January 29 / 15.40 Punchestown

15.40

Soft

Book Your Festival Hospitality Now Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5130.43
  • 2m 4f 0y
  • 14 runners
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Book Your Festival Hospitality Now Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

16/1 (Won)

  • Win: £10.80
  • Place: £3.40

Form: /004-9

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Was fancied and ran well when fourth on handicap debut in late 2022; creditable mid-field finish on return from over a year off at Naas; first run beyond 2m.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

13

13th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

17:50 Punchestown

Silent Flight

10st 12lb

J: Michael Kenneally

T: Philip M Byrne

Heavy-ground winner over 2m4f at this venue in January 2024; out of sorts over fences last year; getting on in years now.

20/1

10

1st Jul 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 120y

14:48 Tipperary

Silent Flight

11st 2lb

J: Aidan Kelly

T: Philip M Byrne

Heavy ground hurdles winner has fallen and pulled up on his last two starts over fences; trip probably too far on latest at Punchestown but he may need softer ground than this.

40/1

10/1

  • Place: £2.40

Form: 0000-6

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
From a shrewd outfit and unexposed; caught the eye on handicap debut here a year ago; money for him next time but made no impact; drifted like a barge before finishing sixth at Clonmel after nine months off; note the betting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

7th Jul 2024

Good

2m 3f 194y

16:15 Sligo

Moonlight Getaway

11st 10lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Donal Hassett

Connections clearly think 8yo has a day in him, favourite when second over this trip at Punchestown in January and again when finding one too good in Thurles chase the following month; poor run when last seen in March; interesting to see what he can do on better ground if he's ready.

11/2

8th

2

21st Mar 2024

Soft To Heavy

2m 4f 0y

15:23 Cork

Moonlight Getaway

11st 13lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Donal Hassett

Well-backed favourite when runner-up in a 2m4f handicap hurdle at Punchestown in January, form boosted by third-placed Balum; again headed the market when second over fences at Thurles four weeks ago; should be hard to beat.

11/4

2nd

7

22nd Feb 2024

Soft

2m 6f 16y

14:53 Thurles

Moonlight Getaway

11st 9lb

J: Mr Derek O’Connor

T: Donal Hassett

jumped right on occasions, didn't always jump with fluency, soon midfield, lost position when not fluent 5th, headway 3 out, went second and switched left before last, kept on but no match for winner

7/2

18/1

  • Place: £9.70

Form: 45995-

Last run: 478 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Mare showed ability in bumpers and when last seen in Fairyhouse maiden hurdle; handicap debut after long lay-off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

4th Mar 2024

Heavy

3m 0f 0y

16:00 Leopardstown

Balum

11st 13lb

J: Mr J P Sutton

T: Dermot A McLoughlin

Mare has had an interrupted campaign but has returned from 478-day absence in fine form in 2m4f Punchestown handicaps recently, latest when winning under today's rider on heavy; good chance she'll stay this longer trip and 11lb rise workable.

9/2

1st

1

21st Feb 2024

Heavy

2m 4f 41y

16:25 Punchestown

Balum

12st 0lb

J: Mr J P Sutton

T: Dermot A McLoughlin

travelled strongly, soon prominent, led after 2nd, joined before 4th, raced wide when led narrowly before 2 out, went clear going best approaching last, stayed on, eased towards finish

6/1

3rd

2

29th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 4f 0y

15:40 Punchestown

Balum

11st 12lb

J: Mr J P Sutton

T: Dermot A McLoughlin

Mare showed ability in bumpers and when last seen in Fairyhouse maiden hurdle; handicap debut after long lay-off.

18/1

Form: 0998

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Modest late headway when mid-division over 2m at Limerick on handicap debut and half-brother/dam both won over this trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

1st Jun 2026

Yielding

2m 3f 0y

15:32 Listowel

Knockbrack Rambler

11st 12lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Brendan Maurice Walsh

No closer than 20l in five defeats over fences and was pulled up back hurdling last time; testing ground was no excuse as he enjoys the mud.

10/1

8

16th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 3f 60y

15:55 Limerick

Knockbrack Rambler

11st 5lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Brendan Maurice Walsh

C&D winner off 94 in December 2024; enjoys the mud; jumping issues evident in five poor chase attempts this season; needs to do better but a return to hurdling should help.

20/1

8th

10

31st Mar 2026

Soft

2m 3f 128y

18:12 Limerick

Knockbrack Rambler

10st 7lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Brendan Maurice Walsh

One of his two hurdle wins came at this track; has been soundly beaten in four handicap chases lately and needs to do better.

16/1

Form: 0P9314 C

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 5lb

13 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Heavier the better for doughty veteran who ground it out to beat Quornofamonday at Fairyhouse in November; probably more of a place prospect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

12

14th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 3f 170y

14:30 Down Royal

Glenabo Bridge

10st 6lb

J: James Duggan

T: Oliver McKiernan

in touch with leaders early, midfield when not fluent and pushed along 5th, weakened and dropped to rear after 6th, tailed off before 3 out

12/1

14th

12

14th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 3f 170y

14:30 Down Royal

Glenabo Bridge

10st 6lb

J: James Duggan

T: Oliver McKiernan

in touch with leaders early, midfield when not fluent and pushed along 5th, weakened and dropped to rear after 6th, tailed off before 3 out

12/1

11th

28

4th Apr 2024

Soft To Heavy

2m 2f 180y

16:15 Naas

Glenabo Bridge

10st 9lb

T: Oliver McKiernan

Third reserve; running okay in defeat of late but probably needs further these days.

OUR TIP

Form: 5-623P BF

Last run: 5 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Maiden had an excuse for last week's disappointing run when favourite at Fairyhouse; placed in similar big-field handicaps on previous two starts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

14th Apr 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 5f 180y

18:55 Tramore

Gold Haven

11st 12lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Paul W Flynn

Maiden under all codes but has good C&D form; narrowly denied in this race last year and also second here in June; better for Navan return after nearly six months off.

7/1

3rd

2

14th Apr 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 5f 180y

18:55 Tramore

Gold Haven

11st 12lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Paul W Flynn

Maiden under all codes but has good C&D form; narrowly denied in this race last year and also second here in June; better for Navan return after nearly six months off.

7/1

25/1

Form: 3PP0-0

Last run: 256 days

W: 11st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Unbeaten in two points and placed in a bumper; nothing in maidens and starts off in handicaps after a lay-off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

11

13th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

19:20 Punchestown

Joes Turn

11st 4lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Mark Michael McNiff

In good form early last year, scoring by a head at Punchestown (3m, yielding) off 80; beaten a neck off revised mark at Thurles next time (3m1f, good to yielding); fell at the fifth at Kilbeggan when last seen in April; has tended to improve with a run in the past, but player if returning in the same form.

11/1

Form: 836502

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Ex-Jim Bolger gelding has run well in two of his three handicap starts, notably when second in a big field here last month (winner just failed to follow up); stamina to prove on first run over this far.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

3rd Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

16:05 Fairyhouse

Verbal Sparring

11st 7lb

J: Carl Millar

T: Desmond McDonogh

Won at Down Royal last time in a tongue-tie, his second win over hurdles; 7lb rise looks plenty but still respected; handles soft so could be fine on this ground.

11/2

1st

3

20th Jan 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 1f 33y

14:20 Down Royal

Verbal Sparring

11st 13lb

J: Carl Millar

T: Desmond McDonogh

Good ground Sligo winner in June 2024 off 3lb lower; lightly raced since, didn't get beyond the first at Navan last time; tongue-tie now tried, hard to be confident in.

25/1

8th

5

28th Oct 2024

Yielding

2m 0f 100y

14:10 Wexford

Verbal Sparring

11st 6lb

J: Carl Millar

T: Desmond McDonogh

Softer the better for 5yo although he handled good ground when gaining a deserved first win at Sligo in June; not beaten far at same venue in August.

9/2

Form: 0-0322 BF

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Up 7lb in total for solid placed efforts in last three handicaps (2m/2m4f), favourite each time; goes well through his races, slight stamina query stepping back up to this trip but should be thereabouts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

2nd May 2026

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 90y

14:30 Punchestown

Quornofamonday

12st 3lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: J P Dempsey

Gained a second chase success with a good display over 2m2f at Thurles in February (soft); well held twice since (blinkered last time) and second experience of the banks here, having never counted in this race last year.

16/1

8th

2

24th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 210y

19:29 Kilbeggan

Quornofamonday

11st 12lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: J P Dempsey

Gained a second chase success with a good display over 2m2f at Thurles in February; pulled up at the same venue on next start; jockey lost an iron at an early fence at Fairyhouse, and was unseated four out; blinkered for the first time now.

12/1

12

4th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 5f 45y

15:15 Fairyhouse

Quornofamonday

10st 9lb

J: Ms L A Byrne

T: J P Dempsey

Gained a second chase success with a good display over 2m2f at Thurles in February; pulled up at the same venue last time after a 7lb rise; vulnerable on overall form.

16/1

Form: 056800

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Hasn't done much yet although handicap debut when mid-field at Limerick over Christmas was respectable; tailed off over longer trip here since.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

9th Sep 2024

Soft

2m 6f 97y

17:05 Galway

Clyde The Glide

10st 13lb

J: Philip Donovan

T: Patrick G Kelly

15-race maiden whose best efforts have been over shorter distances; not in the best of form right now and blinkers are tried.

25/1

16

6th Aug 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 5f 147y

19:30 Roscommon

Clyde The Glide

10st 0lb

J: Miss L Costello

T: Patrick G Kelly

0-14 under Rules, not a bad run at Limerick in May when beaten 6.5L in a 2m3f handicap chase off 77; looked a non-stayer over further the last twice and this drop back in trip should suit but it is hard to make a solid case for him.

33/1

10th

16

19th Jul 2024

Good

2m 7f 0y

16:50 Killarney

Clyde The Glide

10st 4lb

J: Philip Donovan

T: Patrick G Kelly

First reserve; yet to hit the frame in 13 career starts; best effort when sixth in a handicap chase at Limerick (2m4f, good) in May; needs to find more.

Form: 006007

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Soundly beaten in first three handicaps and now steps back up in trip; hard to fancy despite respect for stable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

4th Mar 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 180y

17:22 Naas

Johnny Cakes

11st 2lb

J: Tiernan Power Roche

T: P J Rothwell

One win from 20 starts over hurdles; that win came over 2m4f at Punchestown on heavy ground in February last year off 78; good effort when third of 24 at Fairyhouse on New Year's Day (2m4f, yielding) but way below that level at Navan; a little hard to trust.

7/1

Form: 556-0P

Last run: 248 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Hurdling debut fifth, with several subsequent winners behind, in 24-runner Fairyhouse maiden last spring makes him of interest but has shown nothing since; first run since being pulled up on handicap bow in May; headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

3

22nd Jan 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 110y

13:10 Gowran Park

Portnacoo

11st 8lb

J: Adam Leahy

T: John Joseph Hanlon

Four-time hurdles winner; not solid on his form this term, latterly for new yard; unseated rider at Taunton over fences on latest; best form is on better ground than this.

25/1

2

23rd Oct 2025

Yielding

2m 4f 51y

15:52 Clonmel

Portnacoo

11st 9lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: John Joseph Hanlon

Three wins at Downpatrick and one at Carlisle which was the latest in February; showed nothing in two runs since that win but encouraging signs when fourth at Gowran 20 days ago and he's back on his last winning mark.

5/1

Form: 531454 BF

Last run: 71 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Prominent in the market all starts since joining upwardly mobile yard last summer and has been solid since winning over 2m at Fairyhouse; fair efforts over this trip but yet to match his 2m form; Kennedy has ridden winners for yard lately.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

12th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

15:50 Taunton

Brownstone

11st 11lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Grace Harris

Won two handicaps in Ireland; building some momentum for his new yard and probably needs further than the 2m2f he ran over at Exeter last time (stays 3m); needs considering.

20/1

5th

2

12th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

15:50 Taunton

Brownstone

11st 11lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Grace Harris

Won two handicaps in Ireland; building some momentum for his new yard and probably needs further than the 2m2f he ran over at Exeter last time (stays 3m); needs considering.

20/1

4th

1

6th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 2f 111y

Class 5

12:25 Exeter

Brownstone

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Grace Harris

Runner-up at Leicester (2m4f, good) last month on second stable start and again ran well when fourth at Ludlow (3m, good to soft) seven days later; won on soft ground in Ireland; could have a part to play.

7/1

Form: 03U9-4

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 7lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Experienced mare's sole win came a couple of years ago and was placed at Limerick last year; fair fourth over this trip at Clonmel on second outing after a lay-off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

17

22nd Apr 2024

Soft

2m 5f 110y

17:40 Tramore

Little Token

11st 2lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: J P O’Keeffe

First reserve; over two years since her sole success at Clonmel although definite encouragement from recent Limerick effort; this trip her limit.

7th

17

22nd Apr 2024

Soft

2m 5f 110y

17:40 Tramore

Little Token

11st 2lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: J P O’Keeffe

First reserve; over two years since her sole success at Clonmel although definite encouragement from recent Limerick effort; this trip her limit.

5th

15

11th Apr 2024

Heavy

2m 3f 0y

16:55 Limerick

Little Token

11st 1lb

J: Mike O’Connor

T: J P O’Keeffe

Over two years since her sole success at Clonmel; best run last year was at this venue; hard to fancy based on her last two starts.

16/1

Non-runners

Jacenry, Mythical Times, Oneforgonzo

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €62.20
Straight Forecast €38.18
Tricast €941.86
Trifecta €1331.50

Selections

POSTDATA:

Brownstone

SPOTLIGHT:

Moonlight Getaway

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Little Token

The Irish Sun:

Brownstone