December 28 / 12.20 Leopardstown

12.20

Good To Yielding

Savills Maiden Hurdle

  • Prize money: £7695.65
  • 2m 4f 0y
  • 12 runners
RTV
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Savills Maiden Hurdle

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

3/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.50
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 5/F BF

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fifth when beaten roughly 6l behind Majborough at Auteuil in April 2023; fell at the fifth when bidding to make the running in a maiden hurdle at Navan on yard debut (1-3 favourite) three weeks ago; the market support behind him that day suggests he could be useful and one for the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 1

14:00 Cheltenham

Kaid dAuthie

11st 7lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: W P Mullins

Has improved drastically for fences, finishing second to Kitzbuhel on debut before winning at Fairyhouse (2m6f, yielding) and in Grade 1 at Dublin Racing Festival (extended 2m5f, soft; beat Western Fold by just over 4l); impressed with his jumping and how he stuck to his task last time, attributes you need for this race, and he sets the standard on form; leading player.

13/2

1st

3

1st Feb 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 5f 107y

13:10 Leopardstown

Kaid dAuthie

11st 10lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: W P Mullins

Smart novice hurdler last season, winning twice but was found wanting on both ventures into this grade; however, already looks a better chaser, finishing runner-up to subsequent Grade 1-winning stablemate Kitzbuhel at Punchestown before winning a beginners' at Fairyhouse (2m6f); capable of a big run.

13/2

1st

3

30th Apr 2025

Yielding

2m 3f 58y

15:40 Punchestown

Kaid dAuthie

11st 12lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: W P Mullins

didn't jump with fluency, made virtually all, disputed lead, led 1st, hit 3rd, hit 4th, not fluent 5th, mistake 3 out, pushed along when good jump last, ridden and kept on well run-in, stayed on

4/1

15/2

  • Place: £1.20

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won twice in testing conditions in France and he's an interesting recruit for this yard but this looks like a tough ask; off 271 days.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 200y

Class 1

14:20 Aintree

Koktail Divin

11st 7lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Non-stayer (shaped better than the bare result) in the 3m1f Brown Advisory at Cheltenham having surprisingly swerved the 2m4f Jack Richards option; broadly progressive otherwise and scored by a wide margin at Leopardstown (2m5f, yielding) the time before, recording a very useful RPR; ran well in the Mersey over hurdles at this meeting 12 months ago; remains of major interest, back down in distance.

5/2

6th

6

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 1

14:00 Cheltenham

Koktail Divin

11st 7lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Second to Romeo Coolio and Oscars Brother on first two chase starts before impressing when winning an often-indicative race at Leopardstown over Christmas (extended 2m5f, yielding) by 21l; looked a leading contender for a handicap this week but yard instead opts to tackle this Grade 1.

15/2

2nd

2

31st Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 192y

15:47 Down Royal

Koktail Divin

11st 12lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

French bumper winner much improved on third attempt hurdling last term when readily landing 2m4f Leopardstown maiden in March (yielding); followed that up with good fourth in Grade 1 Aintree novices' at same trip (rated 137); potentially smart novice chaser and likely major player.

5/2

14/1

  • Place: £4.00

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Muhtathir gelding; dam 2m4f-2m6f chase winner, half-sister to useful French hurdle/chase winners Ex Fan Des Sixties (2m-2m3f) and Fandango (2m1f-2m6f); withdrawn by order of the stewards ahead of intended debut at Naas earlier this month; this looks like a tough ask.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

16th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 145y

Class 4

15:20 Bangor-on-Dee

Krak

11st 13lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Made winning handicap debut in Ireland in April 2025 but had disappointing campaign for new stable last season; drops back in trip and sports first-time cheekpieces here; needs to turn a corner.

12/1

1

19th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 4

16:20 Ludlow

Krak

12st 2lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Won Cork handicap (2m3f, soft) on final start for Stuart Crawford 11 months ago; weakened quickly on stable debut in Chepstow Grade 2 (about 2m3f) in October before being well held in two chases in December; weakened again over 2m5f in Kempton's Lanzarote (good) last time but should do better given this significant drop in grade.

15/2

2

10th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 1

15:43 Chepstow

Krak

11st 3lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

The same owners as when trained in Ireland and impressed on his final start, a valuable handicap at Cork (2m3f, soft); did beat an exposed handicapper that day but this 5yo looks to have better days ahead of him.

10/1

Form: 1

Last run: 215 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Quickened up nicely to win Ballinrobe bumper back in May and runner-up has won two bumpers since, including a Listed bumper; that race has produced other winners too and may improve now hurdling; can be involved.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

28th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 132y

15:40 Punchestown

Kalix Delabarriere

10st 9lb

J: Sean Cleary-Farrell

T: W P Mullins

Back to form with a bang at Fairyhouse under this rider latest, winning by 5l with a few of these behind; a 9lb rise for that seems fair but overall profile suggests he's far from guaranteed to back that up; obvious chance if he does.

10/1

1st

16

4th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 0y

17:00 Fairyhouse

Kalix Delabarriere

10st 0lb

J: Sean Cleary-Farrell

T: W P Mullins

Bumper and maiden hurdle winner but has been poor on last three starts in handicaps, pulled up after never counting at DRF in February; cheekpieces added but very hard to be confident in (1lb wrong).

25/1

17

1st Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

15:52 Leopardstown

Kalix Delabarriere

10st 2lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: W P Mullins

Bumper and maiden hurdle winner but has been poor on last two starts and has an absence to overcome, so others preferred.

25/1

Form: 6

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Beaten 22l when sixth of 14 in a maiden hurdle at Punchestown last month; should improve if he handles the quicker ground here and has an each-way squeak.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

19

4th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 7f 170y

16:25 Fairyhouse

Found A Diamond

10st 9lb

J: Shane Markey

T: Ross O’Sullivan

Likes a stamina test, second win coming over 3m1f at Navan in December in first-time cheekpieces (soft-to-heavy); creditable efforts off revised mark twice since, latest when third (Minella Emperor second) in 3m Pertemps qualifier at Haydock on better ground; place claims.

12/1

3rd

15

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

15:50 Haydock

Found A Diamond

10st 6lb

J: Shane Markey

T: Ross O’Sullivan

Second hurdle success when stepped up to 3m1f for his Navan handicap debut (soft to heavy) in December and backed that up when third of nine over 3m at Fairyhouse (yielding) since; one of a few unexposed types in this line-up.

14/1

3rd

6

14th Jan 2026

Yielding

3m 0f 0y

13:45 Fairyhouse

Found A Diamond

10st 10lb

J: Shane Markey

T: Ross O’Sullivan

Thurles maiden hurdle winner in October (2m6f, good to yielding), and runner-up was a very easy winner next time; well beaten in a novice hurdle back at that track subsequently, but ready winner when stepped up in trip in first-time cheekpieces for Navan handicap last time (3m1f, soft to heavy); stamina is his forte on breeding (dam half-sister to Best Mate), and big player here.

7/2

Form: 9-

Last run: 272 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Tailed off in a valuable bumper at Fairyhouse in March but was only 17-2 that day and he's a full brother to Romeo Coolio; nice pedigree and may do better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

2nd Jun 2026

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

16:30 Southwell

Butchers Bill

11st 1lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Anthony Day

Ex-Irish maiden whose overall record is now 0-12 and he's not finished closer than 10l to a winner; opposable.

50/1

7th

6

22nd May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

20:11 Worcester

Butchers Bill

11st 7lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Anthony Day

Ex-Irish maiden who has failed to complete over fences (fell/pulled up) in the last two of his three runs for current yard; overall record is now 0-11 and he's not finished closer than 10l to a winner; opposable.

25/1

2

2nd May 2026

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 5

15:10 Uttoxeter

Butchers Bill

11st 11lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Anthony Day

Ex-Irish maiden; made low-key stable debut in October (breathing issue reported) then looked beaten when falling on latest outing in December; returns with quite a bit to prove.

25/1

Form: 6-4

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Shown ability in a couple of maiden hurdle outings but wouldn't appear to be in the same league as a few of these.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

25th Aug 2025

Good

2m 6f 61y

18:13 Ballinrobe

Van Demon

11st 10lb

J: Philip Byrnes

T: W J O’Doherty

Flat winner for Noel Meade; given an initial hurdles rating of 106 when with Meade; now 10lb lower after showing dismal form in three runs for this stable; transformation needed with blinkers; market check advised.

10/1

1

17th Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 85y

17:01 Killarney

Van Demon

11st 12lb

J: Philip Byrnes

T: W J O’Doherty

Flat winner for Noel Meade; showed initial promise over hurdles but beaten a long way in two handicaps for this yard; cheekpieces need to spark a major upturn in form.

50/1

14th

9

24th Apr 2025

Good

2m 2f 50y

18:15 Kilbeggan

Van Demon

11st 6lb

J: Philip Byrnes

T: W J O’Doherty

towards rear throughout

22/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Getaway filly; sister to 2m hurdle winner Theatre Native, half-sister to winners Theatre Glory (useful bumper/2m-2m5f hurdle), Ambitious Fellow (useful bumper and 2m4f/2m6f hurdle) and Illuminated Beauty (point); dam 2m hurdle winner; this looks tough on debut for sole filly in the field.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

27th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 3f 56y

14:10 Punchestown

Native Glory

11st 7lb

J: Ross Berry

T: C A Murphy

Beaten 47l in a maiden hurdle on debut and enormous improvement is needed today.

100/1

Form: 70

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Was only 11-2 for debut but was tailed off and same result when 125-1 at Cork earlier this month; steps back up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

21st May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 6f 160y

19:18 Limerick

Another Challenge

11st 0lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Oliver McKiernan

Took a while to find his feet but best effort yet when second of 15 at Down Royal's Christmas meeting (20.5f, good to yielding), keeping on well in closing stages; finished in front of Royal Time that day; big player after a break from 4lb higher.

4/1

18

3rd Oct 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 80y

15:11 Gowran Park

Another Challenge

10st 2lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Oliver McKiernan

Didn't show much in maidens and unseated after first on handicap debut at Down Royal in January; made late headway on his return to action at Navan (2m3f, yielding) last month when a distant fourth; can improve on that, but will need to.

13/1

OUR TIP

Form: 36730

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Third in a Down Royal bumper and third in a Sedgefield maiden hurdle but was tailed off at Naas last week and bit to prove against these.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

30th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 80y

16:26 Listowel

Chanceawetmorning

11st 12lb

J: Josh Williamson

T: Gordon Elliott

Unbeaten from two starts since joining this yard; well-backed to win a Kilbeggan handicap in April (2m1f, good to yielding) and followed up with today's rider aboard at Clonmel next time; made to work harder to win last time and is up another 7lb, but this step up in trip could unlock a bit more.

100/30

1st

7

14th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 159y

19:50 Clonmel

Chanceawetmorning

11st 3lb

J: Josh Williamson

T: Gordon Elliott

Best effort for Noel Kelly when second of 12 finishers (beaten favourite) over 2m4f at Fairyhouse in January; flopped when favourite at Ayr in March; justified good support when winning easily at Kilbeggan on first appearance for Gordon Elliott; raised by 9lb, but Josh Williamson's 5lb claim could help him to follow up.

2/1

1st

11

24th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 110y

16:50 Kilbeggan

Chanceawetmorning

11st 4lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

11-race maiden; second of 12 finishers when a beaten favourite at Fairyhouse (2m4f, soft) in January; flopped when favourite at Ayr last month; first appearance for Gordon Elliott now

13/1

Form: 5

Last run: 144 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Encouraging fifth when only beaten four and a half lengths over this trip at Roscommon debut when sent off 50-1; mixed signals on the strength of that form but entitled to improve for that; off 144 days.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

14th Oct 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

16:05 Punchestown

Colorado Charlie

11st 5lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Mark Michael McNiff

Ordinary form in maidens; massive improvement needed from his two Sligo handicap runs since joining this stable.

33/1

4

20th Aug 2025

Good

2m 4f 107y

18:38 Sligo

Colorado Charlie

11st 8lb

J: Alan King

T: Mark Michael McNiff

Ordinary maiden hurdle form after a satisfactory first run at Roscommon 12 months ago; never counted at any stage over a shorter trip at this venue on stable/handicap debut.

16/1

14th

3

7th Aug 2025

Good

2m 1f 193y

18:35 Sligo

Colorado Charlie

11st 11lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Mark Michael McNiff

Encouraging debut in maiden hurdle at Roscommon but shown very little in four runs since; new yard; career best required on handicap bow.

16/1

Form: 11-2 BF

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Nice prospect having won a pair of Punchestown bumpers last season including the Goffs Defender bumper and was only beaten half a length by Butch Cassidy on last month's hurdle bow at Punchestown; 5l back to the third that has won since and he's the one to beat here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

21st Feb 2024

Heavy

2m 0f 148y

16:55 Punchestown

Sermandzarak

11st 10lb

J: Mr J L Gleeson

T: Gordon Elliott

Fifth foal; closely related to French 10.5f/1m4f AW winner Sermandakfi, half-brother to winners Sermando (1m4f/1m7f Flat, RPR 76; 2m4f hurdle) and Relco Galaxy (Italian 1m 2yo); dam Italian 1m2f winner out of French Listed-placed 12.5f winner; obviously respected from these quarters and likely one of the market leaders.

2/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €16.70
Straight Forecast €16.63
Trifecta €256.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Sermandzarak

TOPSPEED:

Chanceawetmorning

The Irish Sun:

Kaid d'Authie

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Sermandzarak

POSTDATA:

Sermandzarak