14:30 Punchestown

Wednesday 29 April 2026

All14:3015:0515:4016:1516:5017:2518:0518:35

Adare Manor Opportunity Series Final Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:35 | Winning time: 4m 53.40s

Aguellid^h⁶³

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Aidan Kelly| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 122

5/1

Posted a career-best when winning 18-runner maiden hurdle at Wincanton (15f, soft) 63 days ago. Had a bit left up his sleeve that day and while more is needed now handicapping, this low-mileage 5-y-o needs considering.

Form: 4-3221

Miss Manzor³³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Paddy Cleary⁽⁴⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 120

100/1

First run since leaving Willie Mullins when last of 20 in handicap at the Curragh (1¾m, good) on the Flat last May. That proved to his sole run for the Noel Kelly yard and now in the care of Gordon Elliott.

Form: 538/64P-

Straight John^t⁵⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Josh Williamson⁽²⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 120| BF| C

11/2

Made it third time lucky in maiden hurdles here in February. Creditable third of 7 in novice hurdle at Naas (2m, soft) next time and should have more to offer now moving up in trip for this handicap debut.

Form: 6213

Long Branch^p1¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Sean Cleary-Farrell⁽⁴⁾| T: S Neville| OR: 119

11/1

Successful at Thurles in December and latest second of 5 in novice hurdle at Wexford (3m, soft) was creditable. Cheekpieces now enlisted and he's not without each-way hope.

Form: 5413U2

Radiator Springs²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Patrick M O'Brien⁽²⁾| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 119

9/2

Promising type. Second of 21 in handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse (2m, soft) 23 days ago, leaving the strong impression that this stiffer test will be right up her street. Needs considering.

Form: 321312

Thanksforthehelp^b,t⁴⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: Rian Corcoran⁽⁴⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 119| CD

13/2

Only ninth of 14 in handicap hurdle at Uttoxeter (2½m, soft) 46 days ago. However, blinkers now refitted and couldn't rule out off a mark 3 lb higher compared to when winning this 12 months ago.

Form: 1-77559

Toll Stone²⁷⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Elizabeth Gale⁽²⁾| T: E Mullins| OR: 119| BF

16/1

Good second of 15 in handicap hurdle at Galway (17f, good to soft) in August, going with enthusiasm. Absent since but it's likely that his shrewd handler will have him spot-on for this assignment.

Form: 138/7-52

Minella Supreme^p1⁵⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Paddy Hanlon⁽²⁾| T: J C McConnell| OR: 118| D

50/1

Below par sixth of 12 in novice hurdle at Newcastle (2½m, good to soft) 57 days ago and opposable on this handicap debut. Cheekpieces applied.

Form: 1F16P6

Cloonainra^p⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Dylan Kidd⁽⁴⁾| T: J C McConnell| OR: 117| D

22/1

Fairly useful winner at 19f in chases. Cheekpieces on for 1st time, fourth of 7 in novice chase (7/2) at Down Royal (2½m, good to soft) 43 days ago. Switches from chase to hurdles.

Form: 5-15984

Kamino Bello¹¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Eoin Staples⁽²⁾| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 117

16/1

Finished sixth of 7 in a novice hurdle at Cork (17f, good to soft) when last seen in January. Improvement needed now handicapping.

Form: 536-156

Jolie Jewel^h¹²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Calum Hogan⁽²⁾| T: B McMahon| OR: 116| D

40/1

Hit the target at Thurles in November but was below par when nearer last than first at Leopardstown (21f, good) the following month. Absent since and it's probably best to look elsewhere.

Form: 530010

Minella Post⁴⁵⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: James Smith| T: T Gibney| OR: 116

14/1

Failed to progress when fourth of 11 in maiden hurdle at this course (23f, soft) last February. Likely to do better in handicaps but this is a tall order following a 15-month absence.

Form: 23/3554-

Ryan's Son^h1⁵⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Charlie O'Dwyer| T: Liz Doyle| OR: 116

33/1

Equipped with a first-time tongue strap when last of 6 in novice hurdle at Leopardstown (2m) 58 days ago. Hood enlisted now upped in trip for this handicap debut and needs to raise his game.

Form: 0-16

Falcon Eight^p²⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 11-6| J: Hugh Horgan| T: D K Weld| OR: 114| D

33/1

Finished sixth of 7 in minor event on the Flat at the Curragh (1¾m, heavy) 26 days ago. Latest display over hurdles was poor and this 11-y-o is probably worth taking on.

Form: 3520/70-

Garrybello^t¹⁰¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Liam McKenna| T: T Cooper| OR: 114

66/1

Twelfth of 13 in handicap hurdle at Thurles (2m, good to soft) 101 days ago and needs to take a step forward now upped in trip with the tongue strap refitted.

Form: F77P/3-0

Kalanisi Flash^p,t¹⁸⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Shane Fitzsimons⁽⁴⁾| T: J C McConnell| OR: 114

125/1

Pulled up in a handicap chase at Cheltenham (25f, good) when last seen in October. Bagged a Downpatrick maiden on latest start in this sphere but that was 2 years ago and he's opposable.

Form: F24/1-3P

Katie Daniels^p,t²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Carl Millar⁽²⁾| T: C Collins| OR: 114

12/1

Fitted with a first-time tongue strap (retained) when winning a 20-runner handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse (2½m, soft) 24 days ago. That represented a clear career-best and a 7 lb rise looks manageable.

Form: 31P571

Claude^t¹⁸⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Peter Smithers⁽⁴⁾| T: Ms S J Connell| OR: 112

66/1

Successful at Wexford last summer but finished last of 7 in a novice hurdle at the same course (2m, soft). when last seen in October.

Form: 451367

Sopelana^p,t³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: Kevin Healy⁽⁴⁾| T: C Collins| OR: 120| C

25/1

Course winner. Good second of 12 in handicap hurdle at Navan (2m, soft) 39 days ago but better will be needed if she's to go one better back now back up in trip.

Form: 581742

Better Times¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Michael Kenneally⁽²⁾| T: S G Carey| OR: 111

16/1

Scored at Downpatrick last month and good fourth of 15 in handicap hurdle at Clonmel (23f, good to soft) recently. Can make his presence felt off the same mark.

Form: 055714

Aurea Fortuna^t²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Sexton⁽⁴⁾| T: A J Martin| OR: 110| C

16/1

Below form when ninth of 17 in handicap chase at Fairyhouse (21f, soft) 25 days ago. Tongue strap refitted now returned to hurdles and he's opposable on balance.

Form: 131059

Jacovec Cavern^p⁷⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Richard Condon⁽²⁾| T: P Hennessy| OR: 109

33/1

Struck over fences at Gowran in November but could finish only tenth of 14 in handicap hurdle at Gowran (2½m, heavy) last time. Others preferred.

Form: 761300

Mi Lucky Cailin²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Caragh Monaghan⁽⁴⁾| T: W J McLernon| OR: 109

50/1

Latest win at Thurles in January. Pulled up in the Fairyhouse handicap hurdle won by Katie Daniels last time. Easy enough to look elsewhere. RESERVE.

Form: 70214P

El Champo^p²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Shane O'Callaghan| T: P J Rothwell| OR: 109| D

80/1

Latest win over fences at Listowel in September. Pulled up in a handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse (21f, soft) 23 days ago, weakening quickly. Hard to warm to. RESERVE.

Form: 1543PP

Non-Runners

Sir Allen³⁰

Weight: 12-0| Age: 7

T: A Slattery J: Sam Coen

God Of Thunder⁴

Weight: 11-12| Age: 7

T: D Hogan J: Philip Donovan

Hitak¹³⁰

Weight: 11-12| Age: 9

T: J J Hanlon J: Adam Leahy

Moon Mission¹

Weight: 11-1| Age: 5

T: P J Rothwell J: Reserve 2

Forecasts

Radiator Springs (9/2), Aguellid (5/1), Straight John (11/2), Thanksforthehelp (13/2), Long Branch (11/1), Moon Mission (11/1), Katie Daniels (12/1), Minella Post (14/1), Sir Allen (14/1), Toll Stone (16/1), Kamino Bello (16/1), Better Times (16/1), Aurea Fortuna (16/1), Cloonainra (22/1), Hitak (25/1), Sopelana (25/1), Jacovec Cavern (33/1), Ryan's Son (33/1), Falcon Eight (33/1), God Of Thunder (33/1), Jolie Jewel (40/1), Mi Lucky Cailin (50/1), Minella Supreme (50/1), Claude (66/1), Garrybello (66/1), El Champo (80/1), Miss Manzor (100/1), Kalanisi Flash (125/1)

The vote goes to RADIATOR SPRINGS, who belied her inexperience when a clear second on handicap debut at Fairyhouse and this step up in trip looks a good move. Straight John is another unexposed type and is feared most ahead of Toll Stone, who will be particularly interesting if the market speaks in his favour. Leading owner JP McManus has a good record in this race and is represented by respected British raiders Thanksforthehelp (winner of this last year) and Aguellid.