13:33 Limerick (IRE) 26 Dec 2025
Defender Novice Hurdle
Grade 2 | Class 1 | 4YO plus
Winner €22,500 - 5 ran
held up behind leaders, in touch in rear halfway, pushed along in 3rd entering straight, led before 2 out where not fluent, soon ridden and headed, led again and edged right after last, stayed on well, all out
held up in touch, took keen hold, 4th halfway, headway to 2nd entering straight, pushed along in close 3rd before 2 out, led after 2 out, ridden when jumped left and not fluent last, headed after last, stayed on well, just failed
disputed lead at steady pace, not fluent 1st and 2nd, led 5th, not fluent 8th, joined next, led approaching straight, headed before 2 out, pushed along in 3rd when bit short of room and switched right last, ridden and no impression, kept on one pace
disputed lead at steady pace, a little keen, not fluent and headed 5th, 3rd when mistake 6th, dropped to rear and pushed along after 3 out, moderate 4th 2 out, no extra when mistake last
close up and disputed lead at times, tracked leaders from 3rd, 2nd halfway, disputed lead 4 out, not fluent next, pushed along and headed approaching straight, 4th entering straight, no extra
Betting returns
| Type | Winnings |
|---|---|
| CSF | €15.64 (2, 1) |
| Win | €5.80 (2) |
| Place | €2.20 (2), €1.40 (1) |
| Exacta | €17.90 (2, 1) |
| Trifecta | €55.00 (2, 1, 5) |
Expert Analysis
Only five runners for this weak Grade 2, and the pace was notably slow, each runner returning a finishing speed percentage north of 110% per Course Track. The form looks weak for the grade, the runner-up and third raced 126 and 124 respectively.
KAZANSKY had been a fortunate winner last time at Cork over six furlongs shorter and proved well-suited by this step up in trip, outpaced briefly in the straight before keeping on well despite his rider dropping his reins after the last.
COUNTY FINAL, like the winner, was the stepping up markedly in trip and the steady pace suited. He travelled as well as any and was a length clear when he got in tight to the last, rallying again up the run-in. His way of going suggests a return to shorter will suit.
YESHIL made the running and was left alone in doing so. He travelled well but was left behind by the first two between final two having had the run of the race.
BARRA RUA was the outsider of the field and didn’t hurdle with much fluency. She was beaten after three out.
THE BIG CLUBMAN was a disappointing favourite though would have preferred a stronger gallop given how well he stayed last time in the Monksfield.
Previous winners
| Year | Going | Ran | Winner | Draw | Age | Weight | OR | Form | Last run | Trainer (Distance) | Jockey | SP | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Yielding - Soft | 6 | The Big Westerner | 5 | 10 10 | - | 1-1 | 32 days | H De Bromhead (68 miles) | Darragh O'Keeffe | 7/ 4 | 6:15.90 | |
| 2023 | Soft - Heavy | 7 | Loughglynn | 5 | 11 3 | - | 619-1 | 40 days | W P Mullins (24 miles) | Sean O'Keeffe | 9/ 4 | 6:51.60 | |
| 2022 | Soft - Heavy | 5 | Favori De Champdou | 7 | 11 3 | - | 4212-11 | 33 days | G Elliott | Jordan Gainford | 5/ 2 | 6:09.80 | |
| 2021 | Heavy | 10 | Eric Bloodaxe | 6 | 11 5 | - | 117-412 | 23 days | J P O'Brien (77 miles) | Bryan Cooper | 11/ 8 | 6:19.20 | |
| 2020 | Heavy | 8 | Farouk D'Alene | 5 | 11 5 | - | 111-14 | 36 days | G Elliott | Jody McGarvey | 2/ 1 | 6:47.20 | |
| 2019 | Heavy | 8 | Fury Road | 5 | 11 6 | - | 151-311 | 33 days | G Elliott | Davy Russell | EVENS | 6:24.80 | |
| 2018 | Soft | 6 | Derrinross | 7 | 11 6 | - | 23422-1 | 20 days | J P Dempsey (91 miles) | Luke Dempsey | 7/ 2 | 6:23.00 | |
| 2017 | Heavy | 5 | Fabulous Saga | 5 | 11 6 | - | 211231 | 19 days | W P Mullins (24 miles) | Danny Mullins | 8/ 13 | 6:38.40 | |
| 2016 | Soft - Heavy | 5 | Penhill | 5 | 11 6 | - | 161114 | 25 days | W P Mullins (24 miles) | Paul Townend | 3/ 1 | 6:11.10 |
