April 21 / 14.05 Fairyhouse

14.05

Soft To Heavy

Farmhouse Foods Novice Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £9752.07
  • 2m 0f 0y
  • 14 runners
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Farmhouse Foods Novice Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

6/1 (Won)

  • Win: £12.00
  • Place: £3.40

Form: 1477

Last run: 60 days

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner in France has been well held in three maiden hurdle starts for top yard, including over 2m3f when last seen in February; potential improver on handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

5

15th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

18:20 Aintree

Last Kingdom

11st 0lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Faye Bramley

Both hurdles wins when trained by Willie Mullins; has shown little in four starts for current yard and hard to be at all confident.

25/1

14/1

  • Place: £3.50

Form: 7/178F D

Last run: 92 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Point winner and won Clonmel maiden (2m, good) on hurdles/yard debut in November; well held twice over longer trips but was poised to challenge when falling two out back over 2m on handicap debut at Thurles in January; off since.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

29th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 110y

17:55 Tramore

Stuntman Steve

11st 8lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

Two-time hurdles winner is 0-5 in chases; out of form in 2026 but has yet to get his favoured good ground; could go well in first-time cheekpieces with conditions to suit.

7/1

5th

7

17th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 0f 110y

Class 3

14:20 Ayr

Stuntman Steve

11st 4lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

Hard to fancy on the evidence of his four runs over fences this year; however, he's well handicapped on last summer's hurdle form and he's from a respected Irish stable; one to watch in the betting.

13/2

25/1

  • Place: £6.40

Form: P000

Last run: 57 days

W: 10st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Ran well off 96 in 1m6f handicap last year before losing form; showed little in maiden hurdles and down the field in Irish Lincoln last month; 1lb wrong for handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

12

(8)

30th Mar 2026

Heavy

1m 6f 0y

15:18 Navan

Weston

8st 8lb

J: Wayne Lordan

T: H Rogers

Two wins when trained in Germany but yet to get his head in front on these shores; handicapper giving him a chance but soundly beaten on last two starts over hurdles and on the Flat and needs to leave those efforts well behind; best watched after break.

25/1

10th

8

18th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 70y

16:00 Limerick

Weston

11st 2lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: H Rogers

Dual Flat winner in Germany; out of depth in hot Flat handicaps at Galway Festival last twice; good effort on last start over timber at Fairyhouse in April (2m, sft-hvy); raised 4lb for that 2.25l third and might prefer softer ground.

7/1

13

11th Oct 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

14:52 Fairyhouse

Weston

10st 7lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: H Rogers

Two Flat wins in Germany in 2022; disappointing in that sphere the last twice but has a chance back hurdling if building on his third over C&D in April.

14/1

Form: 07-453

Last run: 30 days

W: 10st 5lb

7 yo Filly

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Sister to smart jumper Getabird showed promise in maidens and good third on handicap debut in mares' contest at Navan (2m, soft); open to improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 90y

15:05 Punchestown

Catchabird

11st 7lb

J: Aidan Kelly

T: Sarah Joanna Connell

Made the breakthrough when winning a Wexford maiden hurdle last month before following up in a Navan handicap four days later; however, carries a double penalty and is the lowest-rated in this field so has a tough task on.

18/1

1st

5

21st Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 0f 0y

14:32 Navan

Catchabird

10st 9lb

J: Aidan Kelly

T: Sarah Joanna Connell

Deserved her breakthrough win in a maiden at Wexford on Tuesday; handicap form has been consistent but a 7lb penalty may anchor her since; finished behind Maxios Prime at Leopardstown earlier in the month.

7/1

1st

5

17th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

13:37 Wexford

Catchabird

10st 13lb

J: Aidan Kelly

T: Sarah Joanna Connell

Experienced mare with 13 hurdle runs under her girth and has run creditably in plenty of them, including at this track; rated only 96 but gets weight from several of these so that brings her into contention.

4/1

Form: -23321 D

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Three-time Flat winner finally off the mark over hurdles after a frustrating sequence when winning a Gowran maiden by a wide margin; up 3lb for that; staying-on third in 1m4f Curragh handicap since.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

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

2nd

6

(3)

26th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 217y

Class 4

18:15 Musselburgh

Whimsy

9st 2lb

J: Patrick McGettigan

T: Anthony McCann

Had three seasons with Andrew Balding, including three wins, and has been with this yard since July 2023, including for two wins (one over hurdles) and plenty of place returns; third over 1m4f in her only two Flat runs in the last 13 months, including under Patrick McGettigan 17 days ago, and her very solid Flat record for this trainer suggests she will be on the premises.

7/1

OUR TIP

Form: 013179

Last run: 227 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Two wins from six hurdle starts last summer for John and Thomas Kiely including maiden over 2m5f and 2m1f Cork handicap; stable debut after a layoff and best form is on better ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

30th May 2026

Good

2m 6f 0y

18:00 Tramore

Major Barry

11st 5lb

J: Mike O’Connor

T: Conor Houlihan

Won twice over hurdles in 2024 but lightly raced during the last 12 months and hasn't been anything like as good; potentially on a good mark for stable/chase debut but easy to have reservations.

33/1

2

11th Jul 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

19:45 Cork

Major Barry

11st 6lb

J: Kieren Buckley

T: Paul Stephen Kiely

Pulled up at Bellewstown last week and doesn't have the form to be a factor against a few of these.

100/1

8

5th Jul 2025

Good

3m 0f 116y

20:00 Bellewstown

Major Barry

11st 6lb

J: Kieren Buckley

T: Paul Stephen Kiely

Dual hurdle winner was poor on second start for this yard last time and has to rebound with tongue-tie and cheekpieces added; unproven over this trip.

25/1

Form: 948347

Last run: 44 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Maiden was twice runner-up in soft-ground handicaps this time last year; placed at Limerick over Christmas when headgear went on but needs to improve on latest two efforts; ground will suit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

31st May 2025

Good

2m 4f 80y

15:40 Listowel

Aboy Joey

11st 8lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: Eoin Christopher McCarthy

14-race maiden and didn't seem to see out this new trip strongly at Cork three weeks ago; questions to answer.

20/1

25/1

Form: 064510

Last run: 199 days

W: 10st 7lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Flat winner at three picked up a handicap chase at Wexford last summer; needs to improve on hurdle efforts to date and probably wants further; off since October.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

11th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 50y

18:07 Killarney

Duty Bound

11st 1lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: J P Flavin

Hurdle/chase winner; fell over fences in October and finished last on his return to the Flat in March, so current wellbeing is an issue.

10/1

12th

3

(5)

30th Mar 2026

Heavy

1m 6f 0y

15:48 Navan

Duty Bound

9st 11lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: J P Flavin

Two wins over jumps in 2025; last seen on the Flat in September 2024 when well beaten by Sir Allen off a mark of 70; just 3lb lower now and fell in a Wexford handicap chase when last seen in October; others make more appeal.

25/1

10

26th Oct 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 130y

13:05 Wexford

Duty Bound

10st 5lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: J P Flavin

Bagged two wins over hurdles this season at Listowel and Kilbeggan over an extended 2m4f; winner of his sole chase start over C&D in August last year (good to yielding) off 102; cheekpieces are now added to the tongue tie and not ruled out.

13/2

Form: P5-012 C

Last run: 51 days

W: 10st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Winning chaser last term; been in good form hurdling over 2m4f on heavy ground this spring, winning here and finishing second to the subsequent Ulster National winner Dunboyne at Navan; drop back to 2m is the concern.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

17th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 3f 100y

16:32 Wexford

Chosen Diamond

11st 11lb

J: Sarah Kavanagh

T: Edward Cawley

Back to form when third at Navan in a handicap hurdle he was placed in the previous year; tailed off and pulled up in his last two chases but has won in this discipline and could have a say.

12/1

3rd

7

28th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 4f 0y

14:25 Navan

Chosen Diamond

10st 8lb

J: Philip Donovan

T: Edward Cawley

Solid form in 2m4f hurdles on heavy ground this time last year, winning at Fairyhouse and second here off 101; a long way below his best in three runs this season.

15/1

6th

10

7th Feb 2026

Soft

1m 7f 158y

14:50 Naas

Chosen Diamond

10st 4lb

J: Sarah Kavanagh

T: Edward Cawley

Solid form in 2m4f hurdles on heavy around this time last year, winning at Fairyhouse and second at Navan; a long way below his best in two starts this season.

16/1

Form: 322U

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Low-grade Flat winner over 1m6f; placed behind smart horses on first three starts over hurdles including when second in Naas Grade 3; not out of contention when exiting at the second-last in the Fred Winter 4yo Handicap at Cheltenham.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

22

(19)

24th May 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 6f 0y

17:40 Curragh

Kool One

8st 12lb

J: James Ryan

T: Conor David Maxwell

Added a third Flat win at Navan last time (1m5f, good) in a big field by a neck; had Trubshaw 5.5l behind that day; up 5lb but should remain competitive; has never raced at this track.

14/1

1st

8

(8)

25th Apr 2026

Yielding

1m 5f 0y

17:25 Navan

Kool One

9st 13lb

J: James Ryan

T: Conor David Maxwell

Won over 1m4f at Roscommon (good) last August and added a Wexford maiden hurdle (good) ten days later; should be better for last month's run when fifth over 1m6f here, 1 3/4l behind the reopposing Earthsong.

8/1

5th

2

(6)

30th Mar 2026

Heavy

1m 6f 0y

15:48 Navan

Kool One

9st 13lb

J: James Ryan

T: Conor David Maxwell

C&D (yielding) winner in October 2024 off 11lb lower; won again over 1m4f at Roscommon (good) last August and added a Wexford maiden hurdle (good) 10 days later; out of sorts in four runs in both codes since then and ground probably not ideal here.

7/1

Form: 9966

Last run: 29 days

W: 10st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Big prices and quiet runs in maidens, mild promise on first hurdles start at Navan in December; fourth runner for yard; 1lb wrong.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

16

21st Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 4f 50y

14:38 Fairyhouse

Teds Corner

10st 9lb

J: Daniel King

T: A J Martin

0-9 over hurdles but has been in the frame in four of last five starts; runner-up at Navan last time upped to 2m6f, not staying as truly as the winner; up another 2lb for not winning but should be thereabouts once again.

5/1

2nd

7

8th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 5f 180y

15:20 Navan

Teds Corner

10st 7lb

J: Daniel King

T: A J Martin

0-9 over hurdles but has been in the frame in three of his last four starts; beaten 8.5l when runner up over 2m4f (sft-hvy) here last month; should be in the mix again off 1lb higher but has room to improve in the jumping department.

7/2

2nd

9

17th Jan 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 4f 40y

13:50 Navan

Teds Corner

10st 10lb

J: Daniel King

T: A J Martin

Decent chance based on his third placing at Fairyhouse over 2m4f in November and fourth over the same course and trip on New Year's Day; in between appeared not to stay 3m when unplaced favourite at Punchestown;

3/1

Form: 13 D

Last run: 162 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Won Roscommon maiden (2m, soft) on rules debut in September and runner-up won maiden lately off mark of 113; well beaten when third of four in useful 4yo contest at Naas in November; handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

11

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 176y

Class 1

16:40 Aintree

Wonleg

10st 11lb

J: Patrick M O’Brien

T: Henry De Bromhead

Won Wexford handicap (2m, good) last July on third chase start and returned to form when third of 20 at Leopardstown (2m1f, yielding) in December; needs a career best today but this unexposed 6yo represents a top Irish trainer (who saddles three) and could yet have more to offer.

20/1

2

21st Aug 2025

Good

2m 1f 0y

19:37 Killarney

Wonleg

11st 7lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Won a Roscommon maiden hurdle last year and got off the mark over fences when scoring on handicap debut at Wexford over 2m; raised 7lb but is lightly-raced and has to be respected.

7/4

1

23rd Jul 2025

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 0y

15:08 Wexford

Wonleg

11st 12lb

J: Patrick M O’Brien

T: Henry De Bromhead

Lightly-raced 5yo; won a Roscommon maiden hurdle on rules debut last September (form franked) but well held twice afterwards; not fluent in chasing debut at Tipperary when well beaten; improved display at Tramore last time when still in contention but making a mistake at the last to finish third (horse in second has won since); can go well on handicap chase debut.

100/30

Form: 641 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
After a layoff, was fourth on stable debut at Navan (soft) last month and came forward from that to win at Ballinrobe (2m1f, good); was well clear of 118-rated third there so could be fairly treated under 7lb claimer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

27th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 0y

17:12 Wexford

Arch Empire

11st 7lb

J: Josh Williamson

T: Gordon Elliott

Winning hurdler; fair maiden on the Flat; useful form in small-field hurdle races in the first half of last season; should improve from a run in a handicap at the Punchestown festival; was one of the outsiders then, and made some late headway, plenty of horses behind him.

5/1

7th

14

28th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 132y

15:40 Punchestown

Arch Empire

10st 1lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Gordon Elliott

Dual-purpose; 1-10 over hurdles; soundly beaten off 2lb higher when last seen at Down Royal in November; others make more appeal.

25/1

Form: 880312 D BF

Last run: 18 days

W: 10st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Progressive since fitted with hood this spring; ready winner at Naas (2m, soft) and narrowly beaten on better ground over 2m3f at same venue; up 4lb for that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

10

11th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 50y

18:07 Killarney

King In Love

10st 13lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Sean Aherne

Dual handicap winner and better than ever when third of 23 at Leopardstown over Christmas (good to yielding); slower ground not ideal since then and could be a factor here in first-time cheekpieces.

20/1

16th

16

8th Mar 2026

Heavy

2m 3f 10y

15:30 Naas

King In Love

10st 9lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Sean Aherne

Gained second handicap win off 104 at Cork in November (2m, yielding); well beaten at Punchestown next time but improved for step up in trip when staying on third of 23 at Leopardstown in December (20.5f, good to yielding); weakened into a 20l fifth of ten at Thurles (2m7f, heavy); better chance if the ground dries out.

25/1

5th

1

29th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 6f 126y

16:25 Thurles

King In Love

11st 12lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Sean Aherne

Gained second handicap win off 10lb lower at Cork in November (2m, yielding); well beaten at Punchestown but improved for step up in trip when staying on third of 23 at Leopardstown last month (20.5f, good to yielding); not certain to back that up on softer but respected.

3/1

Non-runners

Aurea Fortuna, Kaptain Bay, Putapoundinthejar, Read To Return, Solsbury Hill

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €152.40
Straight Forecast €173.46
Tricast €2543.97
Trifecta €689.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Kool One

TOPSPEED:

Kaptain Bay

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Chosen Diamond

The Irish Sun:

Kool One

POSTDATA:

Kaptain Bay