February 18 / 14.35 Punchestown

14.35

Heavy

QuinnBet Grand National Trial Handicap Chase (Listed Race)

  • Prize money: £51304.35
  • 3m 3f 6y
  • 15 runners
RTV
View Course
QuinnBet Grand National Trial Handicap Chase (Listed Race)

Runners: 15 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

9/1 (Won)

  • Win: £10.30
  • Place: £2.80

Form: 3P-532

Last run: 36 days

W: 10st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Winner over hurdles, 0-7 over fences but showing enough lately to suggest he can pick up a race; 8lb better off with Clonmeen compared to their clash here seven weeks ago when he was just over 10l adrift; no match for the winner in a rated chase at Fairyhouse; Jack Kennedy's choice makes him interesting
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

24th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 5f 56y

Class 2

13:50 Cheltenham

Where It All Began

10st 4lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Gordon Elliott

Well suited by a slog in the mud but seems badly to have lost his way; needs combination of change of headgear and switch to cross-country chasing to rekindle his enthusiasm.

25/1

9

15th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

4m 2f 8y

Class 1

15:00 Uttoxeter

Where It All Began

11st 3lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

None too consistent and was well held when falling at Punchestown last time in the race won by stablemate Fortunedefortunata; however, he does have a valuable staying 3m3f handicap in the bag and was looking threatening in the Welsh National in December until he clouted four out (in first-time blinkers that have been retained since); his best days have been on slow ground.

16/1

9/4

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 169161

Last run: 71 days

W: 10st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Won his fifth race over hurdles when beating Summerville Boy by 7l over 3m at Navan in December, earning promotion to 136; rated 115 over fences, his mark based on three runs between July and October 2022; won on the first occasion, coughing on second, jumped poorly on third attempt; 3lb out of the handicap, but could be thrown in nonetheless.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

24th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 3

14:00 Uttoxeter

Wellhavewan

11st 12lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Rebecca Menzies

Listed hurdle winner last December for Willie Mullins; departed that yard for £11,000 and no form as yet for current stable (2m7f hurdle/3m5f chase); no real significance in another headgear switch.

25/1

10/1

  • Place: £3.30

Form: -P8211 C

Last run: 49 days

W: 10st 5lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Point-to-point winner who got off the mark under rules in 3m Down Royal handicap chase in November; backed that up off 9lb higher when beating good yardstick Kings Halo and today's rival Where It All Began by a head and 10l in a 3m contest here seven weeks ago; got another 9lb for that but may remain competitive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

23

2nd May 2026

Yielding

3m 0f 104y

15:45 Punchestown

Clonmeen

10st 0lb

J: Daniel King

T: William P Murphy

Not a great strike rate but on song on latest when readily landing 3m1f Fairyhouse handicap last month in first-time blinkers; raised 12lb for that but still 12lb out of handicap here so plenty on his plate.

33/1

1st

18

6th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

3m 0f 120y

17:40 Fairyhouse

Clonmeen

10st 0lb

J: Simon Torrens

T: William P Murphy

Promise here on seasonal reappearance; failed to build on that on next four starts but signs of a revival when staying on for a 9.5l fourth back here (3m, heavy) on latest; blinkers could eke out more but he's 7lb wrong and looks up against it.

33/1

Form: 02-833 C

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
Useful hurdler whose form included a course handicap win over an extended 3m two years ago; showed a fair level of ability on two beginners chases last month; soundly beaten in third behind two useful types over 3m at Navan; first handicap chase.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 8y

Class 1

15:00 Uttoxeter

My Immortal

11st 11lb

J: Mr Finian Maguire

T: Barry Connell

Chasing career appeared to be going nowhere fast until popping up at 40-1 in a 3m3f Listed handicap at Punchestown (heavy; cheekpieces removed), in which he was well beaten the year before; whether he'll follow one good run with another is anyone's guess, though the softening ground has helped his cause.

14/1

1st

6

15th Feb 2026

3m 3f 60y

15:00 Punchestown

My Immortal

11st 4lb

J: Mr Finian Maguire

T: Barry Connell

2-5 over hurdles; has failed to reach the same standard over fences after keeping good company in beginners' events; has failed to reach the first six in last four handicap attempts; remote fourth in this event two years ago.

25/1

7th

3

26th Oct 2025

Yielding

2m 6f 111y

14:35 Galway

My Immortal

11st 1lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: Barry Connell

Dual hurdle winner who is 0-7 over fences but has been mixing it in smart company and was only 9-1 when failing to fire in the Thyestes on final appearance in January; has a race in him off this mark but confidence would be welcomed first time back.

10/1

13/2

Form: P/7454

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Useful winning performances at Naas and Navan as a novice handicapper three seasons ago; missed all of last season; had first three races this term over hurdles, hinting at a return to form; comes into the reckoning following a game effort in keeping on for fourth in the Thyestes.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

20th Jan 2026

Yielding To Soft

3m 0f 0y

15:50 Down Royal

Stormy Judge

11st 1lb

J: Richard Condon

T: P A Fahy

Two chase wins in 2021 included a Navan novice handicap on heavy; declining mark lately has failed to spark a revival in fortunes; pulled up in 3m Navan handicap last month.

14/1

7th

2

26th Oct 2025

Yielding

2m 6f 111y

14:00 Galway

Stormy Judge

12st 0lb

J: Harry Sexton

T: P A Fahy

Two chase win in 2021; never found his form last season and ran poorly over hurdles at Gowran on his return.

25/1

10

3rd Oct 2025

Yielding

2m 4f 40y

16:20 Gowran Park

Stormy Judge

10st 13lb

J: Harry Sexton

T: P A Fahy

Two-time chase winner in 2021 is winless from 14 over hurdles; out of form over fences this year and fell when last seen in a Punchestown festival handicap chase; others preferred.

40/1

OUR TIP

Form: 41P-78 C

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 12lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 144

Form & Verdict
Twice placed in the Grand National; pulled up in last season's edition when competing off 167; was entitled to need the run in a handicap at Navan in December; did not jump well in the Thyestes and never looked like making an impression; well held by Stormy Judge on that basis, and may not cope with Dunboyne who ran well until tiring late.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

18

21st Apr 2025

Soft To Heavy

3m 5f 37y

17:00 Fairyhouse

Any Second Now

10st 11lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: T M Walsh

Twice placed in the Grand National; most recent win was in a Grade 2 chase at Navan two seasons ago; took time to find his form last season before being produced in fighting shape to finish a gallant second to Intense Raffles in this; could peak again now after two prep runs but no horse of his age has won this since Overshadow in 1953.

20/1

2nd

18

21st Apr 2025

Soft To Heavy

3m 5f 37y

17:00 Fairyhouse

Any Second Now

10st 11lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: T M Walsh

Twice placed in the Grand National; most recent win was in a Grade 2 chase at Navan two seasons ago; took time to find his form last season before being produced in fighting shape to finish a gallant second to Intense Raffles in this; could peak again now after two prep runs but no horse of his age has won this since Overshadow in 1953.

20/1

5th

4

9th Mar 2025

Soft

3m 0f 174y

16:45 Naas

Any Second Now

11st 9lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: T M Walsh

Twice placed in the Grand National; most recent win was in a Grade 2 chase at Navan two seasons ago; took time to find his form last season before being produced in fighting shape for the Irish Grand National in which he finished a gallant second; veteran should be better for last month's reappearance at Fairyhouse.

8/1

Form: -P1322 C

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Pulled up on his seasonal debut at Thurles; left that run far behind when bolting up at this venue in November, proving well suited by the test of stamina over an extended 3m; placed on all three starts, the latest over 3m2f at Fairyhouse; could go well despite being 7lb out of the handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

7

2nd Apr 2026

Soft

2m 7f 55y

17:00 Clonmel

Baldurs Gate

10st 12lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Miss Denise Marie O’Shea

Sole win came in 3m1f Punchestown handicap in late 2023; kept busy in recent weeks, standout on latest when third of seven at Limerick (24.5f, soft to heavy) 11 days ago; booking of Darragh O'Keeffe a plus.

8/1

3rd

8

22nd Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

3m 0f 150y

16:37 Limerick

Baldurs Gate

10st 5lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: Miss Denise Marie O’Shea

Sole win came in 3m1f Punchestown handicap in late 2023; kept busy since January return, standout run when third over 3m2f at Fairyhouse; amateur-ridden of late, senior professional now takes over.

8/1

9th

1

17th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 3f 100y

16:32 Wexford

Baldurs Gate

12st 0lb

J: Mr E T Mellerick

T: Miss Denise Marie O’Shea

Is 1-19 over fences; last year ended on a low note and again below his best at Leopardstown two weeks ago; belatedly tries cheekpieces at the age of 11.

14/1

Form: P4-3P3 C

Last run: 13 days

W: 10st 13lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
Has won twice over fences, including a 2m7f beginners' event at this venue; 14l behind runner-up Queen Jane on seasonal debut in a 2m4f Fairyhouse handicap; pulled up in a Grade 3 contest at Fairyhouse; this is stronger than the race in which she was third here 13 days ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

3rd Aug 2025

Good

2m 6f 111y

14:55 Galway

Must Be Obeyed

10st 10lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Thomas Gibney

2-23 over fences, those wins gained mid-winter in 2022/23 season; fourth in two handicap runs in recent months; was due to run in the 6.30 here on Friday; not suited by the race conditions.

20/1

3rd

20

1st Aug 2025

Good

2m 6f 111y

18:00 Galway

Must Be Obeyed

10st 12lb

J: Daniel King

T: Thomas Gibney

Back-to-back chase wins two years ago; nothing since then, finished in front of Lightkeeper when fourth at Wexford when last seen (2m3f, good); that was her best run for a while; refused to line up at Punchestown in April, so comes with risks attached.

20/1

4th

6

4th Jul 2025

Good

2m 3f 110y

16:25 Wexford

Must Be Obeyed

10st 7lb

J: Mike O’Connor

T: Thomas Gibney

2-22 over fences; poor form recently and a 10l fourth of eight at Punchestown last month wasn't hugely encouraging; refused to line up at Punchestown in April; a risky profile and others are in better form.

12/1

Form: P-3386

Last run: 13 days

W: 10st 3lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Started the campaign with two good runs, including when third to Street Value in the 3m5f Porterstown Chase at Fairyhouse; not one of her better displays at Limerick, let down by her jumping at Fairyhouse 13 days ago in a race in which stablemate Must Be Obeyed was third.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

7th Nov 2024

Good

3m 0f 0y

13:30 Clonmel

Regina Dracones

10st 0lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Thomas Gibney

Losing run goes back to a novice chase in 2022 and entitled to need this on return from out of the weights after 195 days off.

33/1

8th

8

7th Nov 2024

Good

3m 0f 0y

13:30 Clonmel

Regina Dracones

10st 0lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Thomas Gibney

Losing run goes back to a novice chase in 2022 and entitled to need this on return from out of the weights after 195 days off.

33/1

7th

15

26th Apr 2024

Yielding

3m 4f 165y

18:20 Downpatrick

Regina Dracones

10st 3lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Thomas Gibney

prominent, slow jump and lost ground 11th, slow jump 5 out

20/1

Form: -37549

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
Fairly consistent in big handicaps without being quite good enough; seventh in the Munster National, fifth in the Troytown, fourth behind Street Value in the Porterstown at Fairyhouse; not at best when last of nine finishers in the Thyestes.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

15th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 171y

Class 5

15:27 Ludlow

Frontal Assault

11st 12lb

J: Mr Henry Bailey

T: Fred Timmis

Second in each of his last four point starts, only one of them as high as open class; among the non-finishers with Blagthebookies at Cheltenham in May when last seen in this sphere; overlooked.

25/1

12

2nd May 2025

Good

4m 0f 97y

Class 4

19:30 Cheltenham

Frontal Assault

11st 12lb

J: Mr Henry Bailey

T: Miss P Wynne

Formerly very useful for Gordon Elliott but made low-key stable/hunter chase debut in February and his three subsequent pointing seconds all came in small fields; swaps visor for refitted blinkers today.

9/1

12

2nd May 2025

Good

4m 0f 97y

Class 4

19:30 Cheltenham

Frontal Assault

11st 12lb

J: Mr Henry Bailey

T: Miss P Wynne

Formerly very useful for Gordon Elliott but made low-key stable/hunter chase debut in February and his three subsequent pointing seconds all came in small fields; swaps visor for refitted blinkers today.

9/1

Form: 24P-4P BF

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
Beaten only a short head in last season's Thyestes; fourth in the Kim Muir. pulled up in the Grand National; started the season brightly with Troytown fourth; ran well for a long way in the Thyestes but weakened in the straight and was pulled up before the last; Jack Kennedy deserts him for Where It All Began.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

25th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 2

14:20 Cheltenham

Dunboyne

10st 13lb

J: James Smith

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Knows what these big-field handicaps are all about and it was a cracking run to be fourth in the Irish National in April last time considering he carried an 8lb penalty for winning the Ulster National; that Fairyhouse defeat was his first for this yard; entitled to run well.

16/1

4th

24

21st Apr 2025

Soft To Heavy

3m 5f 37y

17:00 Fairyhouse

Dunboyne

10st 7lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Beaten a short head in 2023 Thyestes; started last season brightly with Troytown fourth but pulled up in three big handicaps afterwards; surprise winner on debut for new yard in 2m4f Navan handicap hurdle early last month; maintained his revival with victory over Final Order in the 3m5f Ulster National; 8lb penalty makes this difficult.

25/1

4th

24

21st Apr 2025

Soft To Heavy

3m 5f 37y

17:00 Fairyhouse

Dunboyne

10st 7lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Beaten a short head in 2023 Thyestes; started last season brightly with Troytown fourth but pulled up in three big handicaps afterwards; surprise winner on debut for new yard in 2m4f Navan handicap hurdle early last month; maintained his revival with victory over Final Order in the 3m5f Ulster National; 8lb penalty makes this difficult.

25/1

Form: 11F-2B

Last run: 52 days

W: 11st 2lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
Progressive last winter before falling at this venue on her final start; good seasonal debut when going close in a 2m4f mares' handicap chase at Fairyhouse early in December; brought down four out at Limerick.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

3rd Feb 2025

Soft To Heavy

2m 6f 9y

13:30 Punchestown

Queen Jane

11st 13lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Is 2-8 over fences but without a win since March 2023; well beaten both starts this season and she remains 14lb above her last winning mark.

10/1

7th

1

3rd Feb 2025

Soft To Heavy

2m 6f 9y

13:30 Punchestown

Queen Jane

11st 13lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Is 2-8 over fences but without a win since March 2023; well beaten both starts this season and she remains 14lb above her last winning mark.

10/1

5th

2

1st Dec 2024

Yielding

2m 4f 0y

12:00 Fairyhouse

Queen Jane

11st 12lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Beaten a head in this race last year off 129 on preferred soft ground; pulled up final two outings last term and didn't count (blood in nostrils) on last month's comeback run over hurdles; entitled to come on for that but legitimate questions to answer at this stage and ideally wants softer ground.

13/2

Form: -3P13P

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Failed to complete on his final start in 2022 and three of his first four starts in 2023; came good again in emphatic style with victory in the 3m5f Porterstown Chase at Fairyhouse in December; fair third over a shorter trip at Cork; 9-1 in the Thyestes, made a couple of mistakes and was pulled up before three out; cheekpiece on now as well as usual tongue-tie.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

21st Apr 2025

Soft To Heavy

3m 0f 130y

17:40 Fairyhouse

Street Value

10st 5lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: J P Flavin

midfield

33/1

11

21st Apr 2025

Soft To Heavy

3m 0f 130y

17:40 Fairyhouse

Street Value

10st 5lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: J P Flavin

midfield

33/1

14

9th Mar 2025

Soft

3m 0f 174y

16:45 Naas

Street Value

10st 1lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: J P Flavin

Suffered a severe loss of form not long after his victory in the 3m5f Porterstown Chase at Fairyhouse last season; mildly positive run at Navan four weeks ago, and now 13lb below his career-high mark, 6lb below last winning mark.

20/1

Form: P-7661

Last run: 24 days

W: 10st 12lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Won a beginners' chase at Navan two years ago, his only success from 17 starts over fences; that profile is not encouraging, but he looked in good shape when winning a handicap hurdle at Gowran last month; now 5lb lower than when fourth in this race 12 months ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

3

10th Jun 2024

Good

2m 4f 110y

19:48 Roscommon

Champagne Platinum

11st 5lb

J: Luke Donnelly

T: E Bolger

Gained third win over hurdles when taking 2m Gowran handicap in testing conditions in January under today's rider; last two runs have stretched his stamina; going may be a bit lively for him.

14/1

Form: 0PP-64

Last run: 49 days

W: 10st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Placed for Gordon Elliott in staying handicap at Fairyhouse and this venue last season; seasonal debut for his new trainer was well below best; uncompetitive in a beginners' event here last time, now 0-13 over fences
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

7

11th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 7f 0y

19:37 Killarney

Fakiera

11st 7lb

J: Ms N M Bradley

T: Eoin Griffin

His smart form for Gordon Elliott was a long time ago now and was well behind Tullybeg in his latest point.

66/1

10

18th Jan 2026

Yielding

3m 0f 184y

15:55 Thurles

Fakiera

11st 7lb

J: Ms N M Bradley

T: Eoin Griffin

Winning hurdler; weak form over fences; failed to complete his last three races in points.

66/1

9th

9

2nd Jun 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

16:50 Listowel

Fakiera

11st 7lb

J: Ms N M Bradley

T: Eoin Griffin

Grade 3 novice hurdle winner at his best but failed to win over fences in 17 starts; still rated 119 in this sphere and not a bad open point run last week after a lay-off; hood added and a player.

12/1

Non-runners

Royal Thief

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €33.50
Straight Forecast €23.05
Tricast €145.98
Trifecta €318.50

Selections

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Where It All Began

SPOTLIGHT:

Champagne Platinum

TOPSPEED:

Dunboyne

POSTDATA:

Where It All Began

The Irish Sun:

Champagne Platinum