13.50
SoftMcCann FitzGerald Spring Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1)
- Prize money: £76956.52
- 2m 0f 0y
- 11 runners
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 5 |
24th Aug 2026 Good 2m 1f 55y |
11st 2lb |
132-rated hurdler, although only a maiden win to his name, and decent stayer on the Flat as well, third in last season's Cesarewitch; has been hard to place over hurdles, front-running sixth over 2m6f at Galway last time; not bred for this game and stiff task on chasing debut. |
8/1 |
|
6th 6 |
1st Aug 2026 Good 2m 6f 108y |
11st 4lb |
Is 1-12 over hurdles; well beaten back on the Flat at Royal Ascot last time; needs a return to best hurdle form but can't be ruled out. |
14/1 |
|
12th 2 (10) |
16th Jun 2026 Good To Firm 2m 3f 210y Class 2 |
9st 10lb |
Poor strike-rate (two maiden wins) in Flat and hurdling spheres and he went the wrong way in his latest hurdles campaign; however, he ran well in two major Flat handicaps last season, including when third to Beylerbeyi in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket (2m2f, good to firm); 3lb higher today but 7lb claimer Harry Vigors is booked; like so many, he has each-way hopes. |
11/1 |
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 3 (3) |
6th Aug 2026 Good To Firm 1m 4f 0y |
9st 9lb |
Remarkable hat-trick last season in the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot, Ebor at York and Breeders' Cup Turf at Del Mar; below-par at Meydan in March when the race was not run to suit him; never landed a blow in the Hardwicke Stakes; now has some questions to answer, but this looks a fine opportunity to get back in the groove. |
11/8 |
|
9th 3 (9) |
20th Jun 2026 Good To Firm 1m 3f 211y Class 1 |
9st 3lb |
Ploughed a remarkable path last year, having gone from running well at the Cheltenham Festival to completing a prestigious Flat hat-trick (1m4f/1m6f, firm/good to firm) that comprised wins in the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot, Ebor at York and Breeders' Cup Turf at Del Mar; best to forgive his below-par effort behind two of today's rivals at Meydan in sole run this term (race panned out unfavourably); notable contender, with his excellent 2025 progress still in mind. |
9/1 |
|
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 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 11 (2) |
31st Jul 2026 Good To Firm 2m 4f 137y Class 2 |
8st 8lb |
The lack of any win since a maiden hurdle in January 2024 (first run for Willie Mullins) is a concern but he's produced solid efforts on Flat over 2m2f, 1m6f and 2m on his last three starts and may well be an out-and-out stayer; no shock if he's on the premises. |
12/1 |
|
4th 7 (9) |
26th Jun 2026 Good 2m 0f 76y |
8st 13lb |
Second runner for yard; sole win on Flat came over 1m on AW in 2023 in France; may have needed the run when weakening over 1m6f here (good) on latest last month; ran well over 18.5f in Ulster Cesarewitch last September off 1lb lower; chance stepped back up in trip. |
10/1 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 6 |
13th Aug 2026 Good 2m 0f 0y |
10st 9lb |
Sole win over hurdles came here in 2024; also ran well on the Flat here when second in a 1m4f maiden when 1.25l ahead of Dream On Baby; well below that level at Galway since so has to rebound. |
10/1 |
|
9th 12 (7) |
29th Jul 2026 Yielding 1m 4f 43y |
11st 7lb |
Poor strike rate hurdling (1-25) and pick of three recent runs on the Flat when staying on late into second in 1m4f Tramore maiden (found to have in blood in both nostrils); interesting but this is a stronger maiden. |
14/1 |
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | €14.10 |
| Straight Forecast | €12.51 |
| Tricast | €39.96 |
| Trifecta | €71.90 |
Selections
RP RATINGS (IRE):
Storm Heart