August 01 / 18.00 Galway

18.00

Good

Guinness Galway Blazers Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £39008.26
  • 2m 6f 111y
  • 20 runners
TG4
View Course
Guinness Galway Blazers Handicap Chase

Runners: 20 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

80/1 (Won)

  • Win: £37.20
  • Place: £7.00

Form: 5/3/50

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 0lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Dual-purpose sort has returned from a mammoth break with two poor runs and he is best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

23rd Aug 2025

Good

2m 7f 80y

16:15 Killarney

Turnpike Trip

11st 10lb

J: Philip Byrnes

T: C Byrnes

Useful dual-purpose sort came back from a huge absence this term; well beaten over hurdles and fences on first two starts but back to form when a 20/1 winner of the Galway Blazers Chase; big player if repeating that.

9/4

1st

17

1st Aug 2025

Good

2m 6f 111y

18:00 Galway

Turnpike Trip

11st 0lb

J: Philip Byrnes

T: C Byrnes

Dual-purpose sort has returned from a mammoth break with two poor runs and he is best watched.

80/1

7

1st Jul 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 120y

14:18 Tipperary

Turnpike Trip

11st 8lb

J: Philip Byrnes

T: C Byrnes

Dual-purpose sort had run well in defeat in some novice chases some years ago but remains best watched on second start off a huge lay-off.

33/1

9/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 6054-2 BF

Last run: 54 days

W: 10st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Dual hurdles winner has been unable to win a chase in five attempts; the best of those came on handicap debut last time at Punchestown (2m4f, good to yielding) when a 0.5l second; going in the right direction.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

27th Sep 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 6f 0y

16:30 Listowel

Antrim Coast

11st 4lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Two-time hurdles winner is 0-7 over fences; fine effort in the Blazers when a 1.5l second off 1lb lower on penultimate; left Henry De Bromhead after a 7.5l second in a Killarney beginners' (sweated up in prelims); not discounted on debut for new yard.

9/2

2nd

1

21st Aug 2025

Good

2m 7f 100y

18:07 Killarney

Antrim Coast

11st 12lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

Dual hurdle winner who is 0-6 over fences but continues to threaten, having finished bang there in handicaps at Punchestown (2m4f) and Galway (2m6f) the last twice; every chance.

6/4

2nd

18

1st Aug 2025

Good

2m 6f 111y

18:00 Galway

Antrim Coast

10st 13lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Gavin Cromwell

Dual hurdles winner has been unable to win a chase in five attempts; the best of those came on handicap debut last time at Punchestown (2m4f, good to yielding) when a 0.5l second; going in the right direction.

9/1

20/1

  • Place: £6.30

Form: 345-44 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 12lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Back-to-back chase wins two years ago; nothing since then, finished in front of Lightkeeper when fourth at Wexford when last seen (2m3f, good); that was her best run for a while; refused to line up at Punchestown in April, so comes with risks attached.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

3rd Aug 2025

Good

2m 6f 111y

14:55 Galway

Must Be Obeyed

10st 10lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Thomas Gibney

2-23 over fences, those wins gained mid-winter in 2022/23 season; fourth in two handicap runs in recent months; was due to run in the 6.30 here on Friday; not suited by the race conditions.

20/1

3rd

20

1st Aug 2025

Good

2m 6f 111y

18:00 Galway

Must Be Obeyed

10st 12lb

J: Daniel King

T: Thomas Gibney

Back-to-back chase wins two years ago; nothing since then, finished in front of Lightkeeper when fourth at Wexford when last seen (2m3f, good); that was her best run for a while; refused to line up at Punchestown in April, so comes with risks attached.

20/1

4th

6

4th Jul 2025

Good

2m 3f 110y

16:25 Wexford

Must Be Obeyed

10st 7lb

J: Mike O’Connor

T: Thomas Gibney

2-22 over fences; poor form recently and a 10l fourth of eight at Punchestown last month wasn't hugely encouraging; refused to line up at Punchestown in April; a risky profile and others are in better form.

12/1

13/1

  • Place: £2.90

Form: 144F0-

Last run: 141 days

W: 11st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
Dual-purpose performer is 8-28 in all codes, two of his wins coming over fences in novice chases; has been plying his trade on the Flat recently with good success, including two wins; fell at Leopardstown and tailed off at Cheltenham in his last two chase starts so he has something to prove now returned to this discipline.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

18

24th Sep 2025

Yielding To Soft

2m 7f 180y

16:23 Listowel

San Salvador

10st 12lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Three Flat wins this year, the latest over 1m5f at Ballinrobe in July; jumping was untidy at times on return to chasing at Galway; down the field in the Cheltenham Festival novice handicap in which Anyway finished second; plenty to prove.

10/1

4th

1

1st Aug 2025

Good

2m 6f 111y

18:00 Galway

San Salvador

11st 12lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Dual-purpose performer is 8-28 in all codes, two of his wins coming over fences in novice chases; has been plying his trade on the Flat recently with good success, including two wins; fell at Leopardstown and tailed off at Cheltenham in his last two chase starts so he has something to prove now returned to this discipline.

13/1

1

(11)

21st Jul 2025

Yielding

1m 4f 184y

19:30 Ballinrobe

San Salvador

10st 0lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Seven wins under all rules with last one coming in a Killarney conditions race in May; even better form when beaten only 4l in the Ascot Stakes h'cap last time; this trip is fine too and is a big player.

7/2

Form: 15P21-

Last run: 101 days

W: 10st 12lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
2-5 over fences; won by a short head at Fairyhouse in April in first-time blinkers (2m5f, soft) off 116; raised 6lb for that and the form of that race is not working out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

27th May 2026

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 0y

19:19 Wexford

Kiltealy Park

11st 3lb

J: Alan O’Sullivan

T: Paul Nolan

Winner of two of her nine starts over fences since her last hurdles run almost two years ago; recorded her two hurdle wins back-to-back over 2m4f at this venue in April/May 2024; below best over fences since a fair run at last year's Galway festival.

8/1

6

4th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 5f 45y

14:40 Fairyhouse

Kiltealy Park

10st 4lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Paul Nolan

Won this race last year off 4lb lower mark (soft) in first-time blinkers and good comeback run early this term in Galway Blazers; seen just twice since, well held here in November and 3m looked beyond her at Leopardstown over Christmas; doesn't come here in the same form as last year and cheekpieces now replace blinkers.

9/1

Form: 429-13 BF

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 12lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
First reserve; two-time winning hurdler; improved on two beginners' chase starts to win on handicap bow over fences at Kilbeggan in June (2m4f, good); unable to follow up at Wexford last time from revised mark when third (2m3f, good).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

12th Oct 2025

Good

2m 1f 140y

16:37 Cork

Shes A Fine Wine

10st 5lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Won at Kilbeggan in May (20.5f, good) off 117 and far from disgraced off 122 in the Blazers at Galway (22.5f, good); below best in listed handicap chase at Killarney (2m5f) latest; could rebound returned to a right-handed track, though this trip might be sharp enough.

11/2

9th

14

23rd Aug 2025

Good

2m 4f 180y

16:50 Killarney

Shes A Fine Wine

10st 9lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Henry De Bromhead

Two-time winning hurdler; improved on two beginners' chase starts to win on handicap bow over fences at Kilbeggan in June off 117 (2m4f, good); solid runs in defeat the last twice following her victory, including a 4.75l sixth in a valuable Galway handicap chase last time (2m6f, good); in good form at the moment.

9/1

6th

21

1st Aug 2025

Good

2m 6f 111y

18:00 Galway

Shes A Fine Wine

10st 12lb

T: Henry De Bromhead

First reserve; two-time winning hurdler; improved on two beginners' chase starts to win on handicap bow over fences at Kilbeggan in June (2m4f, good); unable to follow up at Wexford last time from revised mark when third (2m3f, good).

Form: 13139-

Last run: 91 days

W: 11st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Won a 2m4f beginners' at Fairyhouse in November (good); only beaten 0.5l in follow-up bid back at that track; returned from a break at Punchestown festival last time on handicap chase debut but was disappointing; the fact O'Keeffe chooses him gives some confidence that he may be primed to give his best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

10

25th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 80y

18:35 Ballinrobe

Native Speaker

10st 7lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Made all to win his maiden hurdle and chase and stays 3m1f; only beaten 5l at Galway last summer but down the field in his other handicaps; stable jockey rides but lacks a run and hard to fancy on form.

16/1

7th

10

1st Aug 2025

Good

2m 6f 111y

18:00 Galway

Native Speaker

11st 6lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Won a 2m4f beginners' at Fairyhouse in November (good); only beaten 0.5l in follow-up bid back at that track; returned from a break at Punchestown festival last time on handicap chase debut but was disappointing; the fact O'Keeffe chooses him gives some confidence that he may be primed to give his best.

12/1

9th

10

2nd May 2025

Yielding

2m 4f 55y

17:25 Punchestown

Native Speaker

10st 13lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

prominent, led after 1st, headed but prominent after 3rd

12/1

Form: 1140-8 CD

Last run: 67 days

W: 11st 1lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Galway specialist with all three wins having come at the track; back-to-back winner over hurdles and fences here last term at 2m and 2m6f on soft and good to yielding; well beaten in two starts in May in Punchestown and Ballinrobe; he's up 12lb since his chase win last season, but he loves this place.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

16

1st Aug 2025

Good

2m 6f 111y

18:00 Galway

Neveradullmoment

11st 1lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: J P Dempsey

Galway specialist with all three wins having come at the track; back-to-back winner over hurdles and fences here last term at 2m and 2m6f on soft and good to yielding; well beaten in two starts in May in Punchestown and Ballinrobe; he's up 12lb since his chase win last season, but he loves this place.

11/1

15

26th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 72y

18:30 Ballinrobe

Neveradullmoment

11st 0lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: J P Dempsey

1-13 over fences; won back to back races at Galway last August-September including a chase (22.5f, gd-yld) off 113; well-beaten off this mark on return from six months off when behind a couple of these at Punchestown; others make more appeal.

28/1

Form: 1862-F

Last run: 53 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
1-13 over fences but may have added another only for a late mistake at Limerick in March (3m, yielding to soft); fell at the first on most recent start; needs to overcome jumping frailties.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

25th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 80y

18:35 Ballinrobe

Invictus Machin

10st 9lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Gavin Cromwell

Just 1-17 over fences and that 3m1f victory at Kilbeggan was in 2024; beaten a head at Limerick last year and a neck in Listed contest at Leopardstown in March, and has crept up the ratings as a result; another decent effort at Punchestown last time when Cobden got to know him.

13/2

4th

16

2nd May 2026

Yielding

3m 0f 104y

15:45 Punchestown

Invictus Machin

10st 6lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Gavin Cromwell

Sole chase win came in 3m1f Kilbeggan handicap in 2024 but career-best on latest when just failing to get up in 2m6f Leopardstown handicap in March (yielding-to-soft), his first run since August; should go well.

15/2

2nd

13

2nd Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 5f 120y

16:25 Leopardstown

Invictus Machin

10st 2lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Gavin Cromwell

Solee chase win came in 3m1f Kilbeggan handicap in 2024, absent since second in same race last August off 11lb higher; lack of a recent run a concern, so too the ground.

12/1

Form: 616-14 CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 6lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Progressive 10yo; won over 2m7f at Limerick in March (good to yielding) and then won a 2m4f Ballinrobe veterans' handicap in May under a positive ride; up 4lb when 14l third at Kilbeggan last time (3m1f, good); others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

11

25th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 80y

18:35 Ballinrobe

Flash De Touzaine

10st 6lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Liz Doyle

Exposed but useful on his day; latest of three chase wins came off same mark in veterans' chase on this card a year ago; ran well in Midlands National at Kilbeggan next time and stays this far; after a layoff, ran okay at Wexford last month but probably vulnerable to those with more upside.

16/1

5th

5

10th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 100y

18:38 Wexford

Flash De Touzaine

10st 12lb

J: James Smith

T: Liz Doyle

Gained the most recent of his three chase wins in a 2m3f handicap on good ground at Ballinrobe last May; lacks a recent run but trip/ground in his favour so local challenger respected.

10/1

Form: 04400- CD

Last run: 93 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
Has only won two of his 28 chase starts and his last success was in 2023; had some creditable runs in big handicaps last season, including fourth in the Plate at Cheltenham (2m4f, good to soft); form tailed off after that with poor runs at Aintree and Punchestown; 20l seventh in this race last year; preferred by Jack Kennedy.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

23rd May 2026

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 2

16:10 Bangor-on-Dee

Mars Harper

11st 4lb

J: Jamie Gambin

T: Sarah Humphrey

Left Gordon Elliott after disappointing hurdle run last autumn; well beaten again on stable debut in March but, after wind surgery, he returned to chasing with a good second at Fakenham (3m, good) 19 days ago; has possibilities if he can build on that but his last win was in 2023.

7/1

2nd

2

4th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 38y

Class 2

16:03 Fakenham

Mars Harper

11st 0lb

J: Jamie Gambin

T: Sarah Humphrey

Left Gordon Elliott after disappointing hurdle run last autumn and was again well beaten when returning for new stable in March; given a wind op since and reverts to chasing on a workable mark but still looks risky.

20/1

6th

3

8th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 0y

Class 3

16:13 Warwick

Mars Harper

11st 8lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Sarah Humphrey

Best known as a chaser these days and was tailed off back over hurdles on his final run for Gordon Elliott, whom he left for £30,000; on a good mark but there's much to prove on first sighting since October.

9/1

Form: 5F-473 BF

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Two-time hurdles winner is 0-9 chasing but came second in this race last year by a nose (2m6f, yielding); okay run at Kilbeggan last time on seasonal return when 11l third (3m1f, good); chance off 4lb higher than last year.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

14th Oct 2025

Good

2m 7f 22y

16:36 Punchestown

Moonovercloon

11st 11lb

J: James Smith

T: Matthew J Smith

Hasn't really threatened over fences or over hurdles this year; beaten 12l when fourth at Listowel on latest; dropped another 2lb and blinkers now tried; others make more appeal.

20/1

4th

1

25th Sep 2025

Yielding

2m 4f 0y

16:35 Listowel

Moonovercloon

11st 13lb

J: James Smith

T: Matthew J Smith

Better over fences than hurdles and hasn't been overly threatening in this discipline in last three races; can look a hard ride at times.

20/1

2

27th Aug 2025

Good

2m 4f 110y

18:25 Bellewstown

Moonovercloon

11st 9lb

J: James Smith

T: Matthew J Smith

Better chaser than hurdler; has failed to exploit his lower hurdles mark in races at Wexford (behind Mercury Mission) and Sligo in recent weeks; others preferred.

10/1

12/1

Form: 2147-2 BF

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Dual chase winner; has won on different types of ground; ran well for a long way in a Punchestown festival handicap hurdle (2m3f, yielding); returned to fences when sent off favourite and 3l behind the winner at Cartmel most recently (2m5f, good to soft); that was a good effort and he could have more to offer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

6th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

3m 0f 120y

17:40 Fairyhouse

Cave Court

11st 5lb

J: Mr O McGill

T: Noel C Kelly

Two-time chase winner; fine effort when runner-up in a Cartmel handicap chase in June 2025 but only seen three times since and well beaten both starts in 2026, over hurdles at Haydock and in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham; needs to rediscover best.

25/1

14th

18

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 70y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Cave Court

11st 0lb

J: Mr O McGill

T: Noel C Kelly

Runner-up at Cartmel (2m5f, good to soft) last June and he's run well at up to 3m in the past; however, he was tailed off at 50-1 over hurdles at Haydock last month when back from a break and looks up against it today.

66/1

Form: 42-03U

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Dual hurdles winner is 0-5 chasing, though some decent runs in beginners', including when 1.75l behind Mirazur West at Cork in April (2m1f); hurdles wins have come at shorter than this and unseated at the first recently at Kilbeggan on handicap chase bow.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 3

13:28 Haydock

Harsh

11st 4lb

J: James Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Capable of useful form over fences in Ireland for Gordon Elliott but he's still to score in this sphere and has offered little for his new yard, jumping sketchily when pulled up in 3m Doncaster handicap three weeks ago; plenty more is required despite a tumbling mark.

33/1

1

24th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 7f 214y

Class 3

14:38 Doncaster

Harsh

11st 10lb

J: James Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Ex-Irish 6yo; last of five finishers at Newbury (2m6f) on debut for new yard, taking chase record to 0-7; needs improvement to defy top weight.

25/1

Form: 462-UP

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
Sixth in the Plate at Cheltenham last season (2m4f, good to soft); second in a handicap chase at the Punchestown festival (2m4f, yielding); unseated at Perth in June and pulled up at Kilbeggan last month, so questions to answer now with Kennedy deserting him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

29th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 4f 80y

17:25 Punchestown

Riaan

10st 13lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

Chase wins have been at Wexford and Sligo on decent ground, latter occasion when beating Jesse Evans 3.5l at levels in October when last seen, albeit steady pace possibly suited; has run well fresh and has his ground here, so one to consider.

8/1

3

1st Oct 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 5f 27y

16:43 Sligo

Riaan

11st 10lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

Rated 132; has caught the eye in some valuable handicap chases but consistency is not his strong suit and he has unseated, pulled up and been beaten 28l on his last three starts; capable of running well but comes with risks attached.

12/1

8

23rd Aug 2025

Good

2m 4f 180y

16:50 Killarney

Riaan

11st 5lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

Won on chase debut in a Wexford beginners' in 2023 (2m4f, yielding); best run in recent times was a 4.5l second at the Punchestown festival off his current mark (2m4f, yielding); he has been poor in three runs following that and Kennedy prefers Mars Harper.

20/1

Form: 19-135

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
More talented over fences than hurdles; won a beginners' and a 2m4f handicap at Kilbeggan off 120; raised 10lb for that and unable to follow up back at that track the last twice; 4.5l behind Moonovercloon most recently; O'Keeffe chooses Native Speaker.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

15th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 90y

19:40 Kilbeggan

Marv Michael

11st 12lb

J: Mr B T Stone

T: Liz Doyle

Four-time winner for Henry de Bromhead, including when bolting up by 12l over C&D last May; finished last season with two below-par runs; off 230 days and dropped 4lb on stable debut.

20/1

5

27th Sep 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 6f 0y

16:30 Listowel

Marv Michael

11st 8lb

J: Mike O’Connor

T: Henry De Bromhead

Won off 1120 at Kilbeggan (20.5f, good) in May but 11lb rise halted his progress; remains 8lb above that last win and needs to find more to get his head back in front.

12/1

16th

9

1st Aug 2025

Good

2m 6f 111y

18:00 Galway

Marv Michael

11st 6lb

J: Mike O’Connor

T: Henry De Bromhead

More talented over fences than hurdles; won a beginners' and a 2m4f handicap at Kilbeggan off 120; raised 10lb for that and unable to follow up back at that track the last twice; 4.5l behind Moonovercloon most recently; O'Keeffe chooses Native Speaker.

14/1

Form: 75435- D

Last run: 92 days

W: 11st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Leopardstown Chase winner in 2023 (2m5f, yielding); no success since then; finished 19l eighth of 22 in sole start at this venue in the 2023 Plate; runs last season were not without merit, ran on well to take fourth in the cross country chase at Cheltenham (3m5f, good to yielding) and third in the Topham at Aintree (2m5f, good to soft); one of five for trainer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

19

2nd May 2026

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 90y

14:30 Punchestown

The Goffer

11st 7lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

Third reserve; second to Vanillier in P P Hogan Memorial over C&D in February and most recently a close third (beaten 1.25l) to Busselton in 4m1f La Touche here on Thursday; big player if turning out again.

3rd

13

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

4m 1f 11y

15:40 Punchestown

The Goffer

11st 7lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Fourth behind Stumptown in the 2025 Glenfarclas Chase; went on to finish third in the Topham and fifth in this race; twice second over the shorter course here this season, behind Desertmore House in November and behind Vanillier in February; may rebound after below-par effort at Cheltenham.

4/1

10th

13

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 5f 56y

Class 2

15:20 Cheltenham

The Goffer

10st 5lb

J: Josh Williamson

T: Gordon Elliott

Has made the frame at two Cheltenham Festivals, more recently when staying on from long way off the pace to take fourth behind Stumptown in this race in 2025 (good to soft); returns here after a pretty good second to Vanillier on Bank course at Punchestown (3m1f, soft to heavy) but, from out of the weights, is effectively 5lb higher than last year; sports first-time cheekpieces.

14/1

Form: 1P-P56 C

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Winner of a maiden hurdle at this festival last year; back-to-back wins in a Down Royal novice and a Wexford handicap both just short of 2m4f; form has tailed off since then, beaten 21l and 13.5l on last two starts; needs a return to form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

14th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 116y

16:47 Clonmel

Lightkeeper

11st 0lb

J: Josh Williamson

T: Gordon Elliott

Maiden hurdle winner in 2024 has won three chases since and is rated 128 in that sphere; was second in a Bellewstown claimer in August when last over hurdles; a spin in the charity race at Punchestown can have him straight; valuable 5lb claimer a help.

3/1

20th

1

2nd May 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

18:35 Punchestown

Lightkeeper

12st 9lb

J: Paul Burns

T: Gordon Elliott

Four-time winner, rated 128 over fences, flat debut, top yard, respected.

11/2

3rd

1

25th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 20y

Class 3

14:33 Perth

Lightkeeper

11st 10lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Gordon Elliott

Reversed previous C&D form with King Roly under an aggressive front-running ride from Sean Bowen here 17 days ago (good); that wasn't without the occasional scare over his fences but he's clearly capable of going well again off just 4lb higher.

5/2

Form: 441-12 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 2lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Got first chase win on 11th attempt at Bangor in April (3m, soft) and followed up on his return to hurdling at Ballinrobe (2m6f, good); up 8lb for Bangor win but beaten only a neck back chasing at Uttoxeter last time (3m2f, good); he's in the form of his life; tongue-tie now added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

17

25th May 2026

Good

2m 6f 100y

17:35 Ballinrobe

Digby

10st 2lb

J: Alix Balfe

T: Dermot A McLoughlin

First reserve; won this last year off 9lb higher and then went close at Uttoxeter in a handicap chase the following month but has completely lost form since; yard amongst winners recently but he's hard to fancy on recent showings; new headgear combo needs to spark.

7th

6

15th May 2026

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 50y

18:30 Kilbeggan

Digby

10st 12lb

J: Alix Balfe

T: Dermot A McLoughlin

Four-time hurdles winner had been expected (9-2) to leave recent poor form behind upong encountering better ground at Down Royal over fences 11 days ago but the revival never arrived; questions to answer now.

10/1

6th

2

4th May 2026

Good

3m 2f 50y

15:55 Down Royal

Digby

11st 11lb

J: Alix Balfe

T: Dermot A McLoughlin

He's a different horse on good ground, so forget his recent form figures on soft; won twice this time last year and excellent second over this trip in valuable handicap at Uttoxeter; revival expected here with conditions to suit and yard had welcome high-profile winner on Saturday.

6/1

Form: 8P0-32 C

Last run: 53 days

W: 11st 1lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Winner of a handicap hurdle here in 2023, fell in a beginners' here last year; four-time hurdles winner is 0-7 chasing but was a clear second at Roscommon when last seen (3m1f, good); form of that race looks decent; up 5lb now though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

1st Jun 2026

Yielding

2m 7f 150y

16:42 Listowel

Ambitious Fellow

11st 7lb

J: Mr G Devitt

T: Peter Fahey

Four wins over hurdles (rated 130), one of them here; maiden after 10 chase starts and has had jumping issues, but was second off 120 at Roscommon last summer; only beaten 7l in Champion Hunters Chase at Punchestown where he was a huge price.

6/1

5th

1

1st May 2026

Yielding

3m 0f 160y

16:15 Punchestown

Ambitious Fellow

12st 0lb

J: Mr G Devitt

T: Peter Fahey

Four wins over hurdles; has never won a chase; point-to-point form nowhere near good enough.

66/1

Non-runners

In Excelsis Deo, Rexem, Cavalry Master

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €265.60
Straight Forecast €128.84
Tricast €3189.18

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Digby

The Irish Sun:

Lightkeeper

TOPSPEED:

The Goffer

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Digby

POSTDATA:

Digby