December 26 / 11.40 Down Royal

11.40

Good To Yielding

I.N.H. Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle

  • Prize money: £7695.65
  • 2m 4f 15y
  • 15 runners
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I.N.H. Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle

Runners: 15 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

Form: 10

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Second in both points before winning a 2m2f Sligo bumper on stable debut; 12s, just being niggled along when hampered and hit third-last on hurdling debut at Fairyhouse (finished lame); easy to forgive that and step up to this trip should suit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

19th

11

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 7f 110y

16:15 Punchestown

Ballybow

10st 8lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

Won a Grade 3 hurdle over this trip in 2025 but hasn't repeated that form since; some fair runs in defeat over fences this season but has to get back to his best returned to hurdles; yard second-string.

40/1

4th

2

12th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 88y

16:07 Down Royal

Ballybow

11st 12lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Useful 128-rated hurdler last season, including a Grade 3 win; well beaten over various trips in four beginners' chases this season, fourth behind King Alexander at Gowran was his best effort; tailed off in the Leinster National at Naas last time when 3m1f on soft to heavy may have been too far; 13lb to find on ratings with Sandor Clegane, but that rival is not the most solid.

2/1

9th

15

8th Mar 2026

Heavy

3m 0f 174y

16:02 Naas

Ballybow

10st 0lb

J: Josh Williamson

T: Gordon Elliott

Useful 128-rated hurdler last season, including a Grade 3 win; well beaten over various trips at this venue in opening three beginners' chase outings in good company; shaped more promisingly in first-time blinkers at Gowran last time before fading tamely after making jumping errors; makes handicap chase debut now and 6lb wrong; needs to jump better.

12/1

OUR TIP

Form: 17-

Last run: 239 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Mare won a point and pointers' bumper; beaten 10l when last seen in Grade 3 mares' bumper at Punchestown festival; hurdles debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

10

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

15:05 Aintree

Air Of Entitlement

11st 3lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Henry De Bromhead

Won the mares' novice hurdle at last season's Cheltenham Festival (2m1f, good to soft) and returned to form to win the Martin Pipe Handicap there (2m4f, soft) last month; she has something to find now back up in grade, even with the 7lb mares' allowance, but she powered up the hill last time and has an Irish National winner in her pedigree, so the step up in trip might prompt further improvement; not discounted.

11/1

1st

3

13th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Air Of Entitlement

11st 10lb

J: Patrick M O’Brien

T: Henry De Bromhead

Stays 2m4f; got up close home in the Grade 2 novice hurdle for mares at this meeting 12 months ago (2m1f, good to soft); no further progress in three starts since, disappointing in Listed handicap latest, but may raise her game returned to the Cheltenham Festival; not ruled out.

9/1

2nd

1

4th Nov 2025

Soft

2m 4f 110y

14:45 Fairyhouse

Air Of Entitlement

11st 13lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Point/bumper winner; easy winner of a 2m4f maiden hurdle at Down Royal last Christmas; no problem with the shorter distance (2m1f) when beating the favourite Sixandahalf in the Grade 2 mares' novice at Cheltenham; failed to reproduce that form in 2m4f Grade 1 mares' event here in April; no easy task here giving weight to the geldings; stable's form a positive.

5/2

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Leading Light 5yo from family of smart US jumper Mario and Festival Bumper winner Rhythm Section; best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 89-063

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Didn't show much in four bumpers; unfancied for recent hurdling debut at Cork but showed ability when remote third to an easy winner; steps up in trip by half a mile.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

25th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 80y

18:35 Ballinrobe

Hes Gorgeous

10st 9lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: P A Fahy

Didn't hang around long over hurdles and solid form in first season over fences; kept plugging away when fine fifth of 22 in deep novice handicap at Punchestown (2m4f, yielding) last month; hasn't raced beyond 2m4f but good chance if he stays (dam won hurdle over 2m4f).

9/1

5th

16

1st May 2026

Yielding

2m 4f 55y

17:25 Punchestown

Hes Gorgeous

11st 0lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: P A Fahy

Has taken well to chasing this term, winning a 2m2f Clonmel beginners' (heavy) and good late headway for fourth behind Romeo Coolio in a Leopardstown Grade 1 (2m1f, yielding) over Christmas; good attitude when runner-up in a Down Royal novice chase in January (2m1f, yielding to soft); okay run when fifth in a Listed Naas handicap (2m4f, heavy) when last seen.

25/1

5th

1

22nd Feb 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 4f 0y

17:00 Naas

Hes Gorgeous

11st 12lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: P A Fahy

Fair form over hurdles and has taken well to chasing this term, winning a 2m2f Clonmel beginners' (heavy) and good late headway to take fourth behind Romeo Coolio over Christmas in a Leopardstown Grade 1 (2m1f, yielding); another positive effort when runner-up in a Down Royal rated novice contest, rallying well (2m1f, yielding to soft); increase in trip looks a positive.

10/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Cost plenty as a store and half-brother to three useful hurdling winners; family of high-class 2m-3m1f hurdle/chase winner Crystal D'Ainay; didn't show much in a point last month and now tried in headgear combo for rules debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

22nd Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

15:40 Kelso

Instinct dAinay

11st 10lb

J: Ben Bromley

T: S R B Crawford

Showed nothing more than minor promise when beaten 30l+ in three maiden/novice hurdles (2m-2m4f) during the winter and seems rather harshly treated for this handicap debut but, nevetheless, he's open to significant improvement if he takes well to fences.

9/2

Form: 5-26

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Homebred was remote second to classy Romeo Coolio on hurdling debut here last month and again ran well when a hampered sixth of 25 in what looked a strong maiden at Fairyhouse; tackles 2m4f for first time and bred to get it.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

5th May 2025

Good

2m 1f 79y

13:00 Down Royal

Ivybrook

11st 4lb

J: Niall Moore

T: Dermot A McLoughlin

Promise in three of five starts over hurdles and rated 113; was an 18l second behind Romeo Coolio here over 2m1f (gd-yld) back in November and not beaten far when sixth of 25 at Fairyhouse later that month; obvious chance in this company.

7/2

5th

7

5th May 2025

Good

2m 1f 79y

13:00 Down Royal

Ivybrook

11st 4lb

J: Niall Moore

T: Dermot A McLoughlin

Promise in three of five starts over hurdles and rated 113; was an 18l second behind Romeo Coolio here over 2m1f (gd-yld) back in November and not beaten far when sixth of 25 at Fairyhouse later that month; obvious chance in this company.

7/2

6th

4

23rd Feb 2025

Heavy

1m 7f 110y

13:50 Naas

Ivybrook

11st 12lb

J: Niall Moore

T: Dermot A McLoughlin

Remote second behind subsequent Grade 1 winner Romeo Coolio on hurdling debut at Down Royal in November; again ran well when a hampered sixth in a 25-runner maiden at Fairyhouse; something amiss when down the field at Down Royal; well held by Kalix Delabarriere on running at this venue four weeks ago.

25/1

Form: 8

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Not shown much in a point/AW bumper; starts off hurdling here and best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

7th Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 125y

16:30 Roscommon

Retreat Archie

10st 12lb

J: John Shinnick

T: Jamie Albert Sloan

Shown very little at huge odds so far, including when switched to a handicap last time.

50/1

10th

6

13th Apr 2025

Good

2m 6f 0y

15:35 Down Royal

Retreat Archie

11st 9lb

J: Liam McKenna

T: Jamie Albert Sloan

Handicap debutant; best maiden effort came here over 2m4f but was still beaten 32l; half-brother won over 2m7f on good to firm so conditions and trip should suit; potential improver worth a market check.

16/1

Form: 0-

Last run: 240 days

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Sent off 50s when tailed off in Punchestown festival bumper; tongue-tie stays on for hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

11

5th May 2025

Good

2m 1f 79y

13:00 Down Royal

Savant Du Mesnil

11st 4lb

J: Ben Bromley

T: S R B Crawford

Earned a rating of 98 after three maiden hurdle runs here and at Downpatrick at 2m1f-2m6f; pulled up on handicap debut at Perth last month over 2m4f when running off 107; drops back in trip and connections always respected here but others hold more pressing claims.

22/1

7th

11

5th May 2025

Good

2m 1f 79y

13:00 Down Royal

Savant Du Mesnil

11st 4lb

J: Ben Bromley

T: S R B Crawford

Earned a rating of 98 after three maiden hurdle runs here and at Downpatrick at 2m1f-2m6f; pulled up on handicap debut at Perth last month over 2m4f when running off 107; drops back in trip and connections always respected here but others hold more pressing claims.

22/1

7

24th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

14:55 Perth

Savant Du Mesnil

11st 5lb

J: J J Slevin

T: S R B Crawford

There's little in the way of substance to his form but connections are respected and he's into his first handicap; needs checking in the betting.

12/1

Form: 332/F-

Last run: 239 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed in three maidens in spring of 2022, including when going down narrowly over this trip at Fairyhouse; was running okay from mark of 116 when tipping up in handicap on his return from two years off in May; absent since.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

9

30th Apr 2025

Yielding

2m 3f 58y

14:30 Punchestown

Smooth Scotch

11st 11lb

J: Liam Quinlan

T: S R B Crawford

Was still involved when falling in this race last year on the back of a lengthy absence; 0-9 but he's consistent sort and wasn't beaten far in a maiden hurdle at Navan before a 14l defeat when third of 16 at Fairyhouse earlier this month; not much went right for him the last day and one to consider back in handicap company.

16/1

15th

9

30th Apr 2025

Yielding

2m 3f 58y

14:30 Punchestown

Smooth Scotch

11st 11lb

J: Liam Quinlan

T: S R B Crawford

Was still involved when falling in this race last year on the back of a lengthy absence; 0-9 but he's consistent sort and wasn't beaten far in a maiden hurdle at Navan before a 14l defeat when third of 16 at Fairyhouse earlier this month; not much went right for him the last day and one to consider back in handicap company.

16/1

3rd

10

6th Apr 2025

Yielding

2m 4f 0y

14:00 Fairyhouse

Smooth Scotch

11st 12lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: S R B Crawford

Every chance when falling on handicap debut at Punchestown last May after a long layoff; solid maiden form this season, fifth behind Cheltenham winner Air Of Entitlement at Down Royal, third in a decent four-runner contest at Navan; closely matched with Butcher Hollow on running at the same venue last time; cheekpieces now as well as usual tongue-tie.

5/2

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fourth runner for the Crawfords; homebred is brother to bumper/2m hurdle/2m4f chase winner Henry Box Brown, half-brother to Island Mahee (2m1f/2m4f hurdle winner); family of smart 3m-3m2f hurdle/chase winner Mendip Express; tongue-tie on for debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 7-245U

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Mark of 109 after six starts in this sphere; fair fifth over this trip on seasonal debut at Navan, early exit since; placed at best in all likelihood.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

18th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 1f 30y

15:50 Bellewstown

Syracus Du Houx

11st 1lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Oliver McKiernan

Well beaten over hurdles and fences lately and has to return to his best older form; blinkers replace previously worn cheekpieces.

16/1

7th

5

31st Mar 2026

Soft

2m 3f 128y

18:12 Limerick

Syracus Du Houx

11st 3lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Oliver McKiernan

Showed some ability without winning over hurdles in 2024; was beaten a long way on return at Gowran last time and has to improve hugely on that for chasing debut.

25/1

11th

4

7th Mar 2026

Heavy

2m 4f 0y

15:43 Gowran Park

Syracus Du Houx

11st 5lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Oliver McKiernan

Has failed to build on second placing at Punchestown in May 2024; brought down when mid-division on handicap debut at Thurles last March; midfield at Naas following month; absence to overcome.

10/1

Form: 5

Last run: 234 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won a point in February and fair run in hunter chase in May; likely to come on for this hurdling debut after a layoff.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

21st Jan 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 33y

12:40 Down Royal

Victor Tango

11st 4lb

J: Jody McGarvey

T: Noel C Kelly

Point winner; beaten a long way in a maiden hurdle here last month and hard to make a case for.

100/1

14

21st Jan 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 33y

12:40 Down Royal

Victor Tango

11st 4lb

J: Jody McGarvey

T: Noel C Kelly

Point winner; beaten a long way in a maiden hurdle here last month and hard to make a case for.

100/1

Form: 4

Last run: 30 days

W: 10st 11lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Point winner was 3s for hurdling debut at Tramore last month when well-beaten fourth in mares' maiden (2m5f); will need to have come on plenty to contend.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

21st May 2026

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 150y

20:18 Limerick

Nastya

11st 11lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Killarney beginners' chase winner (23.5f, yielding); 100-30 favourite on handicap chase debut at Down Royal in November (3m, gd-yld) and was under pressure but in contention when falling two out (Battle Of Mirbat won); off since and returns with yard in hot form; ground versatile and could go well.

9/2

6

1st Nov 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

14:10 Down Royal

Nastya

11st 6lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Maiden hurdle winner at this venue; off the mark at the third attempt over fences under a positive ride in a Killarney beginners' 27-days ago (23.5f, yielding); that form has taken some knocks but still respected on handicap debut.

9/2

6

1st Nov 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

14:10 Down Royal

Nastya

11st 6lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Maiden hurdle winner at this venue; off the mark at the third attempt over fences under a positive ride in a Killarney beginners' 27-days ago (23.5f, yielding); that form has taken some knocks but still respected on handicap debut.

9/2

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 11lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Been running on the level and showed a glimmer of promise on AW two runs back but best watched on jumping debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

(11)

1st Jun 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 40y

16:40 Listowel

Saga Des Aigles

9st 2lb

J: Liam Keniry

T: Declan Queally

Ordinary form over hurdles in two runs for this stable; weak Flat form for her previous trainer; perhaps worth a market check; Liam Keniry aboard.

14/1

14

(11)

1st Jun 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 40y

16:40 Listowel

Saga Des Aigles

9st 2lb

J: Liam Keniry

T: Declan Queally

Ordinary form over hurdles in two runs for this stable; weak Flat form for her previous trainer; perhaps worth a market check; Liam Keniry aboard.

14/1

12

16th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

16:50 Kilbeggan

Saga Des Aigles

11st 5lb

J: Kevin Sexton

T: Declan Queally

Her seven starts under rules make her one of the most experienced of the contenders; she finished a 25l fifth of eight on her debut for her current stable last time out at Tramore; prior to that she was running on the Flat to little effect; more improvement needed.

13/2

Form: 00

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 11lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Big prices when finishing midfield in pair of 2m maidens at Navan; unlikely to contend.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

11th Jul 2025

Good

2m 2f 160y

18:30 Kilbeggan

Telnobody

11st 6lb

J: Shane O’Callaghan

T: Ross O’Sullivan

Going well since entering handicaps, finishing good third at Down Royal and outpaced from last by 4l winner at Wexford, having raced keenly; could have more to offer if settling better.

5/1

Betting Forcast

11/4 Ballybow, 7/2 Air Of Entitlement, 50/1 Fishermans Friend, 16/1 Hes Gorgeous, 20/1 Instinct dAinay, 9/4 Ivybrook, 100/1 Retreat Archie, 33/1 Savant Du Mesnil, 10/1 Smooth Scotch, 50/1 Strangford, 11/1 Syracus Du Houx, 40/1 Victor Tango, 10/1 Nastya, 50/1 Saga Des Aigles, 33/1 Telnobody

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Ivybrook

The Irish Sun:

Air Of Entitlement

TOPSPEED:

Ivybrook

POSTDATA:

Ivybrook