15:05 Down Royal

Sunday 12 April 2026

All13:5514:3015:0515:3516:0716:3717:07

Fast As Fibrus Broadband Novice Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:05 | Winning time: 5m 30.10s

Rough 'n' Smooth⁸⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: James Smith⁽⁵⁾| T: T Gibney| OR: 103

18/1

Has progressed gradually in a trio of maiden hurdles, fourth of 15 at Fairyhouse on his latest outing in January. Form from last time has been working out well, so he remains capable of better as he goes handicapping.

Form: 884

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Jukebox Johnny^p⁸⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 102

9/2

Stepped up on previous efforts sent handicapping over a longer trip when fourth of 24 at Cork (2½m) in December. Shaped as if still in good form next time, but with cheekpieces added he was pulled up at Gowran 11 weeks ago.

Form: 6-0945P

Couldntmakeitup^t⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Peter Smithers⁽⁷⁾| T: J Nash| OR: 96

18/1

Remains winless but bounced back to form when third of 9 in amateurs handicap at Punchestown in January. Can have a line put through his latest run, badly hampered mid-race at Newbury the following month.

Form: U34930

Danny The Champ⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Alex Harvey| T: J C McConnell| OR: 96

16/1

Well beaten in bumpers and only modest form in a trio of maiden hurdles. Hasn't fared any better in handicaps on his last 2 starts, ninth of 18 in novice event at Leopardstown 6 weeks ago.

Form: 000909

King Gris^b1¹²³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 94

7/2

Justified strong support on handicap/stable debut at Ayr in December and followed up under a penalty at Hexham 9 days later, a mistake at the last masking his superiority. Major player back from a break with blinkers added.

Form: 38-5911

Only For Our Man³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Eoin Staples⁽⁵⁾| T: P Nolan| OR: 92

15/8

Runner-up in a bumper last spring for Stuart Crawford and left previous efforts over hurdles behind when second of 11 on handicap debut at Naas (19f) last month. Open to further improvement with longer trip promising to suit.

Form: 2-25002

Hitthehayson^p²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: Conor Stone-Walsh| T: Ian Donoghue| OR: 91| D

17/2

Recorded back-to-back handicap hurdle victories in September/October and made it 4 wins from 5 races when successful on his first 2 chase starts. After a couple of lesser efforts back hurdling, returned to form when third at Wexford on Friday.

Form: 411P53

Dark Lieutenant¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-4| J: Danny Mullins| T: P A Fahy| OR: 88

28/1

Didn't make much impact in bumpers/maiden hurdles, but caught the eye sent handicapping when eighth of 15 at Clonmel (19f) 17 days ago, finishing with running left having been badly hampered 2 out. Interesting contender.

Form: 956008

Stardhem^h²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-3| J: Josh Younge⁽⁷⁾| T: Edward F Power| OR: 87

12/1

Won first 2 chase starts for Ben Pauling last season before form went the wrong way. However, with hood applied back over hurdles he made a winning stable debut in handicap at Cork last time, though was suited by the way race developed.

Form: 1P-P6P1

Spellacy's Cross¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Daniel King| T: J Barcoe| OR: 84| BF

12/1

Finally off the mark in handicap chase at Clonmel in October and followed up there later the same month. Creditable effort in the Cork National, before shaping as if needing the run after 5 months off back hurdling at Clonmel 17 days ago.

Form: 6U1155

Non-Runners

Irish Champ²⁶

Weight: 11-12| Age: 6

T: S R B Crawford J: J J Slevin

Mistyburn²⁴

Weight: 10-3| Age: 6

T: P J Rothwell J: Tiernan Power Roche

Forecasts

Only For Our Man (15/8), King Gris (7/2), Jukebox Johnny (9/2), Hitthehayson (17/2), Stardhem (12/1), Spellacy's Cross (12/1), Mistyburn (12/1), Danny The Champ (16/1), Irish Champ (16/1), Rough 'n' Smooth (18/1), Couldntmakeitup (18/1), Dark Lieutenant (28/1)

KING GRIS has shown much improved form sent handicapping in 2 starts for Gordon Elliott, scoring with something in hand at Hexham on his latest outing, and he can land the hat-trick with further progress to come. Only For Our Man made a promising handicap debut and could be the main danger, with Dark Lieutenant also one to note.