January 23 / 14.13 Gowran Park

14.13

Soft

John Mulhern Galmoy Hurdle (Grade 2)

  • Prize money: £21942.15
  • 3m 0f 70y
  • 9 runners
RTE2
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John Mulhern Galmoy Hurdle (Grade 2)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

9/1 (Won)

  • Win: £6.00
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 01-513 CD

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 145

Form & Verdict
Maiden hurdle winner at Limerick last season and made it two from four over timber in a C&D handicap on return; big career best when staying on for third in the Savills Hurdle on return, not getting a run at a crucial stage and he has a lot more upside than most of his rivals here; more needed again but not ruled out on just his sixth start over hurdles.
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

9/1

  • Place: £3.50

Form: /7243- D

Last run: 297 days

W: 11st 3lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 149

Form & Verdict
Grade 2 winner in February 2022 and has won a pair of Grade 3s over fences since; however, struggled in this race last year and it was a similar story on his only start since at Fairyhouse; off 297 days.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

2nd Mar 2025

Yielding To Soft

2m 2f 72y

14:25 Leopardstown

Thedevilscoachman

11st 2lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: Noel Meade

Four-time winner over hurdles has bounced back to form this season; has finished runner up in Grade 2s the last twice at Gowran and Navan on soft to heavy ground; the drying track here is not in his favour and this trip may be a shade sharp too, albeit he can't be discounted in this company.

5/4

2nd

6

9th Feb 2025

Soft To Heavy

2m 5f 180y

14:40 Navan

Thedevilscoachman

11st 3lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: Noel Meade

prominent, disputing second 8th, went clear with winner approaching last, no impression final 110yds

7/4

2nd

6

9th Feb 2025

Soft To Heavy

2m 5f 180y

14:40 Navan

Thedevilscoachman

11st 3lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: Noel Meade

prominent, disputing second 8th, went clear with winner approaching last, no impression final 110yds

7/4

13/2

  • Place: £2.80

Form: 6-3611 D

Last run: 51 days

W: 11st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 145

Form & Verdict
Has won twice over this sort of trip this winter with two career best efforts; more required again to land a hat-trick against these rivals but has each-way claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 7f 110y

18:05 Punchestown

Franciscan Rock

11st 10lb

J: Josh Williamson

T: M F Morris

Most recent of his three wins was in 2024; ran his best race for a long time when 50-1 runner-up in the BetMGM Cup at Cheltenham; remote eighth behind Teahupoo here 12 months ago; up against it.

33/1

2nd

19

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Franciscan Rock

10st 12lb

J: Josh Williamson

T: M F Morris

Fifth when 50-1 in this race in 2024 (1lb higher today) and 20l sixth when 80-1 for the Grade 1 Stayers' in 2025, close up turning for home on both occasions; not so good this season and this is a rare run without tongue-tie or other headgear; not entirely dismissed, though.

50/1

5th

3

22nd Jan 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 110y

13:45 Gowran Park

Franciscan Rock

11st 3lb

J: Gavin Brouder

T: M F Morris

Smart hurdler at his best; often highly tried, including at Cheltenham and Punchestown last season after he had finished third behind Rocky's Diamond in this race; anchored by a big burden in a handicap at Leopardstown at Christmas.

16/1

Form: 244-24

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 143

Form & Verdict
Chased home Franciscan Rock at Clonmel before finishing 4l behind Rocky's Diamond when fourth in the Grade 1 Savills Hurdle last month; likely to need a career best.
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: 2612-6 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 3lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 154

Form & Verdict
Veteran; talented when he puts it all together but he was back to jumping right on return at Leopardstown when beaten a long way out and he has questions to answer now; opposable given that he's likely to be short enough in the betting.
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

12/1

Form: 1-P844 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 149

Form & Verdict
Won the 3m handicap hurdle at the DRF last season and he can be dangerous when allowed to dictate the pace on the front end; has to take his form to a new level against these rivals though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

2

25th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 80y

18:35 Ballinrobe

Maxxum

11st 9lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

Smart stayer over hurdles (dual Grade 2 winner); not done much chasing but returned to this discipline to win small-field contest at Clonmel and his Grade 3-fourth at Killarney was perfectly respectable; jumping will be tested here in first handicap; trainer going for four in a row in this.

11/2

4th

4

11th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 100y

18:37 Killarney

Maxxum

11st 0lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

Best known for his hurdling exploits but made it 2-4 over fences in winning a conditions chase at Clonmel last month (2m4f, soft); this is harder but he's clearly in good heart and likely to run well.

5/1

1st

3

2nd Apr 2026

Soft

2m 4f 0y

16:30 Clonmel

Maxxum

11st 0lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Better known as a hurdler, with seven wins in that sphere up to 3m; was below form at Leopardstown last time in first-time cheekpieces; did win on chasing debut in 2023 but was pulled up on last start in this sphere in 2024; however, is seemingly the choice of Jack Kennedy so commands maximum respect.

11/8

OUR TIP

Form: /F13-2 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 154

Form & Verdict
Progressive sort who landed a Grade 2 at Navan last season when giving weight to re-opposing runner-up, Beacon Edge; followed that up with a third in the Liverpool Hurdle just behind Buddy One and was only just touched off by Crambo in the Long Walk on seasonal return; still unexposed and could come on for that Ascot run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

7th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 7f 0y

18:38 Wexford

Hiddenvalley Lake

11st 12lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Henry De Bromhead

Classy hurdler rated (154) some way superior to these, career highlight when winning 3m Grade 1 Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree just over a year ago; only fifth when attempting repeat win there last month but looks a class apart from these rivals if anyway fluent in his jumping (wasn't that on sole previous chase start back in December 2023); interesting jockey booking.

8/11

5th

4

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

15:05 Aintree

Hiddenvalley Lake

11st 10lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Well beaten at Punchestown last May and at Navan in February on sole start since; however, this race has brought out the best in him in the last two seasons, as he finished third in 2024 (good to soft) and first last year (good); could bounce back and play another leading role.

6/1

Form: /1575/ C

Last run: 638 days

W: 11st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Bumper/maiden hurdle winner before some tough assignements; would need a career best here and has been off 638 days.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

9th Mar 2025

Soft

2m 4f 29y

16:12 Naas

Kalanisi Star

11st 12lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Oliver McKiernan

Point, bumper and maiden hurdle winner who wasn't disgraced in graded company over timber a couple of seasons ago; missed last term, tailed off over timber on return and beaten a distance in a beginners' on chase debut last month; questions to answer now.

20/1

6th

5

20th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 6f 150y

13:55 Punchestown

Kalanisi Star

11st 12lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Oliver McKiernan

Campaigned at a high level over hurdles in 2022-23 season; should be better for his comeback run in Grade 2 hurdle at Gowran last month.

16/1

Form: 4-1343 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 153

Form & Verdict
Finished in front of Hiddenvalley Lake in the Liverpool Hurdle last season and creditable efforts in two other Grade 1s either side of that run; won three-runner beginners' on return but hasn't built on that since; will be a major player if the return to hurdles gets him back on track.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

40

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Buddy One

10st 2lb

T: Paul John Gilligan

Reserve; far better known as a smart hurdler, runner-up at this meeting in 2023 and 2024, with latter race the 3m Grade 1; below form over jumps over the last year, however, and he looks poorly handicapped (particularly from 4lb wrong) judged on his results over fences.

100/1

11th

5

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Buddy One

11st 8lb

J: Jack G Gilligan

T: Paul John Gilligan

Third in the 2m4f Martin Pipe at this meeting in 2023; creditable fifth in last year's Grade 1 Stayers' here but he's not really sparked since, including over fences; 6lb lower now than his peak British mark; equipped with cheekpieces on latest outing (stiff task) and today.

40/1

6th

1

26th Oct 2025

Yielding

2m 6f 111y

14:35 Galway

Buddy One

12st 2lb

J: Jack G Gilligan

T: Paul John Gilligan

Interfered with early when tailed off on the Flat last time; didn't run too badly in the Galway Plate the time before when mistakes didn't help, but this smart hurdler has yet to reach the same heights over fences; respected but others appeal more.

9/2

Non-runners

Beacon Edge

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €177.40
Straight Forecast €115.27
Trifecta €1803.20

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Rocky's Diamond

TOPSPEED:

Hiddenvalley Lake

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Asterion Forlonge

POSTDATA:

Rocky's Diamond

The Irish Sun:

Hiddenvalley Lake