Tomorrow / 17.20 Limerick

17.20

Good

Kevin McManus Bookmaker Grimes Hurdle (Grade 3)

  • Prize money: £35852.17
  • 2m 0f 110y
  • 7 runners
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Kevin McManus Bookmaker Grimes Hurdle (Grade 3)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

OUR TIP

Form: 225-31 D

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 8lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 145

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

1st

5

1st Jun 2026

Yielding

2m 3f 0y

16:07 Listowel

Jesse Evans

11st 2lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Noel Meade

Five-time hurdle winner who is 1-9 over fences, though was runner-up in last summer's Galway Plate; all the sharper for his comeback run when beaten 4l in a 2m4f Grade 3 at Killarney three weeks ago and he's a player on these terms.

5/2

3rd

3

11th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 100y

18:37 Killarney

Jesse Evans

11st 0lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Noel Meade

Five-time hurdle winner who is 1-8 over fences, though was runner-up in last summer's Galway Plate; his below-par run in a Grade 3 handicap only 12 days ago (after a lengthy break) dampens enthusiasm.

4/1

Form: 21107- CD

Last run: 87 days

W: 11st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 148

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

7th

5

6th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 3f 180y

15:50 Fairyhouse

Bowensonfire

11st 3lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Gordon Elliott

Admirably consistent handicapper who didn't run too badly when midfield in the County Hurdle last month; however, this is a step up the ladder for him and regular rider Jack Kennedy evidently prefers the chances of The Yellow Clay.

10/1

13th

3

13th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 179y

Class 1

14:00 Cheltenham

Bowensonfire

11st 11lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Big improver in recent months, winning strong 2m Leopardstown handicaps at the Christmas meeting (yielding) and at the Dublin Racing Festival (heavy); will need to improve again to complete a hat-trick of big-field successes but that can't be ruled out in his current mood.

14/1

Form: 5292/1 D

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 150

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

2nd

2

(1)

20th Jun 2026

Good

1m 4f 207y

17:43 Down Royal

Daddy Long Legs

9st 9lb

J: W J Lee

T: W P Mullins

Grade 3 winner over hurdles, currently rated 150 after recent Ballinrobe win; previously may have needed the run when well beaten in a Southwell maiden won by Constitution Hill; went lame on only Irish Flat start, when favourite for a Ballinrobe maiden won by the 2025 Queen's Vase winner Carmers; Flat pedigree and went close over 1m4f at France in ; strong chance.

11/4

1st

3

25th May 2026

Good

2m 2f 72y

16:30 Ballinrobe

Daddy Long Legs

11st 2lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Grade 3 and Listed winner over hurdles and rated 152; last sighted finishing well beaten in Southwell Flat maiden won by Constitution Hill; not seen over timber since Sussex Champion Hurdle second at Plumpton in April 2025; best treated by race conditions and the one to beat; cheekpieces on.

11/10

Form: 31P66- D

Last run: 82 days

W: 11st 1lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 140

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

6th

3

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 176y

Class 1

12:45 Aintree

King Of Kingsfield

11st 7lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

Won three of first five races over fences, including a Grade 3 novice at Punchestown (2m2f, good to yielding) in October, but has made mistakes and run poorly at Cheltenham and Newbury since; perhaps he'll be revived by a break and cheekpieces, but he has plenty to find on the figures.

40/1

Form: 12/2U- D

Last run: 259 days

W: 11st 1lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 134

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

2

16th Oct 2025

Good

2m 6f 154y

16:27 Thurles

Run For Oscar

11st 6lb

J: Philip Byrnes

T: C Byrnes

Smart dual-purpose performer although hasn't won since taking 3m1f Kilbeggan conditions hurdle last summer; two recent runs under his belt could give him a fitness edge but lots to find on ratings with Hewick.

7/4

3

8th Sep 2025

Yielding To Soft

2m 5f 129y

16:50 Galway

Run For Oscar

11st 6lb

J: Philip Byrnes

T: C Byrnes

Eight-time winner, including four over hurdles; disappointed on the Flat at Killarney on return from 314-days off; should strip fitter now and handles soft but the majority of his best form has come on good ground; not discounted, especially if the track dries out.

7/2

Form: 1460- D

Last run: 114 days

W: 10st 11lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 128

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

21th

2

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 87y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Barbizon

11st 10lb

J: Josh Williamson

T: Gordon Elliott

One of two runners for a yard that's won this four times; ran to a smart level on the Flat and made a winning start over hurdles, but reality checks have followed in Graded races won by tip-top juvenile Narciso Has; hardly brings momentum into his handicap debut and has a lot of weight; there will be no ground excuses.

20/1

6th

1

2nd Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

13:50 Leopardstown

Barbizon

11st 0lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

Very useful on the Flat for John Murphy, achieving a rating of 101; ready debut hurdles winner of Navan maiden (heavy) before fourth of 10 to Narciso Has in Grade 2 over C&D at Christmas, racing a bit keenly and weakening from last (North Shore third); improvement needed but does go on testing ground.

25/1

Form: 157-44

Last run: 37 days

W: 10st 8lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 120

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

4th

2

26th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 13y

19:00 Ballinrobe

Queenofthelodge

11st 5lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: S Curling

Progressive in handicaps last year; gained third win in 2m4f Clonmel mares' event in October; has been found wanting in conditions races since; may have needed recent Killarney run.

8/1

4th

7

9th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 0y

14:25 Killarney

Queenofthelodge

11st 0lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: S Curling

Progressive handicapper was gaining a third win of 2025 when landing a 2m4f Clonmel mares' handicap in October in first-time tongue tie (yielding); her two outings in December against better company were not her best; the break may have done her good, but a bit to find.

14/1

Betting Forcast

7/2 Jesse Evans, 3/1 Bowensonfire, 13/8 Daddy Long Legs, 7/1 King Of Kingsfield, 12/1 Run For Oscar, 16/1 Barbizon, 33/1 Queenofthelodge