February 16 / 17.10 Punchestown

17.10

Yielding To Soft

Watch Every Race Live From Punchestown On Racing TV (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race

  • Prize money: £4876.03
  • 1m 7f 211y
  • 14 runners
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Watch Every Race Live From Punchestown On Racing TV (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race

Runners: 14 runners

Type: NH Flat

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

Form: 5

Last run: 52 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
66-1 fifth of 23 in a maiden hurdle at Leopardstotwn won by Kopek Des Bordes on St Stephen's Day; was 13l behind but that form couldn't be working out much better and he's a fascinating contender now tackling a bumper.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

29th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 3f 58y

15:40 Punchestown

Begorra Man

11st 6lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

Lightly-raced maiden has twice finished runner-up in 2m bumpers here and most recently again found one too good on returning to hurdles in 23-runner 2m Navan maiden last month, clear second behind an all-the-way winner (soft); brother won over 2m4f, so longer trip here could bring improvement.

9/1

2nd

2

21st Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 0f 0y

13:55 Navan

Begorra Man

11st 12lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

66-1 when fifth in a 23-runner maiden hurdle won by Kopek Des Bordes at the Christmas 2024 Leopardstown meeting; placed in two bumper runs at Punchestown a year apart; was entitled to need last month's race when second in a four-runner contest, splitting the Elliott and Mullins runners.

4/1

Form: 4

Last run: 46 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fourth in a bunched finish in a Fairyhouse bumper on New Year's Day; winner from that race struggled at the DRF; might be one for further and/or softer ground but should come on from his debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

27th Sep 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 0y

17:40 Listowel

Casterly Rock

12st 0lb

J: Eoghan Finegan

T: P E Collins

Good runs in three of his four bumpers, last time making all for a narrow success over C&D (yielding to soft); some course experience is never a bad thing and he's respected.

8/1

1st

3

21st Sep 2025

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 0y

17:28 Listowel

Casterly Rock

12st 0lb

J: Eoghan Finegan

T: P E Collins

Some creditable runs in three bumpers; a close fourth on debut at Fairyhouse (yielding to soft) before finishing 11l behind the well-regarded Gameofinches at Punchestown in February; didn't run to the same level at Gowran when last seen in March; others more likely.

14/1

5th

2

8th Mar 2025

Soft

2m 2f 0y

17:35 Gowran Park

Casterly Rock

12st 0lb

J: Mr C J Quinn

T: P E Collins

prominent

14/1

OUR TIP

Form:

Last run:

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Off the mark at the fourth attempt in a point before £165,000 sale; form of that point win knocked a bit since; may need more of a stamina test.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

17th Aug 2025

Good

2m 0f 140y

14:30 Tramore

Cosmos dAinay

11st 12lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Point-to-point winner who readily won 2m2f Sligo bumper in May (good); weakened quickly before last on hurdling debut over 2m5f (good to yielding) at Tipperary last month; has missed four intended engagements since (twice due to ground); back in trip here and major chance if reproducing his bumper form.

100/30

Form: 7

Last run: 156 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Only 11-4 for his debut but was beaten a long way out and tailed off; interesting to see whether the money arrives for him again but might be best watched on back of 156-day break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

5

20th Feb 2025

Soft

1m 7f 211y

17:00 Punchestown

Do Brazil

12st 0lb

J: Mr E P O’Brien

T: Richard John O’Brien

Only 11-4 for his debut but was beaten a long way out and tailed off; interesting to see whether the money arrives for him again but might be best watched on back of 160-day break.

33/1

7th

3

13th Sep 2024

Good

2m 0f 32y

19:25 Ballinrobe

Do Brazil

11st 3lb

J: Tom Harney

T: Richard John O’Brien

23,000euros 3yo; first foal; dam French 2m hurdle winner/placed 9.5f 2yo and 12.5f AW Flat (RPR 75), half-sister to French winners Blue Bresil (Group-placed 9.5f 2yo-1m7f Flat/Graded-placed maiden hurdler) and Miss Salvador (10.5f Group 3); yard 4-27 in bumpers and 3-9 at the track in this sphere so market watch advised.

11/2

Form:

Last run:

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Doyen gelding; dam 1m4f AW/2m turf winner (RPR 82)/placed 2m4f hurdles, half-sister to 2m hurdle winner Magical Memoir; yard 0-18 in bumpers last five years.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

4th Nov 2025

Soft

2m 4f 110y

15:15 Fairyhouse

Easy Doyen

11st 1lb

J: Cian Cullinan

T: Conor O’Dwyer

Nothing to take from three completed maiden hurdle runs at 2m3f-2m4f; visor goes on for handicap debut; could improve but probably best watched for now.

22/1

13

4th Nov 2025

Soft

2m 4f 110y

15:15 Fairyhouse

Easy Doyen

11st 1lb

J: Cian Cullinan

T: Conor O’Dwyer

Nothing to take from three completed maiden hurdle runs at 2m3f-2m4f; visor goes on for handicap debut; could improve but probably best watched for now.

22/1

13

4th Nov 2025

Soft

2m 4f 110y

15:15 Fairyhouse

Easy Doyen

11st 1lb

J: Cian Cullinan

T: Conor O’Dwyer

Nothing to take from three completed maiden hurdle runs at 2m3f-2m4f; visor goes on for handicap debut; could improve but probably best watched for now.

22/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Arctic Cosmos gelding; cost 1,000euros as a 3yo; dam unplaced in bumpers and 2m3f hurdle, half-sister to winners Foggy's Wall (bumper/2m2f hurdle), Suncroft (bumper) and Flash In The Park (2m4f chase); yard 0-4 in bumpers last five years.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16th

5

22nd Mar 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 0y

14:10 Navan

First Sub

11st 12lb

J: Philip Byrnes

T: W J O’Doherty

in touch with leaders

100/1

11th

8

13th Mar 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 50y

16:54 Limerick

First Sub

11st 10lb

J: Tom Harney

T: W J O’Doherty

Cheaply bought Arctic Cosmos 5yo whose dam was a maiden half-sister to winners Foggy's Wall (bumper/2m2f hurdle), Suncroft (bumper) and Flash In The Park (2m4f chase); best watched on debut.

50/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Involved in a point when coming down late and gained compensation with Dromahane point win in November; second and third have both won points since; half-brother to useful 2m1f-2m4f hurdle/chase winner The Kalooki Kid so no surprise if he ran a big race on debut for these connections.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

5

12th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 87y

Class 1

17:20 Cheltenham

Gameofinches

11st 7lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Competitive when falling in his first point and comfortably made amends in the second; rules debut only 20 days ago but he was the talk of Punchestown (soft; 8-15) and duly eased clear with Patrick Mullins (who now rides Copacabana) having to be only a passenger; the could-be-anything tag definitely applies here and Willie Mullins speaks of him with a glint in his eye; huge player.

4/1

1st

7

20th Feb 2025

Soft

1m 7f 211y

17:00 Punchestown

Gameofinches

12st 0lb

J: Mr P W Mullins

T: W P Mullins

Involved in a point when coming down late and gained compensation with Dromahane point win in November; second and third have both won points since; half-brother to useful 2m1f-2m4f hurdle/chase winner The Kalooki Kid so no surprise if he ran a big race on debut for these connections.

9/4

Form:

Last run:

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Great Pretender gelding; cost 12,000euros as a 3yo; half-brother to French 2m2f hurdle winner Les Yeux Noirs; dam placed in French 2m2f-2m4f hurdes/chases, half-sister to smart 2m-2m3f hurdle/chase winner Matterhorn; yard 1-70 in bumpers last five years.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16

17th Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 85y

18:37 Killarney

Gatehouse Boy

10st 13lb

J: Tiernan Power Roche

T: P J Rothwell

Won Limerick maiden hurdle but beaten a long way out when tailed off behind several of these last time; now tried with cheekpieces.

66/1

11

3rd Jul 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 90y

19:20 Tipperary

Gatehouse Boy

11st 6lb

J: Tiernan Power Roche

T: P J Rothwell

Left poor maiden hurdle form behind when winning comfortably at Limerick on handicap debut last time at 28-1 (2m3f, good); he has received a significant rise of 12lb so he will need to improve again.

7/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Berkshire gelding; half-brother to Hungarian 7f winner Sugarbird; dam runner-up 6f 2yo (RPR 53), half-sister to useful 10.6f/1m5f Flat and 2m-2m4f hurdle winner Automated; yard 0-6 in bumpers last five years.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Abandoned

Form:

Last run:

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Soldier Of Fortune gelding; half-brother to 2m2f-3m hurdle/chase winner No Regrets; dam 2m3f hurdle winner, closely related to useful 2m-2m4f hurdle winner Blue Buttons; yard get plenty of bumper winners and market support would be significant.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

2nd Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

16:40 Leopardstown

Rojuco Mac

11st 10lb

J: Mr Derek O’Connor

T: C Byrnes

Soldier Of Fortune half-brother to 2m2f-3m hurdle/chase winner No Regrets; dam 2m3f hurdle winner, closely related to useful 2m-2m4f hurdle winner Blue Buttons; progressive form in three bumpers, latest two in testing conditions when narrowly beaten at Punchestown and came from off the pace to score over 2m2f at Limerick over Christmas (third has won since) when first two clear; stiffer task now but yard in fine form and top rider booked.

5/1

3rd

10

20th Feb 2025

Soft

1m 7f 211y

17:00 Punchestown

Rojuco Mac

12st 0lb

J: Mr R W Barron

T: C Byrnes

Soldier Of Fortune gelding; half-brother to 2m2f-3m hurdle/chase winner No Regrets; dam 2m3f hurdle winner, closely related to useful 2m-2m4f hurdle winner Blue Buttons; yard get plenty of bumper winners and market support would be significant.

15/2

Form:

Last run:

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Conduit gelding; dam unraced half-sister to bumper winner Smooth River, out of 2m2f hurdle winner from family of Grand National winner Rhyme 'N' Reason; yard get fair share of bumper winners; worth a market check.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

12th Apr 2026

Good

2m 6f 0y

15:05 Down Royal

Rough N Smooth

11st 5lb

J: James Smith

T: Thomas Gibney

The best of three maiden hurdle runs came at Fairyhouse last time over 2m4f; up in trip on handicap debut and can run well with more likely to come.

14/1

4th

5

15th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 0y

14:43 Fairyhouse

Rough N Smooth

11st 12lb

J: James Smith

T: Thomas Gibney

Not a bad effort at 100-1 in midfield over C&D two weeks ago; possibly worth a look with handicaps in mind.

12/1

Form: 06

Last run: 46 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Tailed off in two bumpers at big prices so far.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(13)

1st Jul 2025

Good To Yielding

0m 7f 94y

18:08 Roscommon

Super Fly

9st 12lb

J: Seamie Heffernan

T: Anthony McCann

Started his career in bumpers; weak form in maidens; struggled on handicap debut in a 1m1f contest at Leopardstown.

20/1

1

(16)

19th Jun 2025

Yielding

1m 1f 0y

19:30 Leopardstown

Super Fly

10st 2lb

J: Gavin Ryan

T: Anthony McCann

Started his career in bumpers; weak form in maidens, hard to fancy from an opening mark that puts him at the top of this handicap.

14/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Unplaced in two points; dam well held in 2m4f hurdle, closely related to dam of smart 2m-3m hurdle/chase winner Chemical Energy; probably best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

26th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

18:12 Clonmel

Tadhgs Rock

12st 0lb

J: Mr D Allen

T: Terence O’Brien

Not beaten far in both point starts in 2024; solid effort in a Thurles bumper just over a year ago; an absence to overcome but likely capable of a decent showing.

10/1

6th

13

6th Mar 2025

Good To Yielding

1m 7f 136y

17:35 Thurles

Tadhgs Rock

12st 0lb

J: Mr D Allen

T: Terence O’Brien

prominent

20/1

Form: 75

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Minor promise in a pair of bumpers so far but this is a tough task.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

27th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 0y

17:47 Wexford

Walk On Annilog

11st 11lb

J: Mr J C Barry

T: Riceal Dunne

Maiden's best handicap effort came at Punchestown 11 days ago on better ground, making much of running in finishing fourth of 18 over 2m; bit more needed but could go well.

9/1

4th

1

13th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

18:20 Punchestown

Walk On Annilog

11st 12lb

J: Mr J C Barry

T: Riceal Dunne

Two of her three handicap runs have been in much stronger races at Leopardstown last Christmas and Fairyhouse at Easter; this is more realistic, each-way prospect at a decent price.

14/1

11th

21

6th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 0y

14:05 Fairyhouse

Walk On Annilog

10st 5lb

J: Brian Barry

T: Riceal Dunne

Hasn't performed badly in either of her handicaps without looking ahead of her mark; this is no easier.

50/1

Verdict

Point winner, Gameofinches, is probably going to be a warm order on debut for Willie Mullins given the yard’s prolific strike-rate in bumpers and the half-brother to The Kalooki Kid certainly warrants plenty of respect, particularly if the money arrives for him. However, a chance is taken on BEGORRA MAN who might offer a bit of value in the market. He outran his odds in Kope Des Bordes maiden hurdle over Christmas and he may build on that now tackling a bumper. [Phill Anderson]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Begorra Man

POSTDATA:

Casterly Rock

The Irish Sun:

Begorra Man