May 14 / 19.50 Killarney

19.50

Good

FEXCO Handicap

  • Prize money: £8465.22
  • 2m 0f 182y
  • 12 runners
RTV
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FEXCO Handicap

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.00
  • Place: £1.50

Form: /810-1

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Useful hurdler and made a successful return to the Flat when making all (as is his way) over 1m5f at Navan (good to yielding) when some of today's rivals were left trailing; raised 7lb but he's not had a lot of racing and a greater concern would be whether 2m will suit (can be headstrong).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

7th Feb 2026

Soft

1m 7f 158y

14:50 Naas

Boher Road

11st 11lb

J: Cian Cullinan

T: Jarlath P Fahey

Better known as a four-time winner on the Flat; maiden hurdle winner in 2023; ran out at the third-last when clear in a hurdle race at Fairyhouse in April 2024; returned from a long absence with a run in December; should be sharper now.

8/1

18th

16

(4)

29th Sep 2024

Yielding

2m 0f 170y

16:25 Curragh

Boher Road

9st 3lb

J: Scott McCullagh

T: Jarlath P Fahey

led

20/1

14th

4

(10)

18th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

2m 3f 210y

Class 2

18:05 Ascot

Boher Road

9st 9lb

J: Ronan Whelan

T: Jarlath P Fahey

Unraced on firmer than good; fairly useful hurdler who's won from the front in three of his last four Flat starts, including at Navan (1m5f, good to yielding) and Killarney (2m1f, soft; Almuhit fourth) in his two runs this season; the latter was in fine style and a major step forward with the step up in trip, so this improving 5yo is one to take seriously despite his rise in the weights and a much stronger race.

14/1

12/1

  • Place: £2.50

Form: 2474-

Last run: 222 days

W: 9st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Bumper/chase winner who has come up short in fairly ordinary handicap hurdles on his last three appearances, which followed a 2m Flat defeat in a maiden; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

11th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 100y

18:37 Killarney

The Banger Doyle

11st 0lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: John Queally

Exposed 10yo who is stuck on a lengthy losing run and one he'll do well to end on these terms.

33/1

14/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 148-75 D

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Won a staying handicap at last year's Galway festival and then finished close up here over 1m6f; however, hasn't run well enough in his last two runs to get the vote.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

6

(6)

5th Sep 2025

Good

2m 2f 141y

18:24 Down Royal

Last Ammo

9st 11lb

J: Jack Kearney

T: Laura Hourigan

Sole turf win came in 2m1f Galway handicap two years ago (yielding); safely held this summer, most recently when attempting repeat Galway win; bit to prove.

16/1

12

(2)

30th Jul 2025

Good

2m 0f 110y

20:20 Galway

Last Ammo

9st 11lb

J: Jack Kearney

T: Laura Hourigan

Won this race under this rider in 2023 when trained by Richard O' Brien, his sole victory on turf; just 1lb higher now and signs of returning to form on fourth start for this stable at Ballinrobe last time; could go well.

16/1

12

(8)

21st Jul 2025

Yielding

1m 4f 184y

19:30 Ballinrobe

Last Ammo

8st 7lb

J: Wayne Lordan

T: Laura Hourigan

The last of his two wins was at Galway in 2023, over 2m; well held in three starts this year and needs loads more from 1lb out of the handicap.

50/1

OUR TIP
4th
1 (10)
Almuhit

9/2

Form: 3019-5 CD

Last run: 17 days

W: 10st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
C&D winner on yielding ground last summer; has shown he can deal with this mark in staying handicaps and he can improve on his 6l fifth to Boher Road at Navan as the winner dominated from the front; still early days with Emmet Mullins; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

(8)

31st May 2026

Good

2m 0f 13y

Class 3

18:15 Thirsk

Almuhit

9st 7lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Faye Bramley

Rediscovered the knack for new stable last year, including two front-running wins over 2m in four-runner Flat races and two places when the action got more competitive; returned to some hurdles form on last two outings in that sphere; a lesser show on Musselburgh Flat in between was over 1m6f but this race may also prove too tough.

16/1

4th

15

28th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 3f 81y

15:05 Punchestown

Almuhit

10st 8lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Faye Bramley

Four-time Flat winner is 2-19 over hurdles; 8l behind Laughing John when runner up in qualifier for this at Wincanton on penultimate; modest run on the level at Musselburgh on latest; others make more appeal.

12/1

5th
6 (7)
Caradoc

40/1

Form: 4/985-

Last run: 236 days

W: 9st 3lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Four-time Flat winner in Britain and on his final run for Ed Walker he finished fourth in the 2022 Cambridgeshire (1m1f); below his best under both codes for current yard and looks vulnerable to stronger stayers at 2m.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

(4)

7th Jul 2024

Good To Firm

2m 1f 0y

17:15 Limerick

Caradoc

10st 1lb

J: Calum Hogan

T: E McNamara

dwelt start, in rear

10/1

4th

2

(9)

22nd Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 4f 110y

17:20 Limerick

Caradoc

10st 0lb

J: Calum Hogan

T: E McNamara

slowly into stride, in rear, headway over 2f out, still plenty to do 1f out, ran on well and went fourth towards finish, not reach leaders

16/1

10th

1

(2)

2nd Jun 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 40y

16:50 Listowel

Caradoc

10st 3lb

J: Leigh Roche

T: E McNamara

slowly away, detached in rear

16/1

Form: 4310-1

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Has done well since joining Paul Flynn and, for one who stays 2m well, it was encouraging to see him lead late on over 1m5f at Navan last month and the second has won since; getting high in the weights following a further 7lb rise but he's not easily knocked.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(4)

21st Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 4f 70y

17:20 Limerick

Nostra Casa

9st 11lb

J: Killian Leonard

T: Leonard Paul Flynn

Four-time winner; modest efforts since joining this yard; has plenty of work to do to get closer to Lough Leane judged on latest Gowran run; would want it softer; others preferred.

33/1

7th

3

(18)

2nd Jun 2025

Good

1m 4f 40y

15:52 Gowran Park

Nostra Casa

9st 13lb

J: Seamie Heffernan

T: Leonard Paul Flynn

Four-time winner; needs to step up on the form of two races over longer trips this season; finished behind Migdam at Ballinrobe last time.

16/1

3

(18)

2nd Jun 2025

Good

1m 4f 40y

15:52 Gowran Park

Nostra Casa

9st 13lb

J: Seamie Heffernan

T: Leonard Paul Flynn

Four-time winner; needs to step up on the form of two races over longer trips this season; finished behind Migdam at Ballinrobe last time.

16/1

Form: 022-26

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
A case can be made off this mark on his solid maiden form (1m4f/1m6f) and the blinkers fitted for handicap debut at Navan (1m6f; 4-1) are soon dispensed with; he's a dark one.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

(12)

28th Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

1m 4f 0y

14:30 Curragh

Neptunes Staircase

9st 13lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: G M Lyons

Off the track since dominant maiden win at Roscommon in July 2024 (1m4f, good); handles testing ground and has C&D form so he needs checking in the market.

11/2

1st

5

(8)

2nd Jul 2024

Good

1m 4f 20y

20:20 Roscommon

Neptunes Staircase

9st 9lb

J: Colin Keane

T: G M Lyons

in touch with leaders, smooth headway and went second halfway, led going best over 2f out, soon ridden clear, went further clear inside final furlong

9/4

8th
11 (5)
Dunvegan

20/1

Form: 593/0/

Last run: 555 days

W: 8st 13lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Has developed into a good 2m chaser and he's rated higher over hurdles than the other jumpers present here; however, he's an 11yo now and was pulled up in a handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse in February on his return from an absence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16th

7

31st Jul 2024

Good

2m 6f 111y

19:10 Galway

Dunvegan

11st 2lb

J: Michael O’Sullivan

T: P A Fahy

towards rear

50/1

15th

12

(17)

14th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

19:25 Fairyhouse

Dunvegan

9st 5lb

J: Jamie Powell

T: P A Fahy

in touch with leaders

14/1

Form: 11233/

Last run: 957 days

W: 9st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Rated on a par with Highwind over hurdles but he fell at the Dublin Racing Festival and then finished tailed off in a handicap at Naas; therefore, his current wellbeing is an issue but he did well on the Flat for Sir Mark Prescott and could still be a factor here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

10th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

16:02 Ludlow

The Tide Turns

11st 12lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Stephen Allen

Gained sole hurdles success over four years ago when trained in Ireland; has dismal form for current yard and can be dismissed unless the betting suggests a resurgence is likely.

50/1

9th

3

16th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

19:00 Hereford

The Tide Turns

11st 10lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Stephen Allen

Initially promising over hurdles for Gordon Elliott but lost his way under both codes and left that yard for £1,600 in August 2024; twice pulled up since returning from his long absence.

100/1

2

13th Oct 2025

Good

2m 5f 163y

Class 4

16:15 Hereford

The Tide Turns

12st 2lb

J: Jamie Brace

T: Stephen Allen

AW winner for Sir Mark Prescott in 2021; initially promising over hurdles for Gordon Elliott but lost his way under both codes and left that yard for £1,600.

16/1

10th
2 (9)
Highwind

2/1

Form: /2133-

Last run: 403 days

W: 9st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Has struggled in Grade 1s since making a winning stable/hurdling debut in January; was previously a consistent Flat performer over middle-distances in France, winning one of his five starts; this mark is no gift but he could improve for this sort of trip; strongly considered.
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.

50/1

Form: 4/547-

Last run: 197 days

W: 8st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
16 defeats divided between hurdling and the Flat; will do well to shed his maiden status here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

19th Sep 2025

Yielding

2m 1f 165y

15:21 Downpatrick

Blackberry Jack

10st 13lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Denis Leahy

A 23-race maiden whose last run over hurdles came in 2023 over C&D when well beaten off 93; returned from a break with a decent third at Tramore (1m4f, good to yielding); not as good at Galway last time; others more likely.

13/1

20

(11)

9th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 4f 0y

19:05 Galway

Blackberry Jack

9st 0lb

J: Wayne Hassett

T: Denis Leahy

Second reserve; maiden under both codes, returning from year's absence when creditable third over this trip at Tramore last month; more needed in a deeper race.

11

(9)

16th Aug 2025

Yielding

1m 4f 0y

19:02 Tramore

Blackberry Jack

8st 9lb

J: Wayne Hassett

T: Denis Leahy

Maiden under both codes, returns from year's absence and hard to make a case for; 2lb wrong.

33/1

12th
10 (4)
Byker

10/1

Form: 6721/0

Last run: 17 days

W: 8st 13lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Good novice hurdler who went down narrowly in the juvenile handicap at Cheltenham in 2023; however, that was his last effort of real note and he was well behind on his recent return to the Flat at Navan in the race won by Nostra Casa.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

15th Oct 2024

Good

2m 2f 94y

15:20 Punchestown

Byker

11st 2lb

J: Philip Byrnes

T: C Byrnes

Good novice hurdler who went down narrowly in the Boodles at Cheltenham in 2023; subsequent form was disappointing however, last seen when well held on the Flat in the Spring; good bit to find on ratings here.

10/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €25.20
Straight Forecast €27.40
Tricast €230.35
Trifecta €166.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Neptunes Staircase

The Irish Sun:

Highwind

POSTDATA:

Almuhit

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Blackberry Jack