January 20 / 13.20 Down Royal

13.20

Yielding To Soft

Franciscan Well Rated Novice Hurdle

  • Prize money: £7439.13
  • 2m 1f 33y
  • 8 runners
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Franciscan Well Rated Novice Hurdle

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

5/1 (Won)

  • Win: £9.40
  • Place: £2.30

Form: 37-1F7 CD

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Surprise winner of a C&D maiden in November when mastering the 1-5 favourite who then won a Grade 3 on his next start; this highly tried in a Grade 2 at Haydock where he was beaten when falling at the last; made no impression over a longer trip at Leopardstown on handicap debut; hooded now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

17th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 5f 91y

Class 2

16:05 Ayr

Jony R

11st 11lb

J: J J Slevin

T: S R B Crawford

Improved form since this hood went on, comfortably defying a penalty in novice hurdle at Down Royal (2m1f, soft) in January before respectable efforts in 2m Listed/Grade 3 races; however, further improvement is needed back in a handicap and he has to prove his stamina.

25/1

4th

2

8th Mar 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 77y

14:30 Naas

Jony R

11st 5lb

J: J J Slevin

T: S R B Crawford

Both wins have been at Down Royal, notably in first-time hood when ready success in rated novice in January (soft); last of four however following month in steadily-run Punchestown Listed novice maiden in November (8l off runner-up Lazare De Star) on softer ground; good bit to find here and ground remains a concern.

14/1

4/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 363-15

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Point-to-point winner; off the mark at the third attempt in maiden hurdles at Downpatrick last May (2m3f, good) on his final run before a break; made late progress on reappearance at Cork, ending up 6l behind third-placed Spinola Bay; might not be much between them now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

26th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

15:12 Clonmel

Youlita

11st 12lb

J: Philip Byrnes

T: C Byrnes

Downpatrick maiden hurdle winner in May 2025; ran just okay in two novice hurdles since; travelled well before finding little when sixth on handicap debut at Down Royal lto; step back in trip looks a good move on chase debut; wouldn't want the ground too soft.

6/1

6th

12

17th Mar 2026

Yielding

2m 4f 86y

13:53 Down Royal

Youlita

10st 13lb

J: Philip Byrnes

T: C Byrnes

Point-to-point winner; off the mark at the third attempt in maiden hurdles at Downpatrick last May (2m3f, good) on his final run before a break; Well beaten in two outings in novice company in January; could be a different proposition on handicap debut.

8/1

3rd

7

20th Jan 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 1f 33y

13:20 Down Royal

Youlita

11st 1lb

J: Philip Byrnes

T: C Byrnes

Point-to-point winner; off the mark at the third attempt in maiden hurdles at Downpatrick last May (2m3f, good) on his final run before a break; made late progress on reappearance at Cork, ending up 6l behind third-placed Spinola Bay; might not be much between them now.

4/1

Form: 9656-

Last run: 294 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Ran well on the AW at Dundalk last week, others appear to have better hurdling claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

4

24th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 110y

16:50 Kilbeggan

Jazz Forever

11st 10lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Paul W Flynn

AW winner; fifth behind subsequent chase Grade 1 winner Koktail Divin in a maiden hurdle at Leopardstown (2m4f, yielding); flattered by that detail; pulled up in a Bellewstown maiden hurdle last week; has plenty of weight, hard to fancy.

20/1

1

18th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 1f 30y

14:40 Bellewstown

Jazz Forever

11st 12lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Paul W Flynn

Front-runner is 1-28 under rules (the win coming on AW in 2024) and was disappointing at Dundalk when last seen; 0-5 over hurdles, with his best effort a 14.5l fifth behind subsequent Grade 1 winner Koktail Divin at Leopardstown (2m4f, yielding); probably flattered by that placing, but it's interesting that Jack Kennedy takes the ride (2-5 riding for this trainer).

9/1

8th

2

(5)

27th Mar 2026

Standard

2m 0f 0y

18:45 Dundalk (AW)

Jazz Forever

10st 1lb

J: Leigh Roche

T: Paul W Flynn

Beat Numidia by 2.25l here over 10.5f in his sole win from 27 starts in 2024; generally poor form in 2025; decent 4l fourth here in January (10.5f) but beaten 28l over hurdles last time; tries this trip on the Flat for the first time.

13/1

Form: 6-3420

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Posted some solid efforts in a Perth bumper and opening three maiden hurdles; best effort runner-up at Downpatrick in August over 2m6f on good ground; finished in midfield on handicap debut at Navan; needs to raise his game now
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

11

17th Mar 2026

Yielding

2m 4f 86y

13:53 Down Royal

Mavetherave

10st 13lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: W R Crawford

Best maiden hurdle effort when runner-up at Downpatrick last August over 2m6f on good ground; finished in midfield on handicap debut at Navan; 6l behind Youlita when fifth here in January, may struggle to reverse that form

12/1

5th

6

20th Jan 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 1f 33y

13:20 Down Royal

Mavetherave

11st 3lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: W R Crawford

Posted some solid efforts in a Perth bumper and opening three maiden hurdles; best effort runner-up at Downpatrick in August over 2m6f on good ground; finished in midfield on handicap debut at Navan; needs to raise his game now

10/1

4

25th Aug 2025

Good

2m 5f 180y

15:08 Downpatrick

Mavetherave

11st 4lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: S R B Crawford

Good effort in defeat at Perth on second bumper start; similarly solid runs in defeat both maiden hurdles, at Ballinrobe and over C&D (soft); handles a sound surface too so should go well.

100/30

OUR TIP

Form: 53-113 BF

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Came back from a long layoff to start the campaign with back-to-back handicap wins at Navan (soft-to-heavy) and Leopardstown (yielding); attempted to make all in a race of this type at Cork but was found wanting after a mistake two out; fitted with cheekpieces now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

20th Jan 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 1f 33y

13:20 Down Royal

Spinola Bay

11st 7lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Came back from a long layoff to start the campaign with back-to-back handicap wins at Navan (soft-to-heavy) and Leopardstown (yielding); attempted to make all in a race of this type at Cork but was found wanting after a mistake two out; fitted with cheekpieces now.

9/4

3rd

9

19th Oct 2024

Good

2m 5f 0y

14:10 Limerick

Spinola Bay

11st 10lb

J: Jody McGarvey

T: Gordon Elliott

towards rear

7/2

5th

5

10th Oct 2024

Soft

2m 0f 0y

14:05 Tramore

Spinola Bay

11st 11lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Gordon Elliott

Showed ability when fourth on second bumper start; was never dangerous but did run on when making hurdling debut at Roscommon; should be sharper for that.

7/1

Form: 755

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

5th Nov 2022

Good To Soft

2m 0f 51y

Class 4

16:55 Kelso

Night Moon

11st 0lb

J: William Shanahan

T: Gary Harrison

Virtually friendless in the market when tailed-off fifth of eight on debut at Carlisle (2m1f, good to soft) last month; best watched.

66/1

5th

5

13th Oct 2022

Good To Soft

2m 1f 33y

Class 5

16:30 Carlisle

Night Moon

11st 2lb

J: Amie Waugh

T: Gary Harrison

in rear, headway on outer 5f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out

66/1

Form: 3-4996

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Would have gone close to beating the useful Bowensfire at Limerick last January but for a last-flight fall; has failed to make any progress since then; as a result, he has plenty to prove at this stage; trainer won a similar race at Fairyhouse last week.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

20th Jan 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 1f 33y

13:20 Down Royal

Beckistine

11st 3lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: M A Molloy

Would have gone close to beating the useful Bowensfire at Limerick last January but for a last-flight fall; has failed to make any progress since then; as a result, he has plenty to prove at this stage; trainer won a similar race at Fairyhouse last week.

14/1

2

19th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 70y

14:37 Limerick

Beckistine

11st 12lb

J: Liam McKenna

T: M A Molloy

Modest form in three bumpers but looked set to win over C&D on hurdling debut back in January when falling at the last; was then a solid third at Wexford when last seen; can run well if ready enough after a break.

4/1

3rd

1

17th Mar 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 0y

14:10 Wexford

Beckistine

11st 12lb

J: Liam McKenna

T: M A Molloy

midfield, headway and went third before 2 out, no match for first two

7/2

Form: 088-82

Last run: 68 days

W: 11st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Frankel gelding is closely related to Group 1 Hong Kong Vase winner Jenko; 13-race maiden; narrowly denied off 103 in a 2m Punchestown handicap two months ago; winner Powerful won again at the same venue recently, having been unplaced behind Spinola Bay at Leopardstown
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

12

18th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 1f 30y

14:40 Bellewstown

Zuzukel

11st 4lb

J: Daniel King

T: A J Martin

Frankel gelding was narrowly denied in a Punchestown handicap in November (2m, heavy); weakening when fell at the final flight at Down Royal in a novice hurdle when last seen in January (2m1f, soft); has the form to win a race of this nature.

13/2

8

20th Jan 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 1f 33y

13:20 Down Royal

Zuzukel

11st 1lb

J: Daniel King

T: A J Martin

Frankel gelding is closely related to Group 1 Hong Kong Vase winner Jenko; 13-race maiden; narrowly denied off 103 in a 2m Punchestown handicap two months ago; winner Powerful won again at the same venue recently, having been unplaced behind Spinola Bay at Leopardstown

100/30

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €41.10
Straight Forecast €39.39
Trifecta €174.70

Selections

POSTDATA:

Spinola Bay

TOPSPEED:

Mavetherave

SPOTLIGHT:

Zuzukel

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Jazz Forever

The Irish Sun:

Spinola Bay