13.50
SoftMcCann FitzGerald Spring Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1)
- Prize money: £76956.52
- 2m 0f 0y
- 11 runners
Runners: 11 runners
Type: Hurdle Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Cloudy
11/2 (Won)
- Win: £4.50
- Place: £1.50
Form: 12-12
Last run: 39 days
W: 10st 7lb
4 yo Filly
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 7 |
10th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 1m 7f 199y Class 1 |
11st 0lb |
Runner-up in the 2024 Triumph Hurdle and won last year's County; has quickly reached a similar level over fences, winning a beginners' event at Leopardstown (2m1f, yielding) just after Christmas and going down to the high-class Romeo Coolio in Grade 1 over the same C&D (soft) only after a titanic tussle and a final-fence blunder; should be in the thick of things again if fully recovered from those exertions. |
9/2 |
|
2nd 3 |
2nd Feb 2026 Soft To Heavy 2m 1f 0y |
11st 5lb |
Dual Grade 1 winner as a juvenile hurdler; won last year's County Hurdle; jumping technique left plenty to be desired on her chase debut at Cork (soft), beaten 16l by Romeo Coolio's stablemate Kala Conti; jumped better when winning unextended from the front in a C&D event (yielding) marred by a fatal injury to the pursuing James's Gate. |
7/4 |
13/8
- Place: £1.30
Form: 1 D
Last run: 34 days
W: 11st 0lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 13 (7) |
24th May 2026 Good To Yielding 1m 6f 0y |
9st 6lb |
Three-time winner over hurdles has a 1-5 record on the level in France, winning over 1m4f on good ground; a bit below his best at Punchestown last time when seventh of 17 in a Listed handicap hurdle; interesting contender but others preferred. |
14/1 |
|
7th 1 |
2nd May 2026 Yielding 2m 4f 118y |
11st 12lb |
Consistent sort with plenty of smart form in the book; won first two starts this season, a 2m4f hurdle at Limerick (heavy) and the Grade 3 Red Mills at Gowran; respectable third in BetMGM Cup at Cheltenham off 151; 7.75l third of 10 in Fairyhouse Grade 2 latest; rider's claim a big plus and forecast rain in his favour; should go well. |
11/2 |
|
3rd 3 |
6th Apr 2026 Yielding To Soft 2m 3f 180y |
11st 6lb |
Triumph favourite two years ago (finished fifth); very lightly raced in the meantime and firmly on an upward curve in winning twice on heavy ground (including a Grade 3) before an admirable third in the 2m5f handicap at Cheltenham (good to soft) where he would have been closer but for hitting two out; top connections haven't got to the bottom of him yet; clear claims. |
7/2 |
5/1
- Place: £2.10
Form: 1-
Last run: 307 days
W: 11st 0lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 4 |
28th Apr 2026 Yielding 2m 0f 98y |
11st 12lb |
4-8 over fences; has a massive engine and has won three Grade 1s over fences, including when giving Marine Nationale a 19l beating in first-time cheekpieces at the DRF; however, his jumping is often erratic and the cheekpieces weren't as effective when he again jumped poorly when soundly beaten in the Champion Chase; obvious chance if he jumps well but hard to know what to expect; a risky proposition. |
9/4 |
|
7th 8 |
11th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 1m 7f 199y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Talented youngster who triumphed in the Triumph at this meeting in 2024 and shaped like the best horse when close third in last year's Arkle, which he would likely have won but for late mistakes that included a howler two out; again lacked fluency when beaten twice in December but took very well to first-time cheekpieces and jumped better on his way to a highly impressive performance in the Dublin Chase at Leopardstown (2m1f, soft) since, beating 2025 Champion Chase winner Marine Nationale by 19l; good chance of following up in the retained headgear, provided the form is confirmed and a reversion to errors is avoided. |
5/6 |
|
1st 3 |
1st Feb 2026 Soft To Heavy 2m 1f 0y |
11st 12lb |
The 2024 Triumph Hurdle winner turned into a top-class novice chaser last season, winning Grade 1s over C&D and at Punchestown; however, he had jumping frailties too and they resurfaced on return at Cork behind Found A Fifty; a decent effort back over C&D last time but has ground to make up on Solness and Marine National on that form; cheekpieces added. |
15/8 |
10/1
Form: 1 D
Last run: 39 days
W: 11st 0lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 1 |
29th Apr 2026 Yielding 2m 3f 58y |
11st 12lb |
Modest strike-rate over hurdles for one of his ability, hasn't added to Limerick maiden win as a 3yo, albeit some good runs in top company; didn't land a blow in BetMGM Cup at Cheltenham on latest but previous Leopardstown fourth was a solid effort; major claims down in grade here. |
100/30 |
|
9th 21 |
11th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 5f 0y Class 1 |
10st 12lb |
Raced freely when 12-1 in this last year and was pulled up; a maiden hurdle in December 2023 remains his last win and he's not been consistent, but such performances as his Flat third in the Cesarewitch (second favourite; plenty went wrong) in October and fourth of 16 in a hot 2m4f handicap hurdle at Leopardstown in December show that he can still be competitive on his day. |
12/1 |
|
9th 8 |
1st Feb 2026 Heavy 2m 0f 0y |
10st 13lb |
Was hit and miss over hurdles last season but was third in the Cesarewitch back on the level and fourth in 2m4f hurdle here at Christmas; one to consider. |
10/1 |
13/2
Form: 1121 CD
Last run: 39 days
W: 10st 7lb
4 yo Filly
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8 |
11th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 1m 7f 176y Class 1 |
11st 0lb |
Useful hurdler and she made a smooth transition to chasing towards the end of 2025, winning two mares' races at Cork (2m5f/2m1f) and beating subsequent Arkle winner Kargese by 16l in the second of them; could not maintain her progress in Grade 1 novice at Sandown in January but nor was she disgraced; top on RPRs with her mares' allowance and should go well. |
4/1 |
25/1
Form: — BF
Last run: 38 days
W: 11st 0lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 6 (21) |
23rd Aug 2025 Good To Firm 1m 5f 188y Class 2 |
9st 8lb |
A bit tricky to settle and he was hooded for first time in a Flat race in 18-runner handicap at Royal Ascot (1m4f, good to firm) nine weeks ago, coming with a relentless run from mid-division to lead final 1f and score with great authority; has an 8lb higher mark today and a longer trip, but he made up a lot of late ground to take fourth in the 2m1f County Hurdle at Cheltenham in March and the best of him on the Flat is probably still to come. |
11/2 |
|
1st 18 (7) |
20th Jun 2025 Good To Firm 1m 3f 211y Class 2 |
9st 3lb |
Tricky to settle but fourth in this race last year (good to firm) off 2lb lower and the same this March in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham; ran respectably in his latest hurdle race too and this is his first time hooded in a Flat race; considered. |
4/1 |
|
7th 1 |
12th Apr 2025 Good To Soft 2m 0f 0y Class 1 |
11st 12lb |
Easily won maiden hurdle at Punchestown (2m, heavy) in February and highly creditable fourth in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham (2m1f, good to soft) last month; effective on good ground on the Flat; could have more to offer in this code and he's a major player up 1lb for last time. |
11/4 |
7/1
Form: 1 CD
Last run: 38 days
W: 11st 0lb
4 yo Colt
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 4 |
5th Apr 2026 Good 1m 7f 195y Class 2 |
11st 11lb |
Flat and jumps winner for Joseph O'Brien; it's not been an easy start for current yard, finishing last in the Grade 2 Kingwell (50-1) and then well down the field when 100-1 for the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham; has something to prove all of a sudden. |
100/1 |
|
19th 12 |
13th Mar 2026 Good 2m 4f 56y Class 2 |
11st 6lb |
Flat and jumps winner for Joseph O'Brien; ran according to market expectations (rank outsider of four) in the Kingwell Hurdle on return from layoff and debut for new stable; drops back in class but needs to prove he's still capable of reproducing best Irish form. |
66/1 |
|
4th 3 |
14th Feb 2026 Heavy 1m 7f 50y Class 1 |
11st 4lb |
Flat, chase and dual hurdle winner for Joseph O'Brien but he was out of sorts under both codes in his final two runs in Ireland; now returns to hurdling for new yard and this is a daunting task after 139 days off; blinkers worn last time are removed. |
33/1 |
8/1
Form: 1 D
Last run: 19 days
W: 11st 0lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 8 (15) |
24th May 2026 Good To Yielding 1m 6f 0y |
9st 9lb |
Dual-purpose sort's sole Flat win came on the AW; best run on turf was a 2l fourth off 1lb lower on latest in the Ulster Cesarewitch at Down Royal (2m3f, good); may need this after 261 days away; cheekpieces go on. |
16/1 |
|
4th 15 (4) |
5th Sep 2025 Good 2m 2f 141y |
10st 7lb |
First reserve; AW winner in France and winning debut for this yard in Punchestown maiden hurdle early last year; lightly raced this year, well held behind The Truant at Tramore last time; hard to assess but up-coming Cesarewitch entries suggest he could go well here. |
40/1
Form: 1 D
Last run: 126 days
W: 11st 0lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: 125
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
12th 8 (5) |
5th Sep 2025 Good 2m 2f 141y |
9st 8lb |
Useful juvenile hurdle winner in 2023, scored again early last year; 0-4 on the Flat but shaped well on opening two runs on good ground; handicap debut and new headgear combination tried on first Flat run in over a year; yard has excellent recent record in this race so has to be respected, despite more obvious claims of stablemate Billie Frechette. |
10/1 |
|
2 |
18th Jul 2025 Good 2m 6f 180y |
11st 7lb |
Is 2-8 over timber but yet to prove he's as effective at this sort of trip and arrives on the back of six-month absence; doesn't look well treated on what he's achieved in the last 12 months. |
25/1 |
66/1
Form: 298
Last run: 39 days
W: 11st 0lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9 |
12th Mar 2024 Soft 2m 0f 87y Class 1 |
11st 4lb |
Flat winner in France; sported this headgear combination for all Irish runs; started off over hurdles with a second at Galway (soft) and this represents a welcome drop in class from contesting three Graded races; the middle one of those was encouraging and he has a pull in the weights with two ahead of him that day (Batman Girac and Miss Manzor); could go well for an Irish trainer who is always respected on his British forays. |
12/1 |
|
10th 7 |
3rd Feb 2024 Soft 2m 0f 0y |
11st 0lb |
Flat winner in France; shaped well on his hurdling debut when runner-up at Galway; failed to settle and gave himself no chance when 6-1 for a Grade 3 Fairyhouse contest; never in the hunt when a big price for a C&D Grade 2 event at Christmas. |
66/1 |
|
8th 8 |
26th Dec 2023 Yielding To Soft 2m 0f 0y |
10st 13lb |
held up in rear, some headway on inner approaching last, kept on, never on terms |
50/1 |
100/1
Form: 424
Last run: 19 days
W: 10st 7lb
4 yo Filly
OR: 112
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
11th 7 |
16th May 2026 Good To Yielding 2m 4f 0y |
11st 2lb |
Record of 1-24 is off-putting; returned to scene of her win when breaking a poor run of form at Tramore (2m1f, good to yielding), finishing third of 16; ran on well that day, but she needs to repeat it. |
10/1 |
|
3rd 1 |
20th Apr 2026 Soft 2m 0f 80y |
12st 0lb |
Sole win in 23 hurdle starts came here in 2024; plenty of decent runs in defeat since including in Listed company; beaten 11l at Cork last time off 2lb higher; needs more. |
9/1 |
|
9th 19 |
19th Mar 2026 Yielding To Soft 2m 4f 0y |
10st 8lb |
Runner-up in Listed DRF mares' handicap last season but only one win from 22 starts; raced keenly when tailed off at the DRF on latest; can only be watched. |
33/1 |
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | €14.10 |
| Straight Forecast | €12.51 |
| Tricast | €39.96 |
| Trifecta | €71.90 |
Selections
RP RATINGS (IRE):
Storm Heart