December 26 / 13.23 Down Royal

13.23

Good To Yielding

Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase

  • Prize money: £7695.65
  • 2m 4f 130y
  • 9 runners
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Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

Form: 33-485

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Failed to match his best maiden hurdle form when fifth on chasing debut (El Champo second & Lightkeeper fourth) at Cork but likely to be all the better for initial taste of experience as a chaser; more needed but likely to get closer today and cheekpieces a first.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

11th Aug 2025

Good

3m 1f 215y

19:25 Ballinrobe

Beau Walking

10st 13lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Mrs John Harrington

Had been chasing before mid-field run over hurdles at Galway; chance is not obvious unless a new headgear combination does the trick.

16/1

12th

6

30th Jul 2025

Good

2m 6f 0y

17:35 Galway

Beau Walking

11st 11lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Mrs John Harrington

Badly out of form over fences of late and it was a similar story when last seen in this sphere at the back end of 2024; best efforts on slower ground than what's likely.

33/1

9th

2

25th Apr 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 6f 120y

19:25 Kilbeggan

Beau Walking

11st 12lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Mrs John Harrington

midfield

25/1

Form: 322242 BF

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Had a few of these behind when going down narrowly at Cork after making most of the running behind Banjaxed; a three-time winner over hurdles, he is becoming a little frustrating as a chaser, albeit very consistent, but by no means had an easy race latterly (rider banned for whip breaches); sets the standard all the same and would not be winning out of turn.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

7th Jun 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 55y

14:32 Punchestown

El Champo

10st 13lb

J: Dylan Robinson

T: P J Rothwell

Dual-winning chaser whose last win came at Listowel in September off 1lb lower (2m6f, good to yielding); looks up against it based on a failure to complete at Gowran over fences and Fairyhouse over hurdles before finishing tailed off here last time.

40/1

9th

28

29th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 3f 58y

14:30 Punchestown

El Champo

11st 1lb

T: P J Rothwell

Winner of five races, up against it after failing to complete his last two starts; third reserve.

OUR TIP

Form: -05585

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Flat/maiden hurdle winner showed definite signs of more to come when fifth in a beginners' at Clonmel latest, arriving on the scene with a decent-looking challenge before effort petered out a little close home; getting the hang of things and more dangerous now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

22nd Mar 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 7f 120y

16:30 Navan

Global Export

10st 8lb

J: Alix Balfe

T: Gavin Cromwell

in rear

14/1

3rd

5

1st Mar 2025

Heavy

2m 4f 90y

16:20 Navan

Global Export

10st 3lb

J: Alix Balfe

T: Gavin Cromwell

towards rear, headway from 4 out, in touch with leaders on inner 3 out, went third 2 out, no impression when bad mistake last, kept on

10/1

Form: 821P44 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Made a good start to life as a chaser when a 5l fourth at Cork behind Banjaxed (El Champo a head 2nd); rider lost his whip late on that day so, with a combination of experience and a bit more luck in running, should get closer here; a lively contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

14th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 116y

16:47 Clonmel

Lightkeeper

11st 0lb

J: Josh Williamson

T: Gordon Elliott

Maiden hurdle winner in 2024 has won three chases since and is rated 128 in that sphere; was second in a Bellewstown claimer in August when last over hurdles; a spin in the charity race at Punchestown can have him straight; valuable 5lb claimer a help.

3/1

20th

1

2nd May 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

18:35 Punchestown

Lightkeeper

12st 9lb

J: Paul Burns

T: Gordon Elliott

Four-time winner, rated 128 over fences, flat debut, top yard, respected.

11/2

3rd

1

25th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 20y

Class 3

14:33 Perth

Lightkeeper

11st 10lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Gordon Elliott

Reversed previous C&D form with King Roly under an aggressive front-running ride from Sean Bowen here 17 days ago (good); that wasn't without the occasional scare over his fences but he's clearly capable of going well again off just 4lb higher.

5/2

Form: /20-P0

Last run: 10 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Has caught the eye on one or two occasions but consistency far from a strong suit and put firmly in his place on chasing debut when 250s; now hooded and all to do.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

6

31st May 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 7f 150y

16:00 Kilbeggan

Make The Plan

11st 9lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Oliver McKiernan

Off the course for a long time, chasing when last seen; best hurdles run was in 2023; probably best watched.

14/1

7

15th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 4f 0y

15:42 Gowran Park

Make The Plan

11st 12lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Oliver McKiernan

Ten race maiden under Rules is 0-2 in chases; mild improvement on second start in this sphere on latest at Down Royal but was still beaten 16l in the first-time hood (retained); hard to make a case for.

40/1

Form: 20-257

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Well behind a couple of these when a remote seventh at Cork behind Banjaxed; easy to look elsewhere on this occasion.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

19th May 2026

Good To Firm

2m 7f 129y

Class 5

20:30 Huntingdon

On Lovers Walk

12st 2lb

J: Miss Meisha Micklewright

T: Kelly Morgan

Led close home to win tactical hunter chase at Fakenham (3m, good) last month; found things happening too quickly and jumped badly right throughout when remote last of three at Warwick (2m, good) 18 days ago but moves back up in trip here and the switch to a right-handed track ought to suit.

4/1

3rd

2

1st May 2026

Good

2m 0f 54y

Class 5

16:30 Warwick

On Lovers Walk

12st 1lb

J: Miss Meisha Micklewright

T: Kelly Morgan

First wins for three years when striking last month in a Paxford restricted (2m4f) and Fakenham maiden hunter chase (3m, led last stride), both on good; prospects would improve if curbing the habit of jumping right evident on both of those occasions.

11/4

1st

3

13th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 38y

Class 5

17:10 Fakenham

On Lovers Walk

12st 0lb

J: Miss Meisha Micklewright

T: Kelly Morgan

Showed some fair form under rules when based in Ireland and comfortably won minor point at Paxford (2m4f, good) for new stable a week ago; not sure to be suited by this move back up in trip but still commands respect; sports refitted tongue-tie and first-time cheekpieces.

Evs

Form: 92-465

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Some decent snippets of form over hurdles without hitting the target; three runs so far over fences modest enough, although no disgrace in finding the classy Impaire Et Passe too good latest; only 4lb to find on the book with the likely market leader, so worth checking out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

18

8th Jun 2026

Yielding To Soft

3m 1f 24y

18:48 Roscommon

Prince Palace

10st 0lb

J: Shane O’Callaghan

T: P J Rothwell

Second reserve; 4lb wrong; won listed novice handicap at Navan last year but has lost way; pulled up in three of six starts since seasonal return in October; beaten 26l on first run for this stable at Leopardstown in March; risky proposition.

9th

4

2nd Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

3m 4f 61y

16:55 Leopardstown

Prince Palace

11st 11lb

J: Tiernan Power Roche

T: P J Rothwell

Sole win from 21 runs came in a Listed novice handicap chase at Navan last March (2m5f, heavy) off this mark; badly out of form since and now makes stable debut with first-time cheekpieces replacing the blinkers worn the last day.

22/1

8th

6

26th Oct 2025

Yielding

2m 6f 111y

14:35 Galway

Prince Palace

10st 7lb

J: Harry Sexton

T: P A Fahy

Won a Listed handicap chase at Navan in March (2m4f, heavy) off 7lb lower so can't be entirely dismissed, though he could have shaped a lot better after a break at Gowran (behind some of these).

16/1

Form: U21252

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Downpatrick maiden hurdle winner (2m6f, good) shaped nicely on chasing debut, albeit only three runners and two finishers when runner-up at Ayr 43 days ago; entitled to make his presence felt for a feared owner/trainer combo.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

5th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 150y

15:20 Down Royal

Step Out

11st 12lb

J: Ben Bromley

T: S R B Crawford

took keen hold, disputing third

6/1

3rd

5

5th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 150y

15:20 Down Royal

Step Out

11st 12lb

J: Ben Bromley

T: S R B Crawford

took keen hold, disputing third

6/1

6th

2

13th Apr 2025

Good

3m 2f 50y

16:35 Down Royal

Step Out

11st 11lb

J: J J Slevin

T: S R B Crawford

Winning hurdler is 0-5 in chases but has run well in defeat, including at this venue over 16.5f (good to yielding) back in January; won at 2m6f over hurdles but has stamina to prove for this trip; doesn't look a certain stayer on breeding and others appeal more.

100/30

Form: 21P0-0 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Point/odds-on maiden hurdle winner seemed to lose her way a little at the latter game, although latest effort was on the back of a 244-day break and should come on plenty from that; also considered good enough to tackle Grade 2 company as a hurdler before form spiralled downwards; switch to chasing could well spark a revival and has the engine if she bounces back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

27th Jun 2025

Good

3m 1f 107y

Class 4

15:43 Cartmel

Banprionsa

12st 0lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Anthony John Black

Only her third run over fences when winning a 3m Limerick handicap in March (yielding to soft) but stopped quickly next time and has since left Henry De Bromhead for 21,000gns.

10/1

1

13th Apr 2025

Good

3m 2f 50y

16:35 Down Royal

Banprionsa

11st 12lb

J: Rachael Blackmore

T: Henry De Bromhead

Off the mark at the third attempt over fences on latest at Limerick (24.5f, yielding to soft); hit with a 6lb rise for that and will encounter quicker ground here but she ran well on good to yielding in a beginners here back in December (20.5f); could be more to come.

2/1

1

13th Apr 2025

Good

3m 2f 50y

16:35 Down Royal

Banprionsa

11st 12lb

J: Rachael Blackmore

T: Henry De Bromhead

Off the mark at the third attempt over fences on latest at Limerick (24.5f, yielding to soft); hit with a 6lb rise for that and will encounter quicker ground here but she ran well on good to yielding in a beginners here back in December (20.5f); could be more to come.

2/1

Betting Forcast

11/1 Beau Walking, 15/8 El Champo, 8/1 Global Export, 7/2 Lightkeeper, 50/1 Make The Plan, 40/1 On Lovers Walk, 8/1 Prince Palace, 13/2 Step Out, 5/1 Banprionsa

Selections

RP RATINGS (IRE):

El Champo

SPOTLIGHT:

Banprionsa

TOPSPEED:

El Champo

POSTDATA:

El Champo

The Irish Sun:

El Champo