13:21 Gowran Park

Friday 2 October 2026

All13:2113:5614:3115:0615:4116:1616:5017:20

Willis Towers Watson Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 13:22 | Winning time: 3m 56.40s

Bunker Buster^h1¹⁵⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-7| J: Philip Byrnes| T: C Byrnes| BF

1/1

Half-brother to stable's useful hurdler Shoot First. Well backed when placing in solid bumpers at Navan/Punchestown last season, showing bags of ability amid keenness. May well benefit from the addition of a first-time hood, and he's a serious player if translating his bumper form to hurdles.

Form: 23-

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Charles Kickham^h⁴⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-7| J: Paddy Cody⁽⁷⁾| T: K Purcell

40/1

Hurdling debutant who showed ability (modest form) in 4 bumper starts this summer. Will probably have better opportunities down the line.

Form: 8465

Feel Like Ash¹⁴⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-7| J: Sean Flanagan| T: P Nolan

50/1

Beaten 4 lengths when last of 3 finishers on sole start in points. Shaped as if better for the run on hurdling debut at Cork in the spring. May still need this following 4 months away.

Form: 3-0

Ivatt^h1¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-7| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott

3/1

Fairly useful middle-distance handicapper on Flat. Improved on his hurdling debut form when smooth-travelling fifth at Navan (2m), not as well suited by the long run-in as the other principals. In top hands and could muster up a stronger finishing effort, if first-time hood has the desired effect.

Form: 35

Magna Gee Gee⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-7| J: Aidan Kelly| T: P J Flynn

100/1

Low-grade Flat winner never landed a blow in a Listowel maiden (200/1) 9 days ago. Little appeal this side of handicaps.

Form: R9

Miners Cabin³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-7| J: Phillip Enright| T: Kevin Coleman

100/1

Hasn't shown much in either code. Back hurdling and needs this run for a mark.

Form: 98-

Plus Or Minus^t¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-7| J: Richard Condon⁽⁵⁾| T: P A Fahy

200/1

Wasn't unduly punished to make some late gains second time up over hurdles at Navan (2m, good to soft, 300/1). Still easy enough to look elsewhere.

Form: 50

Quarry Road

Age: 4| Weight: 11-7| J: Ms E L Herbison⁽⁷⁾| T: M McCabe

125/1

€5,000 3-y-o, Valirann gelding. Half-brother to useful chaser Charlie Uberalles and modest hurdler Atomic Angel. Dam unraced, out of unraced sister to useful hurdler/smart chaser (2½m-3¼m winner) Hell's Bay. Cheap purchase who is likely to need time/distance.

Form:

Robbie Diamonds¹⁴⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-7| J: J J Slevin| T: P A Fahy

80/1

Shaped better than the beaten distance when well-held sixth on second bumper start at Killarney (17f). Entitled to need the experience now switched to hurdles following 4 months off.

Form: 0-6

Spirit Of Stars¹⁵⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-7| J: Danny Gilligan| T: C Collins

22/1

Cloth of Stars gelding. Dam unraced sister to French 2¼m hurdle winner We Will See. Placed on second of 2 point starts in April. Market should guide now sent hurdling by capable new yard.

Form: 53-

Liath Mor

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Kieren Buckley| T: G P Cromwell

80/1

Sumbal filly. Dam pulled up sole start in points. Isn't an obvious sort on breeding but at least worth a market check given who trains her.

Form:

Michonne¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Donagh Meyler| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 123| D

15/8

Fairly useful stayer on the Flat. Improved with each hurdle start last season, finishing runner-up in listed juvenile at Naas (solid form) prior to facing a stiff task in Fairyhouse Grade 2. Recent return on Flat (well beaten) presumably a pipe-opener and should be capable of winning a maiden.

Form: 725-

Sapphire Jewel¹⁵⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: C Motherway

28/1

From a good jumping family. Showed a bit at long odds when distant third in Limerick bumper in March. Still very green in the face of a stiff task in Grade 3 at Punchestown the following month. At least worth noting for each-way support on hurdling debut.

Form: 30-

Forecasts

Bunker Buster (1/1), Michonne (15/8), Ivatt (3/1), Spirit Of Stars (22/1), Sapphire Jewel (28/1), Charles Kickham (40/1), Feel Like Ash (50/1), Robbie Diamonds (80/1), Liath Mor (80/1), Magna Gee Gee (100/1), Miners Cabin (100/1), Quarry Road (125/1), Plus Or Minus (200/1)

Highly tried in juvenile hurdles last season and fit from a recent spin on the flat, MICHONNE looks the pick at the weights on return to maiden company. Hurdling debutant Bunker Buster showed bags of ability in bumpers and is feared most, with Gordon Elliott's Ivatt completing the shortlist.