January 28 / 13.35 Naas

13.35

Soft To Heavy

Download The BetVictor App Maiden Hurdle

  • Prize money: £6413.04
  • 1m 7f 112y
  • 16 runners
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Download The BetVictor App Maiden Hurdle

Runners: 16 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Windy

2/1 (Won)

  • Win: £1.70
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 53

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: —

Form & Verdict
Two wins for Andrew Balding at two; failed to prosper when ambitiously campaigned last season; bought for 62,000gns; encouraging hurdle debut when fifth of 19 at Leopardstown last month; found a pair of Willie Mullins-trained fillies too good at Fairyhouse; not entered for the Triumph.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

7th Sep 2026

Good

2m 2f 54y

18:41 Galway

Ndaawi

11st 12lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

Very high class handicap hurdler; second in the County Hurdle and was awarded the Galway Hurdle in 2025; warmed up for this by winning a charity Flat race at the Curragh; the one to beat on his chase debut.

7/4

1st

2

29th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

17:25 Curragh

Ndaawi

12st 9lb

J: Ms N Carberry

T: Gordon Elliott

The 2025 Galway hurdle winner but was poor this time around and has questions to answer; won on the Flat in May; Nina Carberry back.

2/1

12th

3

30th Jul 2026

Good

2m 0f 11y

16:30 Galway

Ndaawi

11st 11lb

J: James Smith

T: Gordon Elliott

Promoted winner of this race last year after receiving critical interference; has been mixing hurdling and Flat action since then, down the field in the County Hurdle; beat the very useful Absurde in a conditions' hurdle at Cork in April; kept ticking over with an odds-on Flat win in a 1m6f Listowel contest two months ago; 7lb higher than last year.

8/1

20/1

  • Place: £7.90

Form: 70

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Filly

OR: —

Form & Verdict
0-5 on the Flat for Andrew Balding (rated 69); bought for 10,000gns, ran respectably at 125- on hurdles debut at Leopardstown, beaten 15l without landing a blow; did not quite match that form at Punchestown on second attempt.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

11

(10)

27th Aug 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 110y

19:45 Bellewstown

Barrier

11st 0lb

J: Mr J M Halford

T: Gordon Elliott

slowly into stride, in rear, headway from over 3f out, ran on inside final furlong, went third final strides, nearest finish

11/1

8th

13

(9)

31st Jul 2024

Good

2m 0f 110y

20:15 Galway

Barrier

9st 12lb

J: Keithen Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

slowly into stride, towards rear

20/1

6th

3

(5)

7th Jul 2024

Good To Firm

2m 1f 0y

17:15 Limerick

Barrier

10st 0lb

J: Keithen Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

towards rear

6/1

14/1

  • Place: £3.90

Form: 08

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: —

Form & Verdict
Left Richard Hannon for 85,000gns after an emphatic 1m2f handicap win at York in September; mid-field finish on hurdles debut at Leopardstown; similar at Punchestown, leaving him with plenty to find.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

19th Oct 2026

Good

2m 3f 166y

Class 3

16:00 Plumpton

Palamon

11st 11lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Back in good nick in refitted cheekpieces at Southwell (2m4f, good) on Tuesday, winning easily by 32l in a small field; it's tricky to gauge what that form is worth but, nevertheless, he commands respect under 7lb penalty.

2/1

1st

3

13th Oct 2026

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

15:10 Southwell

Palamon

11st 13lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Now only 3lb higher than for his easy win at Bangor in March (2m4f, good) but was entitled to run better than he did when favourite last time at Worcester.

100/30

5th

6

25th Sep 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

14:05 Worcester

Palamon

11st 5lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Now only 4lb higher than for his easy win at Bangor in March (2m4f, good) and latest run at Cartmel was okay as 2m1f around there was probably too sharp; possible.

9/2

OUR TIP

Form: —

Last run: —

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: —

Form & Verdict
180,000gns yearling; never ran for for William Haggas; rated 83 after three runs for this stable last September; showed ability over 1m2f on debut before narrowly a landing 1m4f Listowel maiden on soft-to-heavy; third in a five-runner event at Bellewstown a week later; could have a future over hurdles
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

23rd Aug 2024

Good

2m 2f 120y

17:25 Kilbeggan

Charming Star

11st 9lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: T G McCourt

prominent, not fluent 2nd, pressed leader and 5th, disputing second when fell 2 out

16/1

10th

5

(22)

31st Jul 2024

Good

2m 0f 110y

20:15 Galway

Charming Star

10st 1lb

J: James Ryan

T: T G McCourt

prominent

40/1

3rd

5

15th Jul 2024

Good

2m 5f 185y

17:00 Downpatrick

Charming Star

11st 2lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: T G McCourt

Hasn't been at his best on the Flat the last twice (effective in that scene) but he's talented and won a 2m maiden hurdle at Navan in March without much fuss, fulfilling the promise of his initial effort in a good race at Naas; just a worry that those best efforts have been in the mud and this trip represents a new venture.

10/1

Form: 29

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Filly

OR: —

Form & Verdict
1-15 on the Flat; went off 7-2 for hurdling debut at Cork and ran a pleasing race to finish 8l second to a Joseph O'Brien-trained odds-on shot; finished behind Ndaawi and Barrier when ninth in 19-runner Punchestown maiden a month ago
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

29th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 145y

19:00 Tramore

Evenings Empire

10st 13lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: James M Barcoe

Dual-purpose; 0-11 over timber; pulled up over C&D on last start in this sphere; tailed off on Flat at Leopardstown latest; Brianna Lily looks yard's best chance.

28/1

18th

3

(20)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 180y

19:57 Leopardstown

Evenings Empire

10st 1lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: James M Barcoe

On a losing run since 1m5f Down Royal win in July 2024; badly out of form (Flat and hurdles) last year.

33/1

Form: 00

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: —

Form & Verdict
74-rated on the Flat, winning 1m4f Dundalk AW handicap on final start for Ger Lyons; has failed to feature in two runs over hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

3

30th Mar 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 5f 185y

14:20 Downpatrick

Caulaincourt

11st 13lb

J: Richard Deegan

T: Peter John Flood

not fluent 1st

25/1

16th

10

2nd Mar 2025

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 0y

14:57 Leopardstown

Caulaincourt

11st 2lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Peter John Flood

Dual-purpose; sole win on the Flat came on the AW off 67 over 1m4f for Ger Lyons; no impact in a trio of maiden hurdles on testing ground but drying track will suit on his handicap debut; could improve and is worth a market check.

33/1

11th

9

(11)

1st Mar 2024

Standard

2m 0f 0y

17:45 Dundalk (AW)

Caulaincourt

11st 8lb

J: Miss Georgie Benson

T: Peter John Flood

Landed a 1m4f handicap here for Ger Lyons in November; campaigned over hurdles by his current trainer, running respectably behind Boodles hopeful Ndaawi at Naas; blinkers back on here and not without a chance if he stays.

10/1

Form: 00

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: —

Form & Verdict
Showed a useful level of form in AW novice company in Britain for the Gosdens, rated 75; will need more hurdling experience judging by runs at Leopardstown and Cork; Jack Kennedy on Ndaawi.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

18th Oct 2025

Good

2m 6f 7y

Class 5

17:05 Stratford

Leading Lion

10st 13lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Max Comley

Won over hurdles for Gordon Elliott; lost his way for his next yard and struggles continued on debut for this one.

50/1

7

27th Sep 2025

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 5

18:15 Market Rasen

Leading Lion

11st 4lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Max Comley

Won over hurdles for Gordon Elliott in Ireland last summer but in poor form over hurdles and on the Flat for Tracy Leeson this year; makes debut for latest new stable with huge amount to prove; blinkers removed.

33/1

8

(10)

25th Aug 2025

Good

1m 2f 190y

Class 6

17:33 Ripon

Leading Lion

10st 8lb

J: Mr Joseph Stevenson

T: Tracey Leeson

Has been poor under both codes since his sole success over hurdles in Ireland a year ago; blinkers will need to have a dramatic effect.

66/1

Form: 38

Last run: 64 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: —

Form & Verdict
Modest Flat form but showed more promise when a distant third on hurdling debut at Down Royal wearing a first-time tongue-tie; failed to build on that at Punchestown a fortnight later.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

31st Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

13:00 Uttoxeter

San Guido

12st 0lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Martin Keighley

prominent, mistake 5th, lost ground quickly after 4 out, soon struggling then pulled up

10/1

1

31st Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

13:00 Uttoxeter

San Guido

12st 0lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Martin Keighley

prominent, mistake 5th, lost ground quickly after 4 out, soon struggling then pulled up

10/1

3rd

3

10th Mar 2024

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

14:00 Limerick

San Guido

11st 7lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

raced in second, pressed leader home turn, no impression when not fluent last, lost second towards finish

7/2

Form: 2

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: —

Form & Verdict
Difficult to place after winning a 1m Cork maiden last April; ended the Flat season with a mark of 86; adapted satisfactorily to hurdling and handled testing conditions when 8l second to a Willie Mullins-trained odds-on shot; had 1 3/4l to spare over Base Money who new renews rivalry
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

29th Aug 2026

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 5

14:05 Cartmel

Mr Lincoln

11st 9lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Iain Jardine

Below form on the Flat three weeks ago and now 0-13 since joining Iain Jardine but was second to Alvesta over C&D (good) on latest hurdling start and is also suited by slower ground; no surprise if he features.

8/1

8th

2

(13)

8th Aug 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

18:30 Ayr

Mr Lincoln

10st 2lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Did well to finish third after stumbling at the start at Carlisle (1m1f, good) last month and has since run well over hurdles; no issue with track, trip or ground conditions and has possibilities for a trainer who has won this three times since 2021.

12/1

2nd

1

18th Jul 2026

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 5

14:35 Cartmel

Mr Lincoln

11st 12lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Iain Jardine

0-10 over hurdles but made the frame on last three attempts, losing out only by a short head on one occasion; placed twice on the Flat lately will be suited by today's trip/ground; good chance.

7/2

Form: 6

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: —

Form & Verdict
Operated at a low level on the Flat, placed twice; moderate sixth of nine finishers on hurdling debut at Fairyhouse.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

(14)

20th Sep 2025

Yielding To Soft

1m 0f 0y

15:27 Gowran Park

So Messi

8st 11lb

J: Luke McAteer

T: T G McCourt

Maiden has been placed a few times including over C&D this year; not so good at Bellewstown last time but this ground suits and not out of it.

12/1

11th

13

(2)

26th Aug 2025

Yielding

0m 7f 195y

16:55 Bellewstown

So Messi

8st 11lb

J: Robert Whearty

T: T G McCourt

Maiden with some good runs off low mark this season, over this trip at Gowran and Killarney on soft; trip too far on AW latest; don't rule out from a good draw, more rain the better.

7/1

13

(12)

15th Aug 2025

Standard

1m 2f 150y

17:45 Dundalk (AW)

So Messi

8st 11lb

J: Robert Whearty

T: T G McCourt

Maiden has run well on two of last three starts on soft but different conditions today so a question about handling them.

14/1

9/2

Form: —

Last run: —

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: —

Form & Verdict
Useful 92-rated performer on the Flat; won twice last season, a middle-distance maiden at Down Royal in June by 8l, and a 1m2f Curragh handicap on soft-to-heavy in October; met trouble in running when appearing under a penalty at Naas three days later; one of two Triumph Hurdle entrants in the line-up
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

8

(17)

30th Aug 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 4f 0y

17:15 Cork

Dutch Gold

9st 10lb

J: Adam Caffrey

T: Noel Meade

Is well handicapped on old form and likes soft ground but losing run stretches back to 2023 and hasn't fired this season; needs a revival.

25/1

10th

1

(4)

22nd Jun 2026

Yielding

1m 5f 0y

20:00 Ballinrobe

Dutch Gold

10st 0lb

J: Adam Caffrey

T: Noel Meade

Two wins in 2023; regressive form this year; mid-field last time at Fairyhouse when ridden by Colin Keane who deserts him to ride stablemate Sonic Invader; blinkered first time.

20/1

9th

11

(2)

12th Jun 2026

Good

1m 6f 40y

19:20 Fairyhouse

Dutch Gold

9st 7lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Noel Meade

A long time since his last win, under Keane at the Curragh in 2023 off 13lb higher (1m2f, soft to heavy); not far away again under Keane last summer at Cork (1m4f, good); form since then has been poor, but interesting that Keane is aboard again now.

22/1

Form: —

Last run: —

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: —

Form & Verdict
Ex-Jack Channon; placed in first three starts before winning a 1m Redcar maiden on good ground last May; failed to repeat that form in three handicap runs; gelded now; cheekpieces worn on Flat are left off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

(8)

16th Oct 2026

Heavy

0m 7f 212y

Class 3

14:52 Haydock

Milteye

9st 5lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Harriet Bethell

Two-time soft-ground winner who won off 3lb higher at Ripon (1m, good to soft) in April; however, his subsequent form has been mixed and he was beaten a long way at Hamilton (1m, soft) recently.

16/1

11th

9

(12)

28th Sep 2026

Soft

1m 0f 68y

Class 3

15:29 Hamilton

Milteye

9st 6lb

J: Ethan Tindall

T: Harriet Bethell

Won narrowly off 1lb higher at Ripon in April to end a spell that improved his strike-rate markedly; has lacked consistency since, however, and failed to show his form in lower grade most recently.

20/1

6th

1

(4)

17th Sep 2026

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 4

16:08 Pontefract

Milteye

10st 2lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: Harriet Bethell

Likes give underfoot but has won on good ground; on last winning mark (April) and he was closing on the principals in a Class 2 at Ripon late last month; respected in his bid to go one better than 12 months ago.

8/1

Form: 6

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: —

Form & Verdict
Four-race maiden on the Flat but showed some ability (rated 71); jumped badly and tailed off in Fairyhouse event in which Ndaawi was third.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

8

(1)

7th Aug 2024

Yielding

1m 2f 110y

17:00 Sligo

Jupiter Rock

9st 6lb

J: J M Sheridan

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

led narrowly, headed over 3f out, eased from over 1f out

11/2

3rd

9

(1)

17th Jul 2024

Good

1m 0f 40y

16:45 Killarney

Jupiter Rock

9st 4lb

J: J M Sheridan

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

soon pressed leader, lost second but prominent after 1f, challenging when ridden from 2f out, no extra when lost second inside final furlong

12/1

Form: 12-1

Last run: 154 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Filly

OR: —

Form & Verdict
Two wins and a second from three AQPS appearances in France; from ties in with Kaleosun, a Galway maiden hurdle winner for Gordon Elliott, but twice well beaten since raised in class; easy 5l win last August was on good ground, but she handled heavy when beating Kaleoson first time out last March; entered for the Triumph.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

7

16th Jul 2026

Good

2m 1f 0y

19:20 Killarney

Katakana

11st 5lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Dual bumper winner in France; won a Thurles handicap hurdle last October, but was poor at Cheltenham next time; market can guide on return with yard in form.

15/2

1st

2

16th Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 172y

14:47 Thurles

Katakana

11st 10lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

A winner of two of her three French bumper starts but has been underwhelming in her Irish career to date; well beaten in opening two handicap hurdles and switch to fences didn't help at Wexford last time.

18/1

9th

6

23rd Jul 2025

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 0y

15:38 Wexford

Katakana

11st 10lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Dual bumper winner in France; not a bad attempt on sole effort over fences at Downpatrick in September when third (2m2f, good); modest improvement over poor seasonal return when sixth at this track earlier this month (2m1f, good); enters handicap chase company for the first time.

5/1

Form: 7

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: —

Form & Verdict
7f maiden winner on heavy ground at two for Michael Halford; last of seven behind Paddington in the Madrid Handicap at Naas on only start last year; jumped badly and tailed off on hurdling/stable debut in Fairyhouse event in which Ndaawi was third.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

20th Apr 2025

Yielding To Soft

2m 4f 0y

16:45 Fairyhouse

Imadpour

11st 7lb

J: Mr J H Williamson

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Won as a 2yo on the Flat (heavy); now getting it together over hurdles and he comfortably saw off six rivals at Bellewstown last week (2m1f, good); 9lb higher for this trickier assignment but has the wind in his sails.

7/1

11

20th Apr 2025

Yielding To Soft

2m 4f 0y

16:45 Fairyhouse

Imadpour

11st 7lb

J: Mr J H Williamson

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Won as a 2yo on the Flat (heavy); now getting it together over hurdles and he comfortably saw off six rivals at Bellewstown last week (2m1f, good); 9lb higher for this trickier assignment but has the wind in his sails.

7/1

1st

5

12th Apr 2025

Good

2m 1f 40y

15:15 Bellewstown

Imadpour

10st 11lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Flat winner is starting to find his feet in handicap hurdles; was a solid third at Leopardstown before being just denied at Wexford, both over 2m; this longer trip should suit and can go well up 4lb.

2/1

Form: —

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: —

Form & Verdict
Faded in final quarter-mile on debut in a bumper at this venue, major improvement needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16th

14

28th Jan 2024

Soft To Heavy

1m 7f 112y

13:35 Naas

Squire Darlin

11st 7lb

J: Thomas Reilly

T: Michael Mulvany

midfield

100/1

10th

8

12th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 0f 0y

15:47 Naas

Squire Darlin

11st 10lb

J: Mr E Finegan

T: Michael Mulvany

First foal; dam runner-up at 1m4f (RPR 68)/twice-raced maiden hurdler, out of 1m2f/1m4f Flat and 2m2f hurdle winner Miss Ailbhe; home-bred newcomer and likely to be suited by the ground; best watched on debut though.

50/1

Non-runners

Base Money

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €43.30
Straight Forecast €31.26
Trifecta €310.00

Selections

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Ndaawi

SPOTLIGHT:

Katakana

The Irish Sun:

Katakana

TOPSPEED:

Ndaawi

POSTDATA:

Ndaawi