17.25
YieldingBarberstown Castle Novice Chase (Grade 1)
- Prize money: £64130.43
- 2m 0f 75y
- 4 runners
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Runners: 4 runners
Type: Chase Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Light rain
100/30 (Won)
Form: -12131 D
Last run: 21 days
W: 11st 12lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 160
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 3 |
28th Apr 2026 Yielding 2m 0f 98y |
11st 12lb |
Ground versatile; not the biggest in stature but a hugely talented performer who has won eight of his 11 chase starts, including six Grade 1s; bolted up in the Champion Chase on latest, immediately bouncing back from a rare blip at Sandown; won a Grade 1 novice over C&D at this meeting last year and he's preferred by Townend; leading chance. |
7/4 |
|
1st 4 |
11th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 1m 7f 199y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Acts on any ground; small in stature but big in talent and his record of 7-10 over fences features five Grade 1 wins, the most recent impressively in this season's Tingle Creek at Sandown; not bombproof in this scenario as he's 0-3 at the Cheltenham Festival (finishing positions 553) and was let down by his jumping in the 2024 Arkle, admittedly posting a good placed effort in the circumstances; possible denting of confidence is another concern as he was winded and took a while to get up from a late fall in the Clarence House most recently (under pressure and not responding when the tumble occurred); removal of usual hood adds to the uncertainty; otherwise a huge player provided he's in top form. |
4/1 |
|
2 |
17th Jan 2026 Good To Soft 2m 0f 172y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Hugely likeable chaser who made it 7-9 over fences when slamming Jonbon by 9l in the Grade 1 Tingle Creek at Sandown (1m7f, good to soft; fine on softer) six weeks ago; that represented another personal best and he's the clear pick on the ratings; has excellent credentials. |
8/15 |
2/7
Form: 1-11U1 C
Last run: 51 days
W: 11st 12lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 167
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 3 |
29th Apr 2026 Yielding 3m 0f 213y |
11st 10lb |
Confirmed his staying power with Bowl win at Aintree last year; got his campaign off to a fine start with John Durkan victory from Fact To File over 2m4f here; third in a blanket finish in the King George before 5l second to a restored Fact To File at Leopardstown; travelled powerfully for stunningly impressive Gold Cup triumph to leap-frog Fact To File in the ratings. |
11/10 |
|
1st 3 |
13th Mar 2026 Good 3m 2f 70y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Won the Arkle here (2m, soft) in March 2024 and relished the step up to 3m1f in the Grade 1 Bowl at Aintree (good to soft) last April; that win has been the catalyst for a string of excellent efforts, including his third in a blanket finish in the King George (3m, good to soft) in December and his 5l second in the Irish Gold Cup (3m, soft) last month; can be difficult to settle which is something of a concern in view of today's stiff stamina test, but on the flip side he's been finishing his races strongly; respected. |
4/1 |
|
2nd 5 |
2nd Feb 2026 Soft To Heavy 3m 0f 100y |
11st 10lb |
Won the Arkle at Cheltenham in 2024; kept at shorter distances until impressive in the Grade 1 Bowl at Aintree (3m1f, good to soft) last April; ended the campaign with a fine Sandown win and began again in style, edging out Fact To File in the John Durkan; third in a thrilling King George; will need to settle better to maximise his chance at this track. |
5/1 |
16/1
Form: 111114 C
Last run: 19 days
W: 11st 12lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 150
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 2 |
6th May 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 216y Class 2 |
11st 12lb |
Yet to make an impact in three starts for this yard this year, but he showed some smart form in Ireland for Willie Mullins, notably landing a 2m4f Grade 3 at around this time last season; looks attractively treated on that evidence; one to watch in the market, though a return to form is needed. |
8/1 |
|
12th 2 |
9th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 1m 7f 176y Class 1 |
11st 13lb |
Won Grade 3 at Killarney (2m4f, yielding) last May for Willie Mullins and he's on a handy mark on that form; however, below par in the winter on final two starts for that yard and soundly beaten in handicaps on both outings for this stable; usual hood is left off; needs to get back on track. |
33/1 |
|
5th 2 |
21st Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 3f 187y Class 2 |
12st 2lb |
Useful on his day for Willie Mullins but form has dipped this winter, most recently last of four finishers at Doncaster where he was the rank outsider on debut for new yard; best watched unless the market signals go the other way. |
8/1 |
200/1
Form: 142242 D
Last run: 32 days
W: 11st 12lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 118
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8 |
19th Apr 2026 Soft 2m 5f 140y |
11st 4lb |
Course winner at 15.5f; seems best on heavy ground and scored twice in those conditions earlier this year, over hurdles at Clonmel (16.5f) and over fences at Gowran (19.5f); capable off this mark and rain would boost his claims. |
10/1 |
|
3rd 4 |
2nd Apr 2026 Soft 2m 4f 0y |
11st 0lb |
Won over fences at Gowran and hurdles here in February but was below form over fences at Limerick since; has a lot to find against some of these rivals; due to run in the 6.42 at Limerick on Tuesday. |
25/1 |
|
3rd 4 |
31st Mar 2026 Soft 2m 1f 200y |
11st 4lb |
Won over hurdles at Clonmel and fences at Gowran last month but disappointed here over fences last time so has to rebound; claims if he does. |
5/2 |
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Straight Forecast | €5.31 |
Selections
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