15:15 Fairyhouse

Sunday 5 April 2026

All13:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:0017:30

Paddy Kehoe Suspended Ceilings Novice Hurdle (Grade 2)

4YO plus | Class 1 | 2m 4f | 12 Runners | Turf

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Mark Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 136

Highly impressive when making it 3-3 at Tipperary and again acquitted himself well in Grade 1 company when third at Leopardstown last time, shaping as though this return to 2½m is exactly what he needs. Looks interesting in slightly calmer waters.

Form: 11133

Frankie John⁶²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: D G Hogan| T: D Hogan| OR: 128| D

33/1

Useful bumper winner typically gave his running when fifth (behind Love Me Tender) in Grade 1 at Leopardstown in early-February, though is unlikely to find life any easier in a deep contest here.

Form: 223155

Generous Risk³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott

28/1

Expensive point recruit settled better than in bumpers when making a successful hurdle debut at Leopardstown last time. The manner of that victory suggests he's well worth a crack at this level and notable that he's the pick of Jack Kennedy.

Form: 13-2361

He's On Fire⁴⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 138

15/8

Narrowly beaten by a fellow improver on final start in France and looked a useful prospect when landing the odds with ease at Carlisle on stable debut in February (held Grade 1 entries at the time). Gets the vote of confidence from Paul Townend and looks to have a leading chance.

Form: 4621

Hipop De Loire^p1²³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Sean O'Keeffe| T: W P Mullins| OR: 135

66/1

Useful stayer on Flat who found the demands of an Albert Bartlett too much on just his third start over hurdles. At least has sights lowered here, for all he doesn't look the stable's leading hope.

Form: 2-1P

I Started A Joke^p1⁶³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Philip Byrnes| T: C Byrnes| OR: 132| BF

4/1

Fast-improving hurdler who readily landed the odds in Punchestown novice before finishing strong-travelling second on handicap debut at Leopardstown (2m) in early-February. Tackles longer trip in first-time cheekpieces on first foray into graded company, and a big run is expected.

Form: 0-43412

Kiely's Place³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins

11/2

Successful on the second of 2 outings in points and while his pedigree is far from flashy, there was plenty to like about his hurdle debut success at Clonmel in late-February, and he has to be respected for yard who've won 3 of the previous 4 renewals of this race.

Form: P1-1

Ksar Fatal⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Sean Flanagan| T: B Connell

9/1

Impressive bumper debut winner for Willie Mullins, who having disappointed on final start for that yard, overcame a 10-month absence to make a winning hurdle/stable debut at Punchestown in February. That race has produced subsequent winners and while upped in class, he's open to improvement.

Form: 118-1

Lazare De Star^h⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Danny Gilligan| T: G Elliott| OR: 133| BF

12/1

Underlined promising start over hurdles when useful ¾-length second to Heads Up (who'd dictated) in listed novice at Punchestown in February, and while very much a chaser in the making, he looks sure to appreciate this greater test of stamina.

Form: 2-2122

Royal Gladiator¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Keith Donoghue| T: Ian Donoghue| D

25/1

Chased home subsequent listed bumper winner on bumper debut and improved from a promising first effort over hurdles when finding plenty to land a 2½m Cork maiden last time. Shaped more like a stayer on that occasion but remains unexposed.

Form: U4-241

Saint Baco²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 137

8/1

Half-brother to yard's high-class jumper Saint Roi who reunites with Danny Mullins (1-1), having showed up fairly well in the Baring Bingham at Cheltenham before finishing tamely (fell last). Still on the weak side physically and he could be one for next season.

Form: 3-16F

You Proof⁹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Brian Hayes| T: W P Mullins

9/1

Point runner-up proved too free on sole start in bumpers but looked a useful prospect when making a successful hurdles debut at Limerick in December. Open to improvement, despite that form taking a few knocks subsequently.

Form: 2/5-1

Forecasts

He's On Fire (7/4), Kiely's Place (5/1), I Started A Joke (6/1), Love Me Tender (15/2), Saint Baco (15/2), You Proof (15/2), Ksar Fatal (14/1), Generous Risk (16/1), Lazare De Star (16/1), Frankie John (33/1), Royal Gladiator (33/1), Hipop De Loire (50/1)

The pick of Paul Townend, useful prospect HE'S ON FIRE can enhance Willie Mullins' excellent recent record in this race. I Started A Joke has proved highly progressive in handicaps and looks interesting pitched into graded company over a longer trip, while 2½m may prove the sweet spot for Love Me Tender, who looked exciting earlier in the season.