15:37 Fairyhouse

Sunday 6 April 2025

All14:0014:3515:0715:3716:1216:4717:22

Donohue Marquees Novice Hurdle (Grade 2)

Off time: 15:39 | Winning time: 3m 54.3s

Gaucher^h,t²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Brian Hayes| T: W P Mullins| OR: 145| D

6/1

Smart hurdler. Career best when winning 8-runner Kingsfurze Novices' Hurdle at Naas (16f, soft, 20/1) under this rider 28 days ago by 8½ lengths from Goraibhmaithagat, going with enthusiasm. Good shout again despite the penalty.

Form: 421641

Belloccio^t²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 129| D

12/1

Made an impressive hurdling debut at Punchestown in May before winning valuable handicap on level at Royal Ascot. Off 5 months, shaped as if amiss when tailed-off last of 8 to Gaucher in Kingsfurze Novices' Hurdle at Naas (16f, soft, 4/1) 28 days ago.

Form: 158

Downmexicoway¹⁰¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 134

12/1

Career best when winning 8-runner novice hurdle (2/7) at Down Royal (17.2f, good to soft) 101 days ago, easily. Should have even more to offer up in grade.

Form: 19/221

Irancy²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Mark Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 135| D

5/1

Useful hurdler. Looked a good prospect when winning at Punchestown in November. Off 4 months, 32½ lengths seventh of 11 to Kopek Des Bordes in Supreme Novices' Hurdle (25/1) at Cheltenham (16.4f, good to soft) 26 days ago. Remains with potential.

Form: 31/3-17

Karniquet^h²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: W P Mullins| OR: 146| D

4/5

Won Tramore maiden in November and chased home excellent stablemate Kopek des Bordes in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown in February. 33/1 and hooded for 1st time, good 11 lengths fourth of 11 to Kopek des Bordes in Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham (16.4f, good to soft) 26 days ago. Leading claims.

Form: 22-1524

Runcok⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: J J Slevin| T: W P Mullins

33/1

Good start over hurdles when winning 11-runner novice (6/4) at Punchestown (16.7f, heavy) 41 days ago, always holding on. Should improve but this is a much harder assignment.

Form: 0-351

Sea Of Sands^h,t⁶³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Sean O'Keeffe| T: W P Mullins| OR: 132| D

7/1

Group 3 winner on Flat in Germany and, after over 2 years off, made a winning stable/hurdling debut at Listowel in September. 33/1 and hooded for 1st time/tongue strap on for 1st time, below form 29¾ lengths fifth of 10 to Kopek des Bordes in Brave Inca Novices' Hurdle at Leopardstown 63 days ago.

Form: 13P5

Beauforts Storm³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Cian Quirke| T: T Doyle| OR: 124| D

66/1

Fairly useful hurdler, won at Thurles in November. 7/2, twelfth of 13 in handicap at Dundalk (16f) 30 days ago. Stiff task back over hurdles.

Form: 722123

Non-Runners

I Started A Joke²⁵

Weight: 11-4| Age: 6

T: C Byrnes J: Philip Byrnes

I'll Sort That⁴²

Weight: 11-4| Age: 5

T: D Queally J: Shane Fitzgerald

Whinney Hill⁶³

Weight: 11-4| Age: 5

T: G Elliott J: Danny Gilligan

Swing Davis³⁶

Weight: 10-11| Age: 5

T: G Elliott J: Sam Ewing

Forecasts

Karniquet (4/5), Irancy (5/1), Gaucher (6/1), Sea Of Sands (7/1), Belloccio (12/1), Downmexicoway (12/1), Swing Davis (16/1), I Started A Joke (25/1), Whinney Hill (25/1), I'll Sort That (25/1), Runcok (33/1), Beauforts Storm (66/1)

Another Grade 2 dominated by Willie Mullins over the years and KARNIQUET looks the pick of his half-dozen. He ran well when fourth in the Supreme, form that was boosted at Aintree, and should be hard to beat with a repeat. Gaucher is another strong contender for the yard, while Downmexicoway should have more to offer for Henry de Bromhead.