January 30 / 14.35 Limerick

14.35

Soft To Heavy

Follow Limerick Racecourse On Twitter (C & G) Maiden Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5130.43
  • 2m 0f 0y
  • 14 runners
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Follow Limerick Racecourse On Twitter (C & G) Maiden Hurdle

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

6/4 (Won)

  • Win: £1.50
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 52-

Last run: 325 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Ran 11 times in France, nine on the Flat, two over hurdles; best Flat run when second in a 1m handicap on heavy ground at two; 10l clear of the third when runner-up at Auteuil last March on second run over hurdles; Grade 1 Cheltenham entries look optimistic but hardly insignificant.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

11th Jan 2025

2m 1f 50y

14:18 Fairyhouse

Mistergif

11st 12lb

J: J J Slevin

T: W P Mullins

midfield, in touch with leaders after 4th, went fourth after 7th

4/1

1st

6

11th Jan 2025

2m 1f 50y

14:18 Fairyhouse

Mistergif

11st 12lb

J: J J Slevin

T: W P Mullins

midfield, in touch with leaders after 4th, went fourth after 7th

4/1

6/1

  • Place: £2.20

Form: 524200

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in maiden hurdles on three occasions; last two runs have been in competitive handicaps at Leopardstown and Naas; well worth considering on his C&D second in November (a nose in front of Ask The Bookie); runner-up Champagne Admiral franked the form at Leopardstown.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

8th Mar 2025

Soft

2m 0f 30y

15:15 Gowran Park

Ballycallan King

12st 0lb

J: Sean Cleary-Farrell

T: Barry J Fitzgerald

disputed lead

25/1

10th

3

8th Feb 2025

Soft

1m 7f 158y

15:05 Naas

Ballycallan King

11st 7lb

J: Sean Cleary-Farrell

T: Barry J Fitzgerald

Handicap hurdle winner off 108 at Limerick (2m, heavy) in April; never in contention when a faller on chasing debut at that venue in December and never involved over hurdles at Clonmel latest; more needed.

18/1

10th

3

8th Feb 2025

Soft

1m 7f 158y

15:05 Naas

Ballycallan King

11st 7lb

J: Sean Cleary-Farrell

T: Barry J Fitzgerald

Handicap hurdle winner off 108 at Limerick (2m, heavy) in April; never in contention when a faller on chasing debut at that venue in December and never involved over hurdles at Clonmel latest; more needed.

18/1

Form: 6

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Some very good winners in his family; attracted the attention of the stewards over C&D first time out; noted staying on from well off the race; was found to be suffering from "mild heat stress post race"; open to improvement, tongue-tie on now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

1st Jun 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

14:57 Listowel

Wholelotofbusiness

11st 8lb

J: G B Noonan

T: Eoin Christopher McCarthy

Won a novice at Killarney in October (2m1f, yielding) and probably posted a similar effort when third in a handicap there last month; solid chance off an untouched mark.

4/1

3rd

5

9th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 0y

15:00 Killarney

Wholelotofbusiness

10st 11lb

J: G B Noonan

T: Eoin Christopher McCarthy

One of two for trainer; in decent form in the second half of last year, placing three times before gaining a C&D novice hurdle win (yielding); another positive effort when placed at Down Royal next time (2m1f, yielding) off 1lb lower; may come on for moderate return at Cork last time (2m3f, yielding).

10/1

OUR TIP

Form: P20/43

Last run: 70 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Second in a 2m4f Cork maiden two seasons ago; excellent effort after a long layoff when fourth at Galway in October; only a nose behind the much shorter-priced Ballycallan King here ten weeks ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

30th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 80y

15:51 Listowel

Ask The Bookie

12st 0lb

J: Daniel King

T: Gillian Scott

0-19 under rules; fairly modest form last season; others preferred.

20/1

12/1

Form: 35

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Beaten at 6-5 on debut in a seven-runner bumper at Downpatrick at the start of the season; faded quite tamely into fifth behind short-priced stablemate at Clonmel early this month; one of three for the stable this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

23rd May 2024

Good

3m 1f 110y

20:30 Limerick

Surf Club

11st 10lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: W P Mullins

in touch with leaders, prominent 6th

4/1

7

23rd May 2024

Good

3m 1f 110y

20:30 Limerick

Surf Club

11st 10lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: W P Mullins

Lightly-raced 8yo came good on chase debut in 2m6f Tramore beginners' chase last month (good), jumping well; beaten favourite back hurdling four days later at Downpatrick but race may have come too soon; ground remains in his favour but stamina concerns on handicap debut.

4/1

5th

5

26th Apr 2024

Yielding

2m 7f 55y

17:50 Downpatrick

Surf Club

11st 10lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

prominent behind clear leader, smooth headway and went second 2 out, weakened from last

7/4

6th
17
On Your Way

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Half-brother to a point winner; plenty of stamina in the family; third reserve.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

28th Jan 2025

Soft To Heavy

2m 0f 0y

15:40 Limerick

On Your Way

11st 2lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: C Byrnes

soon held up in last, headway 5th, pressed leaders before 6th, lost position when not fluent 4 out

3/1

1st

5

28th Jan 2025

Soft To Heavy

2m 0f 0y

15:40 Limerick

On Your Way

11st 2lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: C Byrnes

soon held up in last, headway 5th, pressed leaders before 6th, lost position when not fluent 4 out

3/1

4th

10

17th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 4f 0y

14:50 Cork

On Your Way

11st 12lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: C Byrnes

held up in rear, headway before 9th, in touch with leaders 4 out

3/1

Form:

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Made no impression in a C&D maiden in which stablemate Wholelotofbusiness caught the eye.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

4

19th Oct 2024

Good

2m 5f 0y

16:55 Limerick

Spavango

11st 11lb

J: G B Noonan

T: Eoin Christopher McCarthy

midfield

22/1

9th

5

27th Sep 2024

Soft

2m 6f 0y

15:50 Listowel

Spavango

11st 12lb

J: G B Noonan

T: Eoin Christopher McCarthy

Best effort when fourth on handicap debut at Limerick (2m, heavy) in March, nearest at the finish; ran too freely when last seen there but the step up in trip should help.

20/1

Form: 09

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed in a point in December 2021; tailed off here at Christmas; much better at Naas last time but needs to find a lot more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

29th Jan 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 4f 198y

13:25 Thurles

John The Diva

11st 12lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: M A Cahill

Two wins over hurdles, including here; fair form in beginners', second in 17-runner contest over 2m4f at Gowran in November (heavy) and pair well clear when runner-up at Punchestown this month (22.5f, soft); big chance in a race of this standard.

2/1

3rd

10

25th Apr 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 6f 120y

19:25 Kilbeggan

John The Diva

11st 12lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: M A Cahill

midfield

16/1

3rd

10

25th Apr 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 6f 120y

19:25 Kilbeggan

John The Diva

11st 12lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: M A Cahill

midfield, headway and prominent 3 out, went third home turn, no impression approaching last

16/1

Form: 6

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Beaten 2l in third in a point at Boulta last month; posed no threat when sixth on hurdling debut at Clonmel, 1/2l behind fifth-placed Surf Club.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

16th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

17:20 Uttoxeter

King Of Cong

11st 2lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Sam England

Still to score over fences and has been pulled up in 3m handicap chases at Hexham on his last two runs; tried in different headgear.

20/1

5

13th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

15:30 Hexham

King Of Cong

11st 2lb

J: William Maggs

T: Sam England

0-9 over fences and he's struggled on his last two starts; however, first-time cheekpieces had a positive impact when he was second off 4lb higher over C&D (good to soft) last November, so perhaps today's first-time blinkers and tongue-tie will give him a boost.

16/1

3

25th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

14:41 Hexham

King Of Cong

11st 9lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: Sam England

Yet to score over hurdles or fences for his current yard and comes here having been well below par on last two starts, only tenth in 3m1f Catterick handicap chase in December; lots more is needed after a break.

14/1

Form: 2-U4 BF

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in a strong Punchestown bumper won by stablemate Predators Gold (second in a Grade 1 hurdle at Leopardstown at Christmas) sent off favourite for hurdling debut at Navan only to depart early; disappointing fourth at Tramore on second attempt.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

30th Nov 2024

Yielding

2m 4f 55y

14:30 Fairyhouse

Milo Lises

11st 13lb

J: Cian Quirke

T: David Harry Kelly

always behind, pulled up after 4 out

33/1

2

30th Nov 2024

Yielding

2m 4f 55y

14:30 Fairyhouse

Milo Lises

11st 13lb

J: Cian Quirke

T: David Harry Kelly

always behind, pulled up after 4 out

33/1

6th

3

16th Nov 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 50y

13:25 Navan

Milo Lises

11st 1lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: David Harry Kelly

Off the mark when showing improved form to beat a subsequent winner in 2m Punchestown maiden in February (heavy); place prospects when last-flight faller in 2m4f Perth handicap in April (soft) and has since left Willie Mullins; probably needs to improve to play a major role on yard debut.

12/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Twice placed in points; dam struggled in points but has a decent pedigree; best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16

8th Sep 2025

Yielding To Soft

2m 6f 97y

17:52 Galway

Loughrask Rainbow

10st 10lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Brian M McMahon

Best run came on seasonal reappearance when a 1.75l fourth at Sligo off 84; 2lb lower now but recent efforts have not indicated a win is imminent; place shout if produces best.

14/1

11

20th Aug 2025

Good

2m 4f 107y

18:38 Sligo

Loughrask Rainbow

10st 11lb

J: James Smith

T: Brian M McMahon

Has shown a fair standard of form at a modest level, including a C&D fourth three starts ago; mid-field at Tipperary and Ballinrobe since then.

14/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
First foal; dam bumper/2m2f hurdle winner out of a German Flat winner who is a half-sister to Flat/useful 2m-2m4f jumps winners Noble Alan and Full House and useful 2m hurdle/chase winner Kudu Country.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

29th Aug 2025

Good

2m 3f 29y

Class 5

17:48 Fontwell

Mayday Games

11st 12lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Clare Ellam

Not fully exposed after only seven starts but was pulled up on consecutive appearances for this new stable in February (2m4f/2m7f) and returns from 196-day break with lots to prove.

50/1

1

14th Feb 2025

Good

2m 7f 95y

Class 5

15:08 Fakenham

Mayday Games

12st 0lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Clare Ellam

Ex-Irish maiden who was pulled up when 66-1 for stable/handicap debut at Uttoxeter (2m4f, soft) on Saturday; tries a new trip here.

50/1

1

8th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

16:33 Uttoxeter

Mayday Games

12st 0lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Clare Ellam

Lightly raced ex-Irish gelding who was outclassed in a maiden on final run last summer but pulled up in a handicap before that; looks on a harsh mark.

14/1

Form: 09

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
No show on debut in a Cork maiden hurdle; mid-field over C&D five weeks ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

5th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 4f 140y

16:40 Thurles

Tellmeyourtroubles

11st 12lb

J: Shane O’Callaghan

T: Gerard Kelleher

Three maiden runs haven't amounted to much, very hard to fancy.

25/1

0

12

30th Jan 2024

Soft To Heavy

2m 0f 0y

14:35 Limerick

Tellmeyourtroubles

11st 12lb

J: Shane O’Callaghan

T: Gerard Kelleher

No show on debut in a Cork maiden hurdle; mid-field over C&D five weeks ago.

50/1

Form: 00

Last run: 15 days

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed in three 1m3f/1m4f maidens for Kevin Prendergast and was bought by Charles Byrnes for 80,000gns; behind throughout on hurdles debut at Leopardstown; down the field at Punchestown; likely to need more time and experience.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

29th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

19:35 Tramore

Eastmore

10st 9lb

J: Philip Byrnes

T: C Byrnes

Held his form well after winning a Down Royal handicap last August (2m1f, good to firm); back from a break he appeared to get outstayed by the front two over 2m3f at Cork; better expected here.

2/1

3rd

5

10th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 50y

15:15 Cork

Eastmore

11st 6lb

J: Philip Byrnes

T: C Byrnes

Super consistent form in autumn; winner of a Down Royal handicap off 90 (2m2f, good to firm) before following that with three runner-up finishes at Listowel, Punchestown, and here at 2m-2m2f; has risen in handicap for not winning; tries this trip for first time; check market now back from a break.

7/2

2nd

8

2nd Nov 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

13:10 Cork

Eastmore

10st 9lb

J: Philip Byrnes

T: C Byrnes

In fine form; won off 10lb lower at Down Royal in August (17.5f, gd-fm) and solid efforts in defeat since at Listowel (2m2f, yielding) and Punchestown (2m, gd-yld); should be in the mix again.

5/2

Non-runners

Big Barry, Poets Cottage, Rauzan

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €8.50
Straight Forecast €9.70
Trifecta €170.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Mistergif

POSTDATA:

Milo Lises

The Irish Sun:

Ask The Bookie

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Mistergif