13:40 Punchestown

Wednesday 18 February 2026

All13:4014:1014:4515:1515:4516:1516:45

Matchbook 50:50 Graduation Series Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 13:40 | Winning time: 4m 24.40s

1^st

Straight John

511-4

30/100f

T: G ElliottJ: Jack Kennedy

Made all, pushed along and clear at last, ridden and stayed on well, comfortably op 2/9

2^nd

3 ¾

Bulgaden Castle

511-4

10/3

T: P J RothwellJ: Simon Torrens

Tracked leaders on inner, ridden in 4th after 2 out, 4th at last, kept on without threatening winner to go 2nd close home op 7/2

3^rd

En Or

811-12

8/1

T: A J MartinJ: Daniel King

Mid-division, mistake 2nd, closer in 5th 2 out, ridden entering straight, went 2nd before last, not fluent at last and dropped to 4th, kept on same pace in 3rd close home op 7/1

4^th

Doctor Elvis

711-4

12/1

T: G ElliottJ: Danny Gilligan

Tracked leaders, ridden in 2nd after 2 out, 3rd before last, 2nd again after last, no extra, 4th close home op 16/1

5^th

Lord Of The Locke

511-4

20/1

T: C ByrnesJ: Philip Byrnes

Tracked leader in 2nd, ridden in 3rd 2 out, soon no impression on leaders op 28/1

6^th

Zam Bobbler

511-4

40/1

T: P J RothwellJ: Tiernan Power Roche (3)

In rear, closer in moderate 10th 3 out, kept on one pace straight, never a factor

7^th

2 ½

Ballinaboola Gold

510-11

250/1

T: R DonohoeJ: Danny Mullins

Mid-division on inner, slow at 1st, closer in 6th and pushed along after 4 out, soon ridden and no impression op 150/1

8^th

Poppycon

611-4

66/1

T: E DoyleJ: Phillip Enright

Mid-division, ridden in moderate 9th and mistake 2 out, no impression

9^th

2 ½

Sylkie

511-5

125/1

T: D HowardJ: Cian Quirke

Mid-division on outer, no impression from 3 out, never a factor op 100/1

10^th

1 ¼

Ode To Joy

610-11

250/1

T: W J McLernonJ: Gavin Brouder

Always towards rear, never a factor

11^th

Silver Salute

711-4

80/1

T: Ian DonoghueJ: Josh Williamson (5)

Rear of mid-division, hampered and slow at 1st, no impression from 3 out, never a factor op 66/1

12^th

3 ½

Let It Settle

510-11

100/1

T: G P CromwellJ: Conor Stone-Walsh

Always towards rear, never a factor op 80/1

13^th

Your Out Of Line

511-4

150/1

T: R O'SullivanJ: Donagh Meyler

Rear of mid-division, no impression from 3 out, never a factor op 125/1

14^th

1 ½

Thecouncillorswife

710-11

100/1

T: D DeaconJ: Ben Kennedy (7)

Always towards rear, never a factor op 200/1

15^th

Cherry Pink

611-5

50/1

T: W DurkanJ: Alyse Clarke (7)

Tracked leaders, ridden and dropped to moderate 8th 2 out, weakened

16^th

Ballyhasty

511-4

250/1

T: W J AustinJ: Eoin Staples (5)

Always towards rear, not fluent 3rd and slow at 4th, never a factor

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Non-Runners

Market Ready¹⁰⁸

Weight: 11-4| Age: 5

T: S Aherne J: Sean O'Keeffe

Dictionary Corner⁸³

Weight: 10-11| Age: 5

T: E McCarthy J: Reserve 2

Salvador Peps

Weight: 11-4| Age: 6

T: G M Doyle J: Reserve 3

Betting Breakdown

Tote Win:€1.30Pl:€1.02, €1.40, €2.30EX:€2.20Trifecta:€9.90SF:€2.17

Forecasts

Straight John (30/100), Bulgaden Castle (10/3), En Or (8/1), Market Ready (8/1), Doctor Elvis (12/1), Lord Of The Locke (20/1), Salvador Peps (25/1), Zam Bobbler (40/1), Cherry Pink (50/1), Poppycon (66/1), Silver Salute (80/1), Let It Settle (100/1), Thecouncillorswife (100/1), Dictionary Corner (100/1), Sylkie (125/1), Your Out Of Line (150/1), Ballinaboola Gold (250/1), Ode To Joy (250/1), Ballyhasty (250/1)

An excellent chance for STRAIGHT JOHN to open his account with his stablemate still having to prove he retains ability after a long absence. Bulgaden Castle is going the right way so may emerge as the main threat.

STRAIGHT JOHN (FR)
BULGADEN CASTLE (IRE)
DOCTOR ELVIS (FR)

Previous Winners

2025

Adela Icon

Weight: 10-11 |Age: 7

J: Brian Hayes | T: W P Mullins

9/2

Prize Money

1st: €6,000.002nd: €2,000.003rd: €999.004th: €500.005th: €300.006th: €200.00