16:05 Leopardstown

Monday 2 February 2026

All13:1513:5014:2514:5515:3016:0516:40

Barberstown Castle Handicap Chase (0-150) (Listed)

Off time: 16:05 | Winning time: 4m 30.60s

Inthepocket¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Mark Walsh| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 147

16/1

Yet to be asked for effort when coming down at Naas in November but been disappointing since. Others preferred.

Form: 2/13-F55

Jacob's Ladder^p²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 143| D

2/1

Promising individual who got off the mark over fences at Fairyhouse (16.3f) last month and found further improvement when second of 5 in Grade 3 chase at Punchestown (19.5f, heavy) 22 days ago. Likely more to come on handicap debut.

Form: 1P/2312

Addragoole^t³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Eoin Staples⁽⁵⁾| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 142| CD

7/1

Much improved when landing 20-runner handicap chase (11/1) over C&D (good) 38 days ago, driven out. Raised 10 lb since but he may be capable of better yet.

Form: 03214-1

Ballysax Hank³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 139| BF

12/1

Useful chaser who only narrowwly failed to land American Grand National at Far Hills (21f) in October. Shaped better than bare result when eighth of 28 in handicap chase at this course (24.4f, good) over Christmas and has to be of interest here.

Form: 52/312-8

Western Diego^h¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Brian Hayes| T: W P Mullins| OR: 138| D

7/1

Posted career best when opening account over fences in 12-runner handicap chase at Fairyhouse (17.1f, soft) 19 days ago by 3¾ lengths from More Coko. 8 lb higher now but must enter calculations.

Form: 6258/31

Drumgill¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Michael Kenneally⁽⁷⁾| T: J P Ryan| OR: 136| D

33/1

Back to winning ways at Fairyhouse in November but finished well held behind Western Diego at Fairyhouse last time and makes limited appeal.

Form: PP2318

Jasko Des Dames^t¹⁰¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 134| BF| D

18/1

Quickly proved himself a better chaser than hurdler last season when winning at Wexford and Punchestown and resumed his progress this term with creditable effort at Listowel before good second of 9 in handicap chase at Cheltenham (15.9f, good) 101 days ago. Not taken lightly.

Form: 2550/22-

Golden Joy^v1,t²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Danny Gilligan| T: G Elliott| OR: 130| CD

25/1

C&D winner who arrives on back of respectable fourth of 9 in handicap chase (14/1) at Naas (16f, soft) 24 days ago, finding less than looked likely. More needed to take a hand here. Visor on first time.

Form: 0517/P4

More Coko^h¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Sean Cleary-Farrell⁽⁷⁾| T: W P Mullins| OR: 130| D

11/2

Posted his best effort over fences when 3¾ lengths second of 12 to Western Diego in handicap chase at Fairyhouse (17.1f, soft, 9/1) 19 days ago, going with enthusiasm. Remains low mileage in this sphere so merits consideration.

Form: F/45892

An Peann Dearg^t³⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-7| J: Sean O'Keeffe| T: P Nolan| OR: 128| CD

28/1

Dual C&D winner last season, including this contest off 6 lb lower. Yet to fire in this campaign, however.

Form: 110P/60

Battle Of Ridgeway^t⁵⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: Liam McKenna⁽⁵⁾| T: M Hassett| OR: 127

7/1

Strong third at Cheltenham prior to posting a career best when easily winning 12-runner handicap chase at Navan (16f, heavy, 6/1) 50 days ago. Progressing well recently so he warrants respect despite a 9 lb rise.

Form: 91343-1

Dont Go Yet^p³⁸

Age: 12| Weight: 10-2| J: Philip Donovan⁽³⁾| T: E Cawley| OR: 123| D

33/1

Posted respectable 16¾ lengths fifth of 20 to Addragoole in handicap chase over C&D (good) on Boxing Day but it's not 11 runs since this veteran scored in 2023.

Form: 422/345

Milan Forth^t³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Jordan Gainford| T: S Cavanagh| OR: 119

10/1

Didn't need to be at best when winning 6-runner handicap chase at Cork (20f, good to soft, 7/2) 30 days ago and finds himself in a much deeper contest now. 2 lb out of the weights too.

Form: 17/P3P1

Grange Walk^b¹⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 10-0| J: Daniel King| T: J P Ryan| OR: 113| CD

100/1

Proved disappointing in recent starts and has plenty on his plate from 8 lb out of the handicap here.

Form: 223P89

Forecasts

Jacob's Ladder (2/1), More Coko (11/2), Addragoole (7/1), Western Diego (7/1), Battle Of Ridgeway (7/1), Milan Forth (10/1), Ballysax Hank (12/1), Inthepocket (16/1), Jasko Des Dames (18/1), Golden Joy (25/1), An Peann Dearg (28/1), Drumgill (33/1), Dont Go Yet (33/1), Grange Walk (100/1)

WESTERN DIEGO is low mileage for his age and was an emphatic winner at Fairyhouse earlier this month. He may be able to follow up. Jacob's Ladder and Ballysax Hank head the list of dangers in a typically competitive renewal of this contest.