16.05
Yielding To SoftBarberstown Castle Handicap Chase (Listed Race)
- Prize money: £51304.35
- 2m 1f 0y
- 14 runners
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Runners: 14 runners
Type: Chase Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Light rain
Abandoned
Form: 13-F55 D
Last run: 17 days
W: 11st 12lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 147
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
14th 1 |
9th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 1m 7f 176y Class 1 |
12st 0lb |
His fortunes over fences have been mixed but he made good headway in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham (2m, good) last month prior to falling two out; finest hour came when winning Grade 1 Top Novices' Hurdle here (2m, good to soft) in April 2023; could have a big say if avoiding mishap. |
13/2 |
|
5 |
11th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 1m 7f 199y Class 1 |
11st 5lb |
Won Grade 1 Top Novices' Hurdle at Aintree (2m, good to soft) in April 2023; he's raced seven times since, all over fences, with just one win (a beginners chase in October 2024) and he can be difficult to settle; however, he took a step back in the right direction when fifth of 14 in a handicap at Leopardstown (2m1f, soft) last month and is capable of building on that. |
8/1 |
|
5th 1 |
2nd Feb 2026 Soft To Heavy 2m 1f 0y |
11st 12lb |
Grade 1 novice hurdle winner at Aintree in 2023; won a 2m Wexford beginners' chase last season; jumping frailties apparent in races at Naas; had an excuse (lost a shoe and suffered an overreach) at Navan in his first handicap; plenty to prove after a moderate fifth behind Western Diego at Fairyhouse. |
12/1 |
Abandoned
Form: P-2312 D
Last run: 20 days
W: 11st 8lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 143
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 2 |
30th Apr 2026 Yielding 2m 0f 75y |
11st 12lb |
Grade 3 novice hurdle winner over 2m4f last season but is comfortable at this trip too; got off the mark over fences at Fairyhouse before winning a valuable Leopardstown handicap and Navan Grade 3, all over approx' 2m; fine fourth in the WillowWarm Gold Cup last time at 2m4f; can be involved. |
14/1 |
|
4th 2 |
5th Apr 2026 Yielding To Soft 2m 4f 0y |
11st 10lb |
Grade 3 novice hurdle winner at Naas last season; off the mark over fences at third attempt, taking a 2m beginners' at this venue in first-time cheekpieces; split today's rivals Kappa JyPyke and Predators Gold in a Grade 3 event over a near-2m4f trip at Punchestown; won a DRF handicap and has since landed the odds in a 2m Grade 3 at Navan. |
6/1 |
|
1st 3 |
28th Feb 2026 Heavy 2m 0f 0y |
11st 1lb |
Grade 3 novice hurdle winner at Naas last season; off the mark over fences at third attempt, taking a 2m Fairyhouse beginners' in first-time cheekpieces; split two Mullins-trained runners in a Grade 3 event over a near-2m4f trip at Punchestown; made a stylish entry to handicap company at the DRF and can continue on an upward curve; no issues with trip or ground. |
4/5 |
Abandoned
Form: 032141 CD
Last run: 36 days
W: 11st 7lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 142
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
12th 11 |
10th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 5f 19y Class 1 |
10st 11lb |
Stamina to prove and he failed to threaten when ninth in the Grand Annual last month; however, Cheltenham may not be his track (also not at his best there last October) and he showed improved form to win a competitive handicap at Leopardstown (2m1f, yielding) in December; only seven and there have been hints that this sort of trip may suit; no surprise to see him go well. |
25/1 |
|
9th 7 |
11th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 1m 7f 199y Class 1 |
11st 4lb |
Switched to fences last August and he's been progressive, winning a competitive handicap at Leopardstown (2m1f, yielding) in December and solid third of 14 there (2m1f, soft) last month; today's likely return to better ground could be a plus and this 7yo remains open to further improvement; chance. |
12/1 |
|
3rd 3 |
2nd Feb 2026 Soft To Heavy 2m 1f 0y |
11st 7lb |
1-10 over hurdles; already a much better chaser; won 2m2f Sligo beginners' event in October; struggled at Cheltenham later that month; slotted into handicap company effectively with a C&D win at Christmas at a time when the stable was generally struggling for form; can continue to improve; Thyestes-winning rider takes the sting out of 10lb rise. |
8/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 2-3128 BF
Last run: 35 days
W: 11st 4lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 139
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
11th 1 |
30th Apr 2026 Yielding 2m 0f 75y |
11st 12lb |
Summer Plate winner at Market Rasen (2m5f, good) last July and went close in the American Grand National (2m5f, firm) in October; excuses on both winter starts; has around 5lb to find with Release The Beast on Cheltenham running; big task under this weight and would prefer further. |
10/1 |
|
6th 14 |
11th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 1m 7f 199y Class 1 |
10st 12lb |
5l win in the Summer Plate at Market Rasen (2m5f, good) last July and went close in the American Grand National (2m5f, firm) in October; excuses on both winter starts (3m then soft ground); the drop back to 2m poses a question but the stiff track and strong pace will help; possible player. |
10/1 |
|
6th 4 |
2nd Feb 2026 Soft To Heavy 2m 1f 0y |
11st 4lb |
2-5 over fences, won the Summer Plate at Market Rasen (21.5f, good) in July off 128; won sole Flat start next time at Gowran on good to yielding before a fine second to Zanahiyr over hurdles in the American Grand National (2m5f, firm); failed to stay 3m in the Paddy Power at Christmas; ground conditions not certain to suit. |
8/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 258-31 D
Last run: 17 days
W: 11st 3lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 138
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
14th 2 |
30th Apr 2026 Yielding 2m 0f 75y |
11st 11lb |
Inconsistent and just one win from his nine chase starts but that came in the Grade 3 Dan & Joan Moore Memorial Handicap at Fairyhouse (2m1f, yielding) in January; weakened when fourth of 14 in a 2m1f DRF handicap, only 3l behind runner-up Golden Joy; Grand Annual faller. |
12/1 |
|
10 |
11th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 1m 7f 199y Class 1 |
11st 0lb |
Inconsistent and just one win from his eight chase starts but that came in a Grade 3 novice at Fairyhouse (2m1f, yielding) in January; weakened when fourth of 14 in handicap at Leopardstown (2m1f, soft) last month and today's forecast better ground could help; looks the type who may prove well suited by this big-field scenario; not discounted for top Irish stable. |
16/1 |
|
4th 5 |
2nd Feb 2026 Soft To Heavy 2m 1f 0y |
11st 3lb |
Struggled in his first two handicap chase attempts before getting the hang of things with experience; shaped more encouragingly when third behind Drumgill at Fairyhouse in November, and now on an upward curve following an emphatic defeat of stablemate More Coko at the same venue; fair chance of confirming form with the second on these terms. |
9/2 |
Abandoned
Form: PP2318 D
Last run: 17 days
W: 11st 1lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 136
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 5 |
25th May 2026 Good 2m 7f 80y |
11st 0lb |
Three times a hurdles winner here and excellent second to well-treated winner in last year's renewal; lost form after but regained it in November when winning Listed handicap at Fairyhouse; below-par since then; back from a break and, given his track record, has to be respected. |
14/1 |
|
2 |
7th Mar 2026 Heavy 2m 0f 0y |
11st 8lb |
Better form over shorter distances after being pulled up in the 3m4f Munster National; placed over C&D and Punchestown (2m5f, soft to heavy) before winning a competitive handicap chase at Fairyhouse (2m1f, yielding to soft) in November; set tough tasks on last three starts, this looks more realistic. |
14/1 |
|
5th 4 |
22nd Feb 2026 Soft To Heavy 2m 0f 0y |
11st 1lb |
Has done well over shorter distances since pulled up in the 3m4f Munster National; placed at Gowran (2m, heavy) and Punchestown (2m5f, soft to heavy) before winning a listed handicap chase at Fairyhouse (2m1f, yielding to soft); tailed off in a Fairyhouse Grade 3 last month and beaten 15l in a Leopardstown handicap (2m1f, soft) last time; likely to find these to be too talented. |
14/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 550-22 D BF
Last run: 99 days
W: 10st 13lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 134
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 6 |
9th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 1m 7f 176y Class 1 |
11st 3lb |
Returned to form back on better ground when fifth, beaten just over 10l, in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham (2m, good); he led jumping two out at the Festival and this less demanding track could be right up his street. |
12/1 |
|
5th 19 |
11th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 1m 7f 199y Class 1 |
10st 9lb |
7l fifth in this last March (good to soft); runner-up on both starts in the autumn (including C&D) and soft ground may have been against him when down the field at Leopardstown (2m1f) last month; he's 5lb higher than 12 months ago but is not discounted each-way for his good Irish stable. |
14/1 |
|
12th 7 |
2nd Feb 2026 Soft To Heavy 2m 1f 0y |
10st 13lb |
Dual winner over fences as a novice last season and finished 7l fifth in the Grand Annual; Listowel effort on return was encouraging (2m1f, yielding to soft); no match for the Dan Skelton-trained Calico at Cheltenham in October; winner backed that up with an Ascot win. |
13/2 |
Abandoned
Form: 517-P4 CD
Last run: 22 days
W: 10st 9lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 130
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
13 |
30th Apr 2026 Yielding 2m 0f 75y |
11st 4lb |
Pulled up after making a bad mistake in the race in which Release The Beast was second at Leopardstown in December; stepped up from a fourth placing at Naas when second in a valuable DRF handicap; Western Diego fourth then, Ballysax Hank sixth; each-way chance. |
12/1 |
|
21 |
11th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 1m 7f 199y Class 1 |
10st 7lb |
Reserve; up and down since winning at Leopardstown (2m1f, yielding) last March on second chase start but returned to form with 5l second of 14 in handicap there (2m1f, soft) last month in first-time visor (retained); not ruled out. |
25/1 |
|
2nd 8 |
2nd Feb 2026 Soft To Heavy 2m 1f 0y |
10st 9lb |
Won a C&D beginners' chase last March (yielding); disappointed on subsequent handicap chase debut when tailed off (made a bad mistake four out); pulled up after making a bad mistake in the race won by Addragoole here in December, needs to step on more recent Naas effort. |
20/1 |
Abandoned
Form: -45892 D
Last run: 17 days
W: 10st 9lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 130
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 8 |
5th Apr 2026 Yielding To Soft 2m 0f 140y |
11st 4lb |
Standout run from seven attempts over fences when chasing home a stablemate in Grade 3 handicap over C&D in January from 4lb out of handicap proper (yielding); heavy ground probably against him when 10l off Jigoro at Gowran last time, will appreciate any drying. |
12/1 |
|
6th 6 |
7th Mar 2026 Heavy 2m 0f 0y |
11st 4lb |
Soundly beaten in four starts in beginners' events; found his level on handicap debut at Fairyhouse, despite being 4lb out of the handicap, beating all bar stablemate Western Diego; fell at the sixth when one of the main fancies for a valuable DRF handicap; tongue-tie added. |
5/1 |
|
9 |
2nd Feb 2026 Soft To Heavy 2m 1f 0y |
10st 9lb |
Soundly beaten in four starts in beginners' events; found his level on handicap debut at Fairyhouse, despite being 4lb out of the handicap, beating all bar stablemate Western Diego; might struggle to turn the tables but could reach the money. |
15/2 |
Abandoned
Form: 10P-60 CD
Last run: 36 days
W: 10st 7lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 128
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2 |
7th May 2026 Good To Yielding 2m 0f 0y |
11st 11lb |
Both chase wins have been in 2m1f handicaps at Leopardstown; sights are lowered here after running in stronger company at that venue during the winter. |
10/1 |
|
7th 11 |
2nd Mar 2026 Soft To Heavy 2m 5f 120y |
10st 2lb |
Both chase wins have been here in 2m1f handicaps, notably a year ago in valuable Listed contest off 122 (yielding); yet to hit form this season however, mildly encouraging when attempting repeat win last month; bit to prove at the moment but step up in trip here could see improvement. |
9/1 |
|
7th 10 |
2nd Feb 2026 Soft To Heavy 2m 1f 0y |
10st 7lb |
Failed to cope with stiff tasks at Cheltenham and Punchestown after winning this race last year off a 6lb lower mark than now; tailed off in a C&D event won by Addragoole last month. |
14/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 913431 D
Last run: 48 days
W: 10st 6lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 127
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
11 |
2nd Feb 2026 Soft To Heavy 2m 1f 0y |
10st 6lb |
Has improved since finishing third at the Listowel festival, splitting Jasko De Dames and Drumgill; recorded his third chase win at Navan in December; up in grade here following a 9lb rise in the ratings; handles testing conditions. |
10/1 |
|
6 |
26th Oct 2025 Good To Yielding 2m 3f 130y |
10st 12lb |
Got his second chasing win when taking a C&D handicap in August by a short head (good), probably value for more (idled and rider misjudged finish line); raised to current mark for run at Listowel and not disgraced when a keeping on third (17.5f, yielding to soft); one of the likelier contenders. |
4/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 22-345 D
Last run: 36 days
W: 10st 2lb
12 yo Gelding
OR: 123
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
11 |
25th May 2026 Good 2m 3f 136y |
10st 13lb |
Had some good form last spring and same again this time around; hurdles winner in March, third to Supreme Jet at Wexford and good third of 20 to exciting stablemate in 2m handicap at Punchestown festival; doesn't win often, though. |
13/2 |
|
3rd 19 |
30th Apr 2026 Yielding 2m 0f 75y |
10st 3lb |
Dual chase winner who got off the mark over hurdles at Wexford in March; fair third back over fences at the same venue last time; held by several of these on running in a DRF handicap. |
40/1 |
|
3rd 16 |
10th Apr 2026 Good To Yielding 2m 3f 100y |
10st 0lb |
Dual chase winner who got off the mark over hurdles here last month in decisive fashion, going clear on the run-in over 2m (soft); second in this race last year (Krabat third) off 7lb higher so obvious claims (1lb wrong). |
11/2 |
Abandoned
Form: 117-P1
Last run: 28 days
W: 10st 0lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 119
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 7 |
15th May 2026 Good To Yielding 2m 4f 90y |
11st 5lb |
Three-time winner under rules, two hunter chases and a handicap chase at Cork off 116 in January; beaten favourite at Gowran Park in March, seemingly unsuited by testing conditions; ran well when beaten 9l over hurdles at Punchestown 16 days ago; definite chance back over fences with ground to suit. |
11/2 |
|
5th 7 |
29th Apr 2026 Yielding 2m 3f 58y |
11st 6lb |
Former hunter chase winner; gained 2m4f handicap chase win at Cork in January but well held twice since in competitive 2m handicaps; belated hurdles debut here and likely tough enough task. |
25/1 |
|
7th 13 |
7th Mar 2026 Heavy 2m 0f 0y |
10st 7lb |
Former hunter chase winner; gained handicap chase win at Cork in January; weakened late in the DRF handicap in which More Coko fell; not disgraced in a 1m4f Dundalk maiden last month. |
12/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 223P89 CD
Last run: 13 days
W: 10st 0lb
11 yo Gelding
OR: 113
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 14 |
25th May 2026 Good 2m 3f 136y |
10st 6lb |
Won a hurdle at Limerick (fair fourth in corresponding contest latest) before finishing fourth in this race last year; over three years since latest chase win and struggling in this discipline lately, despite declining mark. |
18/1 |
|
4th 3 |
16th Apr 2026 Soft 2m 5f 100y |
11st 5lb |
Last year's winner off 1lb lower but hasn't won since; below his best chasing this season, albeit set some stiff tasks; not discounted back hurdling but veteran will need to improve significantly. |
10/1 |
Verdict
These conditions should not inconvenience JACOB’S LADDER (nap). He lacks handicap experience but has shown decent form in novice races at a level that suggests he could prove too strong for these rivals. The Mullins pair Western Diego and More Coko are prime dangers, along with Addragoole and Jasko Des Dames. Dont Go Yet could go well at a good price. [Alan Sweetman]
Selections
TOPSPEED:
Western DiegoThe Irish Sun:
More CokoSPOTLIGHT:
Jacob's LadderRP RATINGS (IRE):
Jasko Des DamesPOSTDATA:
Western Diego