that and may be the one to beat.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

1st May 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 75y

15:05 Punchestown

Mirazur West

11st 1lb

J: Jody McGarvey

T: W P Mullins

Grade 2-winning hurdler got off the mark over fences at the fourth time of asking when landing standard Cork beginners' (2m1f, yielding) 11 days ago, doing it from the front; won't be allowed to dictate things here but opening mark is fair and is another worthy of respect for the Mullins stable.

15/2

40/1

  • Place: £4.00

Form: 64

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Point winner; ran okay on bumper debut before lesser effort over timber; return to shorter trip unlikely to help.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

4th Jul 2025

Good

2m 3f 110y

15:50 Wexford

Al Gasparo

11st 12lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

Rated 139 over hurdles; made all for three wins over hurdles last year; career best when winning a 20-runner Leopardstown handicap last Christmas (2m4f, good to yielding); bombed out on his first try over fences at Ballinrobe last time (2m1f, good); is better than that.

9/2

1

26th May 2025

Good

2m 1f 54y

18:00 Ballinrobe

Al Gasparo

11st 12lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

Made all for three wins over hurdles last year; career best at Leopardstown (2m4f, good to yielding) last Christmas when taking 20-runner handicap; dropped away in the straight in the Coral Cup; won a point-to-point for Ciaran Murphy in 2023; should make a useful novice chaser.

5/2

1

26th May 2025

Good

2m 1f 54y

18:00 Ballinrobe

Al Gasparo

11st 12lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

Made all for three wins over hurdles last year; career best at Leopardstown (2m4f, good to yielding) last Christmas when taking 20-runner handicap; dropped away in the straight in the Coral Cup; won a point-to-point for Ciaran Murphy in 2023; should make a useful novice chaser.

5/2

33/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 65

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in a point; hasn't managed to build on that under rules and return to 2m unlikely to help.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

8th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 5

15:15 Market Rasen

Jasmin De Cotte

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Gifted a 2m4f Uttoxeter race two starts back (soft), and 3m was clearly too far last time; not wholly convincing, but his one win on merit came at this time of year in 2024 on good (2m4f); tongue-tie added.

3/1

3rd

8

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 10y

Class 4

15:45 Uttoxeter

Jasmin De Cotte

11st 6lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Ex-Irish 7yo; well held in his first three runs for Dan Skelton and he was around 17l down when he was gifted a race here (2m4f, soft) two weeks ago; this is a deeper contest and he has work to do to back up in trip.

8/1

1st

3

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:45 Uttoxeter

Jasmin De Cotte

11st 9lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Dan Skelton

Well treated on best Irish form but has rather lost his way, latterly for new stable; best watched unless the market suggests a resurgent display is likely.

8/1

Form: 00

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Shown nothing at triple figure odds in two runs so far.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

30th Sep 2024

Yielding To Soft

2m 4f 63y

15:25 Roscommon

Glenriver

11st 4lb

J: P J O’Hanlon

T: Dermot A McLoughlin

Went closest over 2m3f at Downpatrick in April; well below that form since (refused to race once) and cheekpieces need to work.

28/1

12th

5

25th Jul 2024

Good

2m 0f 150y

19:05 Wexford

Glenriver

11st 7lb

J: P J O’Hanlon

T: Dermot A McLoughlin

Was fourth in a Downpatrick handicap in April but has been below that level twice since; refused to start at Bellewstown recently; risky.

22/1

Form:

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Was only 4-1 for a maiden hurdle at Limerick last month and likely better than that performance when tailed off; this is probably deeper so might be best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

15th Feb 2024

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

13:45 Clonmel

Interieur Cuir

11st 12lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: Henry De Bromhead

Soundly beaten in two maiden hurdles; needs this for a handicap mark.

20/1

5th

10

24th Jan 2024

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

14:05 Fairyhouse

Interieur Cuir

11st 4lb

J: Rachael Blackmore

T: Henry De Bromhead

Was only 4-1 for a maiden hurdle at Limerick last month and likely better than that performance when tailed off; this is probably deeper so might be best watched.

10/1

11th

5

28th Dec 2023

Soft To Heavy

2m 0f 0y

12:20 Limerick

Interieur Cuir

11st 4lb

J: Mike O’Connor

T: Henry De Bromhead

midfield

11/2

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 11lb

8 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Ocovango mare; half-sister to 2m hurdle winner Occidental Lady; dam well beaten in maiden hurdles; half-sister to 2m4f-3m hurdle/chase winner Gortinard; newcomer likely best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16

16th Jun 2025

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 100y

18:18 Kilbeggan

Realtin Lonrach

10st 3lb

J: Sean Cleary-Farrell

T: M F O’Dowd

Has failed to complete four of her last five outings; highly risky in the circumstances.

50/1

13

27th Mar 2025

Yielding To Soft

2m 2f 152y

17:45 Clonmel

Realtin Lonrach

10st 5lb

J: Richard Deegan

T: M F O’Dowd

0-12 over hurdles; best effort a 3.75l third at Wexford (2m1f, yielding to soft) in May 2024; failed to complete three of last four, unseating on latest when 28-1; more needed.

28/1

16

13th Mar 2025

Yielding

2m 6f 150y

13:34 Limerick

Realtin Lonrach

10st 5lb

J: P J O’Hanlon

T: M F O’Dowd

brought down 6th

20/1

Form: 00

Last run: 29 days

W: 10st 11lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Has not been involved in two maiden hurdles so far at triple figure odds and tough ask here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

21st Jan 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 33y

14:10 Down Royal

Del Girl

11st 4lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Shane Crawley

Went very close at Punchestown in June (2m4f, good) but well below that form twice since, soft ground may not have suited latest; back on better ground here so respected.

9/1

8

21st Jan 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 33y

14:10 Down Royal

Del Girl

11st 4lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Shane Crawley

Went very close at Punchestown in June (2m4f, good) but well below that form twice since, soft ground may not have suited latest; back on better ground here so respected.

9/1

19th

15

8th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 4f 0y

15:25 Cork

Del Girl

11st 2lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Shane Crawley

soon midfield, in touch with leaders when not fluent 6th

10/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Modest performer who is 0-12 on the level and not bred for this; hard to fancy.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

17

(21)

29th May 2024

Soft

1m 4f 110y

17:08 Tipperary

Camino Mission

8st 12lb

J: Jack Cleary

T: Seamus Fahey

18-race maiden under both codes and never placed; has more to prove than a lot of these.

40/1

12th

1

17th May 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 0y

16:25 Kilbeggan

Camino Mission

11st 12lb

J: Kevin Sexton

T: Seamus Fahey

17-race maiden under both codes and always opposable in maidens with a mark of 88.

16/1

12th

1

17th May 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 0y

16:25 Kilbeggan

Camino Mission

11st 12lb

J: Kevin Sexton

T: Seamus Fahey

17-race maiden under both codes and always opposable in maidens with a mark of 88.

16/1

Form:

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Tailed off when 200-1 for a maiden hurdle at Clonmel earlier this month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

3rd Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

16:55 Perth

Shuil Na Tra

11st 10lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Iain Jardine

Ex-Irish 7yo with 1-10 strike-rate over hurdles, the win gained at Sligo (3m1f, soft) last summer; out of form when last seen in the winter; considered only if lively in the betting before this stable debut.

14/1

12

27th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 7f 0y

16:10 Punchestown

Shuil Na Tra

11st 4lb

J: G B Noonan

T: Norman Lee

Big-priced winner over 3m2f at Sligo last summer on soft but pulled up on two of three outings since, including at Limerick last month after mistake four out; hard to be confident in.

16/1

19th

12

27th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 7f 0y

16:10 Punchestown

Shuil Na Tra

11st 4lb

J: G B Noonan

T: Norman Lee

Big-priced winner over 3m2f at Sligo last summer on soft but pulled up on two of three outings since, including at Limerick last month after mistake four out; hard to be confident in.

16/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Promising third of 14 (eight finishers) in a point at Taylorstown; winner and runner-up from that contest have both run okay under rules since; much more required here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

19th Oct 2024

Good

2m 5f 0y

16:25 Limerick

Harveyshonor

11st 9lb

J: Conor Owens

T: R Donohoe

midfield, slightly hampered 1st

9/1

7

30th Sep 2024

Yielding To Soft

2m 4f 63y

15:25 Roscommon

Harveyshonor

11st 7lb

J: Conor Owens

T: R Donohoe

Well beaten in maidens but put up a better effort on handicap debut at Killarney in July; could be more closely involved with improvement if handling this ground.

10/1

4th

9

18th Jul 2024

Good To Firm

2m 4f 85y

18:37 Killarney

Harveyshonor

11st 7lb

J: Conor Owens

T: R Donohoe

midfield, headway 5 out, kept on approaching last, ran on and went fourth towards finish

25/1

Form:

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Tailed off when 150-1 for his debut and hard to recommend on that evidence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

20

1st Jan 2025

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 110y

13:50 Fairyhouse

Do The Math

10st 3lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Shane Crawley

Beaten a long way in four maidens and on handicap debut last time; needs a transformation in cheekpieces.

40/1

20

1st Jan 2025

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 110y

13:50 Fairyhouse

Do The Math

10st 3lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Shane Crawley

midfield, not fluent 1st, jumped slightly left and not fluent 3rd, lost position when reminders after 4th, dropped to rear when pulled up before 5th

40/1

18th

17

8th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 4f 0y

15:25 Cork

Do The Math

11st 1lb

J: Kieren Buckley

T: Shane Crawley

towards rear, jumped left 5th, pushed along briefly after 6th

33/1

OUR TIP

Form: 0U

Last run: 3 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Modest Flat form and poor in two runs over timber so far.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

18th Nov 2025

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

14:05 Limerick

Boston Bongo

10st 1lb

J: Harry Sexton

T: E Sheehy

Maiden was too keen when well beaten at Clonmel last time but overall form needs improving upon.

22/1

9th

13

23rd Oct 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 205y

14:52 Clonmel

Boston Bongo

10st 11lb

J: Miss P Elvin

T: E Sheehy

Placed only once from 14 starts over hurdles; soundly beaten in fifth at Downpatrick on latest, though that was one of his better displays.

20/1

14

19th Sep 2025

Yielding

2m 1f 165y

15:21 Downpatrick

Boston Bongo

10st 3lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: E Sheehy

Winless from 18 starts, only making the podium once; tailed off on the Flat at Tramore in July and same story over hurdles at Wexford last time; new headgear combination employed now.

33/1

Form: 22

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Point winner; was turned over when runner-up in a course bumper here in November; improved form when runner-up in a maiden hurdle at Leopardstown on St Stephen's Day and likely contender again here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

5

24th Jan 2024

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

14:05 Fairyhouse

D B Cooper

11st 4lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

soon pressed leaders, mistake 3rd

5/4

8

26th Dec 2023

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 0y

12:00 Leopardstown

D B Cooper

11st 7lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Purchased for £225,000 last April after beating the favourite Prends Garde A Toi in a maiden at Ballyknock on his only start for Sean Doyle; beaten at odds-on in a bumper at Fairyhouse, while Prends Garde A Toi suffered the same fate at Punchestown; reservations on that score but holds obvious chance nonetheless.

11/4

2nd

2

24th Nov 2023

Soft To Heavy

2m 0f 0y

15:15 Fairyhouse

D B Cooper

12st 0lb

J: Mr H C Swan

T: Gordon Elliott

Purchased for £225,000 at Goffs Aintree sale last April after beating a Gigginstown/Colin Bowe favourite Prends Garde A Toi in a maiden at Ballyknock on his only start for Sean Doyle; battled well after being outjumped at the last; the runner-up is now housed with Elliott and was also entered for this event; stable in superb form.

4/5

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Not beaten far when third in a point on only start to date, likely up against it here on rules debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

14th Jan 2026

Yielding

2m 5f 150y

15:25 Fairyhouse

Darcys Friend

11st 11lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Emmet Mullins

Progressive over hurdles last year, and form went to a new level when a well-backed runner-up on chase debut at Killarney (2m7f, yielding) in October, where he might have won but for a mistake; too keen and didn't get home at Cheltenham later that month; didn't jump so fluently back over hurdles at Cork and was already in trouble when hampered at two out; needs to bounce back.

8/1

6th

10

25th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 44y

Class 3

13:10 Cheltenham

Darcys Friend

10st 10lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Emmet Mullins

Progressive over hurdles this year (2m-2m4f) and form went to new level when runner-up on recent chase debut at Killarney (2m7f, yielding), where he might have won but for a bad mistake two out; the handicapper has reacted but this 6yo could have a big shout for his respected Irish trainer.

7/1

3

3rd Oct 2025

Yielding

2m 4f 40y

16:55 Gowran Park

Darcys Friend

11st 7lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Emmet Mullins

Left form for previous yard behind when landing a touch on debut for this yard at Leopardstown (2m, yielding) in March; hiked up 17lb and came up short off his revised mark at Tipperary (2m, gd-yld); must improve for this longer trip.

10/1

Form:

Last run: 73 days

W: 10st 11lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Was only 7-1 for a mares' bumper on debut but was too keen and finished tailed off; may do better but tough ask.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

1

(7)

21st Jul 2024

Good

1m 4f 0y

16:55 Curragh

Hollies Choice

10st 0lb

J: Wesley Joyce

T: Oliver McKiernan

towards rear throughout, detached from 3f out

200/1

13th

2

(10)

28th Jun 2024

Good

1m 2f 0y

18:40 Curragh

Hollies Choice

10st 1lb

J: Wesley Joyce

T: Oliver McKiernan

Shown nothing over jumps or on the Flat so far.

100/1

8th

7

(7)

22nd Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 4f 175y

17:45 Down Royal

Hollies Choice

9st 4lb

J: Wesley Joyce

T: Oliver McKiernan

In rear in a bumper; has struggled over hurdles; transformation needed with tongue-tie on for Flat debut.

100/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €48.50
Straight Forecast €51.35
Trifecta €324.70

Selections

RP RATINGS (IRE):

D B Cooper

SPOTLIGHT:

Mirazur West

TOPSPEED:

D B Cooper

POSTDATA:

D B Cooper

The Irish Sun:

Mirazur West