13:40 Leopardstown (IRE) 01 Feb 2026
Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle
Grade 1 | Class 1 | 5YO plus
Winner €90,000 - 12 ran
rear of mid-division, 8th 2 out, headway on wide outer entering straight, weakened and went 3rd at last, stayed on well run-in, 2nd close home, led at line
led, jumped right at times, joined after 3 out, pushed along 2 out, soon ridden and strongly pressed, headed after last, rallied to regain narrow lead inside final furlong, stayed on well, headed at line
tracked leader in 2nd, disputed lead after 3 out, travelling well entering straight, ridden approaching last, led briefly after last, headed inside final furlong, 3rd and no extra close home
mid-division, ridden in 7th 2 out, 6th at last, kept on without threatening in moderate 4th close home
tracked leaders, pushed along in 4th 2 out, soon ridden, 4th at last, no extra
mid-division, ridden in 6th after 2 out, 7th at last, no impression
tracked leaders, took keen hold, ridden in 3rd after 2 out, 5th at last, no extra
tracked leaders, took keen hold, ridden in 5th after 2 out, no impression
in rear, ridden in 11th after 2 out, no impression
mid-division, pulled hard, ridden in 9th 2 out, weakened
always behind, not fluent at 4th and 5th, no impression from 2 out, never a factor
towards rear, took keen hold, not fluent at 1st, progress on wide outer after 2 out, 10th with enough to do when clipped heels stumbled and unseated rider entering straight
Betting returns
| Type | Winnings |
|---|---|
| CSF | £13.68 (9, 1) |
| Tricast | £56.75 (9, 1, 4) |
| Win | £4.00 (9) |
| Place | £1.60 (9), £1.70 (1), £2.20 (4) |
| Exacta | £12.70 (9, 1) |
| Trifecta | £54.70 (9, 1, 4) |
Expert Analysis
Despite the big field, this race was a run at a steady gallop before a fast finish. The overall time was much the slowest of the three hurdle races over this trip on the card and many of the runners were keen. It was hard for the better horses to pull away from lesser rivals but the first three did quite well to come six lengths clear of the rest.
TALK THE TALK made amends for his last hurdle fall in a similar race over Christmas and was value for more than his short head win. Settled in mid-division off a slow pace, connections seemed keen to educate him here and he showed a fine turn-of-foot to make up a couple of lengths on the leaders from the last. He should be better in a well-run race and looks the leading Irish hope for the Supreme.
BALLYFAD settled nicely in the lead and had the run of things though shaped as if he would prefer a stiffer test, rallying well after the last to best the third only to be caught late by the winner. His trainer has said he relished the better ground at Christmas which is another reason for improvement and he has the option of staying at this trip or going up in distance at Cheltenham though his tendency to go right is a concern for that track.
KING RASKO GREY may have been the one of the first three that was most advantaged by the race setup, proven on the ground and racing close to the pace. He travelled as well as any and had every chance at the last but was narrowly beaten by a better pair on the day. The case for him to improve are based largely on his trainer.
KOKTAIL BRUT had bled over Christmas but got back on track here, shaping like he would prefer a stiffer test. His run, and that off Blake right behind him, seems to put the Royal Bond form as below the best.
BLAKE took a strong hold and was relatively well-positioned. He will struggle to be competitive at Grade 1 level on this evidence but has plenty of experience of big fields on the flat and should be suited to handicaps.
LE DIVIN ENFANT was gambled on and but only ran to a similar level as Christmas and didn’t suggest there was more to come. He wore the first-time hood but continued to race keen.
STARTING FIFTEEN travelled well but was left behind in the straight and can be found easier options.
SWITCH FROM DIESEL has an official mark of 122 and was up against it in this grade. She is a fast type and may have found this test too much.
MISTER PESSIMISTIC was out of his depth.
DAVY CROCKETT was too keen off a four-month break and gave himself little chance. This was a tough ask, and he may prefer better ground.
TYSON FURY found this grade too much.
THE REVEREND was badly positioned in rear before stumbling and unseating on the flat while turning in but he was still travelling fine at the time. He hurdled poorly when winning at Cork and it was the same here.
Previous winners
| Year | Going | Ran | Winner | Draw | Age | Weight | OR | Form | Last run | Trainer (Distance) | Jockey | SP | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Soft | 10 | Kopek Des Bordes | 5 | 11 12 | - | 1-1 | 38 days | W P Mullins (56 miles) | Paul Townend | 4/ 5 | 3:59.90 | |
| 2024 | Soft | 10 | Ballyburn | 6 | 11 12 | - | 111-21 | 37 days | W P Mullins (56 miles) | Paul Townend | 10/ 11 | 3:59.60 | |
| 2023 | Yielding | 6 | Il Etait Temps | 5 | 11 12 | - | 235-412 | 40 days | W P Mullins (56 miles) | Danny Mullins | 14/ 1 | 3:49.09 | |
| 2022 | Yielding - Soft | 8 | Sir Gerhard | 7 | 11 12 | - | 1111-31 | 42 days | W P Mullins (56 miles) | Paul Townend | 8/ 13 | 4:02.70 | |
| 2021 | Soft - Heavy | 13 | Appreciate It | 7 | 11 12 | - | 3112-11 | 42 days | W P Mullins (56 miles) | Paul Townend | 1/ 3 | 4:06.90 | |
| 2020 | Yielding | 7 | Asterion Forlonge | 6 | 11 10 | - | 1-11 | 28 days | W P Mullins (56 miles) | Danny Mullins | 4/ 1 | 3:59.10 | |
| 2019 | Good | 7 | Klassical Dream | 5 | 11 9 | - | 1324P-1 | 39 days | W P Mullins (56 miles) | Ruby Walsh | 9/ 4 | 3:48.30 | |
| 2018 | Soft | 11 | Samcro | 6 | 11 10 | - | 1111-11 | 70 days | G Elliott (70 miles) | Jack Kennedy | 4/ 6 | 4:08.70 | |
| 2017 | Soft | 10 | Bacardys | 6 | 11 10 | - | 131-3F1 | 47 days | W P Mullins (56 miles) | Mr Patrick Mullins | 12/ 1 | 4:32.80 | |
| 2016 | Soft - Heavy | 5 | Bleu Et Rouge | 5 | 11 9 | - | 22-14 | 41 days | W P Mullins (56 miles) | B J Geraghty | 11/ 1 | 4:38.70 | |
| 2015 | Yielding | 9 | Nichols Canyon | 5 | 11 9 | - | 121-11U | 43 days | W P Mullins (56 miles) | Ruby Walsh | 9/ 2 | 4:24.70 | |
| 2014 | Soft - Heavy | 6 | Vautour | 5 | 11 9 | - | 22-11 | 29 days | W P Mullins (56 miles) | Ruby Walsh | 7/ 4 | 4:22.50 | |
| 2013 | Soft | 8 | Champagne Fever | 6 | 11 10 | - | 111-123 | 34 days | W P Mullins (56 miles) | Paul Townend | 2/ 1 | 4:22.90 | |
| 2012 | Good to Soft | 7 | Benefficient | 6 | 11 10 | - | 13-0U1P | 24 days | A J Martin (70 miles) | Bryan Cooper | 50/ 1 | 4:27.20 | |
| 2011 | Heavy | 10 | Oscars Well | 6 | 11 10 | - | 270-211 | 56 days | Mrs J Harrington (38 miles) | Robbie Power | 7/ 1 | 4:28.40 | |
| 2010 | Heavy | 7 | Dunguib | 7 | 11 10 | - | 11-D111 | 67 days | P Fenton (119 miles) | B O'Connell | 3/ 10 | 4:20.40 | |
| 2009 | Soft | 4 | Pandorama | 6 | 11 10 | - | 11-1112 | 63 days | N Meade (70 miles) | Paul Carberry | 6/ 4 | 4:31.20 | |
| 2008 | Good to Soft | 7 | Forpadydeplasterer | 6 | 11 10 | - | 112 | 45 days | T Cooper (195 miles) | Davy Russell | 11/ 4 | 4:23.80 | |
| 2007 | Heavy | 14 | Aran Concerto | 6 | 11 10 | - | 1611 | 55 days | N Meade (70 miles) | Paul Carberry | 4/ 6 | 5:00.50 | |
| 2006 | Good to Soft | 7 | Mr Nosie | 5 | 11 7 | - | 11-111 | 47 days | N Meade (70 miles) | Paul Carberry | 11/ 10 | 4:32.80 |
