January 20 / 14.50 Down Royal

14.50

Yielding To Soft

Irish Stallion Farms EBF Rated Novice Chase

  • Prize money: £10260.87
  • 2m 0f 115y
  • 7 runners
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Irish Stallion Farms EBF Rated Novice Chase

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

13/2 (Won)

  • Win: £10.00
  • Place: £3.70

Form: 70-553 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Maiden hurdle winner for Willie Mullins (2m, heavy); found wanting in valuable handicaps and took a step forward on latest of three attempts chasing when close third in 2m2f Limerick rated novice at Christmas; progressive and J J Slevin's choice.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

5th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 140y

16:25 Fairyhouse

Anotherway

11st 2lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: Thomas Gibney

Maiden hurdle winner for Willie Mullins; off the mark chasing in 2m1f Down Royal novice in January but found wanting on handicap debut behind Jigoro at Gowran on heavy, never landing a blow; opposable.

12/1

8th

7

7th Mar 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

16:18 Gowran Park

Anotherway

11st 2lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Thomas Gibney

Maiden hurdle winner for Willie Mullins; found wanting in valuable handicaps last season; began to get to grips with chasing when close third behind Moudan in 2m2f Limerick rated novice event at Christmas; built on that when an emphatic winner of a similar event at Down Royal; fair chance in his first handicap.

8/1

1st

5

20th Jan 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 115y

14:50 Down Royal

Anotherway

11st 4lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Thomas Gibney

Maiden hurdle winner for Willie Mullins (2m, heavy); found wanting in valuable handicaps and took a step forward on latest of three attempts chasing when close third in 2m2f Limerick rated novice at Christmas; progressive and J J Slevin's choice.

13/2

5/2

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 54-214 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Fair form over hurdles and has taken well to chasing this term, winning 2m2f Clonmel beginners (heavy) and good late headway to take fourth behind Romeo Coolio in 2m1f Grade 1 at Leopardstown over Christmas (yielding); progressing well and one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

25th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 80y

18:35 Ballinrobe

Hes Gorgeous

10st 9lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: P A Fahy

Didn't hang around long over hurdles and solid form in first season over fences; kept plugging away when fine fifth of 22 in deep novice handicap at Punchestown (2m4f, yielding) last month; hasn't raced beyond 2m4f but good chance if he stays (dam won hurdle over 2m4f).

9/1

5th

16

1st May 2026

Yielding

2m 4f 55y

17:25 Punchestown

Hes Gorgeous

11st 0lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: P A Fahy

Has taken well to chasing this term, winning a 2m2f Clonmel beginners' (heavy) and good late headway for fourth behind Romeo Coolio in a Leopardstown Grade 1 (2m1f, yielding) over Christmas; good attitude when runner-up in a Down Royal novice chase in January (2m1f, yielding to soft); okay run when fifth in a Listed Naas handicap (2m4f, heavy) when last seen.

25/1

5th

1

22nd Feb 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 4f 0y

17:00 Naas

Hes Gorgeous

11st 12lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: P A Fahy

Fair form over hurdles and has taken well to chasing this term, winning a 2m2f Clonmel beginners' (heavy) and good late headway to take fourth behind Romeo Coolio over Christmas in a Leopardstown Grade 1 (2m1f, yielding); another positive effort when runner-up in a Down Royal rated novice contest, rallying well (2m1f, yielding to soft); increase in trip looks a positive.

10/1

Form: 148-54 D

Last run: 38 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
A 130-rated hurdler having won a Cork maiden and been a close fourth in a Punchestown Grade 2 last term; came up against a smart on chasing debut at latter track, more encouraging Fairyhouse effort last month when fourth under a positive ride; nearly 3l to find with McLaurey on that run so more needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

11

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 75y

16:50 Punchestown

Sky Lord

11st 5lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Winning hurdler; yet to score over fences; beaten favourite at Cork in his first handicap chase; needs to raise his game in first-time tongue-tie.

12/1

3rd

3

6th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 45y

14:25 Cork

Sky Lord

11st 8lb

J: Mike O’Connor

T: Henry De Bromhead

Won his maiden hurdle here and some useful novice chase form; heavily backed last time in a rated novice at Down Royal where he flattened out after travelling well, and yard in better form now.

5/2

3rd

3

20th Jan 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 115y

14:50 Down Royal

Sky Lord

12st 0lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

A 130-rated hurdler having won a Cork maiden and been a close fourth in a Punchestown Grade 2 last term; came up against a smart on chasing debut at latter track, more encouraging Fairyhouse effort last month when fourth under a positive ride; nearly 3l to find with McLaurey on that run so more needed.

9/2

OUR TIP

Form: 10-437 D BF

Last run: 11 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Very useful (133-rated) hurdler whose two wins last season included very valuable Leopardstown handicap; more of a slow-burner over fences this term, Fairyhouse beginners' third his best run; let down by jumping against more experienced rivals in handicap on latest when never landing a blow at Naas; back in novice grade and Mark Walsh remains loyal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

16

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 75y

16:50 Punchestown

McLaurey

11st 4lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: Emmet Mullins

Beat the talented Storm Heart in a valuable DRF handicap hurdle in 2024; maiden over fences; seventh when well fancied for a Cheltenham handicap; suffered interference off the home turn, might have finished closer; addition of tongue-tie may help.

7/1

7th

17

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 44y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

McLaurey

10st 7lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: Emmet Mullins

Reached his peak over hurdles when winning a valuable race at Leopardstown (2m, soft) last February but finished last in the County Hurdle here next time; the type to make a chaser and, after a laboured effort on his handicap chase debut at Naas, he fared better in a Down Royal novice in January; needs to show his jumping can hold up under pressure but this trip should suit better than the 2m he's been running over and plenty of potential remains.

9/2

4th

2

20th Jan 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 115y

14:50 Down Royal

McLaurey

12st 0lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: Emmet Mullins

Very useful (133-rated) hurdler whose two wins last season included very valuable Leopardstown handicap; more of a slow-burner over fences this term, Fairyhouse beginners' third his best run; let down by jumping against more experienced rivals in handicap on latest when never landing a blow at Naas; back in novice grade and Mark Walsh remains loyal.

11/4

Form: -45424

Last run: 6 days

W: 11st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Point-to-point winner's sole success over timber is a Sligo maiden hurdle; fine effort in Listed handicap hurdle at Navan, took a backward step on latest however in Fairyhouse beginners last week over inadequate trip; once again needs more of a stamina test than this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

21st Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 7f 150y

16:17 Navan

Koori Star

11st 0lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Peter Fahey

Point-to-point winner; no further success since Sligo maiden hurdle win in June 2024; second behind Gringo d'Aubrelle in a Listed hurdle here in December; ran over inadequate trips in two January chase runs; 6-1 for Punchestown Grand National Trial (3m4f, heavy) but could only manage eighth; interestingly, Jack Kennedy now rides.

8/1

8th

14

15th Feb 2026

3m 3f 60y

15:00 Punchestown

Koori Star

10st 11lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: Peter Fahey

Point winner; no further success since Sligo maiden hurdle win in June 20024; second in a 3m1f Listed handicap hurdle at Navan in December; last month's two runs in beginners' chases were over inadequate trips; a potential dark horse over this distance; cheekpieces for the first time.

7/1

5th

6

20th Jan 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 115y

14:50 Down Royal

Koori Star

11st 4lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Peter Fahey

Point-to-point winner's sole success over timber is a Sligo maiden hurdle; fine effort in Listed handicap hurdle at Navan, took a backward step on latest however in Fairyhouse beginners last week over inadequate trip; once again needs more of a stamina test than this.

14/1

Form: F-7792

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Highly-tried novice hurdler last season with Willie Mullins before well held on chasing debut in May; form since returning in November for new yard leaves him with a fair bit to find, staying on second in 2m5f Ayr novices' handicap on latest suggests this drop in trip may not suit; cheekpieces added here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

22nd Apr 2026

Soft

2m 4f 20y

Class 3

14:10 Perth

Karafon

11st 7lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: S R B Crawford

Runner-up when back over fences at Ayr (2m4f, soft) in January and this 6yo is of interest on that form; however, three lesser performances have followed and he needs to raise his game if he's to win this.

12/1

6th

5

29th Mar 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 3f 100y

17:00 Downpatrick

Karafon

11st 12lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: S R B Crawford

Best of his form chase runs when second at Ayr in January, two moderate runs since then; possibly flattered by an official rating of 120.

6/1

5th

6

16th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 207y

Class 3

13:40 Carlisle

Karafon

11st 10lb

J: J J Slevin

T: S R B Crawford

Underwhelming at Down Royal last time when cheekpieces were applied (now left off); however, prior to that he ran well in second at Ayr (2m4f, soft) on his second chase start and has a part to play if rediscovering that form.

6/1

Form: 256-1P CD

Last run: 37 days

W: 10st 13lb

8 yo Filly

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Off the mark over fences at eighth attempt in C&D handicap at end of October, needing every yard to get up on post on ground plenty lively for her (good-to-yielding); pulled up on teasing ground at Navan last month and blinkers now replace cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

29th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

19:35 Tramore

Splashing Out

10st 13lb

J: Peter Smithers

T: Eoin Griffin

Hurdle/chase winner; had lost her way but off a reduced mark she rediscovered some form when beaten about 6l into third at Downpatrick three weeks ago (2m2f, good); won't be far away if as good again.

5/1

3rd

3

8th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 165y

18:35 Downpatrick

Splashing Out

11st 9lb

J: Peter Smithers

T: Eoin Griffin

Out of sorts since winning at Down Royal last October; finished more than 10l behind A Snow White Park in a recent handicap chase at Tramore.

8/1

7th

6

19th Apr 2026

Soft

1m 7f 110y

17:00 Tramore

Splashing Out

11st 5lb

J: Peter Smithers

T: Eoin Griffin

Hurdles and chase winner; out of sorts since winning at Down Royal in October but has slipped back down to her last winning mark and ran well on only previous visit to this track; can't dismiss.

22/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €30.10
Straight Forecast €27.24
Trifecta €78.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

He's Gorgeous

RP RATINGS (IRE):

He's Gorgeous

TOPSPEED:

He's Gorgeous

POSTDATA:

He's Gorgeous

The Irish Sun:

He's Gorgeous