February 24 / 13.30 Punchestown

13.30

Heavy

50,000 Euros BetVictor Graduation Bonus Series Maiden Hurdle (Div I)

  • Prize money: £4876.03
  • 2m 0f 157y
  • 12 runners
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50,000 Euros BetVictor Graduation Bonus Series Maiden Hurdle (Div I)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

11/4 (Won)

  • Win: £5.50
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 0/22-0 BF

Last run: 38 days

W: 10st 11lb

7 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed in successive bumpers at Ballinrobe and Sligo in 2023 for Harry Kelly; disappointed when 2-1 for a Cork bumper on her return from a long layoff last month, her first start for Willie Mullins; may have needed that, a hood goes on and she can't be discounted for top yard on hurdles debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

3rd Oct 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 80y

15:46 Gowran Park

Adela Icon

10st 11lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: W P Mullins

Heavy ground maiden hurdle winner at Punchestown in February before some decent efforts in competitive contests; struck again with a supremely comfortable victory at Bellewstown in August (2m1f, good); tongue-tie now added to the previously worn hood after she weakened quickly at Listowel last time; avoids penalty and leading contender if back to her best.

10/11

5

21st Sep 2025

Yielding To Soft

2m 4f 0y

14:58 Listowel

Adela Icon

11st 0lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: W P Mullins

Twice-placed in bumpers for Harry Kelly; off the mark in a Punchestown maiden hurdle last February (2m, heavy); keen throughout at Kilbeggan in June when finishing third (2m3f, good); supremely comfortable victor at Bellewstown last time when allowed to dominate (2m1f, good); jumps left at times so this track should suit and will be dangerous if given soft lead but step back up in trip raises a question; Townend chooses Jalila Moriviere.

6/4

1

27th Aug 2025

Good

2m 1f 40y

18:55 Bellewstown

Adela Icon

11st 3lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: W P Mullins

Twice placed in bumpers for Harry Kelly; Punchestown maiden hurdle winner on heavy in February on second start for Willie Mullins; no disgrace in Naas third in April; lesser effort at Killarney before a more satisfactory display at Kilbeggan; has tended to race too keenly; should be thereabouts if settling better.

7/2

7/4

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 22-233

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Flat winner is 0-9 over hurdles but has run well in defeat; went close at Galway in October and not beaten far in a class 2 maiden at Cheltenham in November; leading form claims and handles heavy ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

3

(17)

2nd Sep 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

17:08 Navan

Whimsy

11st 13lb

J: Miss A B O’Connor

T: Anthony McCann

Useful Flat performer, winning three times and placing on a further nine occasions from 17 turf starts; took third at Gowran in April (1m4f, soft) and went one place better when beaten a neck at Musselburgh next time (2m, good); has often been frustrating, as shown by hurdles record 1-20; second eight times.

12/1

8th

2

1st May 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 45y

19:10 Punchestown

Whimsy

12st 0lb

J: James Smith

T: Anthony McCann

Record of 1-19 over timber; three-time winner on the Flat has placed in two starts in that sphere since falling over hurdles at Leopardstown in March; recent form suggests she's fit and healthy but poor strike rate over hurdles is off-putting.

14/1

9/1

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 246

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed in two point-to-points; best effort over hurdles on his racecourse debut at Wexford over 2m4f; hasn't backed that up since and was beaten 33l here on his latest start on similar ground to this, albeit he can't be fully discounted for top yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

10

21st Aug 2026

Good

2m 2f 200y

18:05 Kilbeggan

Paul Collins

11st 5lb

J: Philip Byrnes

T: Brian M McMahon

Won a novice handicap at Galway in October but struggled since and was beaten 23l in a Galway handicap last time (2m6f, good).

25/1

13th

15

29th Jul 2026

Good

2m 6f 0y

17:35 Galway

Paul Collins

11st 7lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Brian M McMahon

Won a novice handicap here in October but struggled since and latest third was quite remote and in a claimer.

12/1

3rd

2

6th Jul 2026

Good

2m 7f 180y

16:38 Roscommon

Paul Collins

11st 4lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Brian M McMahon

Won a Galway novice handicap in October (2m7f, yielding); but out of form since; has youth on his side but form is off-putting and carries 6lb more than Howdoyalikeherhome but would receive 9lb from that rival in a handicap.

15/2

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Eight race maiden on the Flat and rated 73 in that sphere; stamina won't be an issue on hurdles bow but heavy ground is an unknown; probably best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

6

(5)

2nd Nov 2025

Heavy

1m 4f 0y

16:15 Curragh

Sioux Eagle

9st 13lb

J: J M Sheridan

T: Patrick T Foley

Has run well in defeat several times up to 1m6f; beaten 8l off 71 in a handicap here over that trip on comeback; needs a fair bit more.

20/1

13th

6

(5)

2nd Nov 2025

Heavy

1m 4f 0y

16:15 Curragh

Sioux Eagle

9st 13lb

J: J M Sheridan

T: Patrick T Foley

Has run well in defeat several times up to 1m6f; beaten 8l off 71 in a handicap here over that trip on comeback; needs a fair bit more.

20/1

13th

6

(5)

2nd Nov 2025

Heavy

1m 4f 0y

16:15 Curragh

Sioux Eagle

9st 13lb

J: J M Sheridan

T: Patrick T Foley

Has run well in defeat several times up to 1m6f; beaten 8l off 71 in a handicap here over that trip on comeback; needs a fair bit more.

20/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Flat recruit; won twice at a modest level in that sphere; stamina a question on pedigree but he has run well on testing ground on the level so he is worth a market check on hurdles debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

(8)

28th Aug 2025

Good

1m 6f 0y

17:35 Navan

Asisaid

9st 6lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Aidan Melia

Losing run since July 2023 but has been giving the impression his turn may be near again in two starts for his new yard; yet to try further than 1m2f on the Flat but has shaped like it would suit at times and one to consider.

9/1

3rd

11

(17)

23rd Jul 2025

Yielding To Soft

1m 0f 0y

19:10 Naas

Asisaid

9st 5lb

J: Nicola Burns

T: Aidan Melia

Won this event two years ago; fair form towards the end of last season; out of sorts this term until showing signs of a revival when fourth at Navan on stable draw; drawn high but Nicola Burns may be able to counter any disadvantage

6/1

Form:

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 11lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Half-sister to the smart Adagio didn't jump with fluency on her debut on heavy ground here last month when well behind Paul Collins; yard in better form now and she should be capable of better; check the market.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

18

2nd Aug 2026

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 60y

14:20 Galway

Adaliz

10st 6lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Won twice last year, including over this trip at Tipperary off 95; has run just three times since, tame enough Downpatrick effort on latest; blinkers now replace cheekpieces.

16/1

10th

13

14th Jul 2026

Good

2m 5f 185y

16:47 Downpatrick

Adaliz

11st 3lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Won twice last season, over 19.5f (good) at Clonmel and over 23.5f at Tipperary; well held on return from 306 days off at Punchestown but should strip fitter now, eased 1lb and steps back up in trip; can't discount.

16/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Third foal; dam placed point, half-sister to smart 2m7f hurdle/3m chase winner Captain CJ and bumper/2m3f hurdle winner Dainty Diva, out of 2m/2m3f hurdle winner; son of Arctic Cosmos may need further in time; best watched on debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15

28th Aug 2026

Good

2m 0f 190y

16:15 Wexford

Nukies Artic

10st 10lb

T: Eoin Christopher McCarthy

First reserve; not without market support when mildly encouraging effort on most recent of two runs in Clonmel handicaps (first-time tongue-tie); needs to jump better though.

6th

11

14th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 216y

18:12 Clonmel

Nukies Artic

10st 11lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Eoin Christopher McCarthy

Poor form in maidens; in rear on handicap debut at this venue; tongue-tie will need to make a huge difference; top rider.

20/1

8th

7

26th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 76y

14:34 Clonmel

Nukies Artic

11st 4lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Eoin Christopher McCarthy

Soundly beaten in three maiden hurdles last season; returned in Thurles maiden three weeks ago and was always in rear; top jockey aboard for handicap debut but big leap of faith required.

33/1

Form: 0-8

Last run: 65 days

W: 10st 11lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
0-3 on the Flat; promise on her hurdles debut at Thurles in December when beaten 13l into eighth of 18; outside place claims if she can build on that effort.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

18

29th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

17:25 Curragh

Im Flattered

11st 12lb

J: Mr John Ennis

T: Padraig Roche

Hurdle winner was well beaten off a mark of 57 on the Flat last time; up against it.

50/1

8th

5

24th Jul 2026

Good

2m 2f 200y

17:40 Kilbeggan

Im Flattered

11st 6lb

J: Aidan Kelly

T: Padraig Roche

Won a Kilbeggan handicap hurdle in August (2m, good to yielding) off 94; midfield finishes since then; well behind on the Flat at Naas last month; cheekpieces are added to the tongue tie.

13/1

14th

13

(11)

24th Jun 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 2f 194y

19:10 Naas

Im Flattered

9st 1lb

J: Ross Fagan

T: Padraig Roche

Was well beaten in three Flat maidens in 2024; over hurdles since, winning a Kilbeggan handicap last August; others appeal more.

33/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Useful form on the Flat for Ed Bethell including a 1m6f win off 82; hood goes on for his stable/hurdles debut; stays at least 2m on the level so this may not be a sufficient stamina test; probably best watched, especially on this ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

17th Mar 2025

Good

2m 0f 190y

13:52 Down Royal

Quantum Leap

11st 12lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: John Joseph Hanlon

Decent performer on the Flat, winning twice and rated 87 at his peak; hooded (retained) and tailed off on his Irish and hurdles debut on heavy at Punchestown last month; ground more suitable now but can only be watched after that last effort.

80/1

9th

3

24th Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 0f 157y

13:30 Punchestown

Quantum Leap

11st 12lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: Miss Tara Lee Cogan

Useful form on the Flat for Ed Bethell including a 1m6f win off 82; hood goes on for his stable/hurdles debut; stays at least 2m on the level so this may not be a sufficient stamina test; probably best watched, especially on this ground.

8/1

Form: 690

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 11lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Showed a bit of potential on debut in a Naas bumper but has struggled in two runs since, including on hurdles bow here last month; others make more appeal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

17

2nd Jul 2026

Good

2m 6f 120y

18:58 Limerick

Mollys Dolly

10st 5lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: David M O’Brien

Winless from 11 starts (eight over hurdles); okay fifth of 12 in a moderate Wexford maiden hurdle (2m4f, good to yielding) in May; 19.5l behind at Listowel in May (2m5f, good to yielding).

15/1

6th

14

30th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 80y

15:51 Listowel

Mollys Dolly

10st 7lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: David M O’Brien

Bounced back from two poor runs when an 8.75l fifth in a moderate Wexford maiden hurdle (2m4f, good to yielding) last time; more needed.

14/1

OUR TIP

Form: 9

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
80 rated Flat performer whose sole win in that sphere came on heavy ground; 25-1 and didn't jump well on hurdles debut here last month (28l behind Come On The Lads); may need more experience.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Pulled up in both starts in point-to-points; related to a couple of hurdles winners but he may need more time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

24th Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 0f 157y

13:30 Punchestown

Klap

11st 4lb

J: Jack G Gilligan

T: Paul John Gilligan

Pulled up in both starts in point-to-points; related to a couple of hurdles winners but he may need more time.

50/1

Non-runners

Weston, Arnacoeur

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €13.00
Straight Forecast €11.64
Trifecta €40.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Whimsy

The Irish Sun:

Adaliz

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Whimsy

TOPSPEED:

Whimsy

POSTDATA:

Whimsy