February 24 / 14.00 Punchestown

14.00

Heavy

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

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

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

7/4 (Won)

  • Win: £2.50
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 0-35

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: —

Form & Verdict
Well bred gelding has been expensive to follow in bumpers; 0-3 in that sphere but should be capable of much better over timber; can't be discounted on hurdles debut for leading yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

5

26th Sep 2026

Good

2m 6f 0y

17:05 Listowel

Runcok

11st 3lb

J: J J Slevin

T: John C McConnell

Hurdle and chase winner for Willie Mullins; unconvincing in three runs for his current stable, no match for Bunting (Addragoole third) in a 3-runner 2m1f contest at Ballinrobe last time; big step up in trip here.

10/1

2nd

3

24th Aug 2026

Good

2m 1f 55y

19:00 Ballinrobe

Runcok

11st 7lb

J: J J Slevin

T: John C McConnell

Winner over hurdles and fences in these colours when with Willie Mullins; poor last of four in last year's renewal; yet to convince with his jumping (can go left), and again made a couple of errors when beaten 20l in Galway handicap on second start for yard.

5/1

6th

3

2nd Aug 2026

Good

2m 2f 54y

15:30 Galway

Runcok

10st 9lb

J: J J Slevin

T: John C McConnell

Winner over hurdles and fences in these colours when with Willie Mullins; last three runs have been poor, including stable debut hurdling; hood back on but yet to convince with his jumping (can go left); handicap debut.

20/1

13/2

  • Place: £1.10

Form: —

Last run: —

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: —

Form & Verdict
No impact in two point-to-points for Matt O'Connor; dam is from a decent family and he should be capable of better at some stage; in good hands and he is another one that is worth monitoring in the market.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

24th Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 0f 157y

14:00 Punchestown

Grey Pharoh

11st 4lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

raced in second throughout, headway and went clear with winner approaching last, not fluent last, no impression towards finish

13/2

8/1

  • Place: £2.80

Form: 6

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: —

Form & Verdict
0-15 on the Flat and rated 69; offered something to work with on hurdles debut at this track earlier this month but was still beaten 23l into sixth; might improve for that experience and he could run into the places if he does.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

16

13th Oct 2026

Good

2m 7f 95y

15:20 Punchestown

Free Flow

10st 0lb

J: Sarah Kavanagh

T: Edward F Power

Won a 2m Thurles maiden last year on good; modest overall handicap form; needs to step up on recent 2m4f/2m6f form

25/1

8th

2

2nd Oct 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 4f 40y

16:16 Gowran Park

Free Flow

11st 10lb

J: Ethan O’Sullivan

T: Edward F Power

Won a 2m Thurles maiden hurdle last year on good; not as proven over longer trips including over 2m6f at Ballinrobe last month; respected though in a weak race.

7/1

10th

13

11th Sep 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 5f 208y

16:34 Ballinrobe

Free Flow

10st 3lb

J: Thomas O’Connor

T: Edward F Power

Fair Flat maiden; won Thurles maiden hurdle for Ross O'Sullivan; has struggled in handicaps and mark has tumbled; was well-backed when sixth here (17.5f) in July and only okay fourth at Kilbeggan last week.

16/1

Form: 04

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: —

Form & Verdict
Sent off at 9-1 for his debut in a Leopardstown bumper but failed to beat a rival; 33-1 for his hurdles debut at Fairyhouse last month and was beaten 24l into fourth of 13; yard is hitting form now and this nicely bred gelding could be capable of better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

7

19th Sep 2026

Good

1m 7f 165y

13:42 Navan

Lambay Island

11st 1lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Henry De Bromhead

One of two for yard; runner up in a Thurles handicap hurdle last November (winner subsequently thrown out); off since laboured effort at Leopardstown in December (blowing hard post-race); might need this, market can guide.

11/1

3rd

5

16th Oct 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

15:22 Thurles

Lambay Island

11st 3lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Best of four runs under rules came at Wexford last time when he shaped as though a step up in trip, such as this could suit; a lot on his plate here all the same.

9/1

Form: 5/516- D

Last run: 307 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Filly

OR: —

Form & Verdict
Off the mark at the fourth attempt in bumpers at Galway in August 2023; showed a glimmer of promise on her hurdles bow at Tipperary in April of last year and not seen since; entitled to need this run but is worth a market check down in trip for shrewd yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

4

7th Jun 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 12y

15:07 Punchestown

Fortunate Lighting

11st 10lb

J: Miss Georgie Benson

T: Thomas Coyle

Won 2m5f Sligo handicap on good ground last summer and her reappearance fifth at Bellewstown wasn't a bad effort over a trip too short; tailed off on chase debut last month.

12/1

8th

6

9th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 180y

16:10 Killarney

Fortunate Lighting

11st 7lb

J: Eoghan Finegan

T: Thomas Coyle

Won a Sligo handicap hurdle last August but was poor twice after; a better effort on return but is rated 111 over hurdles and has a bit to find with some of these on chase debut.

25/1

5th

4

18th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 1f 30y

15:15 Bellewstown

Fortunate Lighting

11st 5lb

J: Eoghan Finegan

T: Thomas Coyle

Bolted up at Sligo on her second start for her current yard in August (2m5f, good) off 107; tailed off at Ballinrobe following that and same story at Punchestown when last seen in October; the break may have done her good but she's hard to trust.

12/1

OUR TIP

Form: UP94

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: —

Form & Verdict
Useful on the Flat, winning three times including twice on soft-heavy and rated 81; failed to complete two of four starts over hurdles but did show a fair bit more when finishing fourth of 21 here last month; chance if building on that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

2

2nd Oct 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 4f 40y

16:50 Gowran Park

Come On The Lads

11st 10lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

Won a valuable Galway festival handicap hurdle last year (2m1f, good) off 2lb lower and last win was in Limerick handicap chase (2m2f, soft) in March; only mid-division in this year's renewal of Galway contest latest and has never gone this far.

14/1

9th

12

1st Aug 2026

Good

2m 0f 175y

14:37 Galway

Come On The Lads

11st 1lb

J: Eoin Staples

T: Gavin Cromwell

Won this last year off a 3lb lower mark; some good hurdle runs in defeat after while also won over fences; beaten 10l by Putapoundinthejar at Bellewstown last time but is 7lb better off so a player.

14/1

9th

11

4th Jul 2026

Good

2m 1f 40y

18:18 Bellewstown

Come On The Lads

11st 6lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Gavin Cromwell

Handicap chase winner three starts ago; won a big handicap hurdle at last season's Galway festival; probably Ballybrit-bound again; Fiver Friday appears to be the stable's main hope.

12/1

Form: 410

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: —

Form & Verdict
Point-to-point and bumper winner; 40-1 for hurdles debut at Naas and finished well beaten; is capable of better than that and he is worth monitoring in the market.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

3

2nd Aug 2026

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 60y

14:20 Galway

High Court Cave

11st 9lb

J: Mr O McGill

T: Noel C Kelly

Runner-up in 2m6f handicap at last year's festival before winning 2m2f maiden at Downpatrick (yielding); has struggled a bit since in handicaps and others look better handicapped right now.

16/1

5th

3

28th Jun 2026

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 2

15:37 Cartmel

High Court Cave

11st 4lb

J: Mr O McGill

T: Noel C Kelly

Won maiden hurdle at Downpatrick in September (2m2f, yielding); fair form in two handicaps since; interesting with cheekpieces now tried.

10/1

6th

3

30th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 80y

16:26 Listowel

High Court Cave

11st 12lb

J: Mr O McGill

T: Noel C Kelly

Point and bumper winner added a hurdles win at Downpatrick in September (2m2f, yielding); creditable return to action at Punchestown earlier this month when seventh of 24 (2m, yielding), shaping as though he would improve; not ruled out.

12/1

Form: 3O0

Last run: 59 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Mare

OR: —

Form & Verdict
Point-to-point winner; best effort under Rules on her racecourse debut when beaten 17l into third of 15 in a mares' maiden hurdle at Listowel; 50-1 and beaten 85l in first time tongue tie (retained) latest at Limerick; drops back in trip but is hard to fancy after that last effort.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

4th Oct 2026

Good

2m 1f 0y

14:10 Killarney

Regards To Rose

11st 12lb

J: Simon Torrens

T: Eoin Christopher McCarthy

Won at Listowel last year; well beaten at that venue two weeks ago, though that still marked an improvement on three previous outings this season; trainer appears to have a better chance with Kingdom Calling.

12/1

7th

17

20th Sep 2026

Good

2m 2f 100y

15:18 Listowel

Regards To Rose

10st 4lb

J: Thomas O’Connor

T: Eoin Christopher McCarthy

Won over 2m here last year; has had a low-key preparation but unwise to rule out given how effectively her trainer targeted this meeting in 2025.

14/1

8th

10

16th Jul 2026

Good

2m 1f 0y

19:20 Killarney

Regards To Rose

11st 2lb

J: G B Noonan

T: Eoin Christopher McCarthy

Won at Listowel last September, but has been well below that level twice this term; needs a return to best; second of three runners for yard.

14/1

Form: U45

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 11lb

5 yo Filly

OR: —

Form & Verdict
Unseated on hurdles/racecourse debut at Roscommon in June; decent effort second time up at Listowel but didn't build on that in a Limerick bumper last month; may have needed that run, a hood goes on and she could be capable of better now returned to hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15

8th Mar 2025

Soft

2m 0f 30y

14:40 Gowran Park

Spread Your Wings

11st 7lb

J: Dylan White

T: Padraig Roche

held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, lost touch 6th

33/1

9th

13

24th Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 0f 157y

14:00 Punchestown

Spread Your Wings

10st 11lb

J: Peter Smithers

T: Padraig Roche

towards rear

16/1

Form: 000

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: —

Form & Verdict
Big odds and never figured in three maiden hurdles at this track at 2m-2m1f on soft and heavy ground; hard to fancy.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

10

21st Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 1f 0y

16:52 Navan

Vallon Du Plessis

10st 0lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Tom Dreaper

Not beaten far on handicap debut over hurdles in January but lesser efforts have followed; makes chasing debut now from 13lb outside the handicap proper; hard to fancy.

40/1

7th

11

8th Mar 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 77y

15:00 Naas

Vallon Du Plessis

10st 13lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Tom Dreaper

Handicap debut effort at Punchestown in January was encouraging (2m4f, soft-to-heavy) but didn't count over further at Navan last month; back in trip here.

10/1

Form: 000

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: —

Form & Verdict
Well beaten in all three maiden hurdle starts here at 2m-2m1f on soft and heavy ground; hard to make a case for.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

9

24th Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 0f 157y

14:00 Punchestown

Summer Is Here

11st 4lb

J: Dylan Robinson

T: P J Rothwell

towards rear

100/1

17th

16

3rd Feb 2025

Soft To Heavy

2m 0f 44y

14:00 Punchestown

Summer Is Here

11st 12lb

J: Dylan Robinson

T: P J Rothwell

Big odds and out the back in a pair of maiden hurdles at this track; others make more appeal.

100/1

Non-runners

San Aer, Welcome Aboard, Underhercontrol

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €5.40
Straight Forecast €4.65
Trifecta €27.20

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Come On The Lads

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Free Flow

TOPSPEED:

Regards To Rose

The Irish Sun:

Come On The Lads

POSTDATA:

Free Flow