13:40 Leopardstown

Sunday 1 February 2026

All12:4013:1013:4014:1014:4515:2015:5216:27

Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)

Off time: 13:42 | Winning time: 4m 18.00s

Ballyfad³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| CD

7/2

Point winner who also won both starts in bumpers, before maintaining his unbeaten record in good style when landing 21-runner maiden hurdle at this C&D (good) in December, with the runner-up scoring easily next time. Can make his presence felt with better still to come.

Form: 1-111

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Blake⁶³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Donagh Meyler| T: N Meade| OR: 139| C

18/1

Useful Flat winner who made second start over hurdles a winning one at Down Royal in November. Continued his progress when head second of 8 to Koktail Brut in Royal Bond Novices' Hurdle at Fairyhouse (16f, soft) in November and he's open to further improvement.

Form: 2-12

Davy Crockett¹³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Mark Walsh| T: W P Mullins| D

11/1

Son of Annie Power who created a good impression when winning a Punchestown bumper in June. Has landed the odds in a pair of novice hurdles since, at Galway in July and Listowel (16f, good to soft) in September, and he's a smart prospect, though this is a much tougher test.

Form: 111

King Rasko Grey³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| D

11/2

Promise in bumpers at Punchestown 12 months apart and, after a further 8 months off, looked potentially useful when winning 18-runner maiden at Limerick (16f, heavy) on hurdles bow 5 weeks ago, form which has been boosted since. Respected with Paul Townend on board.

Form: 4/2-1

Koktail Brut³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Danny Gilligan| T: G Elliott| OR: 140| D

11/1

Useful bumper winner who impressed when making a winning start over hurdles at Punchestown in November. Followed up with a determined success in Royal Bond Novices' Hurdle at Fairyhouse, but was found to have bled when tailed off in Grade 1 here last time.

Form: 435-117

Le Divin Enfant^h1³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| D

9/2

French recruit who was a wide-margin winner of a Thurles maiden hurdle on seasonal/stable debut in November. Improved despite still looking a work in progress when fourth in Future Champions Novices' Hurdle (good) here next time, so he's capable of better again with hood added.

Form: 4-14

Mister Pessimistic^t1³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: H De Bromhead| D

40/1

Point winner who also scored on first 2 starts under Rules, a bumper at Listowel before landing the odds in maiden hurdle at Cork in November. Held back by inexperience when sixth in Future Champions Novices' Hurdle here last time, so has plenty to find with tongue strap added.

Form: 1-116

Starting Fifteen^h³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Sean Flanagan| T: E McNamara| OR: 130| D

25/1

Made the frame all 3 starts in bumpers and encouraging second behind Talk The Talk in a Limerick maiden on hurdling debut. Comfortably went one better back at Limerick (16f, heavy) 37 days ago and he remains open to progress, though it will be required in this contest.

Form: 23/421

Talk The Talk³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: J J Slevin| T: J P O'Brien| D

3/1

Has made highly promisingly start over hurdles this season, making it 2 from 2 when landing a Grade 3 at Fairyhouse in November. Looked poised to score again when falling at the last in Future Champions Novices' Hurdle (good) at this C&D last time, so he looks to hold leading claims.

Form: 2-11F

The Reverend²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Harry Cobden| T: W P Mullins

12/1

Smart handicapper on the Flat (stays 1¾m) for William Haggas and, after 4 months off with hood applied, won a Cork maiden (16.7f, good to soft) in stylish fashion on stable/hurdling debut 29 days ago. Could have a lot more to offer given his ability on the level.

Form: 1

Tyson Fury¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: D G Hogan| T: D Hogan| D

300/1

Useful staying handicapper on the Flat who showed plenty to work on sent hurdling when fourth in 22-runner maiden at this C&D (good) in December. Left poorly placed back on the level at Dundalk 16 days ago, but this looks tough making second start over hurdles.

Form: 4

Switch From Diesel²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Daniel King| T: R O'Sullivan| OR: 122| BF| D

22/1

Three-time bumper winner who also won only start on the Flat in November. Encouragement when runner-up first 2 outings over hurdles, before shaping as if still in good form when fourth of 10 in Slaney Novices' Hurdle at Naas (20f, soft) 23 days ago. Difficult ask.

Form: 112/224

Forecasts

Talk The Talk (3/1), Ballyfad (7/2), Le Divin Enfant (9/2), King Rasko Grey (11/2), Koktail Brut (11/1), Davy Crockett (11/1), The Reverend (12/1), Blake (18/1), Switch From Diesel (22/1), Starting Fifteen (25/1), Mister Pessimistic (40/1), Tyson Fury (300/1)

Preference is for TALK THE TALK, who looked set to extend his unbeaten run over hurdles to 3 when falling at the last in Future Champions Novices' Hurdle here in December. He can gain compensation, though King Rasko Grey isn't taken lightly given Willie Mullins' record in this race, while the unbeaten Ballyfad also has to be considered in what looks a fascinating renewal.