April 06 / 15.07 Fairyhouse

15.07

Yielding

Fairyhouse Easter Festival, It’s Tradition Novice Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5607.44
  • 2m 4f 0y
  • 10 runners
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Fairyhouse Easter Festival, It’s Tradition Novice Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly sunny

6/1 (Won)

  • Win: £2.75
  • Place: £1.20

Form: 580204

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Promising run on handicap debut over 2m1f at Cork in January, staying on strongly under tender handling to finish second; ran no sort of race when favourite over this trip at Gowran; more like it when fourth over 2m at Leopardstown.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

1

28th Jul 2026

Good

2m 2f 54y

17:45 Galway

Crescent Moon

12st 0lb

J: Eoin Staples

T: Gavin Cromwell

Has won over hurdles but 0-8 in chases and yet to trouble the judge; beaten 33l in 2m Punchestown handicap chase on latest; drops in grade, steps up in trip and cheekpieces go on; needs more for last year's winning stable.

22/1

5th

7

6th Jun 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 50y

13:50 Punchestown

Crescent Moon

10st 11lb

J: Kieren Buckley

T: Gavin Cromwell

Hurdles winner is 0-7 over fences and yet to trouble the judge; step in the right direction in a mares' chase at Killarney (2m5f, gd-yld) last time after successive pulled up efforts but more needed down in trip back in handicap company.

10/1

5th

4

9th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 180y

16:10 Killarney

Crescent Moon

11st 7lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

Hurdle winner last year but lost her form in that sphere; has run well at times over fences but pulled-up last two tries and not easy to fancy.

33/1

10/1

  • Place: £7.10

Form: 442930

Last run: 169 days

W: 10st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Placed twice in the first half of the season; disappointing at Limerick in October after a good run at Galway; stays this trip and suited by good ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

31st Aug 2026

Good

3m 1f 83y

Class 2

15:45 Cartmel

Divilabother

11st 13lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tristan Davidson

In excellent form this season, winning three times on good ground (2m4f-2m7f; once here); last month's clear second at Uttoxeter (2m7f, good) was another career best but he's 5lb higher today and the forecast rain is a likely negative; goes beyond about 3m for first time; tongue-tie added.

11/4

2nd

8

26th Jul 2026

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

16:12 Uttoxeter

Divilabother

11st 3lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tristan Davidson

Has done well since arriving from Ireland and was delivered late to win handicaps at Hexham (extended 2m7f), Cartmel (2m6f) and here on Friday (2m4f) when he sat last for a long way but won easily in the end; huge chance if turned out quickly with a penalty.

9/2

1st

5

24th Jul 2026

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

16:25 Uttoxeter

Divilabother

11st 10lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tristan Davidson

Ex-Irish maiden; thriving for Tristan Davidson and bids for a hat-trick following handicap wins at Hexham (2m7f) and Cartmel (2m6f) last month, getting up late each time; up another 5lb but this likeable sort is a player once more.

6/1

12/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 558

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Has shown some promise in maidens and could slot into handicaps effectively; Mark Walsh, who was aboard for his penultimate start, partners Pen To Paper.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

28th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 3f 81y

15:05 Punchestown

Sticwiththeprocess

10st 12lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: T M Walsh

Justified short odds to win a Fairyhouse maiden hurdle in November (2m, sft-hvy); placed in both handicap hurdle starts since, over this C&D (sft-hvy) and back at Fairyhouse (2m4f, yld-sft); new blinkers could eke out more; player.

17/2

2nd

6

5th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 4f 0y

14:05 Fairyhouse

Sticwiththeprocess

11st 6lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: T M Walsh

Favourite when touched off in this race last year (off 105) and reappeared to land 2m maiden here in November on similarly testing ground; beaten favourite both starts since, latest when dropping out tamely before last in C&D rated novice in January; tongue-tie now added to cheekpieces worn the last twice.

7/1

5th

4

15th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 0y

12:58 Fairyhouse

Sticwiththeprocess

11st 8lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: T M Walsh

Went close in a handicap hurdle over C&D on his final stat last season; justified odds-on favouritism in a 2m maiden here in November on return; beaten 10l when favourite over a trip a little shorter than this in a handicap at Punchestown later that month.

5/2

Form: 865423

Last run: 99 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Ran four times over fences between May and October last year while his trainer was serving a suspension; shaped well in his first two handicap hurdle attempts; second in a 19-runner contest over 3m at Punchestown and third in a 23-runner event over 2m4f at Leopardstown; tongue-tie on now; does not need to improve much to win a race of this standard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

24

29th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 3f 58y

14:30 Punchestown

Aurea Fortuna

11st 2lb

J: Harry Sexton

T: A J Martin

Course 2m7f winner over fences; may have needed chase run early this month after a break; not without a chance despite a mark 6lb higher than his chase rating.

12/1

9th

13

4th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 5f 45y

15:15 Fairyhouse

Aurea Fortuna

10st 6lb

J: Miss A B O’Connor

T: A J Martin

Comfortably justified favouritism at Punchestown last October (2m7f, good to yielding) when returned to fences, adding to his summer hurdles win at Galway; a long way below his best on heavy at Cheltenham in November; better at Leopardstown at Christmas; trainer has saddled the winner of this in two of the last three seasons; Aine O'Connor won it in 2017.

13/2

Form: U59550

Last run: 99 days

W: 10st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Modest sort on the Flat; good run at 33-1 when fifth over C&D in December on handicap debut; failed to reproduce that form at Limerick two weeks later.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(3)

2nd Oct 2025

Good To Yielding

1m 4f 77y

17:20 Bellewstown

Hangry

9st 7lb

J: Donagh O’Connor

T: John C McConnell

25-race maiden; one of his better efforts when fourth of 14 at Down Royal last month; needs to prove himself on slower ground.

6/1

7

(15)

5th Sep 2025

Good

1m 4f 194y

19:24 Down Royal

Hangry

9st 9lb

J: Donagh O’Connor

T: John C McConnell

24-race maiden (0-13 on Flat) whose recent Navan run leaves him with lots to find.

20/1

Form: 5901P CD

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Was having her fourth start when landing a maiden over slightly further here in January, surviving a mistake at the last to win a shade snugly; pulled up over C&D on handicap debut in February; questions to answer now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

4th Nov 2025

Soft

2m 4f 110y

15:15 Fairyhouse

Leahs Contessa

12st 0lb

J: Eoin Staples

T: Cian Collins

Won a C&D maiden (soft) in January; decent run off 1lb higher in a C&D handicap in April but heavy defeats the last twice; return to this venue needs to spark something.

16/1

2

4th Nov 2025

Soft

2m 4f 110y

15:15 Fairyhouse

Leahs Contessa

12st 0lb

J: Eoin Staples

T: Cian Collins

Won a C&D maiden (soft) in January; decent run off 1lb higher in a C&D handicap in April but heavy defeats the last twice; return to this venue needs to spark something.

16/1

2

4th Nov 2025

Soft

2m 4f 110y

15:15 Fairyhouse

Leahs Contessa

12st 0lb

J: Eoin Staples

T: Cian Collins

Won a C&D maiden (soft) in January; decent run off 1lb higher in a C&D handicap in April but heavy defeats the last twice; return to this venue needs to spark something.

16/1

Form: 352004

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Best run came on handicap debut at Navan in December over 2m on yielding to soft; has failed to build on that in three subsequent starts; soundly beaten in fourth over this trip at Down Royal last month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

26th Aug 2026

Good

2m 4f 110y

16:25 Bellewstown

Lygon Lad

11st 4lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Some decent runs in defeat over hurdles in 2024/25; well beaten on return from a 16-month absence at Downpatrick last time and has to improve plenty on that.

15/2

5th

3

9th Aug 2026

Good

2m 5f 180y

16:18 Downpatrick

Lygon Lad

11st 4lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Runner-up in 2m Navan handicap in late 2024 (yielding-to-soft) the nearest he's got; fair fourth in 2m4f Down Royal novice handicap following year (good) but soon beaten following month in similar Fairyhouse contest; returns from 16 months' absence.

7/1

Form: P32455

Last run: 196 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Good efforts in a pair of maiden hurdles over this trip last July; not as effective over 2m6f at Downpatrick and Listowel; makes handicap debut on return from winter break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15

26th Sep 2025

Yielding

2m 3f 100y

16:18 Listowel

Jeu De Pic

10st 13lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Thomas Cooper

Maiden is 0-3 over fences but has run well twice in defeat; runner up at Killarney in July (2m7f, yld-sft) and fourth at Roscommon latest (3m1f, yielding); this trip may be on the sharp side.

16/1

4th

1

5th Aug 2025

Yielding

3m 1f 10y

20:00 Roscommon

Jeu De Pic

11st 12lb

J: Kevin Sexton

T: Thomas Cooper

Took a big step in the right direction when a 4l second of 11 at Killarney (2m7f, yld-sft) last time; should stay this far and go well again off 2lb higher.

9/2

2nd

4

18th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

16:50 Killarney

Jeu De Pic

11st 9lb

J: Kevin Sexton

T: Thomas Cooper

Went close over timber but struggled on chase debut last month and may need more time in this sphere.

20/1

Form: 422246 C

Last run: 162 days

W: 11st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner; second in three maiden hurdles last summer at up to 2m7f; disappointing when racing too keenly over roughly this trip at Cork in October; failed to show his best form over 2m at Galway later that month; makes handicap debut after a winter break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

2nd Nov 2025

Yielding

2m 4f 0y

15:55 Cork

Arctic Gale

12st 1lb

J: Miss M O’Sullivan

T: Emmet Mullins

Bumper/chase winner, 0-11 over hurdles; third in a 2m6f handicap on the first of two hurdle runs at the Galway festival; moderate fourth in a 3m handicap hurdle at Gowran last month; may struggle to make a hurdling breakthrough here.

8/1

8th

1

2nd Nov 2025

Yielding

2m 4f 0y

15:55 Cork

Arctic Gale

12st 1lb

J: Miss M O’Sullivan

T: Emmet Mullins

Bumper/chase winner, 0-11 over hurdles; third in a 2m6f handicap on the first of two hurdle runs at the Galway festival; moderate fourth in a 3m handicap hurdle at Gowran last month; may struggle to make a hurdling breakthrough here.

8/1

8th

1

2nd Nov 2025

Yielding

2m 4f 0y

15:55 Cork

Arctic Gale

12st 1lb

J: Miss M O’Sullivan

T: Emmet Mullins

Bumper/chase winner, 0-11 over hurdles; third in a 2m6f handicap on the first of two hurdle runs at the Galway festival; moderate fourth in a 3m handicap hurdle at Gowran last month; may struggle to make a hurdling breakthrough here.

8/1

OUR TIP

Form: 02-0

Last run: 120 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Disappointing favourite on debut at Naas last season; chased home easy winner Rath Gaul Boy over 2m at this venue on second outing; unfancied (20-1) when down the field at Navan in November; hard to assess; market may provide clues.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

10

25th Feb 2024

Soft To Heavy

1m 7f 144y

13:55 Naas

Pen To Paper

11st 12lb

J: Rachael Blackmore

T: Henry De Bromhead

In a top stable for a top owner; cost 88,000Euro at Goffs Land Rover Sale; first foal; dam bumper and useful hurdle/chase winner, out of unraced half-sister to Gold Cup winner See More Business.

6/1

Non-runners

Backfromtheraces, Is Charlie Around, Pirate Island

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €57.50
Straight Forecast €38.62
Tricast €162.30
Trifecta €523.60

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Aurea Fortuna

POSTDATA:

Lygon Lad

The Irish Sun:

Crescent Moon

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Backfromtheraces

TOPSPEED:

Aurea Fortuna