March 30 / 16.05 Downpatrick

16.05

Good To Yielding

Randox Ulster National Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £24380.17
  • 3m 4f 120y
  • 15 runners
RTV
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Randox Ulster National Handicap Chase

Runners: 15 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

13/2 (Won)

  • Win: £8.50
  • Place: £2.80

Form: PPP-P1

Last run: 29 days

W: 10st 13lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Not a great strike rate but beaten only a short head in 2023 Thyestes; started last season brightly with Troytown fourth but pulled up in three big handicaps afterwards; surprise winner on debut for new yard in 2m4f Navan handicap hurdle early this month, beating an in-form rival with plenty to spare on heavy; quicker ground possibly not ideal but stamina test should be fine and on a nice mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

25th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 2

14:20 Cheltenham

Dunboyne

10st 13lb

J: James Smith

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Knows what these big-field handicaps are all about and it was a cracking run to be fourth in the Irish National in April last time considering he carried an 8lb penalty for winning the Ulster National; that Fairyhouse defeat was his first for this yard; entitled to run well.

16/1

4th

24

21st Apr 2025

Soft To Heavy

3m 5f 37y

17:00 Fairyhouse

Dunboyne

10st 7lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Beaten a short head in 2023 Thyestes; started last season brightly with Troytown fourth but pulled up in three big handicaps afterwards; surprise winner on debut for new yard in 2m4f Navan handicap hurdle early last month; maintained his revival with victory over Final Order in the 3m5f Ulster National; 8lb penalty makes this difficult.

25/1

4th

24

21st Apr 2025

Soft To Heavy

3m 5f 37y

17:00 Fairyhouse

Dunboyne

10st 7lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Beaten a short head in 2023 Thyestes; started last season brightly with Troytown fourth but pulled up in three big handicaps afterwards; surprise winner on debut for new yard in 2m4f Navan handicap hurdle early last month; maintained his revival with victory over Final Order in the 3m5f Ulster National; 8lb penalty makes this difficult.

25/1

OUR TIP

8/1

  • Place: £3.10

Form: 470063

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Looked regressive last year and low-key efforts this term until much more encouraging run early this month when clear third in good-class 2m6f Leopardstown handicap (yielding); unproven over this extended trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

29

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Final Orders

10st 5lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Gavin Cromwell

10yo who's had 70 races (only one of today's rivals has managed even half that) and won 11; latest was the 3m5f cross-country at Cheltenham Festival, comfortably holding off Favori De Champdou for career-best form off the same mark as today; having taken so well to that discipline (he also won there in December) and produced his best performances away from soft ground, he has to be considered seriously.

25/1

1st

3

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 5f 56y

Class 2

15:20 Cheltenham

Final Orders

10st 9lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Gavin Cromwell

High-mileage 10yo who took very well to this C&D (good) in December, winning quite comfortably by just over 4l; weakened into fifth in soft-ground C&D contest won by Favori De Champdou in January but ran well for a long way and ought to be better suited by the less testing conditions today; each-way claims at least.

7/1

5th

2

24th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 5f 56y

Class 2

13:50 Cheltenham

Final Orders

11st 12lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

High-mileage 10yo who took very well to this C&D (good) last month, leading from the ninth fence and beating J'Arrive De L'Est quite comfortably by over 4l; went up 9lb for that, though, and may not be ideally suited by the slower ground today.

4/1

11/2

  • Place: £2.70

Form: -66602 CD

Last run: 13 days

W: 10st 10lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Career highlight when winning this race last season on good ground off 121, getting up late to beat Ask Anything; decent enough prep run when second to an odds-on stablemate in 3-runner 3m2f Down Royal conditions event 13 days ago; ground to suit and one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

16th Apr 2025

Good

3m 4f 21y

Class 3

15:15 Cheltenham

Jumping Jet

12st 0lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

No threat to front pair when third in recent Ulster National (a race she won last year) at Downpatrick (3m4f, good) but that was still a pretty good effort and she remains on a workable mark; considered each-way.

7/1

10/1

Form: -9769P

Last run: 89 days

W: 10st 7lb

7 yo Colt

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Boodles winner in 2022 also a premier handicap winner on the Flat; 0-5 chasing and hasn't looked a natural jumper, most recently pulled up at Punchestown on New Year's Eve; hard to have confidence in and big step up in trip an unknown.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

14th Oct 2025

Good

2m 2f 197y

15:05 Punchestown

Brazil

11st 2lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: Padraig Roche

Won the Fred Winter in 2022; no success over hurdles since later that year; struggled over fences last season; soundly beaten in two runs over hurdles in recent months.

10/1

23

(15)

12th Oct 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 7y

16:20 Naas

Brazil

8st 7lb

T: Padraig Roche

Third reserve; dual-purpose sort who has two wins on the level, his last win coming in a Galway festival premier handicap in 2023 off 82 (1m4f, good to yielding); not far behind at the Curragh in June (16.5f, good) but well beaten over hurdles the last two times and 3lb wrong.

4

8th Sep 2025

Yielding To Soft

2m 5f 129y

16:50 Galway

Brazil

11st 0lb

J: Aidan Kelly

T: Padraig Roche

Course winner on the Flat; rated 132 but no win over hurdles since November 2022; ran well on the level at the Curragh in June but beaten 17l on return to this sphere at Kilbeggan last month; others make more appeal.

8/1

Form: 0P3P07 C

Last run: 77 days

W: 10st 6lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Hasn't won since landing 3m7f Punchestown handicap nearly three years ago but every chance when last-fence faller in this race last year off 129; no show at big prices latest two starts so not an obvious one but goes on the ground and handicapper giving him a chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

1st May 2026

Good

4m 0f 218y

Class 4

19:25 Warwick

Peaches And Cream

11st 12lb

J: Mr Huw Edwards

T: Miss Laura Richardson

Punchestown 3m7f handicap chase win in April 2022 (good) remains his most recent under rules, but the first of two point starts netted him a last-gasp Bangor-on-Dee success in March; strike-rate of only 1-11 over 3m3f or more, but this would be easier than almost any of those.

5/1

7th

14

24th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 5f 56y

Class 2

13:50 Cheltenham

Peaches And Cream

10st 2lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: Gavin Cromwell

Won't fail through lack of stamina but this regressive 11yo never looked dangerous when well-held sixth over C&D last month and is out of the weights today; tongue-tie refitted.

33/1

Form: P822U7

Last run: 15 days

W: 10st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Long time since his sole chase win; fourth in this last year and has been travelling abroad of late, notably second in Edinburgh National (good to soft); none too fluent in Midlands National latest; hard to fancy.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

6th Jun 2026

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 157y

15:00 Punchestown

Bodhisattva

11st 9lb

J: Dylan Kidd

T: John C McConnell

Strong stayer but winless in over three years and 1-24 over fences; positive run when fourth at Haydock two starts ago but didn't show much over the banks lto; mark continues to slide and shouldn't be discounted.

16/1

9th

9

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

4m 1f 11y

15:40 Punchestown

Bodhisattva

11st 7lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: John C McConnell

Third of five finishers in the 3m7f Edinburgh National at Musselburgh in February, not as good as his second in the same race in 2025; weak handicap form lately; well beaten in previous attempts at this course.

50/1

Form: 352504

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Second reserve; hunter chase recruit ran well on handicap debut when second over 2m5f at Fairyhouse in January but hasn't reproduced that form since; 5lb wrong here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

17th Aug 2025

Good

2m 6f 0y

16:30 Tramore

Wine An Dine

11st 2lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Point-to-point winner; 0-9 in chases; went close over 2m5f at Fairyhouse in January; all five subsequent races have been at 3m or beyond; generally found wanting, but second to a stablemate over 3m2f at Down Royal in April was encouraging; absent since.

5/1

2nd

8

13th Apr 2025

Good

3m 2f 50y

16:35 Down Royal

Wine An Dine

11st 1lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Gordon Elliott

Point-to-point winner is 0-8 in chases; went close at Fairyhouse off 3lb higher in January (2m5f, yielding to soft); weakened and beaten 22l in Ulster National at Downpatrick latest (28.5f, good); this easier but more needed.

16/1

2nd

8

13th Apr 2025

Good

3m 2f 50y

16:35 Down Royal

Wine An Dine

11st 1lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Gordon Elliott

Point-to-point winner is 0-8 in chases; went close at Fairyhouse off 3lb higher in January (2m5f, yielding to soft); weakened and beaten 22l in Ulster National at Downpatrick latest (28.5f, good); this easier but more needed.

16/1

Form: 508UU0

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 8lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
2-14 over fences, both wins on heavy; underwhelming recent Leinster National effort doesn't offer much hope and neither does the quicker ground; cheekpieces tried.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

20th Jan 2026

Yielding To Soft

3m 0f 0y

15:50 Down Royal

Stormy Judge

11st 1lb

J: Richard Condon

T: P A Fahy

Two chase wins in 2021 included a Navan novice handicap on heavy; declining mark lately has failed to spark a revival in fortunes; pulled up in 3m Navan handicap last month.

14/1

7th

2

26th Oct 2025

Yielding

2m 6f 111y

14:00 Galway

Stormy Judge

12st 0lb

J: Harry Sexton

T: P A Fahy

Two chase win in 2021; never found his form last season and ran poorly over hurdles at Gowran on his return.

25/1

10

3rd Oct 2025

Yielding

2m 4f 40y

16:20 Gowran Park

Stormy Judge

10st 13lb

J: Harry Sexton

T: P A Fahy

Two-time chase winner in 2021 is winless from 14 over hurdles; out of form over fences this year and fell when last seen in a Punchestown festival handicap chase; others preferred.

40/1

Form: 12-P80

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Both chase wins have been in 2m6f Fairyhouse lady riders' handicaps; below best of late and hasn't convinced over these marathon trips in the past.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

7th Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 125y

16:30 Roscommon

So Des Flos

12st 0lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Tough task over hurdles last time and wasn't pulling up any trees in handicap chases before that; sights are now lowered considerably but all his three wins have come in the mud.

5/1

3rd

4

28th May 2025

Good To Firm

3m 0f 0y

19:30 Wexford

So Des Flos

11st 5lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Gordon Elliott

Moderate form in handicaps over fences last season; 35lb inferior to Ash Three Meadow on current chase ratings; very tough task against his stablemate in the circumstances.

10/1

Form: PP-5PF

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
Very useful for Willie Mullins, notably when placed in 3m1f Grade 1 novice events at Cheltenham and Aintree the season before last; lost form last season and yet to hit form in three runs for current yard, latest when faller in 3m1f Leinter National; 14lb off career-high but remains opposable and one of two runners for the owners.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

30th Mar 2025

Good To Yielding

3m 4f 120y

16:05 Downpatrick

Bronn

11st 12lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Thomas Gibney

Very useful for Willie Mullins, notably when placed in 3m1f Grade 1 novice events at Cheltenham and Aintree the season before last; lost form last season and yet to hit form in three runs for current yard, latest when faller in 3m1f Leinter National; 14lb off career-high but remains opposable and one of two runners for the owners.

12/1

2

9th Mar 2025

Soft

3m 0f 174y

16:45 Naas

Bronn

11st 10lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Thomas Gibney

Very useful for Willie Mullins, notably when placed in 3m1f Grade 1 novice event at Cheltenham and Aintree the season before last; lost form last season, pulled up final two outings; tailed off on stable/seasonal debut at Clonmel and pulled up in Grade 3 at Tramore; down 12lb from career-high mark.

20/1

5

1st Jan 2025

Soft

2m 6f 170y

14:15 Tramore

Bronn

11st 0lb

J: Shane Fitzgerald

T: Thomas Gibney

in touch with leaders, dropped to rear 5 out, slow jump 3 out, soon detached, pulled up 2 out

33/1

Form: -FP949

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Useful staying novice chaser last season, notably looking home and hosed until worn down late by Jumping Jet in this race off 128 (good); out of form over fences so far this season, never competitive at Punchestown last time; return to better ground should suit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

30th Mar 2025

Good To Yielding

3m 4f 120y

16:05 Downpatrick

Ask Anything

11st 1lb

J: Kevin Sexton

T: Gavin Cromwell

Useful staying novice chaser last season, notably looking home and hosed until worn down late by Jumping Jet in this race off 128 (good); out of form over fences so far this season, never competitive at Punchestown last time; return to better ground should suit.

7/1

9th

5

20th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 3f 0y

14:25 Punchestown

Ask Anything

10st 12lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Gavin Cromwell

Useful staying novice chaser last season; went close against Bushmans Pass in valuable Navan handicap and also second in Ulster National; jumping let him down on his first two starts of the winter before switching to hurdles for his last two hurdle starts; could go well for in-form trainer and talented 5lb claimer.

8/1

Form: F23363

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 6lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Maiden hurdle winner has been placed on five of eight attempts chasing, notably second to smart Croke Park in 3m Fairyhouse beginners'; didn't appear to stay 3m5f on recent handicap debut at Leopardstown (claimer-ridden) so obvious stamina concerns here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

2nd Nov 2025

Good

2m 7f 129y

Class 3

13:48 Huntingdon

Iris Emery

10st 12lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Neil King

Maiden hurdle was her only win from 14 races for Willie Mullins; placed on five of nine attempts over fences, mostly running well last season but she flopped when favourite for a 3m4f handicap on final start, with first-fence mistake playing a part; fetched 25,000gns in April and has similar form to most of these, plus more chasing experience.

5/1

4

2nd Nov 2025

Good

2m 7f 129y

Class 3

13:48 Huntingdon

Iris Emery

10st 12lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Neil King

Maiden hurdle was her only win from 14 races for Willie Mullins; placed on five of nine attempts over fences, mostly running well last season but she flopped when favourite for a 3m4f handicap on final start, with first-fence mistake playing a part; fetched 25,000gns in April and has similar form to most of these, plus more chasing experience.

5/1

Form: 88P-FP

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Two wins over hurdles but 0-6 chasing on soft ground, reportedly struck into at Gowran last time; some encouragement at same track previously; longer trip and better ground could see improvement; 1lb wrong.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

30th Mar 2025

Good To Yielding

3m 4f 120y

16:05 Downpatrick

Hands Of Gold

10st 0lb

J: Simon Torrens

T: A L T Moore

Two wins over hurdles but 0-6 chasing on soft ground, reportedly struck into at Gowran last time; some encouragement at same track previously; longer trip and better ground could see improvement; 1lb wrong.

12/1

11

8th Mar 2025

Soft

2m 0f 0y

16:25 Gowran Park

Hands Of Gold

10st 1lb

J: Simon Torrens

T: A L T Moore

Two wins over hurdles; pulled up in a handicap hurdle at last season's Punchestown festival; ran prominently in a 2m4f handicap chase here on return, had weakened before falling two out.

10/1

8

15th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 4f 0y

16:15 Gowran Park

Hands Of Gold

10st 10lb

J: Ricky Doyle

T: A L T Moore

Two-time hurdles winner is 0-4 over the bigger obstacles; reverts to chasing after two poor efforts over timber; pulled up in a handicap hurdle at Punchestown when last seen in May 2024 in first-time cheekpieces (discarded); rated 6lb lower over fences but he's hard to fancy.

22/1

Form: -0PF60 C

Last run: 53 days

W: 10st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Rated 127 over hurdles but has so far been unable to exploit this lower chase mark, reportedly burst blood vessels latest at Fairyhouse; 1lb wrong; not an obvious one.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

14th Jul 2026

Good

2m 5f 185y

16:47 Downpatrick

Ringdufferin

11st 11lb

J: Ricky Doyle

T: A L T Moore

Two wins in 2023 for Gordon Elliott on soft and heavy ground; no joy since but step in the right direction in a handicap chase here on latest (19.5f, good); needs to back that up now back over hurdles.

10/1

2nd

6

13th Jun 2026

Good

2m 3f 100y

15:45 Downpatrick

Ringdufferin

11st 10lb

J: Ricky Doyle

T: A L T Moore

Dual hurdles winner for Gordon Elliott in 2023; out of form for former yard but there were positives to take from fourth of 12 at Tramore in April (2m6f, yielding); didn't back that up back over hurdles at Kilbeggan; a bit hard to trust now.

11/1

8th

5

15th May 2026

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 50y

18:30 Kilbeggan

Ringdufferin

11st 0lb

J: Ricky Doyle

T: A L T Moore

Two-time hurdles winner for Gordon Elliott in 2023; out of form for former yard, but there were definite signs of life pn stable debut when fourth of 12 over fences at Tramore, making a bad mistake at the fifth; that is something to build on back over timber now.

9/1

Form: 93-FF7

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
First reserve; interrupted campaign chasing and best run when third in 2m6f Fairyhouse beginners last season (soft); better for recent comeback run but still hard to see him having an impact; 1lb wrong.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

14th Apr 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 5f 180y

18:25 Tramore

Wellington Hill

11st 12lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: Ms Margaret Mullins

Some decent chase form last season; placed off 116 in Naas handicap and not beaten far by Intense Raffles in Fairyhouse beginners; his fall in last month's Ulster National (only 9-1) was his third in four starts, though, so has to sort out his jumping.

10/1

9

14th Apr 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 5f 180y

18:25 Tramore

Wellington Hill

11st 12lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: Ms Margaret Mullins

Some decent chase form last season; placed off 116 in Naas handicap and not beaten far by Intense Raffles in Fairyhouse beginners; his fall in last month's Ulster National (only 9-1) was his third in four starts, though, so has to sort out his jumping.

10/1

16

30th Mar 2025

Good To Yielding

3m 4f 120y

16:05 Downpatrick

Wellington Hill

10st 0lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Ms Margaret Mullins

First reserve; interrupted campaign chasing and best run when third in 2m6f Fairyhouse beginners last season (soft); better for recent comeback run but still hard to see him having an impact; 1lb wrong.

Non-runners

Broken Ice, Gold Cup Bailly, Run Wild Fred

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €53.10
Straight Forecast €80.27
Tricast €849.10
Trifecta €254.40

Selections

The Irish Sun:

Iris Emery

TOPSPEED:

Bodhisattva

POSTDATA:

Jumping Jet

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Gold Cup Bailly

SPOTLIGHT:

Dunboyne