15.40
YieldingKPMG Champion Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)
- Prize money: £64130.43
- 2m 0f 149y
- 9 runners
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Runners: 9 runners
Type: Hurdle Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Showers
5/2 (Won)
Form: 11121 CD
Last run: 18 days
W: 11st 12lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 148
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
11 |
13th Mar 2025 Good To Soft 2m 7f 213y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Second in last year's Supreme Novices' (2m) before 2m Grade 1 wins at Aintree and Punchestown; while he takes a big step up in trip today, his dam Annie Power was second in this race and last term's promise isn't forgotten; however, he's been extremely lacklustre in 2m Grade 1s the last twice. |
16/1 |
|
6th 4 |
29th Dec 2024 Yielding 2m 0f 0y |
11st 12lb |
Sole defeat last season when second in the Supreme Novices' at Cheltenham, made amends with Grade 1 wins at Aintree and Punchestown; never going well on his reappearance in the Fighting Fifth; likely second-best of Mullins squad. |
12/1 |
11/2
Form: -11432 D
Last run: 18 days
W: 11st 12lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 146
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
16th 8 |
11th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 4m 2f 74y Class 1 |
11st 4lb |
Tongue tied on last two starts; Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown (3m, soft) in February was also the first time he went beyond 2m5f, when 33-1 and spending most of the race out the back but running on into fourth of 12, beaten 14l; some encouragement might be derived from that but he didn't see it out so well when confronted by 3m2f in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham. |
50/1 |
|
6th 2 |
13th Mar 2026 Good 3m 2f 70y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
He's performed respectably in defeat at the last two Cheltenham Festivals and won a Grade 2 at Down Royal (2m3f, good to yielding) in November; 14l fourth when upped in trip in the Irish Gold Cup (3m, soft) last month and he'll be doing very well if he improves upon that finishing position today. |
33/1 |
|
4th 4 |
2nd Feb 2026 Soft To Heavy 3m 0f 100y |
11st 10lb |
Smart performer over shorter distances; ended last season with second to Spindleberry in 2m4f Grade 1 at Fairyhouse; made winning reappearance in five-runner Grade 2 event at Down Royal (2m3f, good to yielding) in November; outpointed by Iroko at Ascot last month; first time beyond 2m5f and tongue-tie tried; vulnerable. |
66/1 |
13/8
Form: 3-1121 C
Last run: 49 days
W: 11st 12lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 151
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 9 |
6th Apr 2026 Yielding To Soft 2m 3f 180y |
11st 3lb |
Supreme winner two seasons ago; 0-7 in the meantime and has been chasing, last time beaten the thick end of 20l when one of the favourites for the 2m4f handicap at Cheltenham; if this return to hurdling and the first-time cheekpieces float his boat, then he might not be far away. |
8/1 |
|
6th 3 |
12th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 127y Class 1 |
11st 6lb |
Has form on most types of ground; consistent sort who has never finished out of the first three in his completed starts; broadly suffering from a frustrating bout of seconditis since switched to chasing (2m4f/3m) but this return to Cheltenham may prove the cure, as he won the 2024 Supreme in sole attempt at this venue; major Irish stable landed this corresponding prize in 2019; on an attractive mark and holds solid claims. |
15/2 |
|
2nd 6 |
17th Jan 2026 Soft To Heavy 3m 0f 0y |
11st 12lb |
Won 2024 Supreme Novices'; beaten odds-on favourite but decent form in two beginners' chases last season, notably when second to Brown Advisory winner Lecky Watson at Naas; off for a year before second to Predators Glory over an extended 2m4f at this venue; stepped up to this trip at Punchestown, one length down when brought down four out; worth another chance. |
11/10 |
25/1
Form: 222130 D
Last run: 46 days
W: 11st 12lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 140
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 3 |
11th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 1m 7f 176y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
Won three of first five races over fences, including a Grade 3 novice at Punchestown (2m2f, good to yielding) in October, but has made mistakes and run poorly at Cheltenham and Newbury since; perhaps he'll be revived by a break and cheekpieces, but he has plenty to find on the figures. |
40/1 |
|
2 |
24th Oct 2025 Good 1m 7f 199y Class 2 |
11st 12lb |
Won two in a row this summer when back over fences (2m2f/2m1f, good) and landed a Grade 3 novice at Punchestown (2m2f, good to yielding) last week; seems versatile ground-wise and he's a key player today. |
9/4 |
12/1
Form: 2-4114 D
Last run: 49 days
W: 11st 12lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 144
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
10th 2 |
1st May 2026 Yielding 3m 0f 160y |
12st 0lb |
Promising early in his career for this stable and initially did well for Willie Mullins, winning twice over hurdles and taking fourth in the Supreme Novices'; also placed in good company over fences; has prospered again in points this season; Journey With Me got a better jump at the last to beat him in a hunter chase at Cork last month. |
12/1 |
|
2nd 1 |
6th Apr 2026 Good To Yielding 2m 4f 0y |
12st 0lb |
Promising sort early in his career for this stable and initially did well for Willie Mullins, winning twice over hurdles and taking fourth in the Supreme Novices'; also placed in good company over fences; has prospered again in points this season and looks the part here. |
15/8 |
|
5th 1 |
2nd Nov 2025 Good To Yielding 2m 4f 0y |
11st 0lb |
Rated 142; smart form over hurdles for Willie Mullins including a fourth in the Supreme; solid efforts in first two beginners' chases at Fairyhouse last season before soundly beaten in Grade 2 novice handicap back at Cheltenham in March; has since left Willie Mullins; capable of going well if fit for return in first-time tongue tie. |
9/2 |
66/1
Form: -16485 CD
Last run: 30 days
W: 11st 12lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 132
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8 |
25th Oct 2025 Good To Soft 3m 1f 0y Class 2 |
10st 13lb |
A little in the doldrums before finishing second in a 2m6f Listed handicap hurdle at Galway in August and then ran well to be third in a chase at Sligo, though old jumping issues resurfaced late on; that part of his game will be tested around here in this big field and he might not stay the trip anyway. |
20/1 |
|
1 |
1st Oct 2025 Good To Yielding 2m 5f 27y |
11st 10lb |
Bounced back to form with a fine effort in a listed handicap hurdle at the Galway Festival in August; jumping has been an issue at times in this sphere and with a rating of 133, has a lot to find with Jesse Evans on the figures. |
15/2 |
|
2nd 8 |
2nd Aug 2025 Good 2m 6f 108y |
11st 5lb |
Has been out of form since winning a beginners' chase at Punchestown (16.5f, gd-yld) last October, though has been highly tried at times; unproven over this far and has questions to answer right now. |
25/1 |
12/1
Form: 2-1235 D
Last run: 17 days
W: 11st 12lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 145
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 4 |
10th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 5f 19y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
His form/jumping have been in and out since his Grade 2 novice chase win at Naas last January, soundly beaten in a handicap at Leopardstown latest; however, two starts ago he followed Heart Wood home in a 2m7f Grade 3 at Tramore; could have a big say for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend. |
15/2 |
|
8th 2 |
1st Feb 2026 Soft To Heavy 2m 5f 107y |
11st 12lb |
Hurdle winner and won twice over fences last season, including a Grade 2 at Naas; however, his form then fell away and twice failed to complete; signs of a resurgence when second to Heart Wood at Tramore last time and can go well if building on that. |
9/1 |
|
4 |
29th Apr 2025 Yielding To Soft 3m 0f 213y |
11st 10lb |
held up in rear, mistake 3rd, slightly hampered 5th, fell 10th |
16/1 |
11/2
Form: 2-2118 CD BF
Last run: 49 days
W: 11st 12lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 149
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9th 4 |
14th Jan 2026 Yielding 2m 1f 30y |
11st 3lb |
Dual winner over hurdles, including in Listed company as a novice; fine efforts on first two novice chase starts last season but twice pulled up afterwards; strong favourite on seasonal return in late October but below-form second to a clear winner in 2m Wexford conditions event; jumped poorly and generally below-par in a Navan handicap last month. |
10/1 |
|
2nd 10 |
27th Oct 2025 Good To Yielding 2m 0f 0y |
11st 12lb |
Talented sort is a dual winner over hurdles including in Listed company as a novice; cracking efforts on first two novice chase starts last season including a second to Majborough; however, he has questions to answer after being pulled-up twice since, though his chasing experience will be an asset. |
9/4 |
|
2nd 10 |
27th Oct 2025 Good To Yielding 2m 0f 0y |
11st 12lb |
Talented sort is a dual winner over hurdles including in Listed company as a novice; cracking efforts on first two novice chase starts last season including a second to Majborough; however, he has questions to answer after being pulled-up twice since, though his chasing experience will be an asset. |
9/4 |
25/1
Form: -12116 D
Last run: 30 days
W: 11st 5lb
6 yo Filly
OR: 134
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 1 |
20th Feb 2026 Heavy 3m 0f 54y Class 1 |
11st 4lb |
Front-runner who had a Grade 3 novice at Limerick (3m, yielding to soft; has won on heavy) last March among three chase wins last term; below form both starts (hurdle/chase) this season but latest, in which she did not lead, was a step back in the right direction; the chase form pick even on that result. |
4/6 |
|
1st 1 |
23rd Apr 2025 Good 2m 7f 180y Class 1 |
11st 2lb |
One of two runners for Willie Mullins; useful mare who took her chase record to 2-3 with an easy success in Grade 3 novice at Limerick (upped to 3m) most recently; top on ratings. |
4/5 |
|
1st 1 |
23rd Apr 2025 Good 2m 7f 180y Class 1 |
11st 2lb |
One of two runners for Willie Mullins; useful mare who took her chase record to 2-3 with an easy success in Grade 3 novice at Limerick (upped to 3m) most recently; top on ratings. |
4/5 |
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Straight Forecast | €11.66 |
| Tricast | €22.94 |
Selections
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