February 23 / 15.20 Naas

15.20

Heavy

William Hill Keep Your Raceday Positive Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £7801.65
  • 1m 7f 110y
  • 11 runners
RTV
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William Hill Keep Your Raceday Positive Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

6/1 (Won)

  • Win: £6.10
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 75031 CD

Last run: 15 days

W: 10st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Two-time Flat winner; off the mark over hurdles at the fifth attempt over C&D earlier this month on soft despite making several jumping errors; up 7lb but that is negated by his rider's claim; acts on heavy and he could follow up if he puts in a better round of jumping.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(12)

20th Oct 2025

Yielding

1m 3f 175y

17:25 Gowran Park

Duke Of Leggagh

9st 11lb

J: Wesley Joyce

T: Michael Mulvany

Gained sixth win of his career at Bellewstown on penultimate (12.5f, soft); beaten off revised mark off 77 latest but he'll relish testing conditions if the rain comes and he's gone well here before.

7/1

5th

2

(12)

13th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 4f 46y

16:35 Roscommon

Duke Of Leggagh

9st 11lb

J: Wesley Joyce

T: Michael Mulvany

C&D winner in May (good) and went in again at Bellewstown (1m4f, soft) 12 days ago when merely pushed out for a 5l verdict; the 8lb rise asks a question but should give it his best shot.

5/1

1st

3

(4)

1st Oct 2025

Good To Yielding

1m 4f 110y

16:33 Bellewstown

Duke Of Leggagh

9st 13lb

J: Terry Casey

T: Michael Mulvany

1m4f winner at Roscommon in May and respectable efforts the last twice, especially last time when 1m1f would have been sharp enough; rain welcomed.

5/1

OUR TIP

9/1

  • Place: £4.40

Form: 72208- C

Last run: 297 days

W: 11st 12lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Was beaten 13.5l off 127 when last seen in a listed handicap hurdle at Punchestown last May; just 1lb lower now, he lacks a run and most of his best form is on better ground than this; others look more likely.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

12

25th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 146y

Class 1

15:30 Sandown

Gabbys Cross

10st 7lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Nick Scholfield

Ex-Irish 11yo (six races for current yard) who has not won since 2022 but went close with first-time cheekpieces (kept since) over 3m2f at Newbury in February; second of three at Ascot (3m) in another veterans' race next time was creditable in the end, after he'd been detached at one point; that helps to envisage him as a stayer but he jumped poorly on heavy in Scottish National (40-1, pulled up) last week and this race also looks tough.

66/1

14

18th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 7f 176y

Class 1

15:35 Ayr

Gabbys Cross

11st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Nick Scholfield

Ex-Irish 11yo (five races for current yard) who has not won since July 2022 but nearly put that right in first-time cheekpieces (kept since) over 3m2f at Newbury in February, losing out in the final strides; second of three at Ascot (3m) three weeks ago was creditable in the end, after he'd been detached at one point, and that helps to envisage him as a stayer, but this race is so much tougher.

33/1

2nd

3

29th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 185y

Class 2

16:50 Ascot

Gabbys Cross

11st 8lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Nick Scholfield

Ex-Irish 11yo (four races for current yard) who has not won since July 2022 but so nearly put that right in first-time cheekpieces at Newbury four weeks ago when Copperhead wrested back the advantage in the final strides; back up 4lb and Sean Bowen takes over; clearly capable of a bold show.

9/4

12/1

  • Place: £2.70

Form: 10-P85 CD

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Won this last year off 111 and is 9lb higher now; ran better than the distance he was beaten suggests in a handicap chase here over 2m4f latest; the drop back in trip should suit and he can't be discounted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

14

29th Apr 2025

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 149y

15:40 Punchestown

American Money

10st 2lb

J: Rachael Blackmore

T: Eddie & Patrick Harty

in touch with leaders

10/1

15th

14

29th Apr 2025

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 149y

15:40 Punchestown

American Money

10st 2lb

J: Rachael Blackmore

T: Eddie & Patrick Harty

in touch with leaders, weakened from 2 out

10/1

4th

13

22nd Apr 2025

Soft To Heavy

2m 0f 0y

17:05 Fairyhouse

American Money

10st 7lb

J: Cian Cullinan

T: Eddie & Patrick Harty

raced in second

14/1

Form: 1-88F8 D

Last run: 54 days

W: 11st 1lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Dual-purpose; two-time winner on the level; sole win over hurdles came in a Punchestown maiden in November 2023; has lost form since and no sign of a revival on latest; hard to fancy for now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

21th

23

1st May 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 94y

14:30 Punchestown

Semblance Of Order

11st 1lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: A Oliver

midfield

33/1

21th

23

1st May 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 94y

14:30 Punchestown

Semblance Of Order

11st 1lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: A Oliver

midfield

33/1

12th

1

23rd Mar 2025

Good

2m 0f 50y

14:18 Limerick

Semblance Of Order

11st 12lb

J: Finn Brickley

T: A Oliver

Maiden hurdle winner last season but struggled in handicap company since and no signs of a revival at Naas last month.

16/1

Form: 592555 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 10st 13lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
2-9 over hurdles; finished 9.75l behind Duke Of Leggagh over C&D on latest; most of her best form is on better ground than this and she remains 14lb above her last winning mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

27th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 57y

19:00 Ballinrobe

Miss Gherkin

11st 10lb

J: Tiernan Power Roche

T: Eoin Griffin

Dual hurdle winner put up a fine run after a break on debut for this yard when runner-up at Clonmel; raised 3lb but might be able to progress enough to defy that; has run well in defeat here before.

7/2

4

27th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 57y

19:00 Ballinrobe

Miss Gherkin

11st 10lb

J: Tiernan Power Roche

T: Eoin Griffin

Dual hurdle winner put up a fine run after a break on debut for this yard when runner-up at Clonmel; raised 3lb but might be able to progress enough to defy that; has run well in defeat here before.

7/2

2nd

3

15th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 159y

19:48 Clonmel

Miss Gherkin

11st 4lb

J: Ricky Doyle

T: Eoin Griffin

Handicap wins over this trip came at Leopardstown and Tramore over a year ago; looked in handicapper's grasp over the winter and returns from a short break for new yard here.

10/1

Form: F-9756 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Two-time chase winner is 1-10 over hurdles and rated 14lb lower in this sphere; has run respectably in valuable handicap chases in three starts this season; heavy ground suits and he is an interesting runner back over timber.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

21st Sep 2025

Yielding To Soft

2m 1f 150y

16:58 Listowel

Captains Nephew

11st 1lb

J: Tiernan Power Roche

T: P J Rothwell

Still 7lb above the mark at which he gained his last chase win in March 2024, tough task on his first outing since the Punchestown festival; behind Dutch Scultz (fourth) but on the positive side, he was in front of Gaelic Art and Jasko Des Dames in that race.

12/1

7th

8

1st May 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 75y

15:05 Punchestown

Captains Nephew

10st 10lb

J: G B Noonan

T: P J Rothwell

sweating

25/1

7th

8

1st May 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 75y

15:05 Punchestown

Captains Nephew

10st 10lb

J: G B Noonan

T: P J Rothwell

sweating

25/1

Form: /155-0 D

Last run: 58 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Won a maiden hurdle for Tom Gibney at Ballinrobe (2m, good) in May 2023; struggled on heavy ground in a pair of graded novice hurdles at Navan subsequently but showed a bit more on his first start for John McConnell after a year off at Leopardstown in December; may need better ground than this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

18th

12

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 7f 110y

16:15 Punchestown

Ballystone

10st 8lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: John C McConnell

Won for the second time over hurdles when taking a 3m Galway handicap last August; however, is 8lb higher today in a stronger race and has to be at his best on return.

28/1

6

3rd Aug 2025

Good

3m 0f 60y

14:20 Galway

Ballystone

11st 11lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: John C McConnell

Won a 2m maiden hurdle at Ballinrobe in 2023 for Tom Gibney; needs to improve on this year's handicap form and he is not certain to get this trip as effectively as some of these rivals.

20/1

Form: 0-2212 D BF

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Consistent sort; runner up first two starts this season before gaining a deserved first win on his handicap debut at Limerick (2m, yielding to soft); hiked up 8lb for that but ran well off his new mark on latest when the 19.5f trip may have stretched him; claims back down in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

2nd Mar 2024

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

13:35 Navan

Balko DAnge

11st 7lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: Philip Fenton

held up in midfield, headway going okay after 2 out, keeping on when not fluent last, ridden when ran on towards finish, went second final strides

40/1

Form: /27/55 D BF

Last run: 220 days

W: 11st 3lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Dual-purpose sort; four-time winner on the Flat is 1-11 over hurdles; the vast majority of his best form is on good ground so conditions have to be a big concern and he lacks a recent run; others appeal more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

22nd Jul 2025

Yielding

2m 1f 89y

18:42 Ballinrobe

The Names Jock

11st 7lb

J: Mr J L Gleeson

T: John E & Thomas Kiely

Dual-purpose sort has failed to fire in either code in 2025; well beaten last two starts on the Flat and pulled up on last start over hurdles; hard to fancy on recent showings.

9/1

9

(9)

15th Jul 2025

Good

2m 0f 185y

19:45 Killarney

The Names Jock

9st 2lb

J: Robert Whearty

T: John E & Thomas Kiely

Dual-purpose; has won four on the Flat but has been below his best since a decent run over C&D last August; well behind Ragmans Corner at Navan latest; tongue-tie and cheekpieces need to revive.

22/1

12

(16)

7th Jun 2025

Good

1m 6f 0y

17:05 Navan

The Names Jock

9st 10lb

J: Jamie Powell

T: John E & Thomas Kiely

Four-time Flat winner in former years and also won a maiden hurdle; tailed off on belated chase debut at Tramore eight days ago and recent Flat form leaves question marks now.

28/1

Form: 631P72

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 12lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
One of two for Tom Mullins; 1-14 over hurdles; ran a blinder at big odds when chasing home Vischio at the DRF over 2m2f (soft); up 2lb for that and she has to prove she is effective on heavy ground; place claims at least if she handles conditions.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

7

16th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 0y

14:05 Wexford

Kimy

11st 2lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: Thomas Mullins

Record of 1-24 is off-putting; returned to scene of her win when breaking a poor run of form at Tramore (2m1f, good to yielding), finishing third of 16; ran on well that day, but she needs to repeat it.

10/1

3rd

1

20th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 0f 80y

17:42 Tramore

Kimy

12st 0lb

J: Sean Cleary-Farrell

T: Thomas Mullins

Sole win in 23 hurdle starts came here in 2024; plenty of decent runs in defeat since including in Listed company; beaten 11l at Cork last time off 2lb higher; needs more.

9/1

9th

19

19th Mar 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 4f 0y

16:00 Cork

Kimy

10st 8lb

J: Sean Cleary-Farrell

T: Thomas Mullins

Runner-up in Listed DRF mares' handicap last season but only one win from 22 starts; raced keenly when tailed off at the DRF on latest; can only be watched.

33/1

Form: 703643

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Second runner for yard; four-time Flat winner is 0-11 over timber; shaped well off this mark on latest at Thurles (15.5f, good) and on his penultimate start at Leopardstown in December; likes testing ground and he is a contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

11

(16)

11th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 111y

17:53 Roscommon

San Aer

9st 9lb

J: Leigh Roche

T: Ross O’Sullivan

Dual-purpose; four Flat wins but last of those came in 2023; not a terrible effort on latest and now 2lb below his last success but the draw gods have not been kind here.

28/1

11th

15

(19)

25th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

1m 0f 50y

16:25 Limerick

San Aer

9st 2lb

J: Luke McAteer

T: Ross O’Sullivan

No win since October 2023; promise on first two starts for this yard last October but two runs this season have not been good (very slowly away latest); others arrive in better form.

25/1

17th

4

(8)

19th Apr 2026

Soft

0m 7f 0y

16:45 Curragh

San Aer

9st 12lb

J: Donagh O’Connor

T: Ross O’Sullivan

Four wins on the Flat for Tom Mullins, including over C&D in 2022; finished runner-up behind subsequent Irish Lincoln winner Ribee at Galway in October (1m1f, soft to heavy); poor on return to action at Naas last month; could improve.

18/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €95.00
Straight Forecast €72.04
Tricast €697.29
Trifecta €970.50

Selections

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Captains Nephew

TOPSPEED:

Balko d'Ange

POSTDATA:

Kimy

SPOTLIGHT:

Duke Of Leggagh

The Irish Sun:

Captains Nephew