16.50
YieldingBallymore Champion Four Year Old Hurdle (Grade 1)
- Prize money: £60950.41
- 2m 0f 0y
- 12 runners
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Runners: 12 runners
Type: Hurdle Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Mostly cloudy
15/8 (Won)
- Win: £2.10
- Place: £1.10
Form: 112 D
Last run: 50 days
W: 11st 0lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: 148
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4 |
9th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 3f 200y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
Acts on any ground; ran creditably on the figures but was only third when favourite for the Arkle, in which a mistake two out cost him some ground when challenging; has otherwise been a rising force at about 2m and his record away from the Cheltenham Festival is 6-6, comfortably beating his elders in the Game Spirit for the most recent success; gives the firm impression he's ready for a crack at this new trip; sets the standard and retains the potential for rating higher still. |
8/13 |
|
3rd 4 |
10th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 1m 7f 199y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
Leading juvenile hurdler last season, following narrow defeat in the Triumph with clearcut success at Punchestown, and he is 3-3 over fences; easily landed the odds in Grade 1 novice at Sandown (1m7f, good to soft) in December and he readily beat five older rivals in Grade 2 Game Spirit at Newbury (2m, heavy) last month; stellar stablemates Sprinter Sacre and Altior followed the Game Spirit path to Arkle success, and he's a very strong candidate. |
13/8 |
|
1st 2 |
7th Feb 2026 Soft 2m 0f 92y Class 1 |
11st 3lb |
Seems versatile as regards ground; leading juvenile hurdler prior to a smooth transition to fences, most recently impressive in Grade 1 novice at Sandown (1m7f) when taking overall strike-rate to 5-6; exciting youngster who is favourite for the Arkle and has any amount of further progress in him; trainer landed this prize with similarly esteemed novice chasers in 2012 and 2017; strongly respected. |
8/11 |
7/2
- Place: £1.40
Form: 1 D
Last run: 50 days
W: 11st 0lb
4 yo Colt
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 3 |
10th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 0f 87y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Belied his 100-1 odds with a remarkable success in the Triumph at this meeting (2m1f, good to soft) last year on hurdles debut, collaring Lulamba who subsequently reversed placings with him at Punchestown and is a leading contender in today's Arkle; ran below expectations at Royal Ascot but ran promisingly, with a view to this race, in the Irish Champion Hurdle on return from layoff (got detached in the back straight, ending up with plenty to do, then stayed on for third of five); could be open to plenty of further improvement with that outing under his belt and given his very low mileage in this sphere; very interesting back at Cheltenham. |
14/1 |
|
3rd 4 |
1st Feb 2026 Heavy 2m 0f 0y |
11st 12lb |
Made his stable/hurdles debut in the Triumph at Cheltenham, belied odds of 100-1 to win by a neck; second at Punchestown in May (despite racing freely) confirmed his high standing; ran much too freely when strongly fancied for the 2m4f Ascot Stakes. |
14/1 |
|
17th 20 (10) |
17th Jun 2025 Good 2m 3f 210y Class 2 |
9st 2lb |
Trained last year by Ralph Beckett, favourite when below form in the 1m1f Cambridgeshire on final outing (also below form on sole run on good to firm); made his stable/hurdles debut in March, in the Triumph at Cheltenham no less, but belied odds of 100-1 to win by a neck; second at Punchestown in May (despite racing freely) confirmed his high standing in that sphere, so he's a high-profile candidate for this return to Flat, over a very new Flat trip but his trainer usually picks the right ones for these races. |
5/1 |
11/2
- Place: £1.60
Form: 116 D
Last run: 50 days
W: 11st 0lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: 145
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 2 |
2nd May 2026 Yielding 2m 4f 118y |
11st 9lb |
Won Grade 1 Juvenile at the DRF last season; below best first three starts this season but better effort when a 7.5l third of 18 in Listed handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse latest (2m, yld-sft); same mark here but stamina to prove for this longer trip. |
8/1 |
|
3rd 2 |
4th Apr 2026 Yielding To Soft 2m 0f 0y |
11st 9lb |
Grade 1-winning juvenile hurdler last season; sustained an injury over the summer and has posted decent RPR's in three defeats since returning at Christmas, latest when 10th of 23 in County Hurdle after not clear run (only 1l behind Karbau); more needed but don't rule out. |
10/1 |
|
10th 5 |
13th Mar 2026 Good 2m 0f 179y Class 1 |
11st 6lb |
This useful Flat performer was a Grade 1-winning juvenile hurdler last season; sustained an injury over the summer but there's been enough in two comeback runs at Leopardstown this winter (seventh to Bowensonfire in handicap latest) to think he retains his ability; not discounted. |
14/1 |
6/1
Form: 318281 D
Last run: 30 days
W: 10st 7lb
4 yo Filly
OR: 141
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 2 |
30th May 2026 Good 2m 0f 100y |
11st 7lb |
Top-rated here at 138; won Grade 1 at Aintree in April 2025, her last start on ground with good in the description; below best in hot handicaps this year but better expected now back on a sounder surface; giving weight away to most of her rivals but the one to beat. |
13/8 |
|
16th 2 |
28th Apr 2026 Yielding 2m 0f 132y |
11st 1lb |
Grade 1 Juvenile winner at Aintree (2m1f, gd-sft) last year; has come up dry since, beaten similar distances in first three handicaps; dropped 1lb for an 11l fifth behind Kalix Delabarriere on latest and Townend takes over now; drying ground a plus and could go well. |
11/2 |
|
5th 4 |
4th Apr 2026 Yielding To Soft 2m 0f 0y |
11st 2lb |
Won a Grade 1 juvenile hurdle at Aintree last year; lightly raced this season, but DRF fourth of 19 to Bowensonfire in 2m handicap was a fine run; didn't count in County Hurdle latest but can't be discounted. |
12/1 |
50/1
Form: 7
Last run: 50 days
W: 11st 0lb
4 yo Colt
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 7 (7) |
3rd Jun 2026 Good 1m 6f 0y |
8st 12lb |
Useful on the Flat, although sole win came back in 2024, narrowly beaten here over 2m last summer; equally talented hurdler, but some stiff tasks of late; market likely informative back on the Flat. |
8/1 |
|
6th 9 |
28th Apr 2026 Yielding 2m 0f 132y |
11st 12lb |
One of three for yard; Useful on the Flat; off the mark over hurdles in a C&D maiden in February (sft-hvy); beaten 11.5l when midfield in the Supreme at Cheltenham (when Townend rode) and raced keenly before pulled up in the Fairyhouse Grade 2 won by Koktail Brut latest; overlooked by Townend here. |
20/1 |
|
8 |
5th Apr 2026 Yielding To Soft 2m 0f 0y |
11st 4lb |
Useful Flat handicapper; finished in mid-field in the 2025 Triumph on hurdling debut; easy winner of a Punchestown maiden in January; second-best of a disappointing Irish contingent when sixth in the Supreme Novices; giving him a slight edge over Koktail Brut. |
11/2 |
33/1
Form: 20
Last run: 50 days
W: 11st 0lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
11th 19 |
28th Apr 2026 Yielding 2m 0f 132y |
10st 0lb |
Better effort on handicap debut at Cork (2m3f, yielding) on latest, travelling strongly before weakening in the closing stages; 1lb wrong here but it's early days and this shorter trip should suit; player. |
11/1 |
|
4th 12 |
5th Apr 2026 Good To Yielding 2m 3f 0y |
10st 13lb |
Promising runner-up on sole French start; pitched into Grade 1s first two starts for this yard; was disappointing in a Naas maiden last time but is capable of a lot better; jockey booking takes the eye so not ruled out; check the market. |
8/1 |
|
6th 4 |
3rd May 2025 Yielding 2m 0f 0y |
11st 0lb |
French recruit; went close on heavy ground over 2m2f at Auteuil last October; pitched in at the deep end in the Triumph at Cheltenham on debut for this yard and came up short; could improve for that experience but needs to; others appeal more. |
33/1 |
14/1
Form: 3-1885 CD BF
Last run: 16 days
W: 10st 7lb
4 yo Filly
OR: 128
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 10 |
9th May 2026 Good 2m 1f 0y |
11st 0lb |
Back to life when seventh in the Martin Pipe (2m5f, soft) at Cheltenham after not getting the clearest run and built on that to win by 3.25l at Cork (2m3f, yielding) under a claimer; Townend takes over now and she looks like a mare on an upward curve having disappointed earlier in her career. |
5/2 |
|
1st 9 |
5th Apr 2026 Good To Yielding 2m 3f 0y |
11st 3lb |
Had been below her best in first two starts this term but came back to life when not getting the best of runs in the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham; same rider aboard; has to be on the shortlist. |
3/1 |
|
7th 24 |
13th Mar 2026 Good 2m 4f 56y Class 2 |
11st 0lb |
Campaigned only at about 2m; disappointing mare who has unconvincing form figures since scoring easily on debut for Willie Mullins; posted duck eggs in competitive handicaps at Leopardstown on last two outings; new trip needs to make a big difference. |
25/1 |
40/1
Form: 20
Last run: 50 days
W: 10st 7lb
4 yo Filly
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 2 |
27th May 2026 Good To Yielding 2m 4f 0y |
11st 5lb |
Flat winner and second over hurdles in France; out of her depth in Grade 1s at huge prices in early 2025 and regressed alarmingly in three runs last season before leaving Willie Mullins; some encouragement can be taken from her recent second at Sligo on first start for Gordon Elliott; however, this appears to be a deeper race. |
9/2 |
|
2nd 5 |
12th May 2026 Good 2m 1f 166y |
11st 7lb |
Flat winner and second over hurdles in France; cut no ice in Grade 1s at huge prices in early 2025 and regressed alarmingly in three runs last season; makes a stable switch that doesn't happen very often, from Willie Mullins to Gordon Elliott. |
4/1 |
|
8th 4 |
3rd Mar 2026 Soft To Heavy 2m 2f 72y |
11st 5lb |
Won on the Flat in France; ran in top company as a juvenile hurdler last season; questions to answer following her failure to feature at Punchestown in her first handicap; likely to be capable of better, unwise to rule out. |
7/1 |
7/1
Form: 1P1 D
Last run: 12 days
W: 11st 0lb
4 yo Colt
OR: 137
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
14th 7 |
1st Feb 2026 Heavy 2m 0f 0y |
11st 0lb |
Grade 2 juvenile hurdle winner last year but has disappointed over hurdles and on the Flat since; pulled-up over 2m4f here last time but can do better back to 2m. |
20/1 |
|
14th 17 (3) |
20th Jun 2025 Good To Firm 1m 3f 211y Class 2 |
9st 4lb |
Won the first of seven Flat races for Richard Hannon, last seen in this sphere when among the backmarkers in the 1m Britannia here (33-1; sole start on good to firm) 12 months ago; very hit and miss in his four hurdle races for the champion jumps trainer, albeit in top races when he failed to fire; connections are enough to earn him respect but Ethical Diamond is presumably their principal hope. |
22/1 |
|
9th 1 |
3rd May 2025 Yielding 2m 0f 0y |
11st 0lb |
always behind |
7/1 |
40/1
Form: 26 BF
Last run: 87 days
W: 11st 0lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
10th 5 |
3rd May 2025 Yielding 2m 0f 0y |
11st 0lb |
French recruit; placed in an AQPS race over 1m4f for former yard; beaten at short odds on heavy ground in a Fairyhouse maiden on his Irish debut in February; probably better than he showed that day but this looks a big ask upped markedly in class. |
40/1 |
|
10th 5 |
3rd May 2025 Yielding 2m 0f 0y |
11st 0lb |
always behind |
40/1 |
|
6th 6 |
5th Feb 2025 Heavy 2m 0f 0y |
11st 7lb |
jumped left on occasions, led, joined after 2nd |
8/11 |
18/1
Form: 32314 D
Last run: 12 days
W: 11st 0lb
4 yo Colt
OR: 124
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8 (1) |
27th Oct 2025 Heavy 1m 3f 180y |
9st 4lb |
Has had a run over hurdles since beating Ehteyat at Roscommon; might not uphold the form on the revised terms. |
8/1 |
|
8 (1) |
27th Oct 2025 Heavy 1m 3f 180y |
9st 4lb |
Has had a run over hurdles since beating Ehteyat at Roscommon; might not uphold the form on the revised terms. |
8/1 |
|
5 |
18th Oct 2025 Good 2m 5f 0y |
10st 12lb |
Got off the mark over hurdles over 2m1f here in April; has been below form on his last two hurdle runs but won on the Flat five days ago at Roscommon so can't be ruled out. |
5/1 |
12/1
Form: -F2350 D
Last run: 53 days
W: 11st 0lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: 134
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 11 |
25th May 2026 Good 2m 1f 54y |
11st 12lb |
Two wins over hurdles in France on heavy ground; yet to hit the target for this yard; beaten off 136 in handicap hurdles at Fairyhouse and Punchestown on last two starts; should make a chaser on breeding, but has to prove he acts on good ground. |
11/2 |
|
5th 7 |
2nd May 2026 Yielding 2m 4f 118y |
10st 13lb |
Two-time winner on heavy in France is 0-7 for Willie Mullins; below best first two runs this season but more like it at Fairyhouse on latest when staying on for a 7.5l fourth over 2m (yld-sft); same mark here, forecast rain a positive and this trip should suit; interesting. |
16/1 |
|
4th 6 |
4th Apr 2026 Yielding To Soft 2m 0f 0y |
10st 13lb |
Two hurdle wins in France in spring 2024; yet to score for Willie Mullins in six attempts but set some stiff tasks, most recently didn't seem to stay 2m5f of Coral Cup at Cheltenham; return to 2m may suit but yard look to have stronger contenders. |
16/1 |
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | €6.50 |
| Straight Forecast | €5.11 |
| Tricast | €17.67 |
| Trifecta | €31.70 |