14:50 Navan (IRE) 08 Feb 2026
William Hill Boyne Hurdle
Grade 2 | Class 1 | 5YO plus
Winner €27,000 - 6 declared to run
Heavy
Draw Advantage: None
Forecast: Sunny spells
Temperature: 5.4° - 9.9°
Rainfall: 0.55mm
Wind: 6.9 mph SE
Last Update: 07/02/2026 17:00x
- Winner
- Top 2 Finish
- Top 3 Finish
- W/O Hiddenvalley Lake
- W/O Staffordshire Knot
- W/O Hiddenvalley Lake And Staffordshire Knot
- Top 4 Finish
Bookies best price percentage = 114.13%
AT THE RACES is not liable for any services or information offered or provided by its bookmaker partners. Please note: Whilst every effort is made to ensure odds and information are up to date and correct, differences between these and actual odds/information available from bookmakers at time of placing a bet may occur.
Race may have come a bit soon when finishing down the field in the Champion Stayers Hurdle (Grade 1) at Punchestown most recently. Effective over 2 1/2-3m, took this in 2024, a Grade 1 winner who sets the standard and will be tough to beat if fit.
He has won four hurdle races from 2m 3f to 3m 1f on ground varying from good to yielding - soft. Well beaten at 7-1 behind Teahupoo when 9th of 11 on his latest outing in a Grade 1 hurdle race in the Group 1 Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle at Punchestown over 2m 7f (yielding) in May last year.
Race may have come a bit soon when finishing down the field in the Champion Stayers Hurdle (Grade 1) at Punchestown most recently. Effective over 2 1/2-3m, took this in 2024, a Grade 1 winner who sets the standard and will be tough to beat if fit.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 11 | 4 | 3 | 36.4% | |
| Hurdle | 10 | 4 | 3 | 40% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| C | Course | 2 | 1 | 0 | 50% |
| Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| G | Similar Going | 5 | 1 | 1 | 20% |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (No Headgear) | 11 | 4 | 3 | 36.4% | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Cl | Class 1 | 9 | 3 | 3 | 33.3% |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Darragh O'Keeffe | 5 | 2 | 1 | 40% |
| T | H De Bromhead | 11 | 4 | 3 | 36.4% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Below best novice form when comfortably held in the December Hurdle (Grade 1) at Leopardstown last time. Effective at 2m, had an issue and, despite being a Grade 1 novice winner, needs more now in open company.
He has won three hurdle races and a NH flat race from 1m 6f to 2m 1f on ground varying from good to yielding. Well beaten at 28-1 behind Lossiemouth when sixth of 8 on his latest outing in a Grade 1 hurdle race in the Group 1 December Hurdle at Leopardstown over 2m (good - yielding) in December last year.
Below best novice form when comfortably held in the December Hurdle (Grade 1) at Leopardstown last time. Effective at 2m, had an issue and, despite being a Grade 1 novice winner, needs more now in open company.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 7 | 3 | 1 | 42.9% | |
| Hurdle | 7 | 3 | 1 | 42.9% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Course | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| G | Similar Going | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0% |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (No Headgear) | 9 | 3 | 2 | 33.3% | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Cl | Class 1 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 33.3% |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Mark Walsh | 6 | 3 | 0 | 50% |
| T | W P Mullins | 7 | 3 | 1 | 42.9% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Did not stay when well beaten in the Long Walk Hurdle (Grade 1) at Ascot latest. Off a short break, effective over 2m-2m5f, a likeable sort who needs a further drop back in trip and looks vulnerable here.
He has won three hurdle races and a NH flat race from 2m to 2m 4f on ground varying from good - yielding to soft - heavy. Well beaten at 20-1 when eighth of 11 on his latest outing in a Grade 1 hurdle race in the Group 1 Howden Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot over 3m (good to soft) in December last year.
Did not stay when well beaten in the Long Walk Hurdle (Grade 1) at Ascot latest. Off a short break, effective over 2m-2m5f, a likeable sort who needs a further drop back in trip and looks vulnerable here.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 28 | 3 | 12 | 10.7% | |
| Hurdle | 24 | 3 | 10 | 12.5% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| C | Course | 2 | 1 | 0 | 50% |
| Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| G | Similar Going | 9 | 2 | 4 | 22.2% |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (No Headgear) | 25 | 4 | 13 | 16% | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Cl | Class 1 | 18 | 1 | 7 | 5.6% |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | John Shinnick | 3 | 2 | 0 | 66.7% |
| T | L Fowler | 30 | 4 | 13 | 13.3% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Won this race last year but made mistakes and was outclassed when 40l third in the Hatton's Grace Hurdle (Grade 1) at Fairyhouse most recently. Off a short break, effective at 2 1/2m and likes to dominate. Dangerous if allowed to do so.
Has won seven hurdle races and a chase from 2m 2f to 3m on ground varying from good - yielding to soft - heavy. Third of 6 behind Teahupoo beaten 41l at 28-1 on his latest outing in a Grade 1 hurdle race in the Group 1 BAR 1 Betting Hatton's Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse over 2m 4f (yielding - soft) in November last year.
Won this race last year but made mistakes and was outclassed when 40l third in the Hatton's Grace Hurdle (Grade 1) at Fairyhouse most recently. Off a short break, effective at 2 1/2m and likes to dominate. Dangerous if allowed to do so.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 30 | 8 | 2 | 26.7% | |
| Hurdle | 27 | 7 | 2 | 25.9% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| CD | Course and Distance | 2 | 2 | 0 | 100% |
| C | Course | 5 | 2 | 0 | 40% |
| D | Distance | 2 | 2 | 0 | 100% |
| G | Similar Going | 15 | 5 | 0 | 33.3% |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (No Headgear) | 30 | 8 | 2 | 26.7% | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Cl | Class 1 | 15 | 4 | 1 | 26.7% |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Jordan Gainford | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| T | G Elliott | 23 | 7 | 2 | 30.4% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Yard won this last year and he may not have stayed when comfortably held in the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse last time. Effective over 2 1/2-3m, well treated on these terms on chase form but may just need this.
Winner of two hurdle races, a NH flat race, two chases and a point-to-point from 2m to 3m on ground varying from soft to soft - heavy. Well beaten at 16-1 when sixth of 30 on his latest outing in a Grade 3 chase in the Group 3 BoyleSports Irish Grand National Chase at Fairyhouse over 3m 5f (soft - heavy) in April last year.
Yard won this last year and he may not have stayed when comfortably held in the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse last time. Effective over 2 1/2-3m, well treated on these terms on chase form but may just need this.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 11 | 4 | 1 | 36.4% | |
| Hurdle | 6 | 2 | 1 | 33.3% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| C | Course | 4 | 2 | 1 | 50% |
| Distance | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| G | Similar Going | 9 | 4 | 1 | 44.4% |
| Headgear | |||||
| HG | Today (T only) | 11 | 4 | 1 | 36.4% |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Cl | Class 1 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 14.3% |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Danny Gilligan | 3 | 1 | 0 | 33.3% |
| T | G Elliott | 14 | 5 | 1 | 35.7% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Yard won this last year and he travelled well before being out-battled late by a strong stayer when second beaten 1/2l in the Galmoy Hurdle (Grade 2) at Gowran Park latest. Effective over 2 1/2-3m and suited by cut. Hugely progressive this term and stable first string on jockey bookings.
He has won three hurdle races and a NH flat race from 2m to 3m on ground varying from soft to soft - heavy. Beaten 1/2l by Home By The Lee when second of 6 at 9-4fav on his latest outing in a Grade 2 hurdle race in the Group 2 John Mulhern Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park over 2m 7f (heavy) last month.
Yard won this last year and he travelled well before being out-battled late by a strong stayer when second beaten 1/2l in the Galmoy Hurdle (Grade 2) at Gowran Park latest. Effective over 2 1/2-3m and suited by cut. Hugely progressive this term and stable first string on jockey bookings.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 15 | 3 | 6 | 20% | |
| Hurdle | 13 | 3 | 5 | 23.1% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Course | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| D | Distance | 1 | 1 | 0 | 100% |
| G | Similar Going | 10 | 4 | 4 | 40% |
| Headgear | |||||
| HG | Today (B only) | 6 | 2 | 2 | 33.3% |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Cl | Class 1 | 8 | 1 | 4 | 12.5% |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Jack Kennedy | 3 | 1 | 1 | 33.3% |
| T | G Elliott | 16 | 4 | 6 | 25% |
| BF Was beaten favourite last time out | |||||
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Verdict
STAFFORDSHIRE KNOT has returned to form this season and has both a light weight and suitable ground conditions. He finished second in the Galmoy last month and again avoids any penalty in this race. Hiddenvalley Lake won the 2024 renewal and landed the Liverpool Hurdle last April, but lacks a recent run and has a 9lb penalty. Last year's winner Maxxum is next best.
Expert View Verdict
The standard is set by Hiddenvalley Lake who took this in 2024 and gained success at the top level last spring in the Liverpool Hurdle. However he hasn't been seen since disappointing at Punchestown the following month and he may be vulnberable under a big weight on his return. Gordon Elliott holds a strong hand here including last year's winner Maxxum but it is his stablemate STAFFORDSHIRE KNOT who is preferred. He has been thriving of late and only narrowly failed to complete a hat trick in the Galmoy last time when beaten by a top level performer. All of his best form has come on testing ground and with an easy lead likely under the stable jockey he can get the better of another stablemate Better Days Ahead. The 2024 Martin Pipe winner developed into a classy chaser last term and is likely using this as a prep for fences but he could have the race run to suit and will be staying on at the finish possibly for a place.
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Previous Winners
| Year | Going | Ran | Winner | Draw | Age | Weight | OR | Form | Last run | Trainer (Distance) | Jockey | SP | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Soft - Heavy | 7 | Maxxum | 8 | 11 3 | - | 1P8446 | 17 days | G Elliott (2 miles) | Danny Gilligan | 4/ 1 | 5:50.30 | |
| 2024 | Heavy | 8 | Hiddenvalley Lake | 7 | 11 6 | - | C1128-F | 64 days | H De Bromhead (153 miles) | Darragh O'Keeffe | 3/ 1 | 5:59.30 | |
| 2023 | Good - Yielding | 8 | Blazing Khal | 7 | 11 8 | - | 541-111 | 428 days | C Byrnes (127 miles) | Philip Byrnes | 5/ 1 | 5:27.50 | |
| 2022 | Heavy | 9 | Thedevilscoachman | 6 | 11 6 | - | 5117-32 | 44 days | N Meade (2 miles) | Mark Walsh | 4/ 1 | 5:49.60 | |
| 2021 | Heavy | 6 | Beacon Edge | 7 | 11 8 | - | 22-1133 | 21 days | N Meade (2 miles) | Sean Flanagan | 15/ 8 | 6:06.30 | |
| 2020 | Heavy | 8 | Cracking Smart | 8 | 11 3 | - | 2F8P75 | 47 days | G Elliott (2 miles) | Davy Russell | 16/ 1 | 5:58.80 | |
| 2019 | Yielding | 6 | Tiger Roll | 9 | 11 3 | - | 2P511-4 | 93 days | G Elliott (2 miles) | Keith Donoghue | 25/ 1 | 5:25.80 | |
| 2018 | Soft - Heavy | 4 | Diamond Cauchois | 7 | 11 3 | - | P01-313 | 24 days | G Elliott (2 miles) | Davy Russell | 4/ 6 | 6:04.80 | |
| 2017 | Soft - Heavy | 9 | Sutton Place | 6 | 11 8 | - | 3111-1 | 22 days | G Elliott (2 miles) | B J Geraghty | 4/ 6 | 5:32.30 | |
| 2016 | Heavy | 3 | Snow Falcon | 6 | 11 3 | - | 56-315F | 48 days | N Meade (2 miles) | Sean Flanagan | 11/ 4 | 5:49.70 | |
| 2015 | Yielding - Soft | 8 | Dedigout | 9 | 11 8 | - | F415-61 | 24 days | A J Martin (2 miles) | Bryan Cooper | 6/ 4 | 5:35.90 | |
| 2014 | Heavy | 4 | Dunguib | 11 | 11 3 | - | 13618-3 | 29 days | P Fenton (143 miles) | B O'Connell | 11/ 4 | 5:26.80 | |
| 2013 | Heavy | 6 | On His Own | 9 | 11 3 | - | 4P1-B1F | 311 days | W P Mullins (83 miles) | Paul Townend | 10/ 1 | 5:50.20 | |
| 2012 | Yielding - Soft | 8 | Mourad | 7 | 11 8 | - | 3-24223 | 22 days | W P Mullins (83 miles) | Paul Townend | 3/ 1 | 5:23.70 | |
| 2011 | Heavy | 9 | Voler La Vedette | 7 | 11 3 | - | 39-1234 | 21 days | Colm Murphy (119 miles) | A Lynch | 9/ 4 | 5:37.60 | |
| 2010 | Soft | 9 | War Of Attrition | 11 | 11 8 | - | P23041 | 24 days | M F Morris (143 miles) | Davy Russell | 7/ 1 | 5:26.30 | |
| 2009 | Heavy | 6 | Catch Me | 7 | 11 10 | - | 65-4111 | 50 days | E J O'Grady (143 miles) | A J McNamara | 4/ 9 | 5:33.90 | |
| 2008 | Soft | 7 | Kazal | 7 | 11 8 | - | 111-FU3 | 24 days | E Griffin (103 miles) | B J Geraghty | 4/ 1 | 5:12.90 | |
| 2007 | Heavy | 5 | Sweet Kiln | 8 | 10 11 | - | 463421 | 29 days | M J Bowe (103 miles) | Davy Russell | 8/ 13 | 5:43.40 | |
| 2006 | Soft | 6 | Golden Cross | 7 | 11 12 | - | 77-1123 | 21 days | M Halford (64 miles) | Johnny Murtagh | 8/ 15 | 6:04.80 |
Race Favourite Stats
| Year | Favourite Finish Position | Winner Market Position |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 3 |
| 2024 | 1 | 1 |
| 2023 | 5 | 3 |
| 2022 | 7 | 3 |
| 2021 | 2 | 2 |
| 2020 | 4 | 7 |
| 2019 | 4 | 5 |
| 2018 | 1 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 | 1 |
| 2016 | 3 | 3 |
Race Record
| Distance | Record Time |
|---|---|
| 2m 5f 180y | 5:50.30 |