April 01 / 15.30 Limerick

15.30

Good

Limerick Maiden Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5851.24
  • 2m 0f 190y
  • 16 runners
RTV
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Limerick Maiden Hurdle

Runners: 16 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

4/5 (Won)

  • Win: £1.80
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 323

Last run: 52 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Front-running winner of a 1m4f maiden for Aidan O'Brien on good ground at the Curragh last summer; has shown a good standard of form in three placed starts over hurdles; form of Naas third was boosted by the winner Bachanallian in landing a Grade 3 event; ran creditably over a trip short of his best in the Irish Lincoln; should be hard to beat.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

11

(1)

12th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 100y

16:22 Gowran Park

Ephesus

8st 7lb

J: Jared Huggan

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Both Flat wins at this trip, a Curragh maiden on good in July 2024 and a Roscommon handicap (soft) last October; back from a spell over jumps to contest two Flat handicaps at Galway; 3lb out of the handicap here, 10lb claimer aboard; others preferred.

20/1

8th

5

(9)

1st Aug 2026

Yielding To Soft

1m 3f 180y

18:05 Galway

Ephesus

9st 13lb

J: Jared Huggan

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Both Flat wins at this trip, a Curragh maiden on good in July 2024 and a Roscommon handicap (soft) off 6lb lower last October; has failed to fire on previous runs at this venue, including when beaten 19l over 16.5f here on Wednesday.

25/1

9th

5

(19)

29th Jul 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 110y

20:20 Galway

Ephesus

9st 13lb

J: J M Sheridan

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Both flat wins have been at 1m4f, including Roscommon handicap last autumn off 73 (soft); reappeared last month, well held in both attempts over fences; opposable.

16/1

7/2

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 03

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
79-rated Flat maiden with Johnny Murtagh; in rear in a race won by well-fancied stablemate Wendrock on hurdles debut at Leopardstown in December, found to have bled at both nostrils; positives can be taken from Navan third a month ago; has a clear edge over stablemate Needs Must.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

9

(2)

11th Jul 2026

Good

1m 2f 40y

16:40 Navan

Raydamann

9st 0lb

J: Chris Hayes

T: Gordon Elliott

Dual-purpose; bolted up in Sligo maiden hurdle last month (2m2f, good); previously soundly beaten over this C&D (gd-yld), extending his Flat record to 0-11; 3lb lower now but others appeal more.

3/1

1st

4

9th Jun 2026

Good

2m 2f 0y

17:20 Sligo

Raydamann

11st 4lb

J: James Smith

T: Gordon Elliott

Decent form near the end of the season before last, winning a maiden hurdle at Clonmel and placed in a handicap at the Punchestown festival; fair form in handicaps last summer; subsequent form raises doubts.

11/2

50/1

  • Place: £31.70

Form: F8

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Beaten when a faller at the last on debut at Fairyhouse; in rear in a bumper at Leopardstown on second outing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

14th Aug 2026

Good

2m 5f 180y

17:40 Tramore

Mercurial Sea

11st 10lb

J: Carl Millar

T: Nigel Thomas Slevin

Has run well in defeat on occasion over hurdles, including on latest at Downpatrick in a 2m2f mares' maiden; now makes chase debut with stamina to prove for this trip.

8/1

2nd

7

14th Jul 2026

Good

2m 1f 165y

14:07 Downpatrick

Mercurial Sea

11st 7lb

J: Paddy Cleary

T: Nigel Thomas Slevin

0-8 over hurdles but has ability and was a good second in a mares' maiden hurdle over C&D (good) on penultimate; not as good upped to 2m6f on latest; the drop back in trip is a plus here but rated 88 so probably place claims at best.

10/1

Form: U

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
12-1 when unseating rider at the first in Cork maiden won by well-fancied stablemate Carried With Love.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

7th Aug 2026

Good

2m 0f 180y

17:51 Wexford

Shaboozee

11st 0lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Back-to-back winner at Ballinrobe in August last year at 2m1f/2m3f on good ground, the second of those by 14l; ran respectably in the Lartigue at Listowel (2m, good to yielding) off 1lb higher when last seen in September; appealing but this is his seasonal return.

2/1

10

25th Sep 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

15:25 Listowel

Shaboozee

10st 4lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Has improved markedly on last two starts, winning Ballinrobe handicap hurdles over 2m-2m2f; won by a wide margin last time and raised 11lb but has to be considered again despite a rise in class.

5/1

4

25th Aug 2025

Good

2m 2f 60y

17:13 Ballinrobe

Shaboozee

10st 10lb

J: Richard Deegan

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Improver since entering handicap ranks, plenty keen when rallying second at Killarney (yielding-to-soft) and handled good ground well here earlier this month, leading early on, not fluent last but finding plenty run-in to win comfortably; type to keep improving (7lb higher) and slightly longer trip to suit.

9/4

Form: 756

Last run: 91 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Weak form on the Flat; has improved since switched to hurdling; more needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

30th Oct 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

15:30 Thurles

Sprinkles

10st 7lb

J: Peter Smithers

T: Padraig Roche

Won a 2m3f Kilbeggan handicap in July but might not have stayed 2m5f at Navan since; still needs to do better down 2lb.

12/1

5th

6

30th Oct 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

15:30 Thurles

Sprinkles

10st 7lb

J: Peter Smithers

T: Padraig Roche

Won a 2m3f Kilbeggan handicap in July but might not have stayed 2m5f at Navan since; still needs to do better down 2lb.

12/1

8

20th Sep 2025

Yielding

2m 5f 0y

16:55 Navan

Sprinkles

11st 6lb

J: Miss A B O’Connor

T: Padraig Roche

Off the mark on last start over timber at Kilbeggan (2m3f, gd-yld) off 96; hiked up 9lb for that and this trip and softer ground are queries; beaten off basement mark on the Flat here 23 days ago; a bit to prove in this tougher race.

5/1

Form: 8

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fair form for William Haggas on the Flat without winning, rated 74; no impact at this venue on hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

11

14th Jun 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 165y

15:20 Downpatrick

Yosemite Gold

10st 5lb

J: Gavin Brouder

T: Eoin Doyle

Roscommon maiden hurdle winner last August; soundly beaten in handicaps since and poor efforts on the AW in 2026; failed to beat a rival in 1m Dundalk claimer latest; others make more appeal.

28/1

10th

2

(7)

26th May 2026

Standard

1m 0f 0y

17:07 Dundalk (AW)

Yosemite Gold

10st 2lb

J: Wesley Joyce

T: Eoin Doyle

107-rated hurdler won a maiden in that sphere last summer; ordinary enough Flat form and doubt dropping back from last two runs over 1m4f will be the answer.

25/1

13th

5

(4)

1st Apr 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

20:15 Dundalk (AW)

Yosemite Gold

10st 2lb

J: Wesley Joyce

T: Eoin Doyle

Maiden hurdle winner last year has run well enough in four Flat starts including on AW when trained in Britain; fair bit to find with Sir Callisto on recent C&D run, although that was seasonal debut so could improve; hood now re-fitted.

14/1

Form: 7

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Outsider of the stable's four runners on debut at Navan, made some late headway; can improve but well held by third-placed stablemate Raydamann.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16th

4

17th Mar 2026

Yielding

2m 4f 86y

13:53 Down Royal

Needs Must

11st 9lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Improved form to win a 2m4f Fairyhouse maiden hurdle, beating Pat's Legacy; poised to challenge when falling two out at Punchestown; one for the shortlist.

5/1

1

4th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 3f 17y

14:48 Punchestown

Needs Must

11st 12lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Improved form to win a Fairyhouse maiden hurdle over 2m4f last time, though that race lacked depth; bumped up 10lb so will have to progress again now in handicaps but is possible he could do so.

2/1

1st

2

15th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 0y

14:43 Fairyhouse

Needs Must

11st 12lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Ran twice last season; showed a degree of promise in a 2m3f Naas maiden won by a stablemate; opening mark of 108 may be flattering but only Pat's Legacy looks more appealing in this.

15/8

20/1

Form: B

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won on heavy ground and on AW for Jean-Claude Rouget last season; had one run in Morocco for another French trainer before joining Tony Martin; 66-1 when brought down at the third at Cork on Irish/hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

31st Aug 2026

Good

2m 5f 180y

15:55 Downpatrick

Bruant

11st 12lb

J: Kevin Sexton

T: A J Martin

Won off 5lb lower here in May (2m3f, good to yielding); bounced back from two below-par efforts to finish a 3.75l third at Sligo last time (2m5f, good); return to this venue and application of a tongue tie may get a bit more from him.

13/2

2nd

3

6th Aug 2026

Good

2m 4f 168y

19:30 Sligo

Bruant

11st 8lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: A J Martin

Gained his second win over hurdles when landing 2m3f Downpatrick handicap in May; withdrawn twice on good ground before allowed to take his chance at Galway last week but never counted on similar ground when midfield over 2m; back up in trip here, any easing in the ground would help his chances.

15/2

Form:

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Jumping was ragged when tailed off first time out at Gowran last month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

19th Aug 2026

Good

2m 4f 148y

19:18 Sligo

Harpy Eagle

11st 3lb

J: Paddy Cody

T: R P Cody

Had run well several times in defeat before finally off the mark 11 days ago in 2m4f Wexford handicap, appreciating good ground to win going away in beating a strong favourite (pair clear); 5lb rise looks quite lenient, so major player if ground remains in his favour.

4/1

1st

4

8th Aug 2026

Good

2m 4f 50y

14:50 Wexford

Harpy Eagle

11st 7lb

J: Paddy Cody

T: R P Cody

0-12 over hurdles but has run well in defeat, including when runner up in a 2m1f (good) maiden hurdle here; went close off 3lb higher at Galway in October; wide trip when midfield over C&D (good) on latest; not discounted off 2lb lower.

15/2

6th

3

23rd Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

17:10 Wexford

Harpy Eagle

11st 6lb

J: Miss E Cody

T: R P Cody

Some decent efforts placed twice in maidens and went close off 1lb higher when second at Galway (2m1f, y) in October; below form on soft since and fared no better on more suitable ground at Limerick 21 days ago after a break in first-time cheekpieces; needs to come on for that up in trip.

10/1

Form: 89

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Soundly beaten on both starts; trainer has a leading contender in Ephesus.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

9

26th Sep 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

14:33 Listowel

Jollybops

11st 2lb

J: Mark McDonagh

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

One of two for yard; long odds and soundly beaten in a trio of maidens at 2m-2m1f on varying ground; off since April and makes handicap debut; returns with yard in decent form so check the market.

20/1

10th

9

1st Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 190y

15:30 Limerick

Jollybops

11st 7lb

J: Mark McDonagh

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Soundly beaten on both starts; trainer has a leading contender in Ephesus.

66/1

66/1

Form: 60

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
No apparent chance on the form of bumper runs at Punchestown and Cork.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

14

9th Jun 2026

Good

2m 1f 157y

19:00 Sligo

Cholo

10st 5lb

J: Alan O’Sullivan

T: Michael Butler

Has shown promise in two starts since returning from a break; has an edge over Avandra on Wexford running, but that rival showed improved form when second at Tramore recently.

7/1

3rd

12

16th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 0y

15:15 Wexford

Cholo

10st 5lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Michael Butler

Is 0-5 over hurdles but respectable runs in 2m1f Tramore contests the last twice since switching to handicaps; place chance; declared reserve for 5.50 at Clonmel on Thursday.

11/2

Form:

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Good Flat pedigree; hampered at the first, tailed off when 100-1 on recent debut at Cork.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

31st Aug 2026

Good

2m 1f 165y

14:47 Downpatrick

He Who Dares

11st 4lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: S Curling

Won for the first time over hurdles at Wexford in July (2m1f, good) off 9lb lower; held his form well in two Flat starts following that; appealing back over obstacles.

11/4

4th

9

(7)

6th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 7f 0y

20:20 Leopardstown

He Who Dares

11st 0lb

J: Miss N Lockhead Anderson

T: S Curling

Dual-purpose sort has got the hang of things in recent starts; won over hurdles at Wexford and backed that up with a close third on the Flat at Tramore (2m, good); place claims at the very least again off the same mark.

3/1

3rd

1

(3)

7th Jul 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

20:30 Tramore

He Who Dares

10st 4lb

J: Ben Coen

T: S Curling

Soundly beaten at big odds in handicap hurdles at this venue (11th of 12 finishers) and Sligo (last of 16) before showing dramatic improvement to win at Wexford last Friday; trainer suggested that the removal of a hood might have been a major factor; hard to find any positives in last season's form in Flat maidens; good Flat pedigree, unwise to discount.

9/2

Form: 00

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Three-figure odds in maidens at Cork and Gowran, tailed off both times; safe to rule out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

17

16th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 0f 50y

15:20 Limerick

Out Molls Gap

10st 6lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: Brendan Maurice Walsh

Tailed off in all three maiden hurdles last season and pulled up at Cork the last twice when big odds; impossible to be confident in.

25/1

13th

11

1st Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 190y

15:30 Limerick

Out Molls Gap

11st 7lb

J: Richard Deegan

T: Brendan Maurice Walsh

Three-figure odds in maidens at Cork and Gowran, tailed off both times; safe to rule out.

66/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
First foal; unraced dam closely related to smart bumper/hurdle winner Get Me Out Of Here, half-sister to useful bumper/hurdle winner Rock On The Moor.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

24th Jul 2026

Good

2m 2f 200y

17:40 Kilbeggan

Friar Hogan

11st 8lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Donal Hassett

Appears to have gotten the hang of things in his last two outings over 2m4f at Limerick; still in the fight when carried out at the second last in May (soft); confirmed that was no fluke when a 0.5l runner-up last time; if capable of reproducing that form away from Limerick then he has a big chance.

100/30

2nd

14

2nd Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

18:23 Limerick

Friar Hogan

10st 10lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Donal Hassett

Not far off the pace when carried out at the second-last over C&D on latest, a race awarded to today's rival Qaasid on the disqualification of the offending Marian Avenue; it looked as if he was set to deliver a clear career-best; solid chance with that in mind.

5/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Three runs in 1m AW maidens for Michael Browne; not beaten far in fifth in two outings in February.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

21st Jul 2026

Good

2m 1f 89y

18:39 Ballinrobe

Dontgowithjoe

10st 13lb

J: Simon Torrens

T: P J Rothwell

Returns from an 11-month layoff on a hat-trick after back-to-back victories at this venue and Bellewstown, both on good ground, last August; has gone up a total of 13lb; further progress is feasible.

6/1

OUR TIP

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
1m4f winner on good ground for Francis-Henri Graffard last August; half-brother to a Graffard-trained Listed scorer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

(2)

9th Apr 2026

Soft

1m 4f 0y

19:45 Gowran Park

Catch Fire

8st 10lb

J: Rory Cleary

T: A J Martin

French Flat winner at this trip on good ground but nothing so far hurdling for current yard; best watched.

25/1

12th

4

1st Nov 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 190y

13:00 Down Royal

Catch Fire

11st 12lb

J: Daniel King

T: A J Martin

Sea The Stars gelding a 1m4f winner on good ground for Francis-Henri Graffard last August; two hurdle runs have been modest, can only be watched for now.

66/1

12th

4

1st Nov 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 190y

13:00 Down Royal

Catch Fire

11st 12lb

J: Daniel King

T: A J Martin

Sea The Stars gelding a 1m4f winner on good ground for Francis-Henri Graffard last August; two hurdle runs have been modest, can only be watched for now.

66/1

Non-runners

Costa Lou Rosetgri, Glendower, Silent Guardian

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €3.50
Straight Forecast €2.71
Trifecta €288.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Ephesus

The Irish Sun:

Sprinkles

POSTDATA:

Raydamann

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Ephesus

TOPSPEED:

Ephesus