18.32
GoodKilmurray Group Midlands National Handicap Chase (Listed Race)
- Prize money: £51217.39
- 3m 1f 80y
- 14 runners
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Runners: 14 runners
Type: Chase Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Cloudy
8/1 (Won)
- Win: £17.00
- Place: £3.80
Form: 494-14 BF
Last run: 39 days
W: 11st 2lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 132
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 2 |
22nd Aug 2026 Good 2m 4f 180y |
10st 12lb |
Looked to have lost his way in points and hunter chases but came back to his very best when landing the Midlands National at Kilbeggan; never competitive in the Galway Plate but has a stellar record at this venue and should run a big race. |
7/2 |
|
14th 19 |
29th Jul 2026 Good 2m 6f 111y |
10st 12lb |
Won a hunter chase in May and last time returned to his best when emerging from off a strong pace to beat Perceval Legallois in the 3m1f Midlands National at Kilbeggan; ideally wants further than this but a solid pace would help in that respect; back up 7lb. |
25/1 |
|
1st 7 |
10th Jul 2026 Good 3m 1f 80y |
11st 2lb |
Fair novice chaser before going pointing and hunter chasing; again showed his affinity for Killarney when winning a hunter chase there in May before disappointing at Listowel; more needed. |
8/1 |
20/1
- Place: £9.10
Form: P4UP-8 D
Last run: 46 days
W: 11st 11lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 141
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8 |
29th Jul 2026 Good 2m 6f 111y |
11st 3lb |
Some inconsistency has crept in but off a reduced mark and running in just the tongue-tie, he returned to form with a second of 14 behind Solitary Man in the Midlands National at Kilbeggan (3m1f, good); whether he'll repeat that remains to be seen and he probably appreciates further than 2m6f these days. |
20/1 |
|
2nd 2 |
10th Jul 2026 Good 3m 1f 80y |
11st 11lb |
A while now since he was at his very best with two big Leopardstown wins two seasons ago; well beaten in the Mayo National last time and looks best left alone at the present time. |
20/1 |
|
8th 1 |
25th May 2026 Good 2m 7f 80y |
11st 12lb |
Talented sort won Paddy Power at Leopardstown in 2024 and valuable handicap hurdle back there at last year's DRF; only 10-1 for last year's Grand National where he fell early on; well back when unseating 4 out in the National last month and pulled up at Punchestown; has worn a tongue-tie before, cheekpieces now added. |
16/1 |
12/1
- Place: £4.70
Form: 998-1P D
Last run: 32 days
W: 11st 0lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 130
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7 |
21st Aug 2026 Good 2m 2f 200y |
11st 7lb |
Three-time chase winner, including at Killarney in May (3m2f, good to yielding) is 0-6 over hurdles so has a 24lb lower mark in this discipline; hasn't contested a hurdle race since 2024 and never for this yard so he looks like a huge danger to all off this mark but this trip looks tight for him. |
9/2 |
|
3rd 10 |
10th Jul 2026 Good 3m 1f 80y |
11st 0lb |
Wide-margin winner of a Listowel handicap chase last year and confirmed his progression when winning the Killarney National in May; even with his 9lb penalty, he was well below par at Roscommon since; others preferred. |
12/1 |
|
3 |
8th Jun 2026 Yielding To Soft 3m 1f 24y |
11st 3lb |
Had been out of sorts on soft ground earlier this year but roared back to top form when bolting up in the Killarney National a month ago (3m2f, gd-yld); 9lb rise for that seems fair but may not get his favoured underfoot conditions for last year's winning yard. |
9/2 |
12/1
Form: 140PP- CD
Last run: 90 days
W: 11st 12lb
10 yo Gelding
OR: 142
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 1 |
10th Jul 2026 Good 3m 1f 80y |
11st 12lb |
Was in the form of his life in the spring and summer of last year, victory in this race being followed by an excellent fourth in the Galway Plate; by contrast, his spring form this year leaves plenty to be desired, but he is only 3lb higher than last year and cannot be dismissed with the stable in such form. |
12/1 |
|
37 |
11th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 4m 2f 74y Class 1 |
10st 2lb
|
A fluent fourth in the 2m5f Topham over these fences was the first of three big runs in good handicaps last April-July; ran creditably in one (Sandown in April 2024) of his three attempts at 3m4f-3m5f and excuses might be made for his latest two outings (first cross-country, then the mud) but other candidates are more persuasive. |
80/1 |
8/1
Form: 2111P-
Last run: 264 days
W: 11st 3lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 133
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4 |
22nd Aug 2026 Good 2m 4f 180y |
10st 7lb |
Completed a hat-trick over fences in October but backward steps have followed; not disgraced in the Midlands National but needs to up his game here. |
12/1 |
|
5th 5 |
10th Jul 2026 Good 3m 1f 80y |
11st 3lb |
Winning sequence came to an abrupt halt when pulled up at Limerick in the Munster National when last seen in October; better ground an obvious plus and not at all dismissed, despite the almost nine-month absence. |
8/1 |
20/1
Form: P4PU-P
Last run: 62 days
W: 10st 12lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 128
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
10 |
31st Jul 2026 Good 2m 6f 111y |
10st 11lb |
Failed to complete in three of last four runs for Willie Mullins; modest start for this yard in the Midlands National, beaten 20l into sixth; this trip looks too sharp (sole chase win at 3m7f) and others have more convincing profiles. |
28/1 |
|
6th 12 |
10th Jul 2026 Good 3m 1f 80y |
10st 12lb |
Wide-margin winner of a staying handicap chase at Punchestown 14 months ago, but no real trace of that form since; switches from Willie Mullins to Gordon Elliott to try to improve his fortunes, but others preferred. |
20/1 |
|
4 |
9th May 2026 Good 3m 2f 0y |
11st 3lb |
Bumper and hurdle winner won a valuable chase at Punchestown last year over just short of 4m; not as good off higher marks since and unseated there last time; looks the yard's second-string on jockey bookings. |
12/1 |
100/30
Form: 2U221-
Last run: 69 days
W: 11st 9lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 139
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 1 |
22nd Aug 2026 Good 2m 7f 80y |
11st 10lb |
Several near misses before getting off the mark in spectacular fashion over 3m7f at Punchestown in April; up 12lb for that and was unable to make any impression in the Midlands National at Kilbeggan; far from an easy task here conceding weight over a trip possibly short of his best but clearly a big player. |
5/4 |
|
7th 3 |
10th Jul 2026 Good 3m 1f 80y |
11st 9lb |
Several near misses before getting off the mark in spectacular fashion over 3m7f at Punchestown in April; up 12lb for that and extreme distances may well be what he wants, but this trip should be fine and he is a leading contender. |
100/30 |
|
1st 16 |
2nd May 2026 Yielding 3m 7f 68y |
10st 8lb |
Bumper/hurdles winner is 0-8 chasing but has being going close in handicaps, notably second in 3m4f National Trial here in February and when chasing home 5l winner Born Braver in 3m5f Ulster National at Downpatrick last time; 5lb better off with that rival here. |
15/2 |
14/1
Form: P6P5F-
Last run: 69 days
W: 11st 2lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 132
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 2 |
8th Aug 2026 Good 3m 1f 0y |
11st 2lb |
Winning hurdler-chaser for Willie Mullins; good fifth in the Kim Muir on his stable debut in March; well beaten in the Midlands National here last month on his latest start; has a similar mark over hurdles and a very interesting runner at his best. |
6/1 |
|
8th 6 |
10th Jul 2026 Good 3m 1f 80y |
11st 2lb |
Winning hurdler-chaser for Willie Mullins; fine run on his stable debut when fifth in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham; fell over banks at Punchestown; trip and ground are fine and has an each-way chance. |
14/1 |
|
6 |
2nd May 2026 Good To Yielding 3m 0f 90y |
11st 12lb |
Decent performer at his best for Willie Mullins, winning 2m4f Naas beginners' chase last season and ran well for a long way in 4m Scottish National; struggled back hurdling earlier this season before let go for 16,000gns in January; surpassed expectations (125-1) on yard debut in 3m Kim Muir at Cheltenham when beaten under 10l in first-time cheekpieces; can't be ruled out on banks' debut. |
12/1 |
9/2
Form: /789-1 C
Last run: 46 days
W: 11st 6lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 136
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4 |
10th Jul 2026 Good 3m 1f 80y |
11st 6lb |
Better chaser than hurdler and showed that when leaving some of these rivals behind in the Mayo National at Ballinrobe in May; 9lb looks a tolerable rise and he looks likely to play a leading role here; has won here over hurdles. |
9/2 |
|
1st 10 |
25th May 2026 Good 2m 7f 80y |
10st 7lb |
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 |
11st 6lb |
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 |
8/1
Form: 671P-1 D
Last run: 33 days
W: 11st 1lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 131
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8 |
10th Jul 2026 Good 3m 1f 80y |
11st 1lb |
Found two winnable opportunities in small-field novice chases at Down Royal and Punchestown; well beaten in a competitive novice handicap chase at the Punchestown festival in between; hard to assess in the context of this race, but looks the first string of the McManus quartet and is respected. |
8/1 |
|
1st 1 |
7th Jun 2026 Good To Yielding 3m 0f 186y |
11st 10lb |
131-rated hurdler was third to Wodhoodh in last year's Martin Pipe; won rated chase off 124 at Down Royal, pulled up in valuable novice handicap at the festival here last month; pulled up over hurdles on sole previous try over 3m, but that was on bad ground. |
15/8 |
|
18 |
1st May 2026 Yielding 2m 4f 55y |
10st 13lb |
Hurdles winner was soundly beaten in opening three chase runs; well backed when winning a Down Royal rated novice chase last time (2m5f, good to yielding); likely capable of more. |
14/1 |
25/1
Form: 95U-75
Last run: 25 days
W: 11st 0lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 130
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 9 |
22nd Aug 2026 Good 2m 4f 180y |
10st 0lb |
Seven-time winner over hurdles and fences; won a Listed handicap chase over 2m1f at Fairyhouse in November, but it's been mostly downhill since; showed a spark over hurdles at Kilbeggan last time; 3lb wrong here. |
14/1 |
|
3rd 1 |
8th Aug 2026 Good 3m 1f 0y |
11st 2lb |
Seven-time winner over hurdles and fences; won a Listed handicap chase over 2m1f at Fairyhouse in November, but it's been all downhill since over a variety of trips; first run over hurdles since October. |
16/1 |
|
8th 7 |
2nd Aug 2026 Good 2m 2f 54y |
10st 1lb |
Won a nice pot over 2m1f at Fairyhouse in November, but it's been all downhill since and he's now 4lb lower than that last winning mark. |
10/1 |
10/1
Form: 621U-2 D
Last run: 33 days
W: 10st 13lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 129
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 3 |
22nd Aug 2026 Good 2m 7f 80y |
11st 6lb |
Wide margin winner of an ordinary contset at Wexford in March; mixed bag since and not done many favours by his jumping at Galway latest; small field and possibly slower gallop may help but more needed in any case. |
8/1 |
|
14th 7 |
31st Jul 2026 Good 2m 6f 111y |
10st 13lb |
Things haven't gone to plan since a wide margin beginners' chase win at Wexford (3m1f, soft) in March; unseated and pulled up in handicaps at Punchestown and Kilbeggan; also beaten in three runner novice chase at Punchestown (3m1f, gd-yld); a bit to prove for now. |
12/1 |
|
11 |
10th Jul 2026 Good 3m 1f 80y |
10st 13lb |
Dual winner; no real match for Raglan Road in a three-runner contest at Punchestown last month; still relatively unexposed and not one to take lightly. |
10/1 |
14/1
Form: 9224-P CD
Last run: 46 days
W: 10st 11lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 127
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
14 |
10th Jul 2026 Good 3m 1f 80y |
10st 11lb |
Second in a C&D handicap chase last year; very solid efforts in Listed contests at Leopardstown and Punchestown before a disappointing effort in the Mayo National; a definite player if he comes back to his previous form. |
14/1 |
|
8 |
25th May 2026 Good 2m 7f 80y |
10st 9lb |
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 |
10st 6lb |
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 |
Form: 4136P-
Last run: 129 days
W: 10st 11lb
10 yo Gelding
OR: 127
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
15 |
10th Jul 2026 Good 3m 1f 80y |
10st 11lb |
First reserve; Cork National winner mostly disappointing since, but could be interesting back on good ground. |
|
|
1 |
3rd Mar 2026 Soft To Heavy 3m 0f 0y |
11st 12lb |
Won the 3m4f Cork National in November and a good third over 3m6f at Fairyhouse since; below form in a Naas Grade 3 novice last time; just three hurdle runs, the last was in November 2021 but handles this ground so not ruled out. |
6/1 |
|
6th 6 |
25th Jan 2026 Heavy 3m 0f 125y |
11st 0lb |
Seasoned chaser got off the mark at the ninth attempt when making all in 3m4f Cork National in November (good-to-yielding); solid third off 9lb higher in 3m6f Porterstown Handicap at Fairyhouse later in month (winner just edged out in Thursday's Thyestes Chase); upped in grade here so career-best required, but could go well. |
10/1 |
Non-runners
Will Do, Moonovercloon, A Penny A Hundred
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | €1069.70 |
| Straight Forecast | €414.44 |
| Tricast | €6449.66 |
Selections
The Irish Sun:
Invictus Machin