December 28 / 14.00 Leopardstown

14.00

Good To Yielding

Savills Hurdle (Grade 1)

  • Prize money: £76956.52
  • 2m 7f 80y
  • 8 runners
ITV4
View Course
Savills Hurdle (Grade 1)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

2/1 (Won)

  • Win: £2.88
  • Place: £1.20

Form: 533-61 CD

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 155

Form & Verdict
Won this race two years ago after beating Bob Olinger in the Lismullen at Navan; third behind Bob Olinger in last year's Lismullen; had an off-day in this event 12 months ago; ran well in defeat behind Teahupoo at Cheltenham and Punchestown; finished behind Hewick at Auteuil in May; returned with fine effort to beat Bob Olinger in the Lismullen; 5lb worse off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

15:05 Aintree

Home By The Lee

11st 10lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

11yo who was running in the Stayers' Hurdle for the fifth time when making the breakthrough in that Cheltenham Grade 1 last month (3m, good); pulled up in this race on both visits to Aintree and 33-1 when winning at the Festival, but it was certainly no fluke judged on the pick of his career exploits and he's the one to beat if repeating that latest form.

7/1

1st

6

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

15:20 Cheltenham

Home By The Lee

11st 10lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Two-time Grade 1 winner, latterly in 2024, who landed the Grade 2 Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park in January, showing he retains considerable spark at the age of 11; he's run well in this race previously but has found Grade 1 races tough over the last 12 months; could have same problem today.

33/1

OUR TIP

9/4

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 1122-2 BF

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 159

Form & Verdict
Two Grade 2 wins last year, in the 2m4f Lismullen at Navan (Home By The Lee, third) and in 2m5f Cheltenham event; later second in Grade 1 contests here (behind State Man over inadequate 2m) and beaten a nose by Impaire Et Passe over 2m4f at Aintree; failed to get to grips with Home By The Lee on seasonal debut at Navan; 5lb better off and should be sharper now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 7f 110y

18:05 Punchestown

Bob Olinger

11st 10lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Ended a sequence of seconds when beating Teahupoo in the 2025 Stayers' Hurdle; no match for Teahupoo at Leopardstown on seasonal debut; had that below-par rival behind when a fine third behind Home By The Lee in the Stayers'; continues to prosper despite his veteran status; can go close.

3/1

3rd

2

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

15:20 Cheltenham

Bob Olinger

11st 10lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Now 11 but he was as good as ever last March when winning this race by nearly 2l from Teahupoo (good to soft; also effective on soft); respectable second to that rival at Leopardstown in December on sole run this season and his excellent record at Cheltenham means he has to be in calculations.

7/1

50/1

  • Place: £6.00

Form: 01-51 D

Last run: 84 days

W: 11st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Showed massive improvement from his first run when landing a gamble in a 2m1f Limerick maiden in April; jumped was ragged in a 3m conditions event at Wexford in May; stayed well when landing a 3m handicap at Gowran in October; faces huge task here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

22nd Jan 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 110y

13:45 Gowran Park

Rockys Diamond

11st 8lb

J: Mr D L Queally

T: Declan Queally

Won this race last season before a creditable fourth in the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham; flopped at Punchestown; good start to chasing career with Galway win before second at Wexford; disappointed in a Grade 2 novice chase at Punchestown; made mistakes when sent back over hurdles at Leopardstown and faded to finish a remote sixth.

3/1

6

27th Oct 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 7f 0y

15:30 Wexford

Rockys Diamond

10st 9lb

J: Michael Kenneally

T: Declan Queally

Made rapid progress in staying hurdles last year, winning the Grade 2 Galmoy at Gowran before finishing fourth in the Stayers' at Cheltenham; beat a subsequent winner on chasing debut at Galway on return; this is a big jump in class but jumped well then so has to be respected

5/1

Form: 2244-2 BF

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
Third in the 2023 Albert Bartlett; failed to win during an ambitious five-race novice chase campaign last season; took a while to readjust to hurdling when second in a four-runner conditions event at Clonmel on reappearance; this is very demanding.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

9th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

15:35 Killarney

Sandor Clegane

11st 10lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Paul Nolan

Useful sort at his best and has run well in defeat in Grade 1 company over hurdles and fences; finally got off the mark over fences at Down Royal last time over 2m4f; this trip will suit better; a big player.

5/2

1st

4

12th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 88y

16:07 Down Royal

Sandor Clegane

11st 12lb

J: Eoin Staples

T: Paul Nolan

Promising novice chaser in 2023-2024 season and ran well in Graded hurdles in winter of 2024-2025; fairly moderate form this season but he shaped better than the bare result in the Kim Muir last time when making smooth headway turning in before his effort petered out (3m3f, good); tongue tie goes back on now and this is a good opportunity.

13/8

10th

5

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 70y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Sandor Clegane

11st 7lb

J: Mr J W Hendrick

T: Paul Nolan

Promising novice chaser in 2023-24 season and ran well in Graded hurdles in winter 2024-25; well handicapped on his peak form but he's failed to produce it over the last 12 months; 0-9 over fences and last hurdle win was in April 2023; a major turnaround is needed in first-time cheekpieces.

20/1

Form: 63-232 D

Last run: 56 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 155

Form & Verdict
Last season's King George hero; showed high-class hurdles form when second in Grade 1 stayers' event at Auteuil in May before a summer break; two satisfactory chase efforts this season, notably when runner-up to Envoi Allen in Grade 1 Down Royal contest; first start for his new trainer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 7f 110y

16:15 Punchestown

Hewick

12st 0lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: John Joseph Hanlon

Has been a fantastic standard-bearer for his yard, winning 12 races between hurdles and fences including the King George in 2023; hasn't been at that level in the last year but ran respectably in the Stayers' Hurdle; has to bounce back from a poor Aintree run.

20/1

3

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

15:05 Aintree

Hewick

11st 10lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: John Joseph Hanlon

Career highlight when winning the King George over fences at Kempton in December 2023; won two conditions hurdles last year; gave it a very good go from the front when seventh in the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham (3m, good) last month following wind surgery but this 11yo is probably vulnerable once more.

22/1

7th

5

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

15:20 Cheltenham

Hewick

11st 10lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: John Joseph Hanlon

Career highlight when winning the 2023 King George and he was running well when falling two out in the Gold Cup here that year; won two conditions hurdles last year; soundly beaten behind Impose Toi in Grade 2 Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury (3m, soft) in November last time and, although he's had a wind op and better ground may aid his cause, this 11yo looks up against it.

33/1

Form: 52612- C

Last run: 240 days

W: 11st 10lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 155

Form & Verdict
Seven career wins; alternating between hurdles and fences last season; second to Irish Point in this race 12 months ago; beaten 12l in sixth in the Stayers Hurdle; won a match for a Grade 3 chase at Cork at Easter; just held on to second place, a head in front of Home By The Lee in Grade 1 Punchestown event; seasonal debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

1st May 2025

Yielding

2m 7f 110y

18:00 Punchestown

Asterion Forlonge

11st 10lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

towards rear, good headway on inner when not fluent 3 out, challenging after 2 out, outpaced approaching last, ran on and went second inside final 110yds, no match for winner

12/1

2nd

1

1st May 2025

Yielding

2m 7f 110y

18:00 Punchestown

Asterion Forlonge

11st 10lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

towards rear, good headway on inner when not fluent 3 out, challenging after 2 out, outpaced approaching last, ran on and went second inside final 110yds, no match for winner

12/1

Form: 124513 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 10lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 147

Form & Verdict
Grade 1-winning chaser in the 2021 Drinmore; veteran recorded seventh hurdles success when taking an admittedly weak four-runner 3m Grade 2 contest at Wetherby early in November, staying on well; will be suited by a return to further after a third of four behind Lossiemouth in the Hatton's Grace.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 3y

Class 5

16:00 Taunton

Beacon Edge

11st 12lb

J: Mr Joshua Newman

T: J Newman

Best known as a very talented hurdler, also landing a Grade 1 novice chase in 2021; had jumping issues over fences subsequently and this is his first chase start since 2022; returned from some time off with a point win last month (3m, soft); it remains to be seen how much ability this 12yo retains but he's entitled to considerable respect on his hunter chase debut.

13/8

1st

1

28th May 2025

Good To Firm

2m 1f 0y

16:55 Wexford

Beacon Edge

12st 0lb

J: Mr J M Halford

T: Gordon Elliott

Winner of nine races; 7-34 record over hurdles, including a four-runner Grade 2 event over 3m at Wetherby last October; ran creditably when seventh in the 26-runner Coral Cup at Cheltenham; down the field at Aintree subsequently; trip is short of his best but he won a stronger race than this over 2m2f at Ballinrobe a year ago; amateur rider, 2-11 over hurdles.

11/8

1

28th May 2025

Good To Firm

2m 1f 0y

16:55 Wexford

Beacon Edge

12st 0lb

J: Mr J M Halford

T: Gordon Elliott

Winner of nine races; 7-34 record over hurdles, including a four-runner Grade 2 event over 3m at Wetherby last October; ran creditably when seventh in the 26-runner Coral Cup at Cheltenham; down the field at Aintree subsequently; trip is short of his best but he won a stronger race than this over 2m2f at Ballinrobe a year ago; amateur rider, 2-11 over hurdles.

11/8

Form: 72170- D

Last run: 259 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 151

Form & Verdict
2022 Grand National winner; fourth in his bid repeat bid in 2023, seventh last season after a preparation that involved three starts over hurdles; beat Paisley Park in Grade 2 Cleeve Hurdle; faded form the last when seventh in the Stayers' Hurdle; hood and tongue-tie combination is novel.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

28th Dec 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 7f 80y

14:00 Leopardstown

Noble Yeats

11st 10lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Emmet Mullins

midfield early, pressed leaders after 4th, lost position and dropped to rear when pushed along briefly after 6th, dropped to last and pushed along after 7th, reminders and struggling after 8th

13/2

6

28th Dec 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 7f 80y

14:00 Leopardstown

Noble Yeats

11st 10lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Emmet Mullins

midfield early, pressed leaders after 4th, lost position and dropped to rear when pushed along briefly after 6th, dropped to last and pushed along after 7th, reminders and struggling after 8th

13/2

19th

1

13th Apr 2024

Heavy

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Noble Yeats

11st 12lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Emmet Mullins

2022 Grand National winner and fourth in it (again on good to soft) last year when he was hard work from out the back and never got near the leaders; hurdling on last three starts, winning a Grade 2 but coming up well short when the cheekpieces (which had served him well hitherto) were restored at Cheltenham one month ago; just 1lb lower than last year but his strength of stamina will presumably be well served by a slog in the mud.

20/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €5.90
Straight Forecast €7.91
Tricast €258.44
Trifecta €168.70

Selections

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Bob Olinger

SPOTLIGHT:

Home By The Lee

TOPSPEED:

Noble Yeats

POSTDATA:

Bob Olinger

The Irish Sun:

Home By The Lee