February 03 / 13.50 Leopardstown

13.50

Soft

McCann FitzGerald Spring Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1)

  • Prize money: £76956.52
  • 2m 0f 0y
  • 11 runners
RTE2
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McCann FitzGerald Spring Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1)

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:

Form & Verdict
Winner of two of her three starts at Auteuil between March and May last year, second on the other occasion; best of five Willie Mullins-trained runners when roughly 1l second to Kala Konti in a C&D Grade 2 event at Christmas; that was a good run against a race-fit rival and a turnaround is not out of the question.
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

14:00 Cheltenham

Kargese

11st 0lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: W P Mullins

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

14:55 Leopardstown

Kargese

11st 5lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

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

OUR TIP

13/8

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 1 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
In the frame four times before winning a 1m4f event on good ground in France in March; looked potentially top-class when bolting up at Punchestown on New Year's Eve; opposition was undeniably weak but it was a visually striking display; with Mark Walsh on Majborough, Paul Townend has chosen him from the five stable runners available to him.
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

17:40 Curragh

Storm Heart

9st 6lb

J: Ben Coen

T: W P Mullins

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

17:30 Punchestown

Storm Heart

11st 12lb

J: Sean Cleary-Farrell

T: W P Mullins

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

15:50 Fairyhouse

Storm Heart

11st 6lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

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:

Form & Verdict
Interesting recruit to the McManus team from the Daniela Mele stable, associated with many talented young jumpers in recent years; made a positive impression in winning a contest for unraced horses at Auteuil last April, though the bare form does not amount to much.
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

18:05 Punchestown

Majborough

11st 12lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: W P Mullins

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

16:00 Cheltenham

Majborough

11st 10lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: W P Mullins

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

14:10 Leopardstown

Majborough

11st 12lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: W P Mullins

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:

Form & Verdict
Easy winner of a Flat maiden on very soft ground over 1m3f at Fontainebleau last March; did not have to get a hard race when beating 86-rated Flat performer Mr Lincoln by 8l on Irish/hurdling debut at Limerick; runner-up failed to advertise the form at Naas.
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

15:40 Punchestown

Bunting

11st 12lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: W P Mullins

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

14:40 Cheltenham

Bunting

10st 12lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: W P Mullins

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

15:52 Leopardstown

Bunting

10st 13lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: W P Mullins

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

Form: 1121 CD

Last run: 39 days

W: 10st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won on heavy ground at Compiegne last May on debut and took a three-runner Navan race in a canter on her Irish debut; lost out to the useful Nurburgring at Navan but reversed that form when beating today's opponent Kargese (reappearing after a six-month break) in a C&D Grade 2 contest at Christmas.
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

12:45 Aintree

Kala Conti

11st 0lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

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

Form: BF

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fetched 320,000gns last July after his third Flat start, in which he beat a subsequent winner in a 1m4f maiden at Limerick, earning a handicap mark of 89; favourite for the race won by Intellotto here at Christmas, raced a bit too keenly and dropped away in the straight; likely to be capable of a great deal better but hard to fancy against winning stablemates.
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

15:35 York

Ethical Diamond

9st 8lb

J: William Buick

T: W P Mullins

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

15:40 Ascot

Ethical Diamond

9st 3lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: W P Mullins

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

14:15 Ayr

Ethical Diamond

11st 12lb

J: Mr P W Mullins

T: W P Mullins

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

Form: 1 CD

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Useful 87-rated maiden on the Flat; narrowly beaten on the second of two outings at two, and again runner-up over 1m2f at Cork last April; given plenty of time to recover from a setback and was produced in good shape to win a C&D maiden at Christmas, coping well with testing conditions; stable outsider then, so likely to have the potential for improvement.
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

16:05 Plumpton

Intellotto

11st 11lb

J: Robbie David

T: Daisy Hitchins

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

17:20 Cheltenham

Intellotto

11st 6lb

J: Robbie David

T: Daisy Hitchins

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

13:35 Wincanton

Intellotto

11st 4lb

J: Robbie David

T: Daisy Hitchins

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

Form: 1 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
By the same sire as the yard's smart juvenile hurdler of last season Zarak The Brave; showed useful form on the Flat in France, winning over a near-1m2f at trip Deauville and never out of the first three in five starts; got away with indifferent jumping and overcame a bad mistake at the final flight when winning on hurdling debut at Punchestown last month.
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

17:40 Curragh

Highwind

9st 9lb

J: Chris Hayes

T: W P Mullins

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

18:24 Down Royal

Highwind

10st 7lb

J: J M Sheridan

T: W P Mullins

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.

Form: 1 D

Last run: 126 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
75-rated maiden on the Flat, best of his three runs when fourth over 1m2f at the Curragh last May; switch to hurdling and addition of blinkers did the trick when he won readily at Gowran in September; runner-up Pigeon House is consistent but remains a maiden after seven attempts.
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

18:24 Down Royal

Open To Question

9st 8lb

J: Shane Foley

T: Noel Meade

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

14:30 Killarney

Open To Question

11st 7lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Noel Meade

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

Form: 298

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
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.
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

16:50 Cheltenham

Ose Partir

11st 4lb

J: Ricky Doyle

T: Martin Brassil

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

13:50 Leopardstown

Ose Partir

11st 0lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Martin Brassil

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

13:10 Leopardstown

Ose Partir

10st 13lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Martin Brassil

held up in rear, some headway on inner approaching last, kept on, never on terms

50/1

Form: 424

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Put up two solid runs in juvenile hurdles in France last July, including on testing ground; made a lot of the running before fading into fourth behind today's rival Highwind on her Irish debut at Punchestown last month; up against it in this company.
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

14:05 Wexford

Kimy

11st 2lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: Thomas Mullins

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

17:42 Tramore

Kimy

12st 0lb

J: Sean Cleary-Farrell

T: Thomas Mullins

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

16:00 Cork

Kimy

10st 8lb

J: Sean Cleary-Farrell

T: Thomas Mullins

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

SPOTLIGHT:

Storm Heart

TOPSPEED:

Kala Conti

POSTDATA:

Kargese

The Irish Sun:

Highwind

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Storm Heart