18:10 Tipperary

Thursday 3 July 2025

All17:0017:3518:1018:4519:2019:5520:30

Kevin McManus Bookmaker Grimes Hurdle (Grade 3)

Off time: 18:10 | Winning time: 3m 47.1s

Gaucher^h,t⁶⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 150| CD

5/2

C&D winner is going the right way for Willie Mullins and has improved for the switch to front running tactics, running a blinder despite some errant jumping when fourth of 17 in a listed handicap hurdle at Punchestown (16.7f) 65 days ago. Respected with Paul Townend back aboard.

Form: 164144-

Winter Fog⁶³

Age: 11| Weight: 11-8| J: Brian Hayes| T: W P Mullins| OR: 152| CD

5/1

Fortunate to finish third in Champion Hurdle prior to running right up to his best when 7½ lengths fourth of 11 to Teahupoo in Champion Stayers' Hurdle at Punchestown (23.5f, good to soft) 63 days ago, his stamina giving way. Won this in 2024 and should be in the mix down in class/trip.

Form: 332334-

Feud³³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: D E Mullins| T: R O'Brien| OR: 132| D

33/1

Fairly useful Flat winner for Ralph Beckett and made it 2-2 over hurdles when landing a novice hurdle at Galway (16.6f, good to soft) last July, travelled enthusiastically. Couple in the frame won next time and he could well resume progress if ready to roll after an 11-month absence.

Form: 11-

Sunchart³⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Cian Quirke| T: A Slattery| OR: 132| C

16/1

Useful Flat performer has reached a similar level over hurdles, doubling his tally in this sphere when winning a Wexford conditions hurdle (17f, good to soft, 7/4) 36 days ago, readily. That was a career best but he'll need to improve again upped in class.

Form: 43/212-1

Zariygann^t1²³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Ricky Doyle| T: M Brassil| OR: 135| BF| D

80/1

Improved to make it 2-2 over hurdles in a Listowel novice last September but found progress coming to a halt on final run for M. Halford & T. Collins when last of 4 in novice hurdle at Naas (16f). Now wears tongue tie and interesting to see what the market makes of him on stable debut/reappearance.

Form: 114-

Batman Girac^h,t⁵³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: J J Slevin| T: W P Mullins| OR: 138| D

10/1

Not disgraced in the Scottish Champion Hurdle and attracted support latest when posting a career best to win a 9-runner handicap hurdle at Killarney (17f, good to soft) 53 days ago. In excellent hands but will need to step forward again.

Form: 6/0F08-1

Enniskerry^t¹⁸⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 11-1| J: Sean Flanagan| T: B Connell| OR: 142| D

17/2

Runner-up in a valuable Fairyhouse handicap behind a well-handicapped British raider prior to producing best effort yet in this sphere (his first run left-handed over obstacles) when winning a 19-runner handicap at Leopardstown in December. Goes well fresh so is worth a market check.

Form: P73/621-

Fils D'oudairies²⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-1| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 133| CD

33/1

Well beaten second behind Jesse Evans at Ballinrobe in May and ran poorly back in a handicap when fifth of 7 in a handicap hurdle at Clonmel 27 days ago. However he's 2-2 over C&D (won this in 2023) and could make more of an impact with Jack Kennedy returning to the saddle.

Form: 4405-25

Jesse Evans^t¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: Donagh Meyler| T: N Meade| OR: 148| CD

7/2

C&D winner was in the form of his life during the spring and was impressive when cruising to victory in a Ballinrobe conditions hurdle (beat Fils d'Oudairies) in May. Never involved following a tardy start at Royal Ascot 16 days ago but remains of interest back over hurdles. Solid claims.

Form: 3133-31

Smooth Tom^v²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Philip Donovan| T: A Slattery| OR: 140| D

14/1

Creditable third of 27 in Irish Lincolnshire prior to turning in his best effort to date over hurdles when landing a 7-runner conditions race at Cork in April. Ran one of his lesser races back on the Flat last month but should be more competitive back over hurdles.

Form: 50/2U71-

Puturhandstogether⁹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: Mark Walsh| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 141| BF| D

7/1

Turned a competitive, big-field handicap into a rout when landing the 22-runner Fred Winter at the Cheltenham Festival. Strong in the betting but didn't find the expected improvement when third in the Anniversary Hurdle at Aintree. May well get back on track following a break.

Form: 31213-

Stormalong^p,t⁵³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: D Budds| OR: 130| D

40/1

Fairly useful hurdler. Cheekpieces on for first time, career best when winning 6-runner listed mares event at Killarney (17f, good to soft, 9/1) 53 days ago by ¾ length from Royal Hollow. Will need to improve again upped in class against the boys.

Form: 31633-1

Forecasts

Gaucher (5/2), Jesse Evans (7/2), Winter Fog (5/1), Puturhandstogether (7/1), Enniskerry (17/2), Batman Girac (10/1), Smooth Tom (14/1), Sunchart (16/1), Fils D'oudairies (33/1), Feud (33/1), Stormalong (40/1), Zariygann (80/1)

JESSE EVANS was in the form of his life over obstacles during the spring, culminating with an emphatic victory at Ballinrobe in May. He was never involved after a tardy start at Royal Ascot last time but makes plenty of appeal back over hurdles. Winter Fog won this race under Brian Hayes in 2024 and has been performing with plenty of credit in Grade 1s. He's feared most down in class, while fellow veteran Enniskerry was as good as ever over hurdles in December and is capable of going well fresh.